I didn't realise that it had been so long since I posted, I apologise! I have 4 days left in Chicago before I head to Costa Rica so everything is a little insane as I try and fit everything in.

4th of July weekend is insane, even without the Taste of Chicago being on. On the 3rd I along with the rest of the population of Chicago went and sat at the lakefront to watch the fireworks. The fireworks went off at 9.30, I was there at around 7.30 and found a good seat because I was on my own, but people had camped out the night before and by the time the fireworks were going off every centimeter of space was full. The fireworks were fantastic, and they had to be to beat the regular fireworks we see twice weekly in Chicago.

I was supposed to going to Boston for 3 days but I was pretty sick last week so I had to cancel which was so disappointing.

However I have picked myself back up and am filling every second. On Wednesday I shopped Michigan avenue and did all the shops I wanted to hit again before I left. From there I walked down to the North Shore beach and chilled on the beach for a few hours.

On Thursday I got a late "rush" ticket for Jersey Boys. After I saw them at Taste of Chicago I had to see the full show before I left. It was a brilliant show, and I recognised most of the songs. And the best thing was that all the seats weren't sold so I was able to move forward a few rows and see the show perfectly.

On Friday I took a daytrip to the midwest version of the seaside. I took the train to Indiana dunes, where I was a little disappointed with the sand dunes, i suppose i have been spoilt by the beautiful beaches at home. But you can't really expect much more from a lake beach. However the weather was beautiful (aside from one shower) sunshine and blue skies. and the lake was cool and refreshing. It was a really nice day out. Sadly due to construction my train home was cancelled so I had to wait 2 hours for the next one and missed dinner with Clodagh.

Yesterday was the day for cleaning, sorting and organising. It was a busy day but I am definitely more organised than before and I atleast have most of the junk out of the apartment. Hopefully this will make it a little easier to get packed on Wednesday and Thursday.

Today was so exciting!! I had my last day at church, which was incredibly sad I am really going to miss all the wonderful people and the children from church. This afternoon I rented a car and drove to the rodeo! I won a free days driving with a company called zipcar when I was at one of the festivals in May. So I rented a car for a day and a half and drove to Wauconda. I was absolutely terrified, having never driven in the US, never mind that the car was twice the size of my little peugeot and it was a manual. But once I worked out how a manual worked I was flying.

The weather was perfect today and I arrived just before it all kicked off. My favourite events were the steer roping and the steer wrestling, they were so much fun, and took real skill to get the calf to do what it is supposed to. In wrestling they jump off the horse, catch the calf and hold it down. In the roping they have to lasoo the calf, jump off the horse, the horse pulls back and the cowboy has to take the calf down and tie it up. Some of them were incredibly skilled. The barrel racing, bareback brono and saddled bronco were also fun as well as the trick riding, especially because it was a 12 year old girl who won the barrel racing. The last event, the bull ride, was terrifying. the bulls had enormous horns and would chase the cowboys, the horses, the people sitting beside the ring. I will definitely not be doing that ever! It was a really fun day, and when i was driving back i had the most amazing view. As you come over a rise on the 1-94/I-90 into the city, the whole city is laid out in front of you from the sears tower to the hancock. It was even more impressive than the approach to New York City.

Sorry there are no pics from the rodeo, but no cameras are allowed. I think the pics are on the Wauconda Rodeo website if you want to check it out.

Tomorrow I still have the car and I am heading to 6 flags, the Chicago theme park. The last time I was there it was icy cold and wet, but tomorrow is supposed to be beautiful and the water park is open so hopefully it will be a good day. Then I have work Tuesday and Thursday, so Wednesday I am taking a last trip to the museum and then packing my Chicago life up!