This weekend:
1. Bluegrass and Blues Festival: Picked randomly from the crowd to be Santa's Helpers in a skit on stage- all access passes, meeting band members and free drinks!
2. European Accents: Needs no explanation
3. Inn Joy: Singing the night away to all your favorite 80s hits, making friends with the bartender, getting free drinks, dancing like hippies
4. Famous: Drinking Mexican beer with the goalie from the US Olympic Field Hockey team
5. Fiascos: Fell down my spiral staircase with loads of laundry, broke the handle off my car door and broke my computer charger
Oh Chicago...
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Graduate?
My mom called me yesterday asking if I had my diploma with me in Chicago. My response to any question like that is 'Oh, I think I left that in that one box in the attic at home somewhere'. She then told me that it came in the mail yesterday! What?! I graduated a year and a half ago!
The best part was that my mom actually thought maybe I hadn't graduated. That I simply told her I did so she wouldn't worry, but still had some classes to finish. I suppose that would explain the receptionist job....
Oh JBU.
The best part was that my mom actually thought maybe I hadn't graduated. That I simply told her I did so she wouldn't worry, but still had some classes to finish. I suppose that would explain the receptionist job....
Oh JBU.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Worst. Day. Ever.
And to top it off, a group of teenage boys hit me with a snowball on the way off the train! Lovely.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
The First Snow
Yep- today was the day. It began to snow and all I could do was sigh and groan and wish it away. But then I was heading towards the bathroom when the fire escape door swung open....and there were almost 20 clients all crowded out on the fire escape experiencing their first snow! They were all yelling 'Teacher! Teacher! Snow!' and I couldn't help but be excited with them. :)
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Betty Crocker Poser
That's right. I've got the apron and the cook books and the motivation- but NO talent. Lately, everything I touch flops.
Example #1: I had an overabundance of chickpeas. So I learned how to soak and cook them (overrated, if I may add) and then attempted to make hummus. Needless to say, my hummus was clumpy, bland and as a friend of mine put it 'absolutely terrible'.
Example #2: At work yesterday, we received some extremely ripe bananas from a grocery store that was going to throw them away. I thought- 'Great! This is perfect for banana bread!' As you can see from the pictures, the bread overflowed from the bread pan. The top got crispy and the middle was nothing but liquid. In the end, I was able to salvage a little, but it wasn't quite the loaf of banana nut bread I was going for.
I'm thinking I should take a break? Or maybe just follow a recipe?
Example #1: I had an overabundance of chickpeas. So I learned how to soak and cook them (overrated, if I may add) and then attempted to make hummus. Needless to say, my hummus was clumpy, bland and as a friend of mine put it 'absolutely terrible'.
Example #2: At work yesterday, we received some extremely ripe bananas from a grocery store that was going to throw them away. I thought- 'Great! This is perfect for banana bread!' As you can see from the pictures, the bread overflowed from the bread pan. The top got crispy and the middle was nothing but liquid. In the end, I was able to salvage a little, but it wasn't quite the loaf of banana nut bread I was going for.
I'm thinking I should take a break? Or maybe just follow a recipe?
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Secret Snowflake
Of all the things that could make my day stressful working with refugees and immigrants- the most surprising thing did yesterday.
Secret Snowflake.
Oh yes. It's similar to Secret Santa, but apparently when you replace the word Santa with Snowflake it alludes to something much more stressful and serious.
They told me nothing at work. Simply- Molly, you're in charge. Distribute names on Monday and email everyone a reminder about the rules. So I take 30 individual pieces of paper with names on them, fold them each up, put them in a hat, draw out names and place them in a spreadsheet with other names (oh yes, it has to be entirely random) and then send each person a personalized email letting them know who their Secret Snowflake is. Ugh. All of this on the busiest day of the week, while I'm trying to juggle immigrant information and refugee complaints and fax machine break downs and anything else people want to ask me about while I'm on the phone.
And do you know what? Apparently, that's not how they did it last year. Or so I was told after the fact. They like to be able to draw their own names. They don't all like who they got assigned to. Please tell us something about them Molly, you're the one who gave me the name!
Are we in the fourth grade? This is what I'm hearing 'Teacher, but, he's looking at me!'
We work with people who've fled their country because of persecution and I actually have people so upset about their Secret Snowflake that they won't even look at me the rest of the day! Who are these people?!
Secret Snowflake.
Oh yes. It's similar to Secret Santa, but apparently when you replace the word Santa with Snowflake it alludes to something much more stressful and serious.
They told me nothing at work. Simply- Molly, you're in charge. Distribute names on Monday and email everyone a reminder about the rules. So I take 30 individual pieces of paper with names on them, fold them each up, put them in a hat, draw out names and place them in a spreadsheet with other names (oh yes, it has to be entirely random) and then send each person a personalized email letting them know who their Secret Snowflake is. Ugh. All of this on the busiest day of the week, while I'm trying to juggle immigrant information and refugee complaints and fax machine break downs and anything else people want to ask me about while I'm on the phone.
And do you know what? Apparently, that's not how they did it last year. Or so I was told after the fact. They like to be able to draw their own names. They don't all like who they got assigned to. Please tell us something about them Molly, you're the one who gave me the name!
Are we in the fourth grade? This is what I'm hearing 'Teacher, but, he's looking at me!'
We work with people who've fled their country because of persecution and I actually have people so upset about their Secret Snowflake that they won't even look at me the rest of the day! Who are these people?!
Saturday, November 21, 2009
The Sixth Wife
Client: Excuse me, miss. If we're applying for her green card, but she has refugee status, how long will the process take?
Me: I'm sorry sir, but you'll have to talk with your immigration counselor about that. You can take a seat, and it'll be just a few minutes.
Client: Oh. So, you're just a secretary or what?
Me: Yeah. I mean I can't answer those questions- I don't want to tell you the wrong thing!
Client: Well, you're a pretty nice looking secretary anyway.
