I did it! I ran a 15K!

This past weekend I completed my first 15K. Not just any race, The Hot Chocolate 15K, where after the race you are treated to delicious Ghirardelli chocolate. I’m proud to say that I completed the 9+ mile course in 1 hour, 37 minutes!

It all started this summer when I took up running to balance out the many BBQ’s and pool parties I was attending. I never thought that a casual, and at times hated, activity would turn into such a big accomplishment. As my running partner can attest to, I wasn’t always the happiest camper during our Saturday morning runs. Nevertheless, I was up for the challenge.

On race day, the temperature was a chilly 32 degrees, and I was prepared with the proper gear: gloves, headband, multiple layers and a kick-ass playlist. Throughout the race, I kept a good pace – 10.5 minute mile – and other runners were eating my dust. At around mile eight, I started to feel the race in my body and I was suddenly consumed with emotion. During this time, one of favorite songs came on – Help I’m alive by Metric – and tears welled up in my eyes. With my legs pumping against the ground and my heart beating like a hammer, I knew the race was mine. At that point, I reached a runner high, because the next thing I remember is crossing the finish line.

Magical Musical Me

The winter and spring were low key but a magical musical summer is about start in Chicago! I am a music freak and my taste spans the globe. Below is a list all of the shows QQ will be attending in Chi-town!!

I want to give an honorable mention to Passion Pit who put on a great show at the congress theater back in April. Favorite tracks from that show are: Little Secrets, Sleepy Head and Moth Wings

May 28 - Kaskade


June 10 - Kings of Convenience


June 16 - Aventura


June 25 - Thievery Corporation


July 2 - Deadmou5 & Brazilian Girls




July 26 - Bomba Estero


August 6th - 8th Lollapalooza

The best part of all this is that I finally purchased a camera, so all will be captured and uploaded on QQ!

xo
QQ

LA LA Land

For a long time I thought southern California was the place for me. While growing up in Queens, I would watch Save by The Bell and wanted to be Lisa or Kelly; play volleyball on the beach and jog alongside the ocean. I recently spent an extended period of time in LA and I got to try out the life I thought I wanted.

In the mornings I ran along side of the ocean to Santa Monica Pier, drove to work in the horrible LA traffic and at night went out in West Hollywood. During the weekend I drove my (rental) car down the palm trees of Beverly Hills, shopped on Melrose and biked down Venice Beach. It was everything I thought it would be but there was something missing, my heart wasn’t in it.

Don’t get me wrong, I have really great friends who love LA and the sushi is great - plus In N Out Burger is out there - but it just didn’t feel right for me. Maybe it was because I’m not the best driver and a big fan of public transportation. I still can’t put my finger on it but what I know for certain is that it made me miss my new home, Chicago, and all the wonderful people that have come into my life.

Perhaps LA will feel right to me in the future but for now, I’m happy where I am.

This is for My People

As the first month of this new decade comes to a close, I've taken some time to reflect on the past ten years and started thinking about the next ten to twelve months.

Reflecting on ten years can be a daunting task, so I'll spare you the details. In a nut shell, I've had two graduations, made great friends, traveled to far away places, fell in and out of love and left the greatest city in the world for a windy one.

Anyone that knows me well will tell you -- QQ is a planner. I love to think ahead and plan everything down to the last detail. I will even go as far as giving you an itinerary, just so you know what's coming next. What can I say? It’s the Virgo in me! Thank God I can do this as part of my career because it is nearly impossible to plan for the next 365 days.

For this New Year, I have resolved to stop planning the rest of my life today. I’ve decided that I am going to trust myself to know that every decision I make will shape the life I want to build -- not just for myself but for "my people.” No, not “my people” as in an entourage! The people who love and care for me, my family, lovers and friends– current and future.

Who knows where life will take me in this new decade, but knowing that my people are by my side makes the journey that much sweeter!

Here’s a toast to all my people!

Love,

QQ