So when people asked what I was doing with my 18 days of freedom they thought I was crazy. Most people go visit sunny warm beaches, exotic places, or to anywhere exciting outside of Utah County. Most people do those kind of vacations. Not me. See I have this family in Champaign, Illinois that I love. With cheap airfare and lots of free time I went to visit them. My wickedly smart older brother decided to transport his family out to the University of Illinois for Law School. Yes, I just tell people Chicago because no one really knows where Champaign is anyway. So Scott, Amber, Weston, and Catherine put up with me for over a week.
Traveling is always such an adventure. When I book my flights I often forget My body doesn't sleep all night. So a 0650 flight start to a LONG day of travel isn't the smartest decision I've ever made. Of course I thought I would sleep before---HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Wait one more time-HAHAHAHAHA. I'm an idiot. Beginning the adventure was horrible stomach cramping and pains that kept me occupied in the bathroom for 30 minutes. After catching 20min of sleep on each flight and a bagel to settle the stomach, I arrived to begin the true adventure. See within the last week I made the mistake of watching Taken with my dad--he loves to remind me of the horrors out there. With all my luggage in tow I headed out to see the city of Chicago. Well, at least the 3 blocks of it from the track station to the train station. In case you had any doubts, Chicago is COLD and WINDY! Walking down the street I almost froze. The short walk took me past the Willis Tower and the Dirty Chicago River. Union Station wasn't what I thought it would be. The station was huge with many hallways and waiting rooms. However, they did have a Jamba Juice--thanks goodness for that!! Again I sat and waited and waited and waited--turns out the train had a few problems. I did sit and observe/talk to an Amish family for a while though. One of my favorite things about traveling is to sit back and observe people. Union Station was PERFECT to watch people. Everyone from an Amish group, to the American Girls
group, to the big black family singing in the background. People are different. My favorite part of the adventure was getting off the train station and hearing Weston say, "Where is Misa mommy? Where is Misa?" Just as crazy as ever.
I'm sure everyone thought I was crazy but I LOVED being there. Where else do I get to be tackled by a 3 year yelling my name over or Blow bubbles until my lungs collapse, be inducted as an indenture servant by that 3yr old, drool over the cuteness of a 1 yr old, rides bikes in the basement, have a mini dance party, watch dragons with kids piled on my lap, watch a 1 yr climb the stairs for the 1st time and giggle endlessly about it, witness the battle for the smootihie--the 1 yr old came out on top, read endlessly to a little boy who always asks for "one more please" or goof off with siblings I haven't seen in months. Not your typical beach vacation--but just the perfect break I need.
