Home Again

I've been back in Chicago for nearly a month, and here's where it stands.

Birthday has come and gone, meaning I'm officially legal and can carry on my alcohol drinking like I have for the past year.
The MINI is just as fun as I remembered-- going over small bumps and screeching around tight corners makes my life worth living.
It's finally nice outside, so I've been sitting on the upstairs porch and reading, or else taking pictures at the beach.
I've watched 30 Rock, House, Torchwood, and am now starting in on Dr. Who to replace my exciting weekday activities (namely: full time job) in London.
Most of my good friends are leaving for the summer, so I'm trying to mentally prepare for that.

Cultural differences? Of course. Not having tea five times (or more) a day is a sad reality in this part of the world. And I'm astonished and sometimes put off by how nice and friendly people are here. In stores, I'm not used to being approached by people, let alone smiled at or touched. The French are too rude and the Brits are too polite, if you know what I mean.

I decided to keep blogging. It definitely won't be as interesting as a year in Paris and London, but I still have things to say. So, onward, summer! It's Memorial Day, and the BBQ smell is everywhere in this town.