Week Eleven

 Clearly the most accurate map I have ever seen of California. Special thanks to my sociology textbooks for featuring this. 

 I couldn't help but take this picture of this woman's book on the L....

 My university 101 class went to a custard shop, Lickity Split, on Thursday. 

 The real side to studying for our second honors test on Friday.

 A little moral support from Mom and Brie right before my test. 

 Post honors test silliness with Laura. 

 Mariana is part of the Latino Club on campus and we went to the Latino Ball on Friday. 

 I've covered my bed in pillows and blankets making it hard to find me in the morning. 

 We went shopping downtown on Saturday and I must say the Burberry flagship store is one of my favorite buildings. 

 Found some Loyola advertising on Michigan Ave. 

 Mari and I stayed in on Saturday night eating ice cream and re-watching Gossip Girl for the millionth time. 

And Sunday was filled with the usual homework and Anne shenanigans. I think I should get creativity points for my book hat though. 

Week Ten

 On Monday we carved pumpkins for Halloween at an Honors Student Association (HSA) party. 

 I was truly one of the only Giants fans at Loyola, so when they won it was a real party of one. I love C.R.E.A.M. in the bay area so I made a homemade version to celebrate! (P.S. I promised I watched all the games dad)

 Our dining hall had cookies to decorate on Halloween so my lunch consisted of that and coffee. 

 It snowed on Halloween but the snow never stuck. Lucky us the lake mixed with the wind and this was the result. 

 PSA Chipotle gives out $3 burritos of your choosing on Halloween in you come in dressed up. I went as a skier because of all the snow outside! (Those are my friend's chemistry googles as my make shift snow goggles!)

 My amazing friend Cassie did my hair for me on Halloween because the wind had ruined my hair from earlier! 

 On Halloween I got the privilege of hanging out with Miley Cyrus and Hannah Montana! I decided to be a boy scout which was yet another thrift store find. 

Week Nine

Thought I should take a picture, or three, of Loyola's lake front view!

This is the lake front of the chapel. If you stand in the middle of the center circle you can hear your own echo. 

This is a side entrance to our library which also happens to face the lake. 

On Thursday night a fraternity was taking buses of people to Statesville Prison, which is the largest haunted house in Illinois. 

My friend Laura curled my hair on Friday before we went to the Rocky Horror Picture Show. 

The ladies decked out in all black at the show. Don't we look so happy? 

The fall colors coming in at the soccer field. 

Halloween costume shopping today at a thrift store led to trying on some truly ridiculous pieces! 

Week Eight

"Chicago's neighborhoods have always been the city's greatest strength." -Jane Byrne

 Birthday treats done the college way! (Birthday Oreos) 

 Celebrating on Tuesday night after finishing the second honors paper with a bite sized berry bat pie from the local farmer's market! 

 These horse statues are throughout downtown Chicago in memory of fallen Chicago officers. Naturally we opted to take a more light hearted picture while out shopping! 

 My favorite find of the week: a vintage Dooney and Bourke bag that I found at a thrift store for $14! 

 We went to a little brunch spot in Evanston this morning to celebrate my belated birthday!

 Naturally we had to stop at my favorite pet store in Evanston, Thee Fish Bowl, after brunch and look at all the baby hamsters. 

That black blob is a black baby bunny. I clearly exercised a lot of restraint by not bringing it back to my dorm.

Week Seven

"I have two homes, like someone who leaves their hometown and parents and then establishes a life elsewhere. They might say that they're going home when they return to see old friends or parents, but then they go home as well when they go to where they live now." - Aleksandar Hemon 

 I've noticed around school that Loyola reuses wood from around the Chicago area. I thought this was a nifty little touch they used in all their recent remodeling and renovations. 

 My roommate, Mariana, broke her phone so we headed to the Apple store on Michigan Avenue. Honestly it was probably the nicest Apple store I've ever seen. They even had apple shaped windows! 

 The view from the 14th floor of Mundelien Center. They finally finished construction of our new quad which is the giant patch of grass seen here.

 Buying a giant body pillow was probably one of the best investments I have made since arriving at college! 

 These lovely ladies (Cassie, Mariana, Yulia and Lindsey) let me photograph them yesterday in front of the lake! They were a blast to shoot with. 

Cassie took this picture of me after I was done taking pictures of them yesterday. 

Week Six

"Chicago is an October sort of city even in the spring." - Nelson Algren 

Loyola finally finished the new quad outside of the Damen student center!

 Six weeks has been far too long without a pet so I got a beta fish. 

 I went to brunch with some friends this morning in Lincoln Park, which may be my favorite neighborhood in Chicago. 

 The trees in Chicago are starting to change colors for fall and it couldn't be more beautiful!

 We decided to take a trip to the zoo today. 

 This is supposed to be a mold of a human hand... Apparently I'm a hobbit. 

 Channeling my inner Steve Irwin. 

 Duck mania!! 

 Someone brought a little Yorkie wearing a sweater into the zoo.