Back in the Saddle

I love how my last post said I would blog daily, and now here I am four months later, finally finding time to provide you with a summer recap. I wasn’t totally neglectful of blogging while in Chicago, as I did post the occasional picture on Tumblr.

So, my summer. Ahhhhh, my sweet, sweet summer. My endless love for Chicago only grew deeper during the 3.5 months I lived and worked there. Technically, I lived in Evanston, a cutesy suburb just north of the city that is the home to Northwestern University, lovely historic houses, an abundant Saturday morning farmer’s market, and the author of The Time Traveler’s Wife. Fortunately, my roommates and I became great friends and I lived a block from the Metra train station and my commute to work was less than thirty minutes each way. Oh, and I met my true love, Chipotle, in Evanston…can’t forget Chipotle. (I love you, veggie burrito bol! Please never leave me.)

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society–Illinois Chapter office is located in the West Loop in downtown Chicago. As I previously stated, my commute was thirty minutes by train, which I didn’t mind at all, because I was able to admire the skyline of my favorite city every morning and think to myself, “I can’t believe I live here. I am THE luckiest girl in the world.” As the only special events intern, I was able to work on three different fundraising campaigns, Man & Woman of the Year, School & Youth programs, and the Leukemia Cup Regatta. My favorite part of my internship (besides the amazing people I worked with), was the ability to reach out and build relationships with participants. Everyone has a story and it’s interesting to hear how they got involved with LLS and what motivates them to fundraise. Working at a non-profit health organization is so rewarding. When you are working with a dynamic team of individuals that are all focused on a mission of saving lives, it makes going to work each morning much more meaningful.

I could go on and on and bore you with details about my summer, but I’ll spare the headache and leave you with pictures. They’re worth a thousand words anyways, right?

Reason #346 to love special events! 80′s night with the roomies!Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup!Everyone loves the bean.The markets in the midwest are incredible.And this is probably why.The family gathered in Rockford, Illinois for the 4th of July.Sangria was my cocktail of choice…all summer long!More fun with the roommates, this time with sushi!The view from Navy PierProud to be here.It’s the new Eyeball sculpture! Creepy…Transformers 3 is filming in Chicago. Pretty cool!Cubs games are always more fun in the bleachers!And with your auntie…And when they WIN!!!Lake MichiganOh, how I miss it…The Leukemia Cup Regatta was a success!The awesome LLS Special Events team!!!Oh yeah, I also ran that marathon with Team in Training in San Diego in June. 26.2 miles cleared and $4,000 raised for LLS! Woop!

The end. I’ll see you soon!

slammed.

Halfway through the week! Thank goodness! It’s a stressful one for me. I have a paper due today, donation letters to send out,  a PR research project to work on, a Persuasion exam Monday, a discussion to lead in class tomorrow,  an internship application to finish, five nights of working until 11 PM, marathon training, and a hurt knee! Whew.

Monday night after work, I went to the gym to run (gotta love a 24-hour gym!) and I must have strained my left knee. I had an ACL reconstruction five years ago and have torn cartilage in it since then, and from time to time it swells up and gets very irritated. It’s painful! Doesn’t my knee know I have a half marathon to run in 11(!!!) days?! I rested it yesterday, and am going to do some cross training on the bike today, followed by some ice. Crossing my fingers that will do the trick! No time for injuries!

I had a pretty specific craving for lunch today: a bagel sandwich! While at Publix last weekend, I bought a bag of whole-wheat mini bagels. I wanted to recreate a veggie bagel sandwich that I had last year in Destin. I think the sandwich had spinach, sprouts, cucumber, tomato, onion, and raspberry vinaigrette. I went to my favorite local restaurant, Sweet Basil Cafe to pick up some of their homemade raspberry vinaigrette dressing, but they only had sesame-poppyseed vinaigrette, so I grabbed that instead. Of course, I didn’t have half of the ingredients needed so I improvised. I toasted the bagel and topped it with spinach, arugula, sliced apple, shredded carrot, and the dressing. YUMMMMM!

It ended up great. I love bagel sandwiches!! I also had a little salad on the side.

The remainder of my day will be spent finishing up my ethics paper, hitting the gym, and getting donation letters together! Have a happy hump day!

running 26.2 for a cure

TGIF!!! I am super excited today. Not only because it is officially the weekend, but because my Team In Training fund raising begins now!

As I mentioned before, I have joined the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team In Training to raise a minimum of $2,900.00 to fund research to help find a cure for blood cancers. I will be running 26.2 miles at the San Diego Rock N Roll Marathon on June 6, 2010 in honor of those who have a blood cancer, and those who survived a blood cancer. I’m also running  in memory of those who have lost their battle, and in the hope that my efforts bring the LLS closer to finding a cure!! In return, the Leukemia & Lymphoma society is providing me with a trainer and workout plans to help me cross the finish line.

I need as much help as I can raising money, and every donation, no matter how big or how small, will be greatly appreciated! Donations are tax-deductible. I will setup a tab at the top of my blog with a link to my fund raising page. I also plan on hosting an event soon (no details yet-but it’s in the works). I plan on keeping you all updated on my training and fund raising efforts through my blog. Please spread the word about LLS & my Team In Training by posting the page link to your facebook, blog, twitter, or by e-mailing it to friends! Let’s help find a cure together!!

CLICK HERE TO SEE MY FUNDRAISING PAGE, MAKE A DONATION, OR VIEW MY PROGRESS!