Trip to Evanston and Other Updates - Brady

It's been an eventful week. I had a great 4th of July weekend that involved a fancy party on Lake Syracuse (which included 3 awesome dogs for me to play with - I think Kevin is set on getting a greyhound someday based on his experience with one that was at the party), a more casual party at my grandparents' house in La Porte, and then fireworks on Lake Wawasee. You really can't beat Indiana in the summertime, especially if you have access to some water.

On Tuesday I went up to Evanston to have a discussion with the professor I'll work with next year, two of the research professors he works with, and another student who will work with my professor but in the clinical psychology program at Northwestern (my professor has a joint appointment, so he works with people in my program and with people in the psychology program). We talked about a chapter the professor wrote for a book that's coming out. It was a good visit. They had some snacks set out, the discussion was interesting, and a few of us went out for a beer together afterward. I was nervous until I got there and the discussion started. I don't feel like I was particularly great with them - it's been a long time since I've had a very academic discussion! I tend to second-guess everything I say in a new situation, but I told myself this time that these people will have about five years to get to know me. Whether I made a great impression, a terrible one, or anything in-between, they'll know the real me eventually.

Other than that, I just continue fluctuating between excitement over this next step and nervousness about it. In the last few weeks I've found myself jealous of people who know exactly where they'll be and what they'll be doing for the forseeable future. My cousin Katie and her husband Andy, for example, have this beautiful house, two wonderful kids, and jobs at the same company near my hometown. Amy is babysitting for them this summer, and I went over to visit her while she was working. For a little while, I would have loved to just switch places with them. Same thing with my best friend Lindsey. She and her husband have a GREAT house in Indianapolis, an adorable daughter, and jobs they like and can stay in for awhile. Sometimes I would love to be in a position like that instead of one where I live apart from my husband and have no idea where I'll be in six years. I know, though, that there will be plenty of time to settle in somewhere. There are good and bad things about any choice a person makes, and I really do believe I'm making the one that's right for me.

5th Thing I Love About Chicago: "The Region" in Indiana - Brady

I'm in my hometown, La Porte, Indiana, for the weekend and loving it. I really like this whole area of the state, in fact. If you're not familiar with "The Region," it's the northwest tip of Indiana. It's close enough to Chicago that some people commute there to work every day, although that's not easy.

I like the dunes.

I like Lake Michigan.

I like Stone Lake and Pine Lake in La Porte.

I like how much character downtown La Porte has.

I like how few chain restaurants La Porte has.

I like all the interesting "region" towns, like Hammond with all of its little bungalow houses and even Gary. It's sadly fascinating to check out the empty and falling-apart downtown. Kevin plays a game when he's riding the train where he guesses what all the buildings USED to be.

I love to hate the South Shore Train Line, and am very grateful it exists!

I like liking the White Sox and taunting Cubs fans (even though I'm not a fan of professional sports generally).