Me: Uh thanks?
Client: Oh sure. If I didn't already have 5 wives, I would definitely marry you!
Me: Oh....*nervous laugh*....uh...ok, uh thanks? Uh, it'll be just a few minutes. Yeah. Ok yeah.
Me: I'm sorry sir, but you'll have to talk with your immigration counselor about that. You can take a seat, and it'll be just a few minutes.
Client: Oh. So, you're just a secretary or what?
Me: Yeah. I mean I can't answer those questions- I don't want to tell you the wrong thing!
Client: Well, you're a pretty nice looking secretary anyway.
Me: Uh thanks?
Client: Oh sure. If I didn't already have 5 wives, I would definitely marry you!
Me: Oh....*nervous laugh*....uh...ok, uh thanks? Uh, it'll be just a few minutes. Yeah. Ok yeah.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Middle School
Yuk.
An epiphany today: I can't handle middle schoolers. That's right....middle schoolers. I can't help it. I thought I could blame their annoying-ness on puberty or just say things like "Give them time, they'll grow out of it"...until today. When I was completely surrounded on the bus by them. They were everywhere. The girls standing up on the bus, dancing around, talking about boys. The boys being 'too cool' to listen to the girls...but not quite cool enough to keep from *shouting* obscenities at all the wrong times. Seriously- if you're going to use a curse word, at least use it correctly?!
AND- they think everything they say is hilarious. For example, one of the girls on the bus changed her name on someone's phone to God and the other girl changed hers to Jesus. Then they proceeded to have a conversation via texting (and then re-capping out loud to the rest of us) consisting of "I'm sorry my son's so out of line today. He's always going around sinning" And 'I can see you....I'm everywhere" followed by fits of uncontrollable laughter. (I mean it's just so funny) And on and on for miles! Why are people this age even let out of the house?!
Ugh- thank goodness for people like my sister who actually like people this age. If it were up to me they'd all have to stay in the house until they mellowed out a bit! Or at least have a 'keep your middle schooler at home' day once a month. I would choose tomorrow...
An epiphany today: I can't handle middle schoolers. That's right....middle schoolers. I can't help it. I thought I could blame their annoying-ness on puberty or just say things like "Give them time, they'll grow out of it"...until today. When I was completely surrounded on the bus by them. They were everywhere. The girls standing up on the bus, dancing around, talking about boys. The boys being 'too cool' to listen to the girls...but not quite cool enough to keep from *shouting* obscenities at all the wrong times. Seriously- if you're going to use a curse word, at least use it correctly?!
AND- they think everything they say is hilarious. For example, one of the girls on the bus changed her name on someone's phone to God and the other girl changed hers to Jesus. Then they proceeded to have a conversation via texting (and then re-capping out loud to the rest of us) consisting of "I'm sorry my son's so out of line today. He's always going around sinning" And 'I can see you....I'm everywhere" followed by fits of uncontrollable laughter. (I mean it's just so funny) And on and on for miles! Why are people this age even let out of the house?!
Ugh- thank goodness for people like my sister who actually like people this age. If it were up to me they'd all have to stay in the house until they mellowed out a bit! Or at least have a 'keep your middle schooler at home' day once a month. I would choose tomorrow...
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Is it so small a thing?
Taken from The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society:
Food grew hard to come by, and soon there was no firewood left. Days were grey with hard work and evenings were black with boredom. Everyone was sickly from so little nourishment and bleak from wondering if it would ever end. We clung to books and to our friends; they reminded us that we had another part to us. Elizabeth used to say a poem. I don’t remember all of it, but it began “Is it so small a thing to have enjoyed the sun, to have lived light in the spring, to have loved, to have thought, to have done, to have advanced true friends?”
Food grew hard to come by, and soon there was no firewood left. Days were grey with hard work and evenings were black with boredom. Everyone was sickly from so little nourishment and bleak from wondering if it would ever end. We clung to books and to our friends; they reminded us that we had another part to us. Elizabeth used to say a poem. I don’t remember all of it, but it began “Is it so small a thing to have enjoyed the sun, to have lived light in the spring, to have loved, to have thought, to have done, to have advanced true friends?”
Friday, November 13, 2009
Oh Friday
I'm bothered by this situation on so many levels. I'm not sure whether to feel hatred, for this man's disregard for innocent people he may have caused to die, OR to feel pity, for the whole idea of water-boarding in Guantanamo Bay. Either way, it doesn't seem right....
On a completely different note, Alyson J (now H) just sent me a picture of a group of us girls after we rafted the Nile! It takes me back to the smells and sounds of that beautiful river. Oh, I'd love to go back! Anyone up for a trip next summer?!
On a completely different note, Alyson J (now H) just sent me a picture of a group of us girls after we rafted the Nile! It takes me back to the smells and sounds of that beautiful river. Oh, I'd love to go back! Anyone up for a trip next summer?!
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Meiji: Yan Yan
Ok, if you have an international supermarket anywhere near you, you must try this out! They remind me of Dunk-a-Roos from my childhood. Basically they are graham-cracker sticks dunked in chocolate icing.
But what makes this brand different (and better) is that the sticks have things written on them!Each stick has its own animal printed on the bottom, the name of the animal and then a short saying that relates to the animal...and some that don't relate to anything! Here are a few!
But what makes this brand different (and better) is that the sticks have things written on them!Each stick has its own animal printed on the bottom, the name of the animal and then a short saying that relates to the animal...and some that don't relate to anything! Here are a few!
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Just Breathe....
That's what I keep telling myself. You know that awful feeling, like there's some large object that is crushing your rib cage- pushing on your heart and lungs and being? That's what I've been experiencing all day today...
I've been reading The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. I'm still in the beginning chapters, but some of the stories recalling the German occupation are hard to swallow- even though none of them are graphic or violent. Just the idea of a group of people thinking they know what is best for everyone- and then forcing themselves onto innocent people that have no control over the situation anyway- is becoming harder and harder for me to understand. We look at the time period of the Nazis as an extreme situation that we can't believe happened...and that would never happen again...instead of seeing it as an example of what ethnocentric attitudes can lead to.
