In this Whirlwind

It's raining. One of those refreshing downpours that, in my mind, the Midwest is notorious for.

It was thundering.  The type of thunder that shakes your rib cage and compresses your organs.  Swiffer and I sat in the screen room, in the midst of the storm where we could feel the weight of the atmosphere, the wet air caress our lungs,  the force of the storm blow through our hair, yet at the same time be safe, sound, and dry just out of the storm's reach.  I sat in the storm reading my devotions (Jesus Calling) and felt as though I was in a cocoon of calm, even though there was a raging storm all around me.  Struck with symbolism of my very own surroundings, I thought, even life is biblical--yesterday, today, and always.  See the storm, feel the storm--but embrace the storm and know that, somehow, you are safe--in a cocoon of calm.

Reflections: the aftermath.

This and That: an Update

This week has not brought much news, or any new series of photos.  However, I have some snapshots and snidbits.


I'm happy to be back with this kid.  We have a good time.

Sometimes, I pretend to be sneak-attack paparazzi.  It usually ends in a blur.

This weekend, Steve lost a bet.  The wager was, if I won, he had to come stay at his parents' house with me during the week--which would never happen otherwise since he is a crazy dental student.  But....I WON! So Steve drove up on Wednesday and we had a grand ol' time.  We put new mirrors on his motorcycle (that look like "cool flames, dude."), we went to the dollar theater and watched Fast & Furious--the 6th.  Get this, as if 6 movies isn't enough,  Fast 6 ends with another opening for even ANOTHER sequel...or seven-quel?  I'm pretty sure we will be hearing from Fast and Furious until Vin Diesel dies--but even then, he could have a look alike son.

Steve has exams this week so we went to Starbucks like old times where he studied and I applied for a job.  We got this delicious drink, you've gotta try it.  Iced Caramel Apple Spice--it's the best apple cider with caramel goodness you will ever have.  Usually you get it hot and in the fall...but let me tell you, it is an awesome summer alternative to coffee.

This apartment hunting business is turning out to be harder than I anticipated.  I think Marjory's garden bliss is going to fall through.  She is taking forever to process our applications and keeps calling my roommates and I to have 35 minute conversations to give us tips for living together.  Serious.

In light of this, I looked at another apartment on Friday.  It is privately owned by this adorable Italian family straight from Rome who own their own restaurant and bakery.  It looks promising, but we'll seen.  Also on Friday, I FINALLY met my third roommate!  She's awesome and we felt like old friends as soon as we met.  Hopefully I'll have some good news soon regarding my living situation.

Final snidbit and snapshot:

I went to Target to buy shampoo and I walked past the clearance shelves where I heard this box full of twigs, moss, and eggs singing my name.  I thought it was remarkable that an adorable vase filler full of my favorite things for $2 could sing my name, so I had to buy it.  Then I made this even more ADORABLE nest. It's so cute I can't even handle it. It will be the first thing I set up in my future apartment; in the meantime it has a home on the Griffith's coffee table.

Family-ar Faces

Family.  Sand castles.  Sun.  Rain.  Mojitos.  PAELLA!

It might be the best spot in all of Michigan.

Auntie Terri and Uncle Brian hosted Sunday lunch this week.  Auntie Terri had called and invited Steve and I over for lunch saying she was making paella.  When you hear those words, you never say no.

Paella.  Now, doesn't that look delicious?  

This lunch was extra great because we were blessed with Auntie Winnie and Uncle Ken, and Joe and Emily who are back from Budapest!  I was especially excited to Joe, Emily, and their three adorable children because they were such an essential part to my life when I was in Budapest last year. They opened up their home to me, and always offered to be my dose of sanity (accompanied with dinner) when I needed one.

Me with Eli, Caroline, and William in Joe and Emily's apartment in Budapest.

It was great to see them and catch up.  As of last week they are now living in Washington D.C. again and will be there for a year before they move to Malaysia.  The joke between us is that I can't get enough of them so I follow them around the globe with every move they make.

When they lived in Washington D.C. before, Eli was born, and I traveled to D.C. with my high school class for a student program for a week.  Joe and Emily were gems of course, and took me and my friend Annaka out to lunch (at On The Border I believe).  Next,  Joe and Emily moved to Seattle where their cutie pie Caroline was born and I saw them for occasional Sunday lunches back in Washington. Even more crazy--Joe and Emily move to Budapest, sweet William is born, and I decide to go study abroad in Budapest! So, who knows?  I might be traveling to Malaysia, folks.  It's out of my control.

Playing in the lake is so fun.

I loved catching up with Rachel, Lauren, and Aubrey too--Sunday was just a great family day all around.  Sitting around the fire, watching Rachel and Uncle Brian create their paella masterpiece was so fun. However, they will tell you that they only do half the work---Auntie Terri prepares all of the ingredients.  

