Wow, it has been a long time! Between busy schedules, lack of internet, and lack of a computer these blogs are slacking. I guess they don't just write themselves. Where to start? How about a brief summer of my comings and goings.
It all started when I got back to the US, after oh 3 flights and a hotel room. Stefano came in just a few days after me so it was busy busy trying to see all my friends and what not before he arrived. Celebration station, mexican food, and family all had their places in my schedule. In the airport waiting on Stefano I even ran into an old friend!
So there I was with my Italian Stallion sign at the terminal when Stefano walks out with my dad. My dad had come in on an earlier flight and waited on the inside for him. We then immediately headed to the bar so I could introduce him to come of my closest friends. The next day we headed to the farm where the highlight was feeding the cows. (literally ask Stefano what his favorite thing was!)
After that it was Route 66 to Springfield, Missouri for my aunt's birthday. Needelss to say, the Treadwell's showed everyone in a 6 block radius what a party should be. Karaoke and dancing filled the night. The morning after was hearty breakfasts for all and Iowa City for Stefi and I with a brief stop in St Louis where my national park bosession began. (You'll here more about this later)
I won't go into much detail about Iowa City, its a typical college town. It does have the charm of a small town because all of the big businesses are banned to suburbs. My first weekend there was spent with surprise surprise... Stefano. Gen had ditched plans with me for plans with her sister so Stefano and I went to Minneapolis. (Gen I'm just giving you a hard time, please don't cry. ;o) ) Minneapolis was neat and he had worked there for a few months about five years ago so we went to mingle with all colleagues and the possibility of future bosses. We did the super touristy Mall of America with a lunch date at Bubba Gump's... don't be jealous! Overall it was a really cool city!
The next weekend was Chicago with my folks. Turns out all of CIMBA was in Chicago too. Great minds.... or something like that. LOL. Cubs game, Wrigleyville, Navy Pier, and The Taste were all just a part fo that 4 day adventure. I'll be back Chicago, with more money!
CIMBA's final weekend was spent by most in Iowa City, but that is not how Gen and I roll. We packed our bags and headed to Milwaukee. Which, by the way, is like the best city. Between the amazing cruises we didn't get to do and the brew tours and the cheese, I could spend an entire week and love every moinute of it, with plenty of naps of course (you would know that if you travel with me). We closed Wolski's, made a beer pour friend, and found out that America's largest French festival isn't so French. All in all, amazing!
Finally, came our fancy "dinner" at the president's suite overlooking the field (too bad it was from like the 30 yard line...), graduation dinner, and graduation. It was bitter sweet because I'm leaving so much, I just trust that in the end I'm gaining more. In the words of a wise classmate, I can only hope to learn more than the sum of the classes.
I'll write about my post grad journey soon... maybe tonight! If you're lucky!
