Sunday, September 23, 2018

1st Summer in Retirement

Summer 2018 was my very first full season in full retirement. June 12, 2018 was my last day. THANK GOODNESS!!

The summer of 2018 was a very busy and full season for me. On my very last working day, I strategized my full retirement plan, celebrated my birthday the next week, then flew to fabulous Las Vegas.  Nice start!!  This is how I spent my summer of 2018...

Created a fantastic Facebook Page (@CentralChicagoEvents) where I promote and share events in the central area of Chicago.  This has been a major business effort!!!  Searches, evaluation of venues, creation of databases, redesign of a Facebook Group and design of this Facebook Page have taken a lot of time!!

My condominium community now has a website were events can be submitted.  So, I submit all of my targeted events to this website with the utmost professional appeal.

Because I promote events, it is important that I attend many of them, take photos and promote on my Central Chicago Events Page. Here are the events that I attended:
  • Taste of Chicago
  • Toast of the South Loop
  • Humana Rock & Roll Marathon
  • South Loop Beer & Cider Fest
  • Windy City Wine Festival
  • American Dream Reconsidered: Eric Holder
  • American Dream Reconsidered: Common
  • Jerk, Seafood & Vegan Fest
  • Annual Senior Fest
  • Bronzeville Echoes at the Chicago Cultural Center
  • Folded Map exhibit at Loyola Museum of Art
  • Shopping Spree at Niketown

There were other nice things that I did this summer, beyond my promotions which were:
  • Las Vegas with stay at Encore in June
  • Las Vegas with stay at the Wynn in July
  • Las Vegas with stay at the MGM Grand in August  (Yes, I love Las Vegas!)
  • Big Greek party at former worker's place... always fabulous
  • End of Summer condominium party

As soon as I fully retired, I increased my powerwalks from 30 minutes to 1 hour... practically every day.

I even got time to relax at the swimming pool!!!!  So relaxing!!

I have done a lot with my Facebook Groups!  One is growing by leaps and bounds!  So, I have to do regular surveillance to ensure proper posts by members.  This is a lot. Another group is Las Vegas focused, so it requires regular updates to ensure interest of members.  I also created a brand new group for folks who cook and host dinner events. That group requires a lot of attention to ensure members who post recognize that I appreciate their contribution.

Finally, I love Korean food. I located a nice vendor in the Thompson Center in downtown that is in a food court.  I enjoy this!!!

I also remain professionally active by attending local conferences.

As you can see, I had a very busy, BUT cost-effective, low cost and extremely active 1st summer of retirement.  A lot of thinking, planning, strategizing and engagements have been required. No way do I intend to sit at home.  I have more information coming up for the Fall season, but stay tuned to my blog as I will be doing more!!



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