I have been to Chicago twice this year. I enjoyed a long weekend in the city in March with my mom, and just a few weeks ago the GT staff traveled to Chicago for The Motivation Show. One thought pervades my mind whenever I visit Chi-Town — I could definitely live there! If I was ever brave enough to pack up my stuff and hit the road, I think Chicago would be my first choice.

I can’t quite pinpoint the exact reason I am overwhelmed with the urge to move whenever I visit Chicago, but I think it definitely has something to do with the friendly people, the yummy cuisine and the feel of the city. When you go to Chicago, you definitely feel like you are in a city, but it doesn’t have that overwhelming crowded, dirty city feeling that lingers in the air of some cities. It feels urban, yet suburban at the same time. I feel the same way in Boston. And I really like the deep-dish pizza . . . haha!

On the last trip to the city, I stayed at The Avenue. The hotel has a great location, just blocks from the Magnificent Mile. Most of us GT‘ers were centrally located around Michigan Ave. Lisa Matte stayed at the Park Hyatt. Fran Gallagher and Dick Evans were at the Conrad Chicago, while Alex Young checked out the Sutton Place. Courtney Centeno hit the jackpot — staying at both the Four Seasons and the Ritz-Carlton. Chris Salem was out a bit farther at the Hilton ,and Fernando Palacios enjoyed The Burnham.

We spent most of our time in the city at McCormick Place for the convention and in meetings, but we also enjoyed some of Chicago’s great restaurants. Alex, Courtney, Chris and I enjoyed a great Italian meal at Prosecco, a hidden gem we had to pry out of a concierge. The next night, the staff ventured out to one of Chicago’s famous steakhouses, Rosebud Prime. Even with our busy schedule, I was able to enjoy the essence of Chicago.

Alas, I had to leave, but I look forward to my next visit to the great city.

Of course, I cannot end this blog without congratulating the Philadelphia Phillies! For the second year in a row, the Phils have defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Championship Series to secure a spot in the World Series. Will the Phillies be the first National League to win back-to-back World Series since the Cardinals in the 1970s? I sure think so. We are the first National League team to make it to the World Series two times in a row since the Atlanta Braves in the mid-1990s. It remains unclear if we will face the Yankees or the Angels, but all I know is, my anxiety will go through the roof watching another nailbiting series. Maybe my deep love of the Phillies is what is preventing me from moving to Chicago. After all, I could never be a Cubs or White Sox fan. I could never be anything but a Phillies phan!

– Kimberly Krol, eFlyer editor, circulation and public relations executive