Winter is here...

Winter has officially entered my life. I've seen glimpses of it here and there over the past month or so, but today I've decided that it's here to stay for awhile. I made this decision while being slapped in the face by the cold Chicago wind (something I've heard plenty about, but had yet to experience for myself). That cold wind has the power to change more than just my facial expression. It gives me an extra boost of energy and forces me to get to my destination quicker. It almost gets the best of me until I realize that there are worse situations to be in. Walking amongst freezing cold wind is a piece of cake (as long as I don't have too far to go). Once you're hit, though, there's no turning back. You have to face the wind much like we face life; step by step. If you can force yourself to take one step after another, eventually you will reach your goal. Even if you have to cringe as the cold wind smacks you in the face. 


Oh, if you haven't realized, I'm back in Chicago for the time being. My time spent at home was enjoyed and appreciated, like always. The coziness of the holidays made it a little more difficult to escape my place of comfort this time. But since my plans don't include dropping out of college to live with my parents forever, I decided it was time to return to my life in the city. My return was different than my usual combination of car and train. I was lucky enough to be chauffeured by an old friend of mine (or let's say "high school sweetheart" to be a little less dull) that I have been in touch with over the past couple of months. I don't think I've ever talked or laughed so much as I did during those 5 1/2 hours (we hit traffic in Milwaukee). But, after nearly 4 years with little contact, it was inevitable that we would have plenty to discuss. It didn't take long to slip back into the comfort of the past and we chatted like old times all the way to my doorstep. Then it was time for me to play tour guide as we hit my favorite restaurant for dinner and ventured around the city to see the Christmas lights (which, for some reason, was even more fun in the rain). A step back in time is never a bad thing.


Now I'm tucked in my cozy apartment. Heat blasts out of the vent near the ceiling, creating the perfect sound to fall asleep to. Although, it doesn't completely mask the faint humming of the city noises, and I am okay with that. Tonight I will fall asleep with a smile on my face, and plan to wake up the same.