I see the same situation happening today with our occupation of Iraq, though people label it as something they can personally justify- sometimes 'justice', or 'peace-keeping', or 'democracy-promoting'. I see it as a group of people violently forcing their ideas of what a society should be on innocent people that have no control over the situation....sounds familiar right?
I think a lot of this was stirred up because of a man I met today at work. His name is Hussein, but asks to be called Steven by us. He says that Americans think he is a 'bad person' because of his name, so when he introduces himself, he is now Steve. I don't like that a person has to change their identity to function within our society- and in their own. I've met too many Iraq's that have been kicked out of their country, watched friends and family die, and are now living in low-income housing working in meat factories because of the United States' 'superior ideals.'
Working here has caused pacifism to once more appeal to me....
Why not engage in the battle against ignorance instead of innocent people?
Why not promote peace and communication and actual justice?
Somehow, I'm not convinced that the people Germany killed via bombs respected their idea of values or the 'perfect society' and I'm sure that Iraqis (and soon to be Afghanis) probably feel the same about our 'perfect idea' for their society.
But what to do?
I will make room in my life for genuine relationships with people from different parts of the world- so that their perspective will influence my way of thinking.
I won't assume that I know what is best.
And I will breathe....
I've been reading The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. I'm still in the beginning chapters, but some of the stories recalling the German occupation are hard to swallow- even though none of them are graphic or violent. Just the idea of a group of people thinking they know what is best for everyone- and then forcing themselves onto innocent people that have no control over the situation anyway- is becoming harder and harder for me to understand. We look at the time period of the Nazis as an extreme situation that we can't believe happened...and that would never happen again...instead of seeing it as an example of what ethnocentric attitudes can lead to.
I see the same situation happening today with our occupation of Iraq, though people label it as something they can personally justify- sometimes 'justice', or 'peace-keeping', or 'democracy-promoting'. I see it as a group of people violently forcing their ideas of what a society should be on innocent people that have no control over the situation....sounds familiar right?
I think a lot of this was stirred up because of a man I met today at work. His name is Hussein, but asks to be called Steven by us. He says that Americans think he is a 'bad person' because of his name, so when he introduces himself, he is now Steve. I don't like that a person has to change their identity to function within our society- and in their own. I've met too many Iraq's that have been kicked out of their country, watched friends and family die, and are now living in low-income housing working in meat factories because of the United States' 'superior ideals.'
Working here has caused pacifism to once more appeal to me....
Why not engage in the battle against ignorance instead of innocent people?
Why not promote peace and communication and actual justice?
Somehow, I'm not convinced that the people Germany killed via bombs respected their idea of values or the 'perfect society' and I'm sure that Iraqis (and soon to be Afghanis) probably feel the same about our 'perfect idea' for their society.
But what to do?
I will make room in my life for genuine relationships with people from different parts of the world- so that their perspective will influence my way of thinking.
I won't assume that I know what is best.
And I will breathe....
Monday, November 9, 2009
Prophetic? Yes!
So tonight would be the perfect night for some Gilmore Girls. I cooked a cheap *cardboard like* pizza, have some pop in the fridge and am planning on just sitting down the rest of the evening.
BUT....last time I turned on Gilmore Girls multiple occurrences from the episodes invaded my life the next few days! And not just- oh a cute boy saw me and ran into a pole- kinds of things. We're talking a car crashed another car into the store front below World Relief's office- kinds of things. (And YES, that did happen in the episode!)
So now I'm actually a little worried to watch another episode. What if something terrible happens? I guess I'll know about it before everyone else...but isn't that worse?!
Maybe I could use this as a sort of gift...Let Miss Cleo (Molly) Help Ya Out!
BUT....last time I turned on Gilmore Girls multiple occurrences from the episodes invaded my life the next few days! And not just- oh a cute boy saw me and ran into a pole- kinds of things. We're talking a car crashed another car into the store front below World Relief's office- kinds of things. (And YES, that did happen in the episode!)
So now I'm actually a little worried to watch another episode. What if something terrible happens? I guess I'll know about it before everyone else...but isn't that worse?!
Maybe I could use this as a sort of gift...Let Miss Cleo (Molly) Help Ya Out!
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Too cool for dressing up? I think so...
I know, I know. 'But dressing up is the whole fun of it....' Well, whatever. We just weren't up for it. And our party was just as fun (if not more fun) without the costumes! We carved pumpkins, ate lots of good food and drank apple cider.
Jessica carved her first pumpkin:
Sheri tried her first Velveeta and Rotel cheesedip (CRAZY, I know!):
And I showed everyone what pumpkin carving was all about:
Jessica carved her first pumpkin:
Sheri tried her first Velveeta and Rotel cheesedip (CRAZY, I know!):
And I showed everyone what pumpkin carving was all about:
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Update! Update!
It's been too long. But I've been busy! No, really! I will attempt to update more frequently, but here's what I've been up to the past month or so....
The end of summer came and went quickly, but we did get one last picnic in the park in before it turned cold. Taylor and I took our best friends Buckeye (chocolate lab on left) and Geoffrey (blue beta on right)with us! We ate sushi, had dessert, played Scrabble and soaked up the sun!
My roommate from this past year, Rachel, got married weekend before last. It was one of the most beautiful weddings I had ever been too and I know they will both be so happy together. They are wonderful *and beautiful* people and I'm blessed to be a part of their lives!
And this lovely lady is getting married in May. So we (we being Amanda, my mom and I) got together this past weekend and went dress shopping! She- of course- looked beautiful in everything she put on, thus making the shopping that much more difficult. But the perfect dress was found! And will not be revealed until the big day....
So besides that, as James would say, I'm living the dream* here in Chicago! Holding on to the last bits of fall before the cold comes and hoping the winter is as full of fun as the summer was!