This spicy rice and vegetable medley is completed with chicken, shrimp, and spicy Mexican chor-ri-zo.
Or as Auntie Terri likes to call it, trizo.  (my Spanish minor pronunciation was kicking in :) )

I hadn't seen Rachel's adorable little girl, Elise, for the whole summer.  She can now say my name.  I'm ecstatic!! But, she's too shy to let me hear her. I'm crossing my fingers for next time.  She is so cute, I can't stand it.  She brought me sand cupcakes all day and teased everyone by running away from kisses.

Just look at Elise's response to being asked to smile as big as she can:

I think Steve was teaching her "up high, down low." Too cute. 

 All in all, it was just an awesome day at the lake.  Here are some snapshots of the festivities.

I love this picture. It completely captures the day's essence.  

William is walking now!  I almost died over how adorable his sun hat was. 

Finished product!

I'm so happy I caught this.  Elise running away from Grandpa's kisses!

Cutie pie Caroline.

The beautiful mommas with their beautiful babies. 

40 days and 40 nights

Alright, you caught me. 40 days and 40 nights is definitely an exaggeration.  I've only been in the Midwest 11 days and 12 nights to be exact, but it sure feels like a whole lot longer.  About 29 days longer actually.

Let me give you the summary.

I arrived in Grand Rapids on August 1st.  That weekend I ran around planning a bachelorette party for one of my best friends, Jess Rinaldi.   Filled with homemade games, unpaid taxi rides, glow stick fiascos, and tons of laughter--the party was a success, if I do say so myself.  It was the perfect predecessor to make John and Jess' wedding even more enjoyable the following weekend.

Jess blindfolded, complete with red lipstick getting ready to play "Kiss the Groom."
Hand made by yours truly. 

I couldn't have pulled off such a great party without the help of my home-away-from-home Kloostra family (shout out!). Auntie Terri was the greatest and let me turn her kitchen upside down preparing all of the food until 2 a.m. for the weekend.  Don't worry, I cleaned up after myself so well, Auntie Terri said she couldn't have done it better herself (Yes! I'm serious--I have witnesses).  Mom, go ahead, leap for joy :).

After the party, I stayed another night at the Lake House. Can you blame me?

It's pretty great at the lake. 

So after a weekend that took about 10 days,  I finally made my trek down to Chicago to my new home.

On the road, there is this corner on I-94 that all of the sudden opens up to a view of the Chicago skyline.  I've driven this route a dozen times, but this one I soaked in.  I even took a picture.

I remember thinking, "This is it Erika. Welcome to your new home."

I got to see Steve for the first time in a month.  To welcome me, he surprised me with a motorcycle ride around the city that ended with a picnic by a sailboat marina on Lake Michigan where we watched the sky dim and city lights shine brighter and brighter from our blanket.  He's pretty great. The view was amazing, and I was filled with excitement thinking about all the exploring I will get to do in this great city.  

While I'm in this period of limbo, I'm staying with Steve's parents, the Griffith's, until I find an apartment.  They are overwhelming me with kindness, and I couldn't ask for more.  The four days I spent in Chicago before heading back up to Michigan for the wedding were a whirlwind.  I looked at 5 apartments, gained another roommate, and submitted a rental application for a 3 bedroom flat. I seriously am in love with the building of a woman named Marjorie.  She is an ex-New Yorker (is there such a thing?) with a ton of sass, a garden,  and a roof top paradise to boot.  I want to live there so bad, I dream about it. I would give anything to live in Leavitt Street with its trumpet vines and golden sunrooms. Nothing has materialized yet, apartment hunting is much harder than I anticipated.  But I can say I don't need my GPS to get downtown anymore.  I might conquer this city map after all. 

My whirlwind of apartment searching landed me in Grand Rapids once again for John and Jess' wedding.  I couldn't think of a better couple to stand up for.  I went to Hungary with both John and Jess where traveling and and a shared 12x4 ft. living space really solidified our friendship. 

Jess and I the day she got engaged (in Hungary!!).

She is one of my closest friends and I love her dearly.  Her and John are going to have an awesome life together and I couldn't be happier.  

When I get more pictures, I will post some of their DIY gray and yellow cuteness.  But let me say this: my shoes were so high, they were Nikki Minaj status.  Don't get me wrong, they were SO CUTE, but as soon as I put them on it was all I could do to not fall on my face.  

    

Nikki Minaj. Seriously.  My shoes were this high. 

They do look walkable in the picture, but trust me, those yellow buttercups are demons in disguise.

Biggest news from the wedding?  I reverted back to my athletic years and soared over all the single women and snatched the bouquet.  Minutes later Steve calmly picked the garter off the floor after it slipped out of all the rowdy bachelors' hands.  I might add this is our second wedding where we have each grabbed the two symbols of foretold matrimony.  Coincidence? I think not!  But, unfortunately I have no other details on that matter :).  I'll keep you posted.