The Girl and Her Dog

They say patience is a virtue, but it is most definitely not something that comes easily for me.

This was evident this evening when I visited my grandma at her nursing home. Since she suffers from dementia, she’s not always “all there in the head”, to put it mildly. Sometimes it can be hard to keep your patience with her when she’s not making any sense or when she snottily demands the food you brought her, or when she accuses you of not visiting in weeks.

However, I’ve watched others suffer from Alzheimer’s and I know first-hand how unpleasant and merciless this disease can be. I also know that it is not anyone’s fault. And I definitely know that I love my gram to pieces and she deserves the best from me. So you just have to grin and bear it.

If you’re interested in donating to a great cause to benefit Alzheimer’s disease, consider making a donation to the Ann and Raymond Gath Memorial Foundation. All donations or inquiries may be directed to annandraygathfoundation@gmail.com.

[images via we heart it]

Every morning on the way to work I pass by Midway Airport, and despite the traffic I sometimes run into because of it, traveling past this busy transit center definitely has its perks.

I’ll be sitting at the light, usually listening to my latest audio book, eating my bagel when all of a sudden I hear a loud rumbling noise. Before I can even crane my neck to look out the window, a plane appears so close that it looks as if I could stick my hand out the window and touch it. And then all too soon, the moment is over and the plane has landed.

The news heard round the world: to all the families who lost loved ones on that awful day...

One of my coworkers told me the other day that when she and her husband were first dating, they would sit in the parking lot at one of the nearby restaurants, munching on french fries and waiting for the planes to pass by overhead. A charming idea that perfectly suits the Midway neighborhood; I love it.

[image via we heart it]

Yes, I woke up at 5am this morning solely for the purpose of watching the Royal Wedding. And I have to say, I am so glad that I did because it was beautiful.

I woke just in time to see Kate (Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge now) walking down the aisle. I was slightly bummed that I missed her getting out of the car, but I still tuned in early enough to see her walk the full length of the aisle with her sister and dad, watch her and William exchange vows, ride off to Buckingham Palace in their carriage, and most importantly of all … I saw the kiss on the balcony!!

I know the media has provided an insane amount of coverage leading up to this morning’s big event, but I’ve loved every minute of it. As Matt Lauer said this morning, many Americans seem to be so caught up in the Royal Wedding because there really isn’t anything that we can compare it to here in the U.S. The concept of a monarchy and all the pageantry that goes with it is something completely foreign to us.

Regardless, the Royal Wedding this morning was a moment that for better or worse, will become a part of history, and I’m happy to say I got to watch it all happen.

[images from royalwedding.aol.com, thehollywoodgossip.com and okmagazine.com]

When I wrote city news for the Daily Cardinal, I instantly became hooked on all of the drama that seemed to incessantly follow the members of the Madison Common Council, including the former [:(] Mayor Dave. Being involved in city government is no easy feat. Despite the long hours and late nights that are a staple in city news, I always felt a little rush of adrenaline when writing about an issue that the whole city would be talking about the next day.

Fast forward to today. Mayor Daley–mayor of Chicago for the past 22 years–is about to step down and hand over his power to Rahm. While you could endlessly debate about whether or not Daley did more good or bad for the city of Chicago, there is no argument that the guy has got some serious street cred.

This morning I unexpectedly had the opportunity to attend an event that the mayor was speaking at. So as soon as the speakers had finished, I pushed my way through the crowds, handed my phone over to the lady standing next to me, and got a photo with one of the most well-known men in the city of Chicago.

Rahm, you're next.

Of all the days to choose to wear my glasses and to not blow dry my hair. Bad life decision.