I'm sitting at a hostel in downtown Chicago realizing how small I am in this world. Two girls who just met are showing each other on a large map of the world where they're each from, two boys dressed head to toe in Ralph Lauren Polo are playing table tennis speaking a language I'm guessing is German. There's a play going on in the community room with people from across the globe. And everyone is...happy.
I know, me? In a hostel? You're probably having the same reaction everyone did when I told them where I was staying. I think my mom shit her pants. I'm more of a nice hotel kind of girl but staying in a hostel has always been something I wanted to do...I just thought it would be somewhere in Europe but I guess I had to start somewhere. I had a hotel room booked for tonight but last minute decided I would try the hostel. I did my research and found one I felt comfortable with. So after spending the last 3 days at the Hyatt at Hamburger University in a king size plush bed and 40 inch flat screen tv, I'm sharing a room with 9 other girls and sleeping in a bunk bed. (Hoping to our Lord and Savior there's no bed bugs.)
I met by bunk mate, Pia, fresh out of college glowing with freedom. She's from Germany and is cute as a button. She's been travelling the U.S. since January and will be here until July with nothing but a backpack. Something I wish I would've done after college but I never got enough courage to do it. I spent the afternoon walking around downtown Chicago observing everything going on around me, the people, the traffic, the hustle and bustle.
It's interesting that one single day can put so many things into perspective. (I swear I'm not high) And maybe it technically wasn't one day...I spent the last 3 days networking and learning from other woman who do my job across the country--I met some amazing people who I now consider my friends. But today I was able to have some down time and put it all into perspective. I told myself that this year I was going to do something about the things I want to change in my life. I started a new healthy lifestyle (more to come about that), I moved to a cheaper place in hopes of buying my own house one day and I'm striving for more in my career...so far all of those are paying off. Next up...traveling to Europe, I don't know how or when but I'm going to make it happen. My friend lives in Italy so I've got a place to stay and a tour guide. Now someone just needs to buy me a plane ticket!
Life is good people, no matter how many bad days you or I have, it's good. My friends will get here tomorrow and I'll go back to being me, but for tonight, I'm just a shy girl soaking it all in.
