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Ice cream eating contest in Metropolis, Illinois
May 5, 2009
in competitive eating, Illinois, Road Trip, Roadside Attractions, travel, United States

Superman and Super Fan: Metropolis Road Trip

Things learned on my Metropolis road trip: 1. I am a good driver when I am paying attention. 2. Louisville Kentucky is three hours from the Illinois/Kentucky border. 3. When someone says "It's $3 for this museum or $5 for both" the deal isn't always a good deal. 4....

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Leaning Tower of Niles - replica of the Leaning Tower of Pisa - in Niles, Illinois
December 3, 2008
in Illinois, Roadside Attractions, United States

Buongiorno from the Leaning Tower of Niles

Ever experience dejavu? If you happened to just check the top and only the top of the blog for the last three days, you may not have noticed something strange going on here...

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Bill Murray stepped here plaque in Woodstock, Illinois - the town where the movie Groundhog Day was filmed.
December 2, 2008
in Illinois, movies, Roadside Attractions, United States

Happy Groundhog Day from Woodstock, Illinois!

Saturday morning Flopsy and I woke up bright and early to pick up Brian and Paul and head out on a ROAD TRIP (yes Scott, it IS a road trip even if we only drive an hour away) to Woodstock, IL. "Why Woodstock?" you may...

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Woodstock, Illinois - the town where the movie Groundhog Day was filmed.
December 1, 2008
in Illinois, movies, Roadside Attractions, United States

Happy Groundhog Day from Woodstock, Illinois!

Do you ever have deja vu? I don't think so, but I could check with the kitchen...

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Woodstock, Illinois - the town where the movie Groundhog Day was filmed.
November 30, 2008
in Illinois, movies, Roadside Attractions, United States

Happy Groundhog Day from Woodstock, Illinois!

Saturday morning Flopsy and I woke up bright and early to pick up Brian and Paul and head out on a ROAD TRIP (yes Scott, it IS a road trip even if we only drive an hour away) to Woodstock, IL. "Why Woodstock?" you may...

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An apple a day. Apple picking in Illinois.
October 27, 2008
in Illinois, United States

An apple a day. (Going apple picking in Illinois.)

Despite the fact that I was pretty exhausted after the Music Box Massacre, and despite the fact that I had been awake for over 30 hours already and should have gone right to bed, when JoeJoe called and asked if I wanted to go apple...

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Mount Rushmore in Keystone, South Dakota. Labor Day Chicago to Mount Rushmore Road Trip.
September 3, 2008
in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Road Trip, Roadside Attractions, South Dakota, travel, United States, Wisconsin

Labor Day Chicago to Mount Rushmore Road Trip

Over Labor Day weekend Emily and I took a Chicago to Mount Rushmore road trip through Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Iowa. This is a recap of the long weekend trip and all of the roadside attractions we saw.   Friday: Labor Day Chicago to...

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Sweetcorn eating contest at the The Urbana Sweetcorn Festival | Urbana Sweet Corn Festival
August 25, 2008
in competitive eating, Illinois, travel, United States

Urbana Sweetcorn Festival (& Sweet Corn Eating Contest)

This weekend I visited friends in Champaign for the Urbana Sweetcorn Festival. Let's just say I'm already off the wagon. Lindsay and James = Bad Idea Bears...

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Strawberry balsamic cupcake and a chocolate covered strawberry martini. How to Spend a Weekend in Champaign, Illinois.
June 23, 2008
in Illinois, travel, United States

How to Spend a Weekend in Champaign, Illinois.

Weekend in Champaign: Thursday I hit the road just before 6pm. Summer scheduling at work = every other Friday off = eight three- (or four-) day weekends this summer = the perfect chance to go hang out for a weekend in Champaign with people I never...

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Road Trip Around Chicago: Mr. Bendo Muffler Man
November 27, 2007
in Illinois, Illinois Road Trip, Road Trip, Roadside Attractions, travel, United States

Have you seen the muffler man? A Road Trip Around Chicago.

Sunday Emily and I took a road trip around Chicago. OK, so I am not sure if it really counts as a road trip if the whole thing takes less than twelve hours and you go no further than 45 miles away from home...

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Hi, I’m Val. I spent most of my 20s in a standstill, unable to pick which path in life I wanted to take. I wanted the nomadic life of a traveler but also wanted the husband, the condo, and the teal couch. Unable to decide which life I wanted more, I did nothing. I lived my life in limbo. When I turned 30 I’d had enough of putting my life on hold and decided to start “choosing my figs.” So, I quit my job and bought a one-way ticket to Europe. After 3 years on the road I’m back in Chicago, exploring the city, learning guitar, decorating my apartment in too much teal, cuddling my cats, and planning my next adventures.

            

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2006 –

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WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO IN YOUR LIFE?


Feeling stuck? Sick of living your life in limbo? Want to finally do all those things you always say you're going to do? Sign up for the Choosing Figs newsletter now to get a FREE e-book with tips on starting your own life list, inspiration for things to do in life, and worksheets to get your life goals out of your head and into action!


Your information will be used to send you our Life List e-book and subscribe you to our bi-monthly newsletter. View our full Privacy Policy.



            


MEOW | Is Val in Chicago?