Around the World in 60 Days?

As I sit here in the office of biology looking at a tarantula in an aquarium, I thought "Hey, this is a good time to reflect." I feel like most summers are just "blah" but the ones has yet to let me catch my breath. You know, it's not enough that I'm preparing for probably my biggest life change ever - let's throw in a lot of rando/awesome trips that just keep popping up as well.

Costa Rica was pretty stinkin awesome - it rekindled my desire to be a Spanish speaker. So, that's a goal for 2009/2010...and an already overwhelming goal at that. Hola, me llamo Ashley. There, that's a start.

Chicago trip 1 - Martin family adventure was everything a family trip should be - exciting to be able to show my parents my future home and place of learning - (ta da!)
while still dealing with the various frustrations of life together 24/7 after living apart for a number of years and the added stress of finding an apartment so I wouldn't be homeless.

Then there was the beach - which I can never get enough of.
(see photo evidence)

followed by a 6 hour drive to Atlanta to fly to NYC.
to rock out at All Points West Music and Arts Festival. More photos available on FB.

Came home and a week and 2 days later realized that it was time to go BACK to Chicago so that I'm not homeless. So, what better way to do that than drive 10 hours through the night without sleeping?! woo wee! After a weekend of greasy hair, apartment shopping (that didn't include being murdered by a craigslist killer), a Cubs game, Garrett's Mix popcorn, the El, the Bean, stuffed pizza, 22 hours in the car, and stop at a rando dairy farm in Indiana, I can confidently say that I feel much more like a Chicago resident (that has applied for an apartment) but I'm not any less sad to be leaving Birmingham.

Well, there you go....a reflection.