Wilmette, Illinois and Baha'i Temple

It's been a while since I updated this blog, but this was a great trip on a beautiful, sunny day, so I thought I would share.

I traveled up to Wilmette on the purple line, and wandered around the quaint little town. The houses were all so unique and different, from one to the next; like nothing I had ever seen. The neighborhood was so quiet and peaceful, unlike the downtown that I have known for the last few months. I could hear nothing, but birds chirping, and kids playing. It was a truly nice change.

My purpose for visiting Wilmette was to see the Baha'i Temple, one of 7 in the world. It was built in the 1950s out of concrete and stone. The detail was amazingly intricate.

Here's some photos. Enjoy!

St. Patty's Day in Chicago

Oh boy, was I ever in for a shock. I had no idea St. Patrick's Day was such a big deal in the Windy City. Apparently, the city treats it like a national holiday, and celebrates accordingly. I did get out and enjoy this fabulous celebration, although I did not partake in the consumption of anything green. People celebrate so hard on Saturday, when the actual day came around, Thursday, the 17th, most Chicago-ites forgot it was ACTUALLY St. Patrick's day. Too funny.

This year, the celebration was on Saturday, the 12th, as it is always the Saturday before the actual date, unless the date falls on a weekend. Everything is covered in green, from the citizens to the river to the billboards to the food. Green shirts, green water, green beer, green bagels. It's amazing what a big deal this day really is.

Although I didn't have my camera handy, I was able to steal some photos to show you just how amazing this day is for Chicagoland.

The river, dyed bright green with vegetable dye!

The Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade

The Chicago St. Patrick's Day bar scene. Young and old celebrate on this day wearing as much green as possible.

It's been a while...

February is half over, or maybe a little more than half over, but it has been a fantastic February. Chicago started the month off with a record setting blizzard, accumulating somewhere around 20.2 inches of snow (of course this was debated by the National Weather Service, so I do not know what the official count was).

I flew in Monday night, as the storm was moving in, so that made for an interesting trip. Landing was scary, the L at 11 pm was even scarier, but I made it home in one piece. The Headquarters were shut down Wednesday due to the blizzard, which may have also been a record for Chicago. Therefore, I had a front row seat to the blizzard of the decade, locked up, warm, and cozy on the couch in my apartment. Of course, with everyone at home, the network was slow, but I was very content not being out in the freezing, windy snow.

Here's some video, in case you're interested.

I wish I had more photos for you, but, unfortunately, my visit with Mike wasn't the most eventful. We attempted to visit the sky deck at Sears Tower, but the wait was over an hour, so we canned that adventure. We did get to the bean! It was my first trip to Millennium Park, but I'm sure it won't be my last.

Mike in Millennium!

I thought this was pretty.

The Pavillion. Reminds me of the EMP.

The bean! This could be in a magazine. Love it!

Playing in the bean!

What doesn't belong?

Beautiful architecture on this church.

Sears Tower. Absolutely ginormous.

What a week!

Hello, we meet again.

The month of January is almost at a close, and I can proudly say, finally, my apartment is in living condition. Even better, I have photos! So, as I know some of you are curious, here's the pad:

Needless to say, I am very happy with the result. It is, actually, larger than I expected, with tons of storage. There are still a few things I need to finish up, but generally, all is great!

Also, as part of this tour, I have to show off some of my photos from one sleepless night. The city was aglow, beckoning me to take images to prove it existed. Here are some sleepless photos from one of the snowy January nights:

Finally, to update, I plan to go sightseeing tomorrow, so I should have more photos to post later. The weather is definitely freezing here, sub zero most days (with wind chill), so I don't get out as much as I would like. Also, I know I said I would try,  but I did not make it to the game last weekend. The city was eerily quiet. [I suppose everyone was at the game?] Go Bears! Even the sirens ceased to sound during the game, which was more eerie.

 More to come soon!

Good morning, Chicago!

Ok, so maybe it isn't morning anymore, but it feels like it, so that is all that matters, right?

