WHEREVER YOU GO, GO WITH ALL YOUR HEART

Almost a week ago, I graduated college. Although the moment may have partially set in as I crossed the stage last Saturday, I don't think it has completely hit me just yet. Probably because I have had a million other things going on at the same time. So here is the update!

A week before my graduation, my boyfriend, Ghaffar, and I moved in to a cute apartment in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood. We are just a couple of blocks from the lake, Chipotle, and a Starbucks (A.K.A pure happiness). When we aren't figuring out how to cook in our tiny kitchen, opening windows with the hopes that our smoke detector will stop sounding off, and running back and fourth to TJ MAXX and Walmart as we figure out that we need more storage, bed sheets, key hooks and whatever else, we like to walk his—now "our"— dog, Chance, and explore the neighborhood. As if graduating from college was not a big enough stress, Ghaffar and I were experiencing a whirlwind of emotions as first time tenants. "Will we ever catch a break?" he asked me one night as we tired to assemble our headboard, which took us two nights as there were pieces missing. The answer: "Probably not." ... but isn't that what is exciting about this whole thing?

Before I knew it, almost my entire family was in Chicago to watch me graduate. My brother flew in from Los Angeles, my aunt and uncle flew in from Texas, and my mom and step dad came in from Idaho. And as always, I had my best friend and my man by my side! It was truly the greatest day.

Along with a newly received college degree and a new living space, luckily came a new job. I will be spending the majority of my summer in the Crain Communications Inc. building working for Ad Age Magazine!

Lastly, to all of my graduates out there, congratulations!