:)

Fall, fall, falling...

Whenever August rolls around, I seem to start itching for autumn, craving the crisp air, firey-colored leaves, and hot chocolate to warm me up in the mornings. I love summer and wish for it the majority of the year - but there comes a point when my bangs are plastered to my forehead that I just want it to end.

Does this not look yummy?

This past week has gotten me super excited for fall. I spent the weekend in lovely Chicago - which actually was not-so-lovely: cold temperatures, pouring rain and overcast skies. But it gave me a chance to whip out my sweaters, my close-toed shoes and prepare for what would eventually be coming in the next month or so.

There's something I love about walking around in fall - I'm sure a lot of it has to do with seeing leaves changing color or the fact that I absolutely love corduroy - and I simply can't wait to explore this season in a new city.

So, while summer may provide the opportunity for endless Corona nights at bars, free transit on super-hot days, and an influx of tourists from far and away, you can give me autumn any day.

Oh... and I should also mention the football - God bless fall and college football season! Go Blue! and happy tailgating!

Save a penny for a rainy day...

At the ripe old age of 14, I had far too many dreams I hoped to fulfill, a naïveté about how I was going to fulfill them, and a sense that I could do anything I set my mind to. That was, after all, what they taught us throughout my childhood, right?

Now, when I spend my days in my corner cubicle, staring at walls that serve as both a sound barrier and a cork board, I can't help but wonder what the hell happened to my dreams.

Somewhere along the way, I lost track of what I had hoped to become. I used to dream about creating layouts and writing articles for a big magazine... but the closest I get to that is monitoring the media for some obscure company.

Why is it that we're forced to compromise the goals we set for ourselves? I never dreamed of being a PR professional - I barely knew what that entailed eight months ago. The fact is, like so many of my peers, I had to settle because the industry today doesn't allow for us to reach our goals. Jobs have become far too specialized, competition has gotten out of control, and we're not given a chance to dream anymore. Perhaps that's what some real world experiences entail... but not for me. I refuse.

So, in an effort to get back on track, I'm re-examining some things a bit and taking some "me" time to figure out how to accomplish those goals I set for myself before I knew what billable hours were. Perhaps it's a childish excursion. Perhaps I should just learn to settle. But what's the fun in that?