wishful thinking

what i had always wanted....

...but could never ask for

re-posted from itwaslovewhen.com

“France...”

We started dating in October but I was leaving to study abroad in France in January. We eventually had “the talk” and he told me he wanted to stay together. I was touched that he didn’t want to break up or try to convince me to stay in the States. When he flew to visit me in March, I told him it was the single greatest gesture anyone had ever made. While he was visiting, he told me he loved me.

—MonPetitChou

Postscript: It’ll be two years this October and he’s still the man of my dreams.

A New Day

I, Minna, promise from this day forward that I will become a more committed, coherent and concise blogger. I am re-dedicating myself to organizing this blog in a manner that is easy and enjoyable to read. I will streamline my blog by choosing a theme and having all consequent posts reflect the new stream-lined vision.

It is... a new day indeed.

Ecclesiastes 3

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:

a time to be born and a time to die,

a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal,

a time to tear down and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh,

a time to mourn and a time to dance,

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

a time to search and a time to give up,

a time to keep and a time to throw away,

a time to tear and a time to mend,

a time to be silent and a time to speak,

a time to love and a time to hate,

a time for war and a time for peace.

Paper Hearts

me! in the CITY OF LOVE, Paris <3>

Last night, I went to see the documentary "Paper Hearts" with actress/comedian Charlyne Yi (and Michael Cera). Such an adorable movie! I loved hearing all those endearing people-stories and how there are so many variations and forms of love!

The basis of the movie is that Charlyne doesn't know if it's possible for her to love. Sometimes I wonder if we all feel that way. How does one KNOW if you're in love? There's the love you have for your family (sometimes to be confused with annoyance) the love you have for your friends (feels like a big bear hug being around them) there's lust (we all know this one...) but.. love?

For me, a straight human girl, it appears it's assumed that I am to find a boy that makes me want to scream for happiness from the rooftops, jump for joy etc etc etc....

As I watched the film, I felt like my heart was breaking along side her. She said "I don't know if I'm in love" and I really did feel like my heart was breaking right alongside hers and Michael's.

I guess I won't know until I know... right? How vague... and ridiculous. I think I might have been in love before, but it's been so long I don't even remember what THAT felt like and if that was indeed.... love.

How complicated.

--update--
Is THIS love???

"A New Zealand man who promised his wife he would find his wedding ring after it fell into the capital's murky harbor has succeeded - 16 months later..."

STRESS

STRESS STRESS STRESS....

why won't my brain move faster and my computer stop acting up?!?!

job jealousy~

I recently got to meet Andrew Zimmern at a Dos Equis "Most Interesting Academy" event. We shared a bite of chicken feet (?) which was actually extremely tasty! I'm so jealous and a big fan of Andrew Zimmern!

He was talking about how much he loves to visit Africa. I have traveled across North Africa, but not enough! And it doesn't seem like.. the REAL Africa. Next trip perhaps?

date-o-rama

eek! I overslept putting me behind schedule for date numero dos. With the same person you ask? no.

hahhahahhaa. What are you supposed to wear when you SHOULD be dressed casual, but want to look cute? oh the dilema....

So.....

We chose ZAD Restaurant for our date. Since we had planned to go to a BYOB my dinner date graciously had picked out a lovely 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon before we met. We headed over to ZAD and had a seat outside. Unfortunately... ZAD is NOT a BYOB, rather an establishment that does not serve alcohol or allow it on their premises (due to religious reasons).

We wanted to stay and check out the food but felt bad letting our wonderful wine go to the way-side, so we walked up the street and stumbled on Adesso, an adorable neighborhood Italian BYOB.

Read my review on YELP!

In other news, I went to "the most interesting academy" inductions last night at the Museum of Science and Industry. I love a good marketing campaign!

more to come....

Chicago FOOD

While Chicagoans may not be the thinnest, prettiest or model-esque of people, we know food. We like food. We try new foods. We are not afraid to let our belt buckles loose and stomachs free to eat food.

