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So I've been reading through my past few posts and realized how depressing I sound. Yes, I miss my family. Yes, it has been hard living alone in a different state. But honestly, I love Cincinnati. Let me tell you why it is so great!!!

When I was younger, I never would have guessed that I would have ended up in Cincinnati, Ohio. Most people think, ew gross, why would you want to live in the nasty nati?! Well let me tell you, there is a lot more to Cincinnati than what you see on TV on Police Women of Cincinnati.

Breweries! Cincinnati is a huge craft beer city. 

I, myself have become more of a beer drinker just by living here. 

Breweries that also have free yoga too....

Xavier. Let's be honest, Cincinnati wouldn't be as great with out such a fantastic school.

Baseball! I have been to more Reds games in the last 4 years than I have in my entire life!

Our stadium is beautiful & the view of the river and Kentucky is awesome.

Friends! Thankfully, my 2 college roommates are attending medical school in Cincinnati. 

A few of my other friends have stayed in Cincinnati as well!

Restaurants! I officially hate all chain restaurants. Sorry Olive Garden, Chilis & Applebees!

I've had such better food and I love trying all of the new little places around the city.

Memories! I have created so many memories in this city. 

Although some of my friends have moved out of state or even out of the country!

 Places around Cincinnati remind me of the fun times we have shared.

Findlay Market! Yes this is not in the nicest part of town, but it is so great!

So much history and character in one place.  

It is a great place to get produce, enjoy lunch & people watch. 

The Skyline! There are so many outlooks and different parts of the city with an awesome view!

I just love it!

Cincinnati has become my home. I have really grown so much while living here and truly established myself. Not only have I made all of my career connections here, but also personal connections. It's amazing to see how many Xavier students ended up staying in Cincinnati because of how great of a city it is. Yes there are times I miss Illinois, but Cincinnati has the city feel, busyness, entertainment and population that I need. I love it!!!

Roots

Never forget where you came from, that is what the saying is right? Although, I have ended up in Cincinnati, Ohio. Parts of me will always be in Illinois...especially since that is where my family is. Family is so important to me and moving out of state, I've really realized that. It is weird because we are all at a different point in our lives now and even weirder is that we are in different states! (Shout out to Shelby who is only 2 hours away now!) Studies say that students end up living where they went to college. I guess I am now part of that statistic, making it true.

Communicating is huge when living out of state. Sometimes you take for granted seeing someone every day. Being so far apart requires effort to keep in touch. I have learned how difficult that is through out the last 4 years. Lives get busy, but never too busy for a quick text! 

I hate not having scheduled breaks, as I did in college, for fall break, Easter break, Christmas break, etc. The holidays will definitely be different this year. When I am able to go home for a weekend it seems to go by so fast and I am always sad to leave. I am just thankful that I am within driving distance and the drive is actually very easy! 

As much as I would love for everyone in my family to just move down to Cincinnati so they can be with me. I really cherish every time someone comes down for a visit. I like being able to show them around the city and take them to new places. Although my apartment is very small, I am glad that I invested in a pullout couch because now they can stay with me!

Moral of the story: KEEP IN TOUCH!!! 

Me, Myself & I

Getting older is scary....or maybe it just is for me. We go from living and growing up with our parents and siblings to college where you are always living with other people. Cohabitation is comfortable because it is what we are always use to. Thankfully Shelby had spent all summer living with me. In a panic that I was going to be alone, I considered the option of having Lily (who is litter box trained) stay with me to keep me busy. 

Now I chose to live on my own after college, thinking it would be awesome to have my own place, which it is. Shelby & I brought her down to Cincinnati for a week for a trial run to see how things would go. She did adjust pretty well. However, a pet is a lot of commitment. I began thinking about how she was going to be alone for 9 hours a day when Shelby went back to school and it made me feel bad. And in the future my career is only going to get even busier. I loved the idea of taking her on walks, especially since Cincinnati has some great parks! I thought it would be good to keep me active and not so lonely. Lily was able to continue using the litter box while she was here, but always peed on the tile when I was gone. I had also set up a webcam while I went to dinner one day to see if she barked while I was gone. She didn't bark, but she cried the whole 3 hours and jumped/scratched my door. Actually, ruining my apartment door. Not okay!

It was then that I started thinking about the commitment of having a pet. Yes, she would keep me company. Yes, she was that little bit of home that I needed. And yes, she was perfectly trained. However, I am at the age where I don't need or want to stay home all weekend. I want to enjoy my freedom, and I want to not feel guilty if I have to stay at work late or need to run an errand. I don't want to have to worry if I leave her alone for a night (no wonder they call us the "I want" generation). A pet in a way ties you down to a place. I wouldn't just be able to go get in the car and drive to visit Shelby or my friends for a weekend without having to find a sitter. Living alone will be hard, especially so far away from family. But I have realized that I need to accept living alone and not rely on someone or something else for entertainment. I had a really hard time accepting that she needed to go back home because I wanted it to work out so badly! Then I thought to myself, why did I want her here so much? To keep me busy was the only answer I could come up with. Dogs are expensive for one thing, and that is money that I could have going some more important. Not to mention, I cannot have her ruining my apartment that I spent so much time making nice.

Therefore, we now consider Lily's stay a mini vacation in Cincinnati! She went on a lot of walks and probably got more exercise than she ever had in her life. While I am going to miss her, she reminded me of how much of a clean freak I am when it comes to dog hair and odor smells... but most importantly she helped me realize that I need to be okay being alone. I believe this is an issue that many people have a hard time with. I think it is important for one to be able to be comfortable living on their own because it shows a sign of independence and maturity that others may not get to develop if they immediately move in with a significant other, parents, roommate etc. It's time for me to find some hobbies, enjoy my free time and live my life!