Thanks for the memories, Denver

Well, I am officially home sweet home in Chicago until I leave for Paraguay in February. I was in Denver for 5.5 months, the longest I have been away from home yet. While there were so many days I wished I was back in Chicago with the comforts of home and my friends, I wouldn't trade the last 5 months for anything.

Here are some of the high points (in no particular order):
-Living with Jill and Paul. Easily 2 of the greatest people ever. I am so glad I got to know them better and now consider them to be some of my best friends!
-Getting to know Ingrid, Jeff, and Kate better. I have the coolest cousins on this Earth. Guaranteed.
-Working for a major league baseball team. Has always been a dream of mine, and I can say I've done it! And who knows, maybe in a couple years I'll be back :)
-Going to see the John Butler Trio at Red Rocks!! Amazing concert venue!
-Learning to (sort of) like cats.
-Summer weekend in Breckenridge.
-Visits from Baker, Alli, and Becky! You guys are da bestest!
-Making new friends at the Rockies - some of whom I really hope to stay in touch with! They are some cool cats.
-The late nights of singing and wine drinking with Jill and Paul. Always spur of the moment, always amazing, always woke up exhausted but happy the next day.
-The Rockies Holiday Party! So fun! Minus the fact there were no Hanukkah cookies... ;)

I know I am missing a lot, but those are the things that really stick out. Overall it was a great time, and Denver officially holds a special place in my heart.

Thankful

The past few weeks have been a blast! The weekend before Thanksgiving, one of my best friends came to visit! I didn't have much planned, but we managed to have a great time. We met up with an old bartender from Illinois on Friday night and got a litttllllleeee too rowdy at the local townie bar. Then Saturday (once we were done being hungover) we went to Red Rocks and hiked around a bit. It was beautiful there! And we saw two deer mating, which was pretty hilarious. Saturday night we just relaxed and watched a movie. Then Sunday we did the Coors brewery tour, met some funny people, and then I went and dropped her off at the airport. It wasn't an action packed weekend, but great to see someone from home :)

Beautiful day at red rocks

Becky climbing the rocks

That following Wednesday, I flew to STL to meet up with family for what was my last Thanksgiving in the states for a couple years. Thanksgiving is absolutely my favorite day of the year, so I am so glad I got to see my fam and go out with a bang. We went to my aunt and uncles house on a small lake, did a mini olympics, talked, laughed, ate, drank, sang and danced. By the end of the night, I think about 30 family members were in attendance. I love those guys so much, so it was great to have one last big hurrah with all of them.

Last Zaideman family pic for a while

Karaoke contest!

Now I am back in Denver. I have gone back to working 5 days a week (finally, my wallet was suffering big time). Jill and Paul are gone for 10 days in Colombia, so it will be a pretty slow week. Next week is the Rockies Christmas party, which I am definitely looking forward to! Not much better than free food and booze with friends. Then Jill and Paul get home on Sunday. We will have 6 jam packed days of work and checking things off the bucket list, and then I will head back to Chicago 2 weeks from today. While I am ready to get home to my family and friends, I really will miss Denver. I have had a great time here. But -- I am ready to get back to my normal social life, see the Zaideman family who I haven't seen in almost 6 months! (my little cuz Sam has to be SO big by now!), and get all my things ready for Paraguay. Just over 2 months left until I leave!!

Until next time...