Chicago (-land) has some of the most unique restaurants one can think of, and although I've been living in this wonderful city for approximately four years, there are so many more to try!

In preparation of a "date" I have tonight, I have been asked to pick out the restaurant (because my big mouth pretended to be a food and wine connoisseur... much like this entire blog). We decided to meet in Lakeview, a neutral location for both of us northsiders.

I never realized how many cute/quaint (in the best possible way!) restaurants there are in the Lakeview area! Here are a few I have come across.

I blog in hopes that I will hit up all these spots in the near future!

A couple of my choices for the evening:

ZAD Restaurant

3112 N. Broadway
Chicago, IL
I'm excited to try their shwarma and moroccan mint tea!!!
I haven't had mint tea since my short time in Morocco!


Home Bistro, Chicago

3404 N. Halstead
Chicago, IL
I've read and heard too many good things about this place!
I want to try the Baked Grouper Nicoise~


Sapori Trattortia

2701 N. Halsted St
Chicago, IL
The website is more than outdated, but who can hold that against a place with amazing risotti reviews?


Manchu Pichu Restaurant

3856 N. Ashland Ave
Chicago, IL
Ceviche de Camarones sounds amazing!


Casbah Cafe
3151 N. Broadway
Chicago, IL
I miss Moroccan food so much!
Yelpers gave this place a good review. ALWAYS a good sign!


NEW ON THE SCENE
Istanbul Restaurant

3613 N. Broadway
Chicago, IL
droooooool.... no other words needed.

... is it bad that i'm more excited about the food than the date?

i'm in miami beachhhh~

s & i (not so) recently went on a wonderfully relaxing trip down to MIAMI BEACH. Wonderfulness all around. We went at a time when it was before tourist season, yet wonderfully warm weather and not too hot (too much to handle for us Chicagoans!)

While s & I are two totallllllly different people, three things bring us together:

1. FOOD
2. DRINK
3. BOYS

Here's a tasting of what we did there:

uh oh.. wanderlust arises...

For those who know may not know my situation, I am a recent college graduate (yay!) but also part of the massive numbers of unemployed (booooo :( my peers are all struggling!). Thankfully, I have a wonderful internship at an organization I love where they give me plenty of room and guidance to grow professionally (thank you, Jebus!).

All in all, this is the time in my life where I should be focusing on working hard, obtaining that all illusive J.O.B. and more important S.A.L.A.R.Y. This is NOT the right time to come down with another case of... wanderlust.

In this "risky" time of my life, I am planning a return trip to Europe. While I loved Central and Eastern Europe, I think it would be a shame not to visit the wonderful (and delicious!) areas of Western Europe. Thankfully I have gained enough friends to make each stay in each city a wonderfully NEW experience with old friends.

Above are suggested routes.

[sigh] Here I go, now I'm going to be thinking about future travels while working hard for my new marketing campaigns.

...another case of wanderlust



--edit--
TRAVEL DEALS from O'HARE to ...else

RT O'Hare to Miami, FL $128
RT O'Hare to Myrtle Beach, SC $16?!
RT O'Hare to Paris, France $571

volunteering

I recently discovered that I am.. living a quarter-life crisis.

No longer a college kid, but not yet the devoted nine-to-fiver, I feel an empty void of what once was a mission in my life (ie. finish school! good grades! party all day and night! heh heh)

SO... my life makeover begins:

1. Continue to use and abuse my contacts in the process of begging for full time jobs
2. WORK MY FAT ASS OUT!!!! i love food too much to let my body constrict me from this activity...
3. Volunteer

I recently corresponded with the kind people at the Community Nutrition Network and Senior Services Association in the Chicagoland Area. I have a great passion and heart for their mission. I'm not sure where to volunteer yet, but want to keep dabbling my feet in the water and see how things go. Preferably I want to volunteer for a hunger prevention organization on Saturday mornings? I love the Chicago Food Depository, but locale is a bit of a stretch for me. (I know.. although I'm trying to turn over a new leaf... i'm still selfish me. )