It’s not often that I tell anyone that they absolutely must see a movie. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever done so in my life. I’m just not a big movie person and usually don’t rush out to see the latest film hitting the theaters. The Square was different. As soon as I heard […]
The Square: Personalizing the Egyptian Revolution Read More »
2013 was a crazy year. My emotions ran hot and cold, up and down. I wanted one thing, then I wanted another. I longed to move back into my condo, then I dreaded it. I was excited to rediscover Chicago and build a new life here, then I was dying to move. And then I was meeting new people and committing to teach a class and volunteering to help plan a conference and feeling okay about sticking around after all.
2014: A Year of Yes and Living in the Moment Read More »
2003 was a good year. I bought my first condo in Chicago – a 1500 square foot vintage place with bay windows and two fireplaces that was love at first sight. I made my second trip to Europe, going to Barcelona, Madrid and Ibiza in July. I enjoyed the Cubs’ run through the playoffs,
Ghosts of New Year’s Past Read More »
As 2013 winds down, I thought I’d take a look back at some of my most popular posts in the past year. Interestingly enough, a few of them weren’t even posts I wrote this year, but they continue to be popular with all of you. Here they are – my top posts of 2013:
Top 13 Posts of 2013 Read More »
Happy holidays! I used to send out Christmas cards and a Christmas letter every year. It was a tradition I loved as much as receiving cards and letters from others around the holidays. Even if I hadn’t been in touch with someone in quite a while, the holidays were always a good reason
My Christmas E-Letter 2013 Read More »
Not sure what to get the traveler in your life for Christmas? Whether he or she loves weekend getaways or is heading out on a long-term adventure, here are a few ideas: Eagle Creek packing cubes I swear by these to keep me organized. They come in multiple shapes, sizes and colors and
Holiday Gift Guide for Travelers Read More »
It’s not often that I attend a fundraising event and end up teary-eyed. But that is exactly what happened last May when I volunteered at a buildOn breakfast fundraiser featuring the organization’s founder, Jim Ziolkowski. Jim’s story was moving and the effect that buildOn is having on at-risk youth in Chicago and impoverished youths in
Passports with Purpose: Raising Money to Build Schools in Mali Read More »
The last few weeks have been a blur. I returned from Nepal at 5:00 p.m. on a Sunday afternoon and headed straight into the office the next day. Two days later, I was on a late night flight to Washington, D.C. for two work events as a horrible cold took over my entire body. My
Figuring Out What I Really Want Read More »
I dragged my massive suitcase onto the 81 Lawrence bus at Jefferson Park and carefully grabbed a seat, piling my smaller backpack on my lap and letting the suitcase jut into the aisle. Exhaustion and hunger overcame me as I had been up for nearly 48 hours straight making my way back to Chicago after
When Home No Longer Feels Like Home Read More »
I am in Kathmandu now, getting ready to start a 17-day trek through the Himalayas. And I confess, I wrote this post before I got here. That’s because I made the way-more-difficult-than-it-should-have-been decision to leave my laptop at home. Seriously, this should not have been much to think about. After all, internet access during my
Leaving My Laptop at Home Read More »
