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It's Been A While...

My dear readers,
I've missed you.  It's been over a month and I've finally decided to update my blog again.  It's kind of a big deal.  I have been going about my daily life as one does.  I read the Red Eye on my CTA commutes downtown or up North, I read the Chicago Tribune on Sundays (occasionally I write to the editor, though he/she doesn't publish my letters-yet), I run, I get attacked by wildlife, I find pleasures in the simple things, I watch the Colbert Report, I read books, I frequent the library, I go to farmer's markets, etc.
 Clearly, not finding a summer job has left me with too much time on my hands.  In order to do my part, I've decided that in order to serve society I will inform you about (and in some cases warn) the happenings of the world. 
Here are my thoughts from the last month or so:

WARNING.
WARNING.
WARNING.
Jodi Picoult published another book, and this time she co-wrote it with her teenage daughter. 

For those of you who don't already know, I hate Jodi.  I think her writing is terrible, her characters underdeveloped, and her voice is non-existent.  She always picks a controversial issue from the news, offers both sides of the story in a poorly developed "adult" novel, and never actually takes a stance of any kind on the issue.  I didn't blindly form this opinion either.  I based my opinion off of the 1.5 Jodi Picoult books I've read.  In fact, the only thing I can respect about this is her ability to trick the general public with her formula books and make millions.  She is published at least once a year.  Needless to say, when I heard about her foray into the world of YA lit, I was worried for the general public.  But hey, maybe her daughter is a better writer?  Well, you've been warned.

I've also been reading articles with warnings in the paper as well.  On a serious note, The Chicago Tribune, had an article the other day on a dentist who is suspended because he reused syringes and needles in his practice.  His patients are all being contacted now because he exposed them to HIV and a plethora of other diseases.  I would have to read into it more, but why is this man only suspended?  Also, when you're running your own dental practice, make the investment and buy more syringes and needles.  It's such a simple and safe thing to do.  Shame on you dentist from Colorado.

On a lighter note....

Miley Cyrus is getting married!  OMG?!?!?!
The Red Eye had a brief timeline/history of their relationship-through her Twitter updates.  I dream of the day when my relationship can be followed and summed up through tweets.

And in other news, the Olympics are almost here!  I'M SO EXCITED TO JUMP ON THE BANDWAGON AND START TALKING ABOUT EVERY SPORT NON-STOP LIKE I'M AN EXPERT!  Really, I'm going to do this.  If we're friends now I hope we're still friends in three to four weeks.
Funnily enough though, the opening ceremony uniforms for US athletes were designed by Ralph Lauren...and made in China.  Obviously people were upset, especially politicians.  As reported by the Chicago Tribune, Harry Reid said, "I think they should take all the uniforms, put them in a big pile and burn them.  And start all over again."
Haha.  I laughed.  I thought it was a bit of an overreaction, but who knows?  What do you think?

Until next time,
Sara

P.S. If you like this blog please follow it!  It may prompt me to format my blog so that it looks semi-professional!

Sara reads the RedEye...

Dear Readers,
I apologize. It’s been a while. I currently commute two hours each way for my summer internship and between that, sending out eight million job applications and finding a place to live next year I’ve been swamped. However, I love to multi task. I love accomplishing an endless “To Do” list and take pride in the fact that I probably do more by 10:00 A.M. than most people do in a day. So, obviously, during my two hour commute I read the newspaper or a book for the first half and then switch to the Red Eye when I get to the Orange or Red Line.

That’s right friends. The Red Eye, a local Chicago paper that is FREE (that’s the best part), and full of useful as well as ridiculous information. I love journalism and actual printed newspapers, especially free ones. Yet at the same time I’m me, and it’s only fitting that I would have a lot of thoughts on their articles. A LOT of thoughts indeed…

Things I have read in the Red Eye as of late:

70 sheep will be used in the opening ceremony for the Olympic Games in London.

Why sheep? What is entertaining about sheep? Why seventy sheep?

American Nuns and the Vatican are at odds over Obama’s healthcare plan.

Everyone is at odds over the health care plan. I just thought it was funny that the clergy was as well. For some reason I hadn’t thought of that before.

You can now buy solid shampoo.

It’s made by LUSH AND now when you fly you can just throw shampoo in your carry-on without any worries about how many ounces it is…because it’s SOLID. Apparently, you rub it against your head a few times in the shower and put it in a tin when you’re done. It’s on my list of things to try and buy after I find a paying job.