*Note: Living the dream, as defined by my good friend James and I, is getting up early (sometimes even before the sun), commuting to work, working a full day, coming home to cook, unwind, go to bed early and wake up and to start over again.
The end of summer came and went quickly, but we did get one last picnic in the park in before it turned cold. Taylor and I took our best friends Buckeye (chocolate lab on left) and Geoffrey (blue beta on right)with us! We ate sushi, had dessert, played Scrabble and soaked up the sun!
My roommate from this past year, Rachel, got married weekend before last. It was one of the most beautiful weddings I had ever been too and I know they will both be so happy together. They are wonderful *and beautiful* people and I'm blessed to be a part of their lives!
And this lovely lady is getting married in May. So we (we being Amanda, my mom and I) got together this past weekend and went dress shopping! She- of course- looked beautiful in everything she put on, thus making the shopping that much more difficult. But the perfect dress was found! And will not be revealed until the big day....
So besides that, as James would say, I'm living the dream* here in Chicago! Holding on to the last bits of fall before the cold comes and hoping the winter is as full of fun as the summer was!
*Note: Living the dream, as defined by my good friend James and I, is getting up early (sometimes even before the sun), commuting to work, working a full day, coming home to cook, unwind, go to bed early and wake up and to start over again.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
83 years old at heart...
Today was a bit of a dreary fall day: cloudy, windy and rainy. SO- tonight instead of going out dancing or downtown with friends like a normal 23 year-old living in Chicago should do, I decided to stay home. I drank hot chocolate with peppermint schnapps, curled up with a blanket and watched this...
Monday, September 28, 2009
Happy Freaking Monday
Last night we had a series of Tornado watches throughout the city. Even though the weather has become more mild, I still have my A/C unit in my window. The unit isn't big enough for the entire window, so I have boards and pieces of plastic holding it all together. (Old school, I know) SO, when winds like last night occur, the space between the boards and the plastic and the window form a sort of tunnel, where screaming wind likes to gush through.
Point of story: I woke up every hour from the time I went to bed until 6, when I just couldn't take the pounding and got up.
Needless to say, I rolled into work this morning exhausted. As I walked up the stairs I was greeted by an intern and someone waiting for ESL to start. I proceeded to unlock my door and all of sudden LOUD, blaring sirens began. I didn't know what to do. I knew we had an alarm system, but the only thing I had heard about it was in reference to pop....so I called the number on the system and they asked me the password. Of course I didn't know it, but I started naming different kinds of soda and alas, it worked!
Highs in the 50s, rain, loud winds and alarms. What a way to begin the week!
Point of story: I woke up every hour from the time I went to bed until 6, when I just couldn't take the pounding and got up.
Needless to say, I rolled into work this morning exhausted. As I walked up the stairs I was greeted by an intern and someone waiting for ESL to start. I proceeded to unlock my door and all of sudden LOUD, blaring sirens began. I didn't know what to do. I knew we had an alarm system, but the only thing I had heard about it was in reference to pop....so I called the number on the system and they asked me the password. Of course I didn't know it, but I started naming different kinds of soda and alas, it worked!
Highs in the 50s, rain, loud winds and alarms. What a way to begin the week!
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Get excited!
For the few of you I haven't called screaming or laughing or crying from excitement, relief and nervousness.....
I GOT A JOB!!!!
That's right, I started about 1 1/2 weeks ago and am LOVING it. Granted, the first day was a bit overwhelming, especially when I discovered that my spanish vocabulary is very limited to everyday topics (not immigration). But things are getting easier everyday and I think I've finally found a job I enjoy.
I'm working for World Relief as their Bilingual Intake Coordinator. I do intake/make appointments for the Immigration and Citizenship program and do reception/administrative stuff for the rest of the 40-person staff office. There is always something exciting going on with clients from all over the world coming in every few minutes!
Thanks to everyone who's been SO supportive the past few months- this period of being so unsure would've been much more difficult with you all! :)
I GOT A JOB!!!!
That's right, I started about 1 1/2 weeks ago and am LOVING it. Granted, the first day was a bit overwhelming, especially when I discovered that my spanish vocabulary is very limited to everyday topics (not immigration). But things are getting easier everyday and I think I've finally found a job I enjoy.
I'm working for World Relief as their Bilingual Intake Coordinator. I do intake/make appointments for the Immigration and Citizenship program and do reception/administrative stuff for the rest of the 40-person staff office. There is always something exciting going on with clients from all over the world coming in every few minutes!
Thanks to everyone who's been SO supportive the past few months- this period of being so unsure would've been much more difficult with you all! :)
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
He's Baaaaaacccccckkkkk!
This is who I found at the airport.
That's right. The famous Boonjamin has returned! We talked a lot, he woke me up early every morning (which of course is relative to unemployed people) with a LOUD 'Good morning!', we went out, we stayed in, and just had a good time. He also makes some killer pancakes...
If you haven't yet, hit him up for some stories. Welcome back, friend!
That's right. The famous Boonjamin has returned! We talked a lot, he woke me up early every morning (which of course is relative to unemployed people) with a LOUD 'Good morning!', we went out, we stayed in, and just had a good time. He also makes some killer pancakes...
If you haven't yet, hit him up for some stories. Welcome back, friend!
Friday, August 28, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
A month, really?
It doesn't seem like it could've been that long. But apparently...life has been happening....
So for my "comeback post", I'll leave you with this:
The Giving Tree Band
We went and watched them perform last night. Love the bluegrass. Love the first carbon-free album. Love that they lived in a national forest for a month, biked to their recording studio, used only solar energy to record the album and everything is made from post-consumed recycleable materials. AND they are planting trees to offset the energy used for shipping.
