St. Patty’s Day 2012 Chicago, Illinois

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chicago, illinois, photography, st. patty's day, travel, valois diner

Four friends and I drove to see our friends for St. Patty’s Day. We stayed in Hyde Park several blocks away from Obama’s home. (My friend works at the school where the President votes.) We arrived Saturday morning and I took the bus into Grant Park. I went by myself because I wanted to see the parade and everyone else wanted to relax. I got there around 12:15pm and it was a mess. I planned on getting off at a certain stop but after a point I realized that, because of the traffic and pedestrians, it would be faster to walk. The parade route was at least 5 people deep so you couldn’t see anything unless you were on a bridge at the end of the route. I managed to see the very end of it so I was a little disappointed but I was glad to have some time to explore and experience.

 

No matter how many times I see the bean I still love it. Look at the green bean!

This is the back of the Millenium Park stage.

The northeastern side of the parade route.

The river was so bright in the sun. The bridge above created the beautiful pattern on the water.

I met up with the rest of my group by the Marilyn Monroe statue and we hopped on the train towards Lakeview. By the way, why is there a statue of her there? Was that famous windy skirt scene shot in Chicago or was she a native? Anyway, I have been on the rush hour subways in Paris and London so I pushed my way on but apparently no one else could make it so I waited before we headed to the House of 1000 Liquors and another friend’s apartment.

. A friend’s sister generously let us hang out on the rooftop of her very nice Lakeview apartment. We went to a karaoke bar afterwards and my boyfriend and I left early. The train station’s machines were broken so we got to get on for free. We got off at the right stop but our directions said we could switch to a bus and the line wasn’t available at the bus stop the GPS gave us. We took a taxi and made it home safe, thank god. In the morning we had an amazing breakfast at Valois dinner (where I ordered the #3 of Obama’s favorites). It is affordable and fast; I really admire the staff there as they seem to have a great dynamic and system.

Downtown Farmington Hills

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farmington hills, michigan, photography, travel

I recently got a contract job at a company in Farmington Hills, MI. The downtown area isn’t large but it has a lot of older quirky houses along Grand River Ave. During my lunchbreak one day I went on a little walk and here’s some of the stuff I snapped pictures of. I had limited time and it was cold and overcast so I’ll have try again sometime.

Movie theatre

I love lace curtains.

Worldly Trinkets

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photography, souvenir. travel

My boyfriend’s mother is a well-traveled woman who has collected many souvenirs from her trips.

Winter in Up North Michigan

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ice, lewiston, michigan, photography, snow, up north

Every winter (and summer) my friends and I try to get together for Up North shenanagans. Luckily, we were able to arrange a weekend where we were all available. Some people are moving to other states and some people are on the other side of the state so it was great that some people could make it. I gave out my salt dough ornaments and I gave each person a bag of chocolate treats(dipped strawberries, dried mango, gummy bears, sour gummy worms, pretzels, and marshmallows).

Although there was no snow on the ground the lake was still frozen.

Up North is covered in these tall pines. Many were planted in perfectly straight rows by either loggers replenishing the forest or the army that has several bases in Northern Michigan.

The beach

Snow and pine needles covered the mini golf course green.

This staircase is part of the mini replica of the local mill at the closed golf course. It was a mill that used to support the town; I believe it burned down.

 

DMB Photography

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detroit, dmb, photography

A friend of mine is a College for Creative Studies photography student and takes some great pictures of Detroit and its surrounding suburbs. Check out her wordpress blog for more of her photography.

This

Leaves on the Trees

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autumn, delhi park, fall, leaves, michigan

I love fall. I can still wear my summer dresses (with leggings) and it’s not too cold yet. Not to mention the colors of the leaves in Michigan are fantastic.

Just as we were arriving at the park there was a little procession of antique cars.

We crossed this bridge to get to the park. The water it spans is beautiful and the orange is surprisingly nice for the surroundings.

Up North Michigan, Leland

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chubby mary, fishtown, leland, michigan, roxane's

Last weekend I went up north and hung out with friends. Leland is the coolest small up north town. I love it! I picked up miniature erasers from the Toy Store, hung out at Roxane’s, got a great tan on Lake Michigan, an relaxed and goozed at a campfire by Lake Michigan.

The most amazing champagne made in Michigan. There’s Wet, Sex, and Detroit.

The knight kept watch over us at night.

The dam in Fishtown, Leland.

A Chubby Mary complete with a smoked chub, lemon slice, pickle, and olive. The fish wasn’t bad and neither was the drink

Look at all of that candy! MMM

The Village Cheese Shanty (aka the Cheese Shop) has the most amazing sandwiches I have ever tasted. Their pretzel bread is fresh every day and I wish I could eat here all the time.

Colorful Chicago

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academy of art, chicago, travel

This colorful wall always reminded us where we parked for Lollapallooza. This is on S Wabash Ave across from Grant Park (Sorry, I don’t remember the exact cross streets. It’s north of the Shedd Aquarium and south of the Art Institute).

The rooftop of the Academy of Art.

Zoo Mania

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chicago, fox, lincoln park zoo, travel, wallaby

After hunting for a parking spot for around an hour we finally parked and made our way into the Lincoln Park Zoo. We did not have to pay for anything and enjoyed our brief stay that was interrupted by a massive downpour.

Sleepy wallaby!

A view of the clouds getting ready to pour on the city.

Chicago Architecture

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architecture, buildings, chicago, photography, travel

 

 

The Art of the Abandoned

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grafitti, mural, photography

At an abandoned gas station.

Stump Pass Beach State Park

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florida, manasota key, stump pass beach state park, sunset

 

These are all from Stump Pass Beach State Park on the Mansota Keys in Florida. I took walks here almost every day and the sunsets were always stunning.

The Festival of the Moon and Sun

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festival of the moon, festival of the sun, lansing, michigan, old town, scrap metal art, sculptures, travel

About three weeks ago Lansing put on a music and wine festival for its citizens. You paid a $20 entrance fee and got a glass and two tickets (worth a glass each). There were local food and alcohol vendors as well as some national breweries there. Some of my friends volunteered and poured wine (which we mooched off of). While it was a little expensive for a college student it was a great way to get involved in the local community and support a cool town.

Some of the buildings near the festival grounds.

A view of the festival grounds from across the street. There were 3 big tents, a seating area, two stages, and an area for the metal scrapart competition pieces.

In addition to the two stages, bands played in a little plaza across the street.

Some glass lights at a shop in Old Town.

Pieces from the scrap metal competition.

Relaxing on the Gulf of Mexico

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florida, southwest, travel, vacation

 I promised the other half (part one) of my pictures from southwest Florida and I finally got around to actually doing it!

When the sand was too hot I relaxed at the pool. I’m not a huge fan of swimming but treading water is a good workout for me.

I was missing my boyfriend a lot so I sent him this picture.

I found two of these sea slugs on the beach. About ½ or more of the beach was covered in shells. So many people picked up shells I felt bad.

I didn’t even know he was in the shell when I picked it up. It scared me a lot.

These guys came out at night.

Move Me Monday: Travel Edition

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Inspiring, move me monday, new york, nyc

I am sleeping on matresses on the floor

Near the city of fast-paced fashionistas and buiness drones.

Near the city of love, ideas, and culture.

The city of fallen heroes, (source unkown)

the city of dreams and leaps of faith,

The city of sweeping waves of people.

The city of astonishment.

 

At least that’s what I thought of NYC. If you follow me on my twitter(pictures!) you would know that I was on SPRING BREAK!! I went to NY and NJ and I left Friday. After Photoshopping I will post my best pictures here.