Wow! It’s hard to believe that I have now been a Chicago resident for exactly one month! How is that even possible? It still feels like just yesterday that I was in Milwaukee packing up my things and trying to pack in as many last-minute memories as possible.

Before school started, and heck even now, I’ve been trying to cram as much adventure as possible into my days. Since I haven’t lived in IL since high school, it’s been a lot of fun to re-discover the city and all that there is to do. I’ve played tourist for the day and visited a few of my all-time favorite spots as well.

For the first time ever I went to the top of the Sears (ahem Willis) Tower. I stepped out on the all-glass balcony and found it not nearly as frightening as I expected. The views from up there are truly spectacular. Although I have to say I don’t understand why the glass balconies face West. There isn’t much to see out in that direction. North or East facing would make the experience a million times better! Just sayin’.

I also dragged two out-of-town guest to the Billy Goat for lunch, because I feel like that is one of the unique Chicago experiences you can’t miss. Gotta love the hole-in-the-wall place on lower Wacker.

My sisters and I attended the Bears vs Jaguars game! My first Bears game - ever! Soldier Field is a pretty awesome venue, spending the time with my sisters was great and of course the last-minute win made the whole deal that much sweeter. Can’t wait for the real season to start.

I went for my first run through my neighborhood, discovering a great park filled with baseball diamonds and a loop path that I am sure will become a regular running route for me. I can’t wait to try running to the lake and back - it’s less than 4 miles from my place!

I spent the day at Montrose Beach, another first for this IL-native who spent more time in pools than ever on a sandy Lake Michigan beach. I have to say the beach was much better than I expected. The sand was smooth and devoid of rocks and pebbles. Plus the place didn’t smell like the Milwaukee beaches do. And while there were a lot of people there I didn’t feel like everyone was on top of me with no room to breath. Even better I finally got the chance to break in my new Hapari swimsuit!!

I joined a gym by school. It just has the basic cardio and weight machines, which is perfect since I need to squeeze in a workout before school each morning. I get some pretty funny looks on the train in my workout gear while everyone else is in business clothes, but hey it’s the perfect plan for me.

I’m also discovering all the places around school that I never went to as a student. The Choo-Choo (A MUST with the train that goes around delivering food, amazing chocolate malts and authentic Chicago-style hot dogs), The Tap House (great selection of beers on tap), The Des Plaines Pancake House (where all the elderly men hangout and there are some amazing omelets to eat) - shh… don’t tell all of these are going against the Paleo diet I am trying to live. But hey, you have to break the rules sometimes, right?!