Paradise found

So, I know that I've been telling you how I've been daydreaming about Florida for a while now. I am anxious to get down there. Partly because it will confirm for me that I am finished with grad school. Partly because the second I see the palm trees from the plane window, I can feel my muscles start to relax. I love Chicago, don't get me wrong. If I lived in Florida, I would become bitter about the heat and humidity and I would miss my fabulous city, its seasons, and everything that I hold dear. But I love that my family has a place in Florida, because I can escape there. I've been so busy the past few years that my time there has been limited to one visit per year, I am looking forward to changing that now that this crazy schedule is abating.

Here, specifically, is what I see in my mind when I think about Florida:

This photo was actually taken (not by me) at the beachfront pool at the condo complex where my parents own their condo. There are two pools, one closer to the condo offices, with hot tubs and a kiddie pool. And then there's this one, right on the ocean. You can see the reflection of the palm trees on the calm pool water in the foreground, and the sun rising over the ocean in the background.

It doesn't get much better than this. And May 17, I'll be seeing this for myself. Yippee!!!