Golden Retrievers are more effective than Cupid’s arrows on Valentine’s Day.

The Red Eye did an expose of sorts on how dogs are the most effective way to attract a date during the summer months. The number one breed that attracts women is the golden retriever. It’s a little lower on the list of breeds that men are attracted to but it’s still up there.

I’ve always known that golden retrievers are the most superior dogs. Last semester I didn’t want a dog but my family insisted. I want to use this blog to assert for the trillionth time that I wanted a golden retriever as opposed to a little “yappy” dog. At the very least I could deal with a golden retriever. I could run with one and they’re great family dogs. I pictured myself running down the street with my big old golden and then enjoying a cup of coffee as I read the newspaper and big old goldy enjoyed a chew bone as he or she sat on my feet to keep them warm. I slowly began to build up the idea of a golden retriever in my head. But alas, my family ignored my wishes and now we have Lady the dog, but you’ll read more on that later…

Anyway, the main point was that this article reminded me of my almost dream dog, and further supported my argument that they are the superior breed of dogs.

Also, I’m right all the time and I have the best ideas.

Until next time,

Sara

A Ridiculous Thing I read Today in a Ridiculous Magazine...

I was reading a celebrity magazine and the magazine had an article about all the lavish gifts Angelina Jolie has given to Brad Pitt over the last several years.  My favorite?  The tree she had planted for him-the tree that cost over $18,000.00!

What tree costs over $18,000.00 to plant?

 

Also, they're building a house around it.  Talk about an epic tree house...

And It's FINALLY over...NATO Part II

Here are several more comments I have to make about the NATO Summit based on information I acquired from The Chicago Tribune.

1. Metra trains that ran under McCormick Place were re-routed and customers faced delays-but that's not why Metra customers were angry.  The real reason is that many Metra commuters were asked to abandon their coffee cups before boarding trains for security purposes.  THE INJUSTICE.  Chicagoans were supportive of the added safety measures but they had to draw the line somewhere. 

2. Protestors were told they could not stop outside of Mayor Rahm Emanuel's home in Ravenswood, so they moved one block North. 
POOR RAHM EMAUNEL'S NEIGHBORS. 
Also, one of his neighbors was outside with his dog and was yelled at by a protestor and asked how he could live next to such a monster. 
POOR RAHM EMANUEL'S NEIGHBORS.
ALSO POOR RAHM EMANUEL'S NEIGHBOR'S BLACK LABRADOR RETRIEVER.  ( I hope all of that was gramatically correct...)

3. A group from the Occupy Movement in another state waited hours for a bus that Occupy Chicago was supposed to send.  It was supposed to take them somewhere they could stay during the summit.  The bus never came. 
SHOCKER.

4. And finally, once again, the Trib decided to be EXTRA helpful by defining basic terms/places for its readers.  This week the Trib decided to define Heathrow.  It's a pretty large international airport in London.  Thank you Chicago Tribune.

I swear I'm done.  The news and the media is done.  The NATO Summit is done.  Now we can go back to the real news!  I for one am eager to hear what the Kardashian girl decides to name her new baby. 

Until next time.
Sara

The NATO Summit

I’m secretly not so secretly excited for the NATO summit.  In the two weeks I have been home, I have heard more about this summit than anything else, and after taking a course that focused on the creation of NATO and various other international organizations my interest piqued even more.  Having read a few articles about the impending summit, I thought I’d share some fun facts and info with the readers of this blog.  (All of this information was obtained from Sunday’s Edition of the Chicago Tribune, because I read the Trib on Sundays with my cup of coffee.  Actually, two cups of coffee.)

1.      Apparently the G-8 summit and NATO summits were supposed to take place simultaneously in Chicago.  However, the G-8 summit was moved to Camp David. The leaders from the G-8 will join the NATO summit when it begins.  Why the change of plans?  The number of protesters expected for both was unprecedented.  Got to love democracy. 

2.      The Chicago Tribune reported 2,000-10,000 protesters.  Occupy is trying to round up 50,000.  Now, don’t get me wrong-I support Occupy.  I’m a member of the 99% and support exercising our constitutional rights! Let’s tell the government what we want!  Stick it to the man!  However, I also believe Occupy has no clear focus right now and is somewhat disorganized for what aims to be an organized movement.  So 50,000?  Really Occupy?

