Look Up!

A later friday post than usual, but it is here nonetheless.  My week has been filled with many adventures around Chicago.  With my professor and classmates I have visited many places which I have seen many times before, as well as a few new places that I have enjoyed seeing for the first time.    An open mic night on Tuesday in Wicker Park, a Boat ride on the river and lake on Wednesday, a walk in the heart of Chicago on Thursday along with a trip to the Chicago Art Institute, and to end the week, a walk through Lincoln Park while stoping to gaze at statues and learning everything possible about them, lastly we headed to the Chicago History Museum to end an exhausting week.

Growing up in Chicago I have been lucky enough to have parents and family members that take me around the city to learn about and absorb everything the city has to offer.  However after 18 years you can get sick of going to the same places, WRONG!  Because I have lived in Chicago for many years I have become blind to all the beauty it had to offer.  I walked around the city at a fast pace with my head looking at the ground or at my smart phone.  As much as I loved city life I failed to see the beauty in the Sky scrapers and I began to ignore the beautiful architecture of Chicago.  I focused on the fast paced lifestyle of the city and decided that was what I loved about Chicago.  But boy am I glad that my eyes have been opened again.

This week I have met people from different parts of the country who have all come to study in Chicago.  Because of them I have been able to see the city through their eyes.  Their excitement rubs off on me and I am reminded that I live in a great place.  I am reminded that every part of the world has its own beautiful qualities.  I caught myself looking up at the skyscrapers this week (something that I had not done in years) and I smiled.  I appreciated Chicago and found that it is quite a treasure and that I should continue to look up and search for its beauty everyday.

I tell you about my experience this week so that you too can be reminded to look up!  Where ever you may live I can assure you that beauty and excitement lives there in some shape or form.  Traveling is a great thing, but traveling and going to new places everyday is not realistic.  So appreciate where you are living.  Find the ins and outs of your location and learn to enjoy it.  Have an open mind!

A quick picture of the Chicago skyline.  -It's not too shabby!

-Diana