Yeah for good music people doing GREAT things. :)
So for my "comeback post", I'll leave you with this:
The Giving Tree Band
We went and watched them perform last night. Love the bluegrass. Love the first carbon-free album. Love that they lived in a national forest for a month, biked to their recording studio, used only solar energy to record the album and everything is made from post-consumed recycleable materials. AND they are planting trees to offset the energy used for shipping.
Yeah for good music people doing GREAT things. :)
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Fun-employment
As many of you know, I began my AmeriCorps year 3 weeks early without pay, so they're letting me end 3 weeks early WITH pay! What have I been up to?
Nashville!
I went to Nashville a few days after my last day at work. I stayed with Melissa and had a fantastic time meeting her friends, watching Sex and the City, napping, and stealing good music ideas from her. I also got to see Alicia before she leaves for our beloved Bolivia. I will miss her SO much. We ate good food together, had deep talks about life, God, Bolivia, our future AND not-so-deep talks about how to wash your hair with only baking soda, girl/boy relationships and how to cook without using processed stuff....we also swam across a lake! (this was a true miracle, since I thought I hated swimming and exercising- turns out I love them both!) I also got to hang out with Natalie and Linda. We had good mexican food and cookies, drank wine, caught up and talked about where we wanted to be in the next year or so. It was fantastic. We ended the night attending their neighbor's stand-up routine at a bar down the road. It was perfect. :)
Shortly after returning from Nashville, I decided that I hate Chicago weather. So I packed up again and drove to Kansas for another week!
Kansas
Home is where the heart is. And my heart is with my family. They are wonderful...never a dull moment! I spent the 4th with all my family, eating a ton, having a canon blow up in my face (I couldn't hear anything but ringing out of my right ear for about 3 hours!) and fishing. I babysat my nephew, who is at that 'I get into everything' stage and was exhausted after only a few hours! My sister played with my hair while we talked about how much our lives will change in the next few years, and I learned how to make Banana Bread with my mom and sister. I cry everytime I have to leave them...and this time was no different.
Back to Chicago
I just got back this weekend and hit the ground running. Apartment searching. No Doubt come back tour (where my friend and I almost got kicked out for jumping VIP boxes!). Digging up garden and replanting everything. Job searching. Apartment searching. Harry Potter watching. On the Road reading (which has not influenced me in a good way- I just want to hop back in the car and head west!)
And now real life begins.
Nashville!
I went to Nashville a few days after my last day at work. I stayed with Melissa and had a fantastic time meeting her friends, watching Sex and the City, napping, and stealing good music ideas from her. I also got to see Alicia before she leaves for our beloved Bolivia. I will miss her SO much. We ate good food together, had deep talks about life, God, Bolivia, our future AND not-so-deep talks about how to wash your hair with only baking soda, girl/boy relationships and how to cook without using processed stuff....we also swam across a lake! (this was a true miracle, since I thought I hated swimming and exercising- turns out I love them both!) I also got to hang out with Natalie and Linda. We had good mexican food and cookies, drank wine, caught up and talked about where we wanted to be in the next year or so. It was fantastic. We ended the night attending their neighbor's stand-up routine at a bar down the road. It was perfect. :)
Shortly after returning from Nashville, I decided that I hate Chicago weather. So I packed up again and drove to Kansas for another week!
Kansas
Home is where the heart is. And my heart is with my family. They are wonderful...never a dull moment! I spent the 4th with all my family, eating a ton, having a canon blow up in my face (I couldn't hear anything but ringing out of my right ear for about 3 hours!) and fishing. I babysat my nephew, who is at that 'I get into everything' stage and was exhausted after only a few hours! My sister played with my hair while we talked about how much our lives will change in the next few years, and I learned how to make Banana Bread with my mom and sister. I cry everytime I have to leave them...and this time was no different.
Back to Chicago
I just got back this weekend and hit the ground running. Apartment searching. No Doubt come back tour (where my friend and I almost got kicked out for jumping VIP boxes!). Digging up garden and replanting everything. Job searching. Apartment searching. Harry Potter watching. On the Road reading (which has not influenced me in a good way- I just want to hop back in the car and head west!)
And now real life begins.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Harry, I've Moved On
I had to do something. I was missing my Harry Potter on the train. So I read Jane Austin's Emma, which was beautiful, with such fun characters! Reading such happy material can only go for so long before it's time for a downer....:) So of course Dostoevsky was my first choice! I figured his short stories would overwhelm me a little at a time, versus his novels- which sometimes seem to never end.
But I thought this was beautiful:
"For, after all, you do grow up, you do outgrow your ideals, which turn to dust and ashes, which are shattered into fragments; and if you have no other life, you just have to build one up out of these fragments. And meanwhile your soul is all the time craving and longing for something else. And in vain does the dreamer rummage about in his old dreams, raking them over as though they were a heap of cinders, looking in these cinders for some spark, however tiny, to fan it into a flame so as to warm his chilled blood by it and revive in it all that he held so dear before, all that touched his heart, that made his blood course through his veins, that drew tears from his eyes, and that so splendidly deceived him!"
Fyodor Dostoevsky in 'White Nights'
But I thought this was beautiful:
"For, after all, you do grow up, you do outgrow your ideals, which turn to dust and ashes, which are shattered into fragments; and if you have no other life, you just have to build one up out of these fragments. And meanwhile your soul is all the time craving and longing for something else. And in vain does the dreamer rummage about in his old dreams, raking them over as though they were a heap of cinders, looking in these cinders for some spark, however tiny, to fan it into a flame so as to warm his chilled blood by it and revive in it all that he held so dear before, all that touched his heart, that made his blood course through his veins, that drew tears from his eyes, and that so splendidly deceived him!"
Fyodor Dostoevsky in 'White Nights'
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Business Casual
Most of the time 'business casual' at work makes me feel motivated, determined, even a little powerful. I like it because it makes me want to live up to my attire with the work I'm doing.
But on days like today, I wish that everyone could take me just a seriously professionally if I was wearing my bright red Erie Police shirt that has 'DIAL 911' written in bold letters on the back. I'm tired of wearing black. You couple 'business casual' with large sunglasses, cutsie purse, and my reading of 'Emma' on the train and I look like your average city snob.
