Cement or Mattress

I am trying to post a least once a week, but as you can tell I am not that good at taking the time to do so!  By the time my long day is over I get in my pj's, cook dinner, and honestly go to bed!  I am pretty lame now-a-days, but work has been busy lately and our weekends of course just as busy!

But what I really want to post about was this amazing holiday that is only a few days away..Thanksgiving! I can't believe that it is already the end of November and that Christmas is just on the horizon.  Thanksgiving has always been a chance for me to reflect on what has been so great in my life over the past year and I would say my life has made some large changes over the past year!

Each and everyday on my way home I drive by a man who is homeless and sleeps on lower-lower Wacker near the entrance to my parking garage for my condo.  I watch him take his blankets out of his bag, lay them out on the concrete ground (honestly he has like 10 of them) and lay there underneath the other blankets on top.  I have seen him since I moved in and he looks just like any man in his 40-50's that I would see everyday.  I want to say that to see this man that seems to be normal, trying to live a life, have a bed, belongings, and is homeless sleeping on the side of the road is the most HUMBLING experience ever.  My first thought always is wow how hard that cement must be, second whoa that is a lot of blankets, third I can't imagine living this way!  I know that most people look at homeless begging for money and think you were the one you put yourself in that position, but there is just something about driving home from a long days work whether it be just ok or bad and realizing that no matter how bad something might be for you, it doesn't compare to the life this man lives and leads everyday.

I know that I lead/live a life that most people never have the opportunity to live and there are no words, phrases, or sayings that can thank God or the people in my life who have helped me to get where I am enough.  I have been so blessed not only with the wonderful foundation of God and Jesus as my savior, but with a family that is second to none.  Without the unconditional love and selflessness of my parents I would not be in the position that I am today.  More than that, they have taught me that sense of giving, sacrificing, and providing whatever I can to help better those around me.  Additionally, I am thankful for my brothers, who are the ones I strive to lead a life that they would be proud of and look up to for their own decisions, but most of all they are the best friends anyone could ask for no matter what the situation.  Then there is my ever loving and most amazing Husband!  My life came full circle when we got married this past July!  Each and everyday is better than the next with  him by my side and he is the rock in which I make it through any good or bad day.  He is everything to me!  Lastly.. there are my gracious, amazing, always there for you friends!  You all know who you are.. without all of you, my life wouldn't be so entertaining, I wouldn't have anyone to laugh at me, and I probably wouldn't make it through my daily life without.

As I sit and think about all these people in which I am so grateful for, I think back to the homeless man, where are those people he cared about, why isn't anyone there to love him, care about him, help him..  I obviously don't know his story, what happened to him, or how ended up in his situation, but I do know that each day God has him there as a reminder that life can change in an instant and no matter what I am dealing with there are those who are struggling more and in a way that I can't even imagine myself in.  Each day I pass this man, I just smile at the thought of how blessed I am by God for all that I have.  Isn't it just amazing how God can provide these small signs or ways to keep you on your toes and following in his guiding light!!

 But enough of the serious stuff!  I am also thankful for a funnies that most people who know me will get a kick out of: Peppermint Mocha's, Decorating, Heating Pads, Uggs, Leggings, Foot Massages, My amazing profession, Shoes, The Colors Black&White, French Fries, Dogs, & of course Mexican Cuisine!  Even you know me at all..that list had you cracking up and of course you can tell I am still a big kid at heart!

I truly pray that everyone has a blessed and wonderful Thanksgiving with their own families!

3 Months!

Hey All!!

I can't believe it but 3 months has past since my last post!  My life has been a whirl wind since the beginning of August!  B (my hubby) & I moved into our apartment downtown Chi, start our new jobs/externship (me), and honestly haven't looked back.  B works right downtown traveling a mere 10 minute walk, while I hike to the northwest suburbs an hour or so to the office.

Since I blogged last..B passed his CPA exam while I started my externship/residency for the first month.  B's oldest brother got engaged and is expecting in April, while the middle (but older) brother is expecting in March.  To start, this has been a crazy beginning to our fall.  As for October I got my second sister-in-law, traveled to see my brother at college, and planned a baby shower for the baby due in March that happened last weekend with the help of my amazing mom!  During October my husband was in LA and Orlando for the first three weeks of work.  Believe it or not, I have been enjoying the week without him because I get to study for my board exam (which is this Saturday), watch the shoes I want to watch, and most of all eat pasta just about every night (which is my new favorite for some reason)!  And lastly, we visited Brandon's parents in Florida for Halloween weekend!  It was such a treat to be in their gorgeous weather, sit by the pool, and spend quality time with them and relaxing!  We can't wait to go back for Christmas and to be with the entire Bugg clan.

Overall, I am truly looking forward to the next two weekends as B and I get to be home, in Chicago, with no where to be, no deadline to meet, and nobody counting on us.  It will be great to enjoy time together, enjoy the city, and hopefully the cold weather will hold off one more week so that we can enjoy the outdoors!

This Saturday marks a huge milestone for me, school, and my goal of becoming an Audiologist (hearing doc).  I have my sort of board exam/Praxis...I have been studying for this practically all of college, graduate school, and most of all the past two months!  Before I know graduation will finally be here and all the hard work, stress, and money will pay off with the start of my first real job/career as an Audiologist.

I hope that everyone has been having a great fall..and most of all my B is having a great night at IU for recruiting!