Got my paper and I was FREE
Sitting my apartment. In INDY! I can now say that travel for 2007 is officially OVER. It is a little bit of a weird feeling, because I feel like my travel season went SO fast, and now it's November. Less than one month until December 1st, and the applications that are all over my office are proof of that!
This week was awesome-I didn't have any fairs, and I decided to go all out for my hotel this week. I used Priceline, which gave me a deal at the Marriott Hotel in Oakbrook. It was AMAZING! The hotel had a Starbucks (which of course, as a coffee ADDICT, I truly appreciatedJ) I was able to do a lot of fun things this week because of an open schedule in the evening.
(Quick plug for Priceline-use it if you ever get a chance. It's a pretty amazing website!)
I went to Oakbrook Mall and can officially say I'm in love. It's a beautiful mall and the stores were awesome. The one store I didn't get to go to though was an Irish Store. I'm definitely a sucker for anything Irish, and I'm sad that I didn't find it in time before the mall closed at 9. I will definitely be going back, not only to stay but also to the mall! (I just MIGHT also be a sucker for shopping!)
Speaking of Irish things, I ate lunch before leaving today at an Irish Pub called Ballydoyles in Downers Grove. It was so cute! Again, sticking with a love of all things Irish, I love getting to visit Irish pubs and lunch today was AWESOME! Definitely give a chance if you are ever in the area. :)
Last night (Thursday) was the Milwaukee reception, which was held at the Audubon Society, a little north of downtown. We had an amazing dinner at the North Shore Bistro and then had a great reception with some really nice families. The drive from Oakbrook wasn't the most fun I've had, but it the event went well which is what matters!
Halloween was actually quiet for me, I went to dinner to Weber Grill, which is an amazing steak restaurant that has a few different location in Chicago/Chicagoland and they just opened one in downtown Indianapolis. It was a little pricey but so, so worth it! After that I went to see a movie, Dan in Real Life, at a movie theatre close to the hotel. It's a short movie, and a little predictable (at least, I thought so) but a very cute, heartwarming movie and definitely for fans of Steve Carrell or Dane Cook. Both are very cute in the movie!
This weekend should be pretty quiet...and for that I'm grateful. I need some down time, and I am very excited to spend time with friends here, and my roommates (Shawna and Erin! LOVE YOU BOTH!)
That's about it from here...A note to anyone who travels, as I've just completed another round of travel and recognize the importance of helpful hints, is to get audio books!! I was lucky enough to get an audio version of my favorite book, On the Road, by Jack Kerouac. (Amazing book, if you're wondering!) They make the time pass so quickly and I am really glad I had that for my the last trips back and forth from St. Louis and Chicago.
Now, its off to dinner with some friends. SO glad to be back! :)