But alas, somehow, this did not deter the four 15-year-old boys out for a joy ride in Mom's minivan from cat-calling and giggling profusely afterwards on my way back from lunch. I must look like someone who might date a 15-year-old. Or maybe they're really into black...or Jane Austin...
But on days like today, I wish that everyone could take me just a seriously professionally if I was wearing my bright red Erie Police shirt that has 'DIAL 911' written in bold letters on the back. I'm tired of wearing black. You couple 'business casual' with large sunglasses, cutsie purse, and my reading of 'Emma' on the train and I look like your average city snob.
But alas, somehow, this did not deter the four 15-year-old boys out for a joy ride in Mom's minivan from cat-calling and giggling profusely afterwards on my way back from lunch. I must look like someone who might date a 15-year-old. Or maybe they're really into black...or Jane Austin...
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Harry....
I miss you.
I finished the last Harry Potter book this weekend. And I feel like I've just returned from a long journey with a friend, a friend that I may never see again. It's like he became my friendly neighbor that I would check on multiple times a day (though usually on the train). I'm just waiting for him to pop up somewhere and in some kind of trouble that I can read him through.....
So to distract me from the Harry-shaped hole in my heart, I've been watching Gilmore Girls. I'm almost through season 2 and the girls are becoming my Harry...slowly but surely!
I think I may get a little too emotionally attached to fictional characters....
I finished the last Harry Potter book this weekend. And I feel like I've just returned from a long journey with a friend, a friend that I may never see again. It's like he became my friendly neighbor that I would check on multiple times a day (though usually on the train). I'm just waiting for him to pop up somewhere and in some kind of trouble that I can read him through.....
So to distract me from the Harry-shaped hole in my heart, I've been watching Gilmore Girls. I'm almost through season 2 and the girls are becoming my Harry...slowly but surely!
I think I may get a little too emotionally attached to fictional characters....
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Visitors!
I'm loving my life right now. Reasons?
1. Nacho: One of my best friends in high school. Came to visit this past weekend. We did lots of fun tourist-like things (including jumping pics at the bean, walking for hours on end, lots of free things) and did a lot of just hanging out. I kicked his butt at Scrabble, he gave me tips on my garden, and we ate LOTS of new and fun food together.
2. Sista-face (Aka: Amanda): My all-time-favoritist-sista-sista-Manda-Jessie-pretty-girl. She just got here yesterday and already my life is 50 billions times better than it was the day before. I like her. She's awesome. We watched Step-Up 2, talked about becoming professional dancers (well, I did) and ate pizza, doritos and other chocolate. She's my favorite and I just might try and convince her to stay forever....
1. Nacho: One of my best friends in high school. Came to visit this past weekend. We did lots of fun tourist-like things (including jumping pics at the bean, walking for hours on end, lots of free things) and did a lot of just hanging out. I kicked his butt at Scrabble, he gave me tips on my garden, and we ate LOTS of new and fun food together.
2. Sista-face (Aka: Amanda): My all-time-favoritist-sista-sista-Manda-Jessie-pretty-girl. She just got here yesterday and already my life is 50 billions times better than it was the day before. I like her. She's awesome. We watched Step-Up 2, talked about becoming professional dancers (well, I did) and ate pizza, doritos and other chocolate. She's my favorite and I just might try and convince her to stay forever....
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Good Morning
This morning my day was greeted by a woman on the train frantically swatting some 'ant-fly' with her newspaper (aka: hitting the back of my head with her paper) and a man throwing-up all over the floor. He didn't think it was necessary to let anyone know, so for 40 minutes I attempted to read my book with my hand over my face to mask the smell.
Favorite part of today: Our intern brought homemade sushi for the office!
Favorite part of today: Our intern brought homemade sushi for the office!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Cake Anyone?
Yes, I know. 2 posts in one day. But it was too sad not to share.....
Imagine ordering this cake:
And getting this one:
And yes it did happen. Poor cake. Poor bride. Poor drunk baker.
Imagine ordering this cake:
And getting this one:
And yes it did happen. Poor cake. Poor bride. Poor drunk baker.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Monday, April 6, 2009
Garbage
Last night at church people reported on a garbage dump they had seen in the Philippines. I don't think people realize how common it is in developing countries for people to live and work in dumps. So I'm including a few examples:
Gaza
Cambodia
Smokey Mountain
Manila, Phillipines
Guatemala City Dump
Guatemala City, Guatemala
Nezahualcoyotl, Mexico
New Delhi, India
Gaza
Cambodia
Smokey Mountain
Manila, Phillipines
Guatemala City Dump
Guatemala City, Guatemala
Nezahualcoyotl, Mexico
New Delhi, India
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Groupon
Everyday I receive in my email inbox what is called a 'Groupon'. It's a huge coupon for fun things to do around Chicago. You pay $20, you get $50 at a restaurant. You pay $50, you get a dental appointment and X-rays worth $150. Enough people sign up and you get the discount of the day!
Usually they are restaurants or events, but today's was BEYOND anything I could have imagined. Check it out:
http://groupon.thepoint.com/chicago/rent-a-monkey-for-a-week-49
The creepiest part about it: 'Animal Testing and Criminal Background Checks are waived...you'll be inventing new drugs just to find a way to use up all those monkeys!'
Usually they are restaurants or events, but today's was BEYOND anything I could have imagined. Check it out:
http://groupon.thepoint.com/chicago/rent-a-monkey-for-a-week-49
The creepiest part about it: 'Animal Testing and Criminal Background Checks are waived...you'll be inventing new drugs just to find a way to use up all those monkeys!'
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Oh Work
Sometimes I feel like the entire world is going to shit...
But then I cook a cheap pizza, open a Miller Lite, turn on trashy television (or Dirty Dancing, depending on my mood) and remember that everything is going to be alright.