3.      The Trib also reported that a Catholic nun in Chicago is trying to organize a “family friendly” march on May 20^th.  My response to this-a family friendly march?  Really?  In Chicago?  During the NATO summit weekend?  Family-friendly protest? 

4.      Lawyers and law students will be wearing neon green hats this weekend (maybe I made that up-they might just be green) and will offer legal advice to protesters on the spot.  I love it. 

5.      The Tribune also took the time to define the term anarchist for its readers.  Thank you Chicago Tribune. 

6.      The Magnolia Bakery that opened on State Street is selling NATO cupcakes for three dollars apiece.  What constitutes a NATO cupcake?  See for yourselves:

 

Capitalizing on the NATO summit…genius.  I’m upset that I didn’t think of it first. 

Will I actually make it down there this weekend?  I’m not so sure.  It depends on whether I want to brave the 53A bus, the orange line, and then the Red line.  In the meantime, I’m going to enjoy the hype and continue to comment on the coverage-the good and the bad.

Until next time.

Sara

London 2012-But this is NOT about the Olympics

Well, my friends.  Here we are.  Here is my long overdue and highly anticipated account of my weekend trip to London.  This time, however, I did not travel with one of my friends from the Rome Center.  For my final out of country trip during my semester abroad I decided to meet up with my older sister and we had an amazing weekend. 

I actually enjoy traveling places alone.  I took the Metro Line A all the way to the end where I caught an extremely cheap shuttle to Ciampino, all by myself.  (Only 1.20 in euro my friends!)  Then I flew on Ryanair for the first time EVER.  Now, let me tell you, if you’ve never flown on Ryanair before it is QUITE the experience.  I made a friend on the way to London and arrived well behind schedule.  At I was asked many detailed questions.  At first I wondered why and then I remembered-THE OLYMPICS ARE SOON.  OF COURSE THEY’RE TIGHTENING SECURITY IN THE GREAT U.K. SARA.   At any rate, after security I took a lovely shuttle to Golders Green and met the best older sister in the entire world at a semi-run down hotel!  But who cares?  I MADE IT TO LONDON.

We had three full days in London.  Andrea who had already been twice, humored me and went to all of the major sites all over again as well as a few new ones!  We also spent part of our Saturday in Oxford.  Here are a few fun notes and highlights of the trip. 

1.      Camden Lock Market

I was very set on going to the Portobello Road Market, but we did not make it to a market until Sunday and apparently Sunday is the one day that tourists are advised not to go there.  Instead, Andrea suggested that we hit up the Camden Lock Market and I am glad  we went.  Comparable to Lincoln Park in Chicago, Camden town was a trendy area of London.  The market had stalls and tables for several blocks (the better ones were further from the TUBE station).  We were both able to find some cheap and authentic gifts (for ourselves) there.  

2.      The Tate Modern

After a semester of Renaissance and Baroque art the Tate Modern was a wonderful breath of fresh air!

3.      The Rebuilt Globe Theatre

Since we were unable to see a show, Andrea and I went on a tour of the rebuilt Globe Theatre.  As a theatre major and Shakespeare nerd I could hardly contain my excitement.  Led by a snarky British man who kept making jokes about Americans, the tour was not too educational nor a waste of money.  AND Andrea correctly answered one of his pop quiz questions.  WAY TO GO ANDREA!  You made us look good…

4.      Covent Garden

Unaware of its existence until I came to London, this public area is filled with restaurants, musicians, shops, Londoners, etc.  We made this the location for our authentic tea and scones experience.  It was great.  

5.      Waterstones

I love to visit the public libraries in major cities of the U.S., and in Europe I like to visit the major bookstores in each major city.  Waterstones, while a chain, is awesome.  Five floors of overpriced books!  Overpriced?  Yes.  But so many books!

6.      CHOCOLATE

I spent a majority of the semester looking for the best chocolate.  I did not expect to find it in London.  That being said, I never made it to Belgium.   But I discovered that chocolate in the U.K. is made differently and is much sweeter.  A real Cadbury candy bar in London=perfection

Also, Smarties, the British answer to M&Ms, are out of this world. 

There is so much more to tell about my trip, but again, these are just some of the highlights.

Ultimate conclusion?

 I would live in London in a heartbeat if the USD to the GBP didn’t crush my soul. 

Until next time!

Sara