Exploring Chicago

One joy of living in a big city over winter break is that when suburbia dies, you plan exciting adventures downtown with friends! What I have told everyone who visited this break is that if you don't want to pay for entertainment or walk through touristy sites, the only thing you can do is eat. And I still feel this is true.

Thankfully, my friends and I sought out fun things to do at low costs, such as the Art Institute's free weekdays, swimming and playing Just Dance 2 on the Wii. After spending seven of the past eight days downtown, here are just a few photos!

Meredith and I at Grand Lux Cafe for her birthday dinner

A Torch picture for old time's sake: Stephen, Kara, Austin, me and Mere!
Playing Just Dance 2 at Meredith's house, a video game where you hold the Wii-Mote and follow the moves of a character on the screen. Much better than Dance Dance Revolution, amusing pictures and solid exercise are results of a good game!
Thursday morning, Laura arrived on her overnight Megabus from Kansas City. After some productive work, we took the train to meet up with Kate at Art Institute. Took a pit stop at the Millenium Park bean, because what would Chicago do without Millennium Park?
I really liked this picture- Allegory of Peace and War, 1776. We spent a lot of time looking at European art and I have a newfound appreciation thanks to my friends :)
Three of our four suitemates from last year at Union Station, with an empty space to Photoshop Kathryn in. The legend of Mark Twain 518-519 will live on!

The Golden Birthday Celebration

In anticipation of my 20th birthday this January 20, I planned a Golden Birthday party since I finally have my golden birthday! Gold accessories and outfits were worn, and below is most of the group at Maggiano's for dinner!
Mizzou friends in Chicago: Laura, Shaina, me and Andrew at the hotel
Friends that could make it at the Embassy Suites Lakefront!
After swimming

The next morning, while a group took the Metra back to Northbrook, Hannah and our Mizzou crew stayed downtown to make the most of our parking fee in the city. We walked to Navy Pier, people watched as a girls club cheerleading competition took place at Navy Pier's Festival Hall, observed mothers vicariously living through their daughters and took some fun photos! Before all of this, we obviously needed a nap, so we stayed at the hotel moments until check out time. Hannah had the best sleeping spot, the windowsill, with a view of not only the Trump Building, but the Sears (Willis) Tower!

This picture from Navy Pier cracks me up!