But then I cook a cheap pizza, open a Miller Lite, turn on trashy television (or Dirty Dancing, depending on my mood) and remember that everything is going to be alright.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Oh Public Transit...
I have a bit of a commute since I changed jobs. Most of the time I don't mind it, because I can catch up on my reading or call a friend. Once I catch a bus and get on the red line, it usually only takes me about 20-30 minutes to arrive at my stop. This morning, however, it took over an hour to get to my stop. Every time the train stopped it would open the doors, let them stand open for awhile, shut the doors, then open them again. Multiple times the train stopped in the middle of its course saying that there was a 'crew on the tracks.' I was going crazy, not in the mood to read and had left like 4 voicemails because, apparently, no one was in the mood to talk....
The only thing that kept me from going insane was the company in my car. On one end of the car was an older gentlemen with a gray beard. He kept standing up and yelling about random things- I could never really understand what he was saying. Across from me a young couple was sharing an iPod, drinking coffee that was inside a 1/2 gallon soy milk container and taking turns rolling cigarrettes out of their bag of tobacco. They kept eyeing me suspiciously, like any second I might steal their large bag they kept on their laps while rolling....On the other end of the car, there were 2 older men yelling across the aisle about US history. I started listening around the US/Cuban Missile Crisis and they took me (and everyone else) through Castro, Vietnam, Russian relations, the Confederacy and finally the 'white man' and the slaughter of the Indians. The lady next to me wanted to make sure she was heard above the ruckus, so she was screaming to the girl sitting next to her about her purse and red lipstick.
Though frustrating, a fairly entertaining morning...
The only thing that kept me from going insane was the company in my car. On one end of the car was an older gentlemen with a gray beard. He kept standing up and yelling about random things- I could never really understand what he was saying. Across from me a young couple was sharing an iPod, drinking coffee that was inside a 1/2 gallon soy milk container and taking turns rolling cigarrettes out of their bag of tobacco. They kept eyeing me suspiciously, like any second I might steal their large bag they kept on their laps while rolling....On the other end of the car, there were 2 older men yelling across the aisle about US history. I started listening around the US/Cuban Missile Crisis and they took me (and everyone else) through Castro, Vietnam, Russian relations, the Confederacy and finally the 'white man' and the slaughter of the Indians. The lady next to me wanted to make sure she was heard above the ruckus, so she was screaming to the girl sitting next to her about her purse and red lipstick.
Though frustrating, a fairly entertaining morning...
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
The Never-Ending Holiday
I used to think the never-ending holiday was Christmas. You know why- by Thanksgiving they have those singing Santas on the shelves at Target and 'Jingle Bell Rock' playing at Macy's. It seems like Christmas will never come...and when it does, you have to buy enough to make it seem worth all the fuss.
But that was until I moved here. I have come to realize that the actual never-ending holiday is in fact....St. Patrick's Day! I would never have guessed. Especially because I asked multiple people throughout the weekend who St. Patrick was, what he did and why we celebrate him here in America if he was Irish? No one seemed to know or care. But they did seem to care just enough to start the celebrating on Friday...and not finish until early this morning.
It begins with the river dyeing:
http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&rls=GGLD%2CGGLD%3A2006-04%2CGGLD%3Aen&um=1&q=chicago+river+dye+2009
And it continues with the South Side Parade (which was SO fun):
http://chicago.metromix.com/bars-and-clubs/photogallery/south-side-irish-st/1025330/content
And ends with the actual Day-Of-Events like pub crawls, Irish dancing festivals, and lots of green beer drinking.
All-in-all I think I could get used to this never-ending holiday.....
But that was until I moved here. I have come to realize that the actual never-ending holiday is in fact....St. Patrick's Day! I would never have guessed. Especially because I asked multiple people throughout the weekend who St. Patrick was, what he did and why we celebrate him here in America if he was Irish? No one seemed to know or care. But they did seem to care just enough to start the celebrating on Friday...and not finish until early this morning.
It begins with the river dyeing:
http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&rls=GGLD%2CGGLD%3A2006-04%2CGGLD%3Aen&um=1&q=chicago+river+dye+2009
And it continues with the South Side Parade (which was SO fun):
http://chicago.metromix.com/bars-and-clubs/photogallery/south-side-irish-st/1025330/content
And ends with the actual Day-Of-Events like pub crawls, Irish dancing festivals, and lots of green beer drinking.
All-in-all I think I could get used to this never-ending holiday.....
Friday, March 6, 2009
Leftovers Anyone?
We had an office warming party on Wednesday for our board, staff, volunteers, etc. It went over fairly well. We had everything donated from the appetizers to the drinks. I'm glad it's over though, so I don't have to receive any more emails about who so-and-so wants invited and why, and what font the evite should be in, and directions for parking, and frustrations about locked doors and posting the event on congresspeople's websites (because I'm SURE they don't have anything else going on....). But, people did leave a variety of things behind...
1 case of non-alcoholic beer- who even drinks this stuff?
1 opened bottle of tea
1 opened bottle of sparkling water
1 vase of about-to-die yellow flowers
1 bowling pin topped beer lid opener
1 LARGE pink ball with the phrase 'Hope you have a BALL at the new place" on it (along with stamps for postage)
1 empty sign up sheet for 'People who are new to Porchlight'
1 empty platter that used to have sandwiches
1 case of Miller Lite
1 half-eaten vegetable tray
I blame my need to make this list on the fact that I've been sick for the past few days and my head is still a little fuzzy. I can't seem to focus on anything and especially not grants...so instead I'm making a mental inventory and deciding which things I should try to haul on the train.
Definitely the Miller Lite. Maybe the large pink ball.
1 case of non-alcoholic beer- who even drinks this stuff?
