More fun in the windy city!

I'm so busy that I feel like I don't update this thing enough! Here's what's new:

I had a week off so I worked on scheduling informational interviews. At first no one paid any attention to me and I got a lot of answering machines. I was feeling really defeated and ready to give up and then things changed....
Each week University of Dreams has a guest speaker. First it was Emannual Osofu Yeboah (see previous blog post about him), then Heather Hale, then Oprah's exec. producer Candi Carter, and most recently Kevin Adler. Kevin is a sports marketing expert and talked to us about how he found his passion and how his dreams changed throughout his life. During his speech he mentioned that he worked for Leo-Burnett! I had actually called there earlier in the day and they could care less about me. So after the speech I introduced myself to him and asked if he could help me get an informational interview there - he gave me his card and told me he would love to help me out! I just e-mailed him and I'm waiting for his reply. I was so excited I could've hugged him!
Then my mom sends me an e-mail with a link to an article. My uncle's ex's brother works in Chicago in the ad industry but I never knew which agency....the article was about how he just won an Effie award and that he is the Senior VP for Cramer-Krasselt, another place I called and no one answered. So I contacted him today and he had the head of HR call me and I have an informational interview scheduled for Wednesday at noon!

Aside from my awesome networking skills, I've been quite the tourist. I saw Batman which was filmed in Chicago so it's a big deal here. Then some of us dreamers went bowling where I was high scorer of the evening. My roommates and I checked out the Planetarium, the Aquarium, the Zoo, and the Museum of Science and Industry.






We also went to a Cubs game yesterday - ironically against the Florida Marlins. The Cubbies won though and it was a good time in Wrigleyville with everyone celebrating and going crazy.



I only have 2 more weeks here and I'm really sad about it. I love Chicago and I don't want to leave. The only thing that I have to look forward to in FL is football season and graduation. Anyways, I'm off to run errands for my office. Adios!

Chicago is keeping me busy!

I've been so busy that I haven't been able to blog! There's always something to do and somewhere to go!




We saw Wicked 2 weekends back and it was amazing! Last week I worked at the Taste of Chicago - Joakim Noah from the Chicago Bulls made an appearance as well as 2 White Sox players. Someone also gave me a reserved seat ticket to see Joss Stone so I got to see her live and up close! Then I celebrated the 4th of July with the Dreamers in Lake Geneva, WI. On the 3rd I watched the fireworks in Chicago over Lake Michigan and it was absolutely beautiful! It was actually a little cold out so I wore my Noles sweatshirt (gotta represent!) and my roommates and I all cuddled under a blanket and watched the show. After the fireworks we went out to a place called the Lion Head and upstairs there's a club called The Apartment which was really awesome! It's laid out like an apartment - there's a kitchen and living room, bathroom, bedroom. Plus they play great music!









Then on the 4th we got on a bus to Lake Geneva and spent hours on the beach there. I have a great tan now between the Taste, Lake Geneva, and the Machine game. So anyways - Lake Geneva was pretty fantastic. It was such a cute little town with great boutiques and delicious restaurants. There are only 2 bars in the town so all of the Dreamers ended up at Hogs & Kisses where we had a reserved section of the bar just for us. We drank and danced and then Hailey and I were tired so we ducked out early. The bar wasn't very big so to have all of the usual suspects and townies PLUS the Dreamers it was way too crowded to move! But it was still a good time.




Then on Saturday we went back to Chicago and everyone talked me into going out that night too! So I ended up at a place called Skybar, a 3 story bar with strobe lights and disco balls and GoGo dancers. I wasn't even that drunk but my stupid self forgot to close out my tab so the bar still has my debit card and my ID. I've called and left a message multiple times but no one has responded and no one ever answers. The website says their hours of operation are Tues-Saturday starting at 8. So I went there last night at 8 p.m. and no one was there. I sat outside for a half hour and no one ever showed up! I am livid! I left an angry message and still no one has answered their phone or contacted me back. After I get my ID back, I'm boycotting Skybar! lol.




After the Skybar night on Saturday, Sunday was my first Chicago Machine lacrosse game! It was a long day but it was really cool. Speaking of work - Today I got great news! They're going to have me working with their PR firm, All Terrain. They outsource all of their PR stuff to them so on Tuesdays and Wednesdays I'll be going over there to help out. I'm really excited about it because they sound like a really awesome PR firm.



So it's been hectic and crazy here in the windy city but I'm loving it and having the time of my life! Tonight I hope to get my ID and debit card back and then I might go out. If not out tonight, definitely out Thursday, Friday, and Saturday! I also want to try and head to the aquarium this weekend and do a little bit of shopping. I also want to go to some of the museums and go to the Navy Pier! Maybe a little beach time as well. :-)