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Where in the World is Josh?

Josh Does A Whole Lotta Illinois…

Sorry this is a bit delayed. I wrote it out and never posted it…I fail!

Sunday was a travel day, heading from Boston to Chicago. It also marked the 10^th anniversary of the September 11^th attacks. I can’t believe the time that has passed since that day. How much has happened! I was flying United and watched as members of the staff raised a flag over gate C-19 where Flight #175 had departed from that day. The mood in the terminal was subdued for the duration of my time waiting for my flight to leave. Other passengers and I sat and watched the memorial services on TV in almost silence. I spent a great deal of that time reliving that day- watching the towers fall as I sat in my social studies class my sophomore year in high school.

A bouquet of flowers resided on the gate of C-19 at Logan Airport in memoriam of Flight 175.

Monday and Tuesday were slightly uneventful. I spoke at my first school of the week on Monday and, still exhausted from the travel the day before, took to bed early. The next day, Tuesday, was the Premier Showcase in Lombard, Illinois where I spent the day meeting fellow performers and talking with school and PTA representatives from all over the state. It was a fun day all around but tiring all the same.

I became concerned for the birds of Illinois when one pooped on my car and it was REALLY green.

This was my table at the Premier Showcase. Not too bad I’d say!

Wednesday was a blast! Getting to sleep in is always my favorite thing during a busy week. I drove into the city (Chicago) and spent the better part of the day at the Shedd Aquarium. Shedd has always been one of my favorite aquariums. It was my visit there in summer 2010 that inspired my volunteering at the New England Aquarium. Best. Decision. Ever! I had a great day talking to educators, checking out the new Jellies exhibit, and catching the dolphin and sea lion show. I could have spent the entire day there if I didn’t have to get some work done.

The brand new Jellies Exhibit was amazing. I could have stayed in there forever!

I didn’t get to catch the dolphin session the first time I visited the Shedd so I was super excited to see it this time. The educator, Rachel, was a lot of fun. I had chatter with her prior to the start of the show.

Thursday and Friday were spent at schools having a great time! I am so thankful for Washington, Lincoln, Parkside and Shepherd schools for making the end of my week so much fun! There was even a fantastic article about how much fun we had!

Corn…that is all.

I managed to grab a couple movies this week which I was excited about because I haven’t seen too many this year. My favorite thing to is go to a theatre and get a ticket to whatever movie starts next. Sometimes this doesn’t end well but this week I grabbed some great films! The first was Contagion which made me paranoid about everything. I needed a shower afterwards. It was funny because a small part of the film takes place in Chicago so I spent a hunk of time thinking to myself “I was just there!” I was giddy when the shot of the Shedd Aquarium popped up.

The next movie I saw this week was Straw Dogs which was…interesting. Turns out that it is a remake of a 1971 film both based on a book. It was a great movie but honestly it made me uncomfortable. I can’t really explain it, you just have to see it. I just felt weird sitting there watching the events of the movie unfold. I would have to say the best way to describe the film is a mix of The Strangers, Last House on the Left, and Varsity Blues (this one’ll make sense when you see it). This isn’t a movie review blog in the slightest but I recommend both films.

All in all I’d say it was a great week and I look forward to the next adventure!

Be kind to one another!

-Josh