Why I Moved Back to Illinois

About 5 years ago, while I was doing homework for a class at Millikin University, I got a call that I was officially offered a full-time job as a graphic designer starting a few weeks after I graduated in Louisville, KY. I had worked so hard during this semester to really focus on preparing myself to get a job that was in my field and that would get me out of Illinois. I applied to a minimum of 2 jobs a day (I’m not even exaggerating) starting January 1st of my last semester in college. Ideally I wanted to get out West towards Colorado, but I was open to anywhere BUT Illinois.

MusingsChristy SwanbergMarch 9, 2018louisville, home, kentucky, illinois, manhattan, loans, dreams, goals, familyComment

Wild Flowers - Part Two

This year, I wanted to make it a tradition to pick a wildflower bouquet on a walk of mine. My favorite part of doing this is being able to spend time with my mom during the exploring and the researching part. (Check out part one!)

MusingsChristy SwanbergDecember 27, 2017wild, flower, wildflower, mom, illinois, midwest, bouquet

My Hike in Starved Rock

I decided to set aside one day a month to do absolutely nothing. This doesn’t necessarily mean that I can’t do anything, but it does mean that I purposefully don’t plan or schedule anything on that day. My to-do lists, hanging out with friends, editing photos, they all take a pause on this one day.

Christy SwanbergDecember 23, 2017illinois, hiking, starved, rock, nothing, hikeComment

2017 Chicago German Market

Every year for most of my life, my family makes a trip downtown Chicago in December before Christmas to see the German Market: Christkindlmarket. It’s an annual outdoor market that’s only up right before Christmas in Chicago. It’s always festive, freezing, and magnificent, and so amazing.

Christy SwanbergDecember 11, 2017chicago, illinois, german, market, christmas, christkindl, christkindlmarket, winter, homeless, annual, spiced, wine, downtown, shopping, potato, pancakesComment

2017 Solar Eclipse

About a week or two after moving back to Illinois from Louisville, KY, on August 21st, 2017 one of the largest events in the US in 2017 occurred right through Illinois. The solar eclipse. Some weren’t convinced that this wasn’t a huge deal – but I have NOOOO idea how these people made those decisions.

Christy SwanbergAugust 26, 2017eclipse, solar, 2017, illinois, travel, star, view, sun, vineyard, winery, starviewComment