Some Thoughtful Meanderings

UPDATE ON EMOTIONS:

Starting a new life, making new friends, building a new career, clinging to the past and that which is familiar, reaching for the unknown and all the promise of adventures... Growing up is confusing...

I've been in Chicago for 4 months now. In such a short, yet at the same time very long time, I've been through so much and so little all simultaneously. I thrive on new things, new places, new challenges, new adventures - ask anyone that knows me very well and I'm sure they will agree. This doesn't come without the struggles of being thrust into unfamiliar territory. I don't always land on my feet, I do not always walk gracefully - I'm sublimely clumsy and pretty bruised from very poor entrances into these new adventures. Every new chapter in my life seems to start out great, take a moment and depress itself with some struggles, then simply soar on to the next great adventure. It's a trend that I've been through many times from starting college, to moving to India, and now in my transition to Chicago. The time frame changes for each new experience on when the downside will show itself and for how long it will last. Usually I get out of it pretty quickly due to the fact that I always seem to find super amazing people to help get me through it all. I'm now looking for that super amazing person for this adventure because life can get to be a bit much. Hey - that's what growing up is all about right? Tackling new challenges and meeting new obstacles face on and over coming them! I'll manage!

I'm hurting now for the pain my other home is currently having. Mumbai will always have a special place inside me tucked somewhere behind the heartstrings. I'm so fortunate that those who I care about are safe, and those they know and care about are safe too. These acts of violence are so confusing to me that I don't even try to rationalize them. I can only ask that every one stays safe and that everyone continues to send positive thoughts their way.
Mein tumse pyar karti hoon India, mein tumse pyar karti hoon...
में तुमसे प्यार करती हूँ इंडिया, में तुमसे प्यार करती हूँ...

I've also grown to really dislike Christmas music in the month of November and I live by the words of NPR as my main news source.
UPDATE ON ACTIVITIES:

I've had quite the busy last few weekends with visitors and traveling to Gurnee for Thanksgiving. Two of my best friends from Purdue, Alan and Megan came to visit for a weekend, three weeks back. We got to go see one of my favorite bands The Clarks play a show. I had a great time because I love there music. I think Megan and Alan enjoyed it too even though they didn't know the songs. We also got to hang around the city and eat at some fun restaurants as well as go out to the nearby bars. Philip came the following weekend and we also had a good time. I think the highlight for both of us was getting to have drinks on the 95th floor of the John Hancock building! The view was amazing and the drinks were really tasty too. Here are some pics from our time out in the city!

The 95th Floor!!

Chicago's tribute to the Jelly Bean (j/k)

Philip is actually Spiderman... Sorry the secret is out!

Two awkward people staring into the bean...