1 opened bottle of tea
1 opened bottle of sparkling water
1 vase of about-to-die yellow flowers
1 bowling pin topped beer lid opener
1 LARGE pink ball with the phrase 'Hope you have a BALL at the new place" on it (along with stamps for postage)
1 empty sign up sheet for 'People who are new to Porchlight'
1 empty platter that used to have sandwiches
1 case of Miller Lite
1 half-eaten vegetable tray
I blame my need to make this list on the fact that I've been sick for the past few days and my head is still a little fuzzy. I can't seem to focus on anything and especially not grants...so instead I'm making a mental inventory and deciding which things I should try to haul on the train.
Definitely the Miller Lite. Maybe the large pink ball.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Black Thumb
This morning as I was getting off the train, I noticed a dorky-looking boy standing with his mom. He was probably 10 or 12, had red hair and freckles. His glasses were about 50 times too big for his face and he had an aquarium tank full of plants (not the spiders I was expecting)! He had a light on top, so I could see some cacti and other green looking ones. Yep, that's how much I know about plants- spiky ones are cacti and everything else classifies as 'other green looking ones.'
Little did he know, the dorky girl passing him on the platform was ALSO carrying plants! But I had mine in a large tote, so that nothing but the crispy tops of the leaves were showing. I was transporting them to my office, because (much to my disapproval) there is a florescent light that stays on all the time here. Originally I bought the plants thinking, "These lucky plants- they're going to have a home." Sadly, after I bought them and trecked the 20 minute walk from Home Depot to my house they had already died! They were those kind that are "tropical" and need "lots of sunshine and water." Too high maintenance for me. So they've been drooping in my windowsill at the apartment.
I thought I would try this one last-ditch effort to revive them. But if it doesn't work, then goodbye to my plant growing days. So much for wanting to start a community garden in my neighborhood....I can't even keep a plant alive!
Little did he know, the dorky girl passing him on the platform was ALSO carrying plants! But I had mine in a large tote, so that nothing but the crispy tops of the leaves were showing. I was transporting them to my office, because (much to my disapproval) there is a florescent light that stays on all the time here. Originally I bought the plants thinking, "These lucky plants- they're going to have a home." Sadly, after I bought them and trecked the 20 minute walk from Home Depot to my house they had already died! They were those kind that are "tropical" and need "lots of sunshine and water." Too high maintenance for me. So they've been drooping in my windowsill at the apartment.
I thought I would try this one last-ditch effort to revive them. But if it doesn't work, then goodbye to my plant growing days. So much for wanting to start a community garden in my neighborhood....I can't even keep a plant alive!
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Moose?
So I applied to be a dog-walker for the weekends. Sadly, most places only want someone during the week and during the day (which makes sense for walking dogs, I suppose). But I did have one interview over the phone yesterday. It was one of the most bizarre interviews I think I'll ever have.
Q: If you walked into an apartment, and the dog had pooped everywhere- and I mean EVERYWHERE- what would you do?
A: Uh, well...I uh....well....I'd probably clean it up. *Then I thought, but some people think dogs are kids.* And I'd probably call their owner and then discipline them in the way the owner and I had talked about. You'd want to deal with it right away, so they wouldn't be confused about the punishment, if there is one....uh....yeah.
Q: So, we have this huge black lab. Over a hundred pounds. His name is Moose. And he's REALLY stubborn. If you were walking him, and he didn't want to go, what would you do?
A: Well, since I'm a pretty small girl, this has happened to me a lot when walking dogs (a lot meaning like twice in my life). I'd probably let him wander a bit, but then when it was time to go, give him a tug and say "Come Mousse!" in my stern voice. *Then remembering the child/dog association again* But not too hard or anything- just so they know who's boss.
I was tempted to say something like, "I'd probably kick him in the face" for laughs, but then figured they wouldn't laugh with me! I was also in the middle of the pepper isle in the grocery store, so that might've sounded a little harsh.
By far my favorite interview in Chicago so far....
Q: If you walked into an apartment, and the dog had pooped everywhere- and I mean EVERYWHERE- what would you do?
A: Uh, well...I uh....well....I'd probably clean it up. *Then I thought, but some people think dogs are kids.* And I'd probably call their owner and then discipline them in the way the owner and I had talked about. You'd want to deal with it right away, so they wouldn't be confused about the punishment, if there is one....uh....yeah.
Q: So, we have this huge black lab. Over a hundred pounds. His name is Moose. And he's REALLY stubborn. If you were walking him, and he didn't want to go, what would you do?
A: Well, since I'm a pretty small girl, this has happened to me a lot when walking dogs (a lot meaning like twice in my life). I'd probably let him wander a bit, but then when it was time to go, give him a tug and say "Come Mousse!" in my stern voice. *Then remembering the child/dog association again* But not too hard or anything- just so they know who's boss.
I was tempted to say something like, "I'd probably kick him in the face" for laughs, but then figured they wouldn't laugh with me! I was also in the middle of the pepper isle in the grocery store, so that might've sounded a little harsh.
By far my favorite interview in Chicago so far....
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Macy's
I went to the Chicago Macy's today for the first time. It had been a long day at work (long meaning dramatic) and instead of fuming around, I thought a walk would be good. My co-worker Quekan needed to return something to Macy's, so we decided to go.
I rode up and down the glass elevator, sifted through the sale racks, smelled oddly shaped bars of soap, and mozied around 9 floors of things I didn't need. But then, at the lower level, there was something AMAZING. A piano area!
If I were to sell my car, I could buy a piano. Granted, not a Steinway or anything....but a nice, shiny beautiful-sounding piano. It would bring joy to my heart and annoyance to my neighbors....
Worth it?
I rode up and down the glass elevator, sifted through the sale racks, smelled oddly shaped bars of soap, and mozied around 9 floors of things I didn't need. But then, at the lower level, there was something AMAZING. A piano area!
If I were to sell my car, I could buy a piano. Granted, not a Steinway or anything....but a nice, shiny beautiful-sounding piano. It would bring joy to my heart and annoyance to my neighbors....
Worth it?
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