Car problems, the Windy City, and approaching late 20's (and some ??!?!!!??)

On a short lunch break today, so I'm somewhat pressed for time. 

On April Fool's Day, I was driving to work and you know that light you get in your car when you have the key in the ignition, but you're parked? If not, then I'm sorry, but that's the only way I know how to explain it. Anyway, it came on, and after a brief moment of ??!!!?!?!?!?, the check engine light came on. And then the fuel cap light came on. And then the oil light came on.

?????????!!!?!?!?!!!!!?

I'm on the phone with J and trying not to panic at this point, so I make my turn off the exit ramp and the wheel starts locking up on me a bit. Ok...definitely not good, I'm thinking at this point, so I turn on my hazards and pull off to the side. Except my brakes are not wanting to work all that well either. "Hey, so I might need you to come rescue me....." Fortunately, the car is going slow enough that it comes to a stop, where I'm able to put it in park. I turn it off, take out the key, wait a minute or so, and then start the car. It starts fine. 

So that's the beginning- the rest of the story goes that I was without my car all of last weekend and this past Monday. Sometimes you really don't think all that much about something until you suddenly don't have it, so having to, essentially overnight, become completely dependent on other people is a valuable lesson in grace and humility. Be thankful for those you have! I certainly am- for more than just the fact that they gave me rides to work and church! My car is now fixed and running great, by the way :) 

Onto the Windy City- that's why I have a short lunch break today...because I'm leaving work early because later today me, Kelly and Justin are driving up to Chicago!!! Now I can see some of you...??!?!?!? The short story is that J is from Australia and his passport expires at the end of next month. Apparently in order to do that you have to do so in-person at an embassy, and the closest one to us is in...you guessed it! When we found out about this I sort of threw out the idea of Kelly and I coming along, sort of half-jokingly, but yet here we are, bags packed and we're hoping to leave by 4-4:30 this afternoon pending any unforeseen crises. The trip won't be completely business, either; our itinerary is still somewhat up in the air. But we do have a 6 hour drive. And we will have Chicago-style pizza. And there will be pictures! :) 

One final plus to this trip is that it falls on the weekend that Kelly and I have a birthday! Yep, on Saturday the 9th we'll be ringing in 26 in the Windy City! Honestly, it's our first birthday away- our birthdays in the past have been with family at home, or we've been in school or working. I'm sad that my parents won't be celebrating with us this year, but I'm really looking forward to spending the weekend with my sister and boyfriend, two people who just absolutely rock my world! Anyway, yeah...26. Kind of odd, really. Will officially be out of mid-twenties. And 25 was an absolute freaking blast! Really! The fact that I'm not married, don't have children, or a set career path would have freaked me out 2 years ago, but it honestly just doesn't anymore. I've really loved being in my 20's, especially mid, and I plan on using as much of this time as possible to travel, to take mini trips whenever I can, to enjoy growing closer to and with my boyfriend, and to keep raising heck with my sis! Not many my age get to do those things nowadays and I'm very fortunate that I'm able to. God has really taught me a lot just in the past year or so and I can see that it's been beneficial to all aspects of my growth as a person. So other than those very broad goals, the sky's the limit for me, and I'm genuinely, genuinely looking forward to another year of exploration, discovery, and joy!! 

Obligatory end-of-the-post shout-out: Go Reds!! And keep an eye out for our pizza/general Chicago pics! 

Take care, everyone.  Hug your loved ones, if you can, and tell them how much they mean to you! 

H