It's official. I have been living in Chicago for 5 days (and 6 nights). Today is the first day I woke up in my new apartment. I'll paint you a picture. I am sitting on my (rented) couch, staring out my sliding glass door into the city filled with sky scrapers, blue sky, and sunlight (which is so deceiving), listening to the sirens and horns from passing vehicles, typing on the only computer available to me at the moment (thanks Boeing), which is resting on my (rented) coffee table, using WiFi from my cell phone (thanks T-Mobile 4G MyTouch). I am sipping Starbuck's Via coffee (Cinnamon Spice, which I highly recommend as it tastes so good I don't require sugar or creamer!) out of my newly acquired "Chicago" Starbuck's mug. I just finished my breakfast of scrambled eggs, which I ate on a paper plate with a plastic fork. Even better, I had to run out this morning to purchase a spatula to make said eggs in one of the pans I purchased last night in anticipation of breakfast (which wasn't far, thanks to the conveniently located Bed, Bath, & Beyond downstairs). How is that picture?

The reason for camping in my new apartment? My things haven't arrived yet. I am (un)patiently awaiting the arrival of my goods via the moving company. I am making due. I was wise enough to schedule the rental furniture before I arrived, and pack my favorite pillow and a few towels into my overstuffed luggage (71.8 lbs of overstuffed!). Anyhow, I was told my things should arrive on Tuesday, so I am optimistically pessimistic (yes, it's possible!). Cross your fingers and toes!

So -- enough about me already! In case you are wondering, I love my new apartment. Yes, it could be higher up, and yes, it could be a little fancier, but the location is great, and the space is, actually, better than I expected! All things considered (sight unseen), I think I did a pretty good job!

As for this town, I love it! There are a lot of nice people (reminds me of Seattle), but it seems a bit classier. The cars people drive around these streets can get pretty pricey! I saw a Maserati parked outside the other day, which may have been a fluke. (Smmeh. Not used to seeing so many people with nice cars. Us Seattlites are proud of our 50mpg 1992 Hondas!) Also, people actually have and wear fur coats! Really? (So not OK in liberal Seattle.)

Some other differences I have noticed: everyone wears boots (even without snow), usually over skinny jeans or leggings (although I think that is more of a trend right now); I don't see as many homeless people (is it too cold?), and even the ones I do see are nice -- go figure; Chicago is expensive! -- ok, so maybe just certain things at certain places, but Walgreens wanted $9.99 for a bottle of Dove body wash (usually around $5 back home), and it was labeled "best buy"; and finally, they sell liquor in the grocery store! Hah! That's new for me. I know CA does it, but I didn't think IL would be into that. (Although, I haven't seen a Four Loko, yet. They must be banned here, too.)

So, that's my update! I have walked all over this city in the past 5 days. I have made it a point to use these days to explore. I have been to Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, Dominick's, the Jewel downstairs, Walgreens, CVS, and Bed, Bath, & Beyond (countless times). I have taken a few rides on the bus. Had my watch sized, dropped off my heels at the Cobbler, started physical therapy at the Athletico closest to work, set up an appointment a local CrossFit box (Atlas CrossFit), signed up for ZipCar, scouted out the closest Costco, and spent most of this period's pay check. So, all in all, I think I have adjusted well. Work starts on Monday, so that will be a whole new adventure. I will keep y'all posted on how that goes!

In closing, I just want to say: Go Seahawks! Go Bears! Please win, and play in Chicago. I want to go to a playoff game to see them duke it out! (Oh, and don't worry, pictures will be posted as soon as my computer arrives off the moving truck!)

Chicago or bust!

Well, I've made it. I have arrived in the Windy City, and yes, it is windy (and cold), but nothing I cannot handle.

So, I am stuck in a hotel (the Amalfi), which is about 3 blocks from my apartment, and I am trying to get the little things completed before I have to get to work. I am still awaiting my shipment of my goods from home, but I'm hopeful that my things will arrive tomorrow! (Wish me luck!)

I have started to explore, and I have been taking some pictures here and there. Once my things arrive from home, I will be able to upload my photos for your viewing pleasure. It's amazing how much this city has been able to fulfill my expectations. Nice cars everywhere, and crazy parking. They have these zones where you are allowed to "stand" for 15 minutes, like outside Whole Foods. There were 3 cars "standing" with their flashers on, while the drivers rushed inside for a quick bite. Amazing. I don't think I have seen this anywhere in Seattle. Or, have I missed something? Kind of different, but I like it. :)

So far, so good. I have some things to get done today, but once I get my apartment settled, I will try to post more often, and with photos!

Update: Here's photos of the hotel [in case you're interested]!

The creepy entry/hallway; you have to enter and go around a corner to actually get to the room.