Chicago

I have not forgotten about you blog. I am in Chicago and will post soon. It has been a busy and eventful couple of days.

Museum

In one week I begin the 2 day journey to Chicago. But before I can even think about that there is much on this end to do. Paperwork and packing. And see you laters. I don't like goodbyes. Paths cross again. I already have plans in the works for my first visit back. But before I leave or make plans to comeback there are still adventures and celebrations to be had here. Before this new chapter begins.

And today was adventure and celebration. The weather was beautiful. A taste of what summer in my mind should be. Cool breezes stiring the leaves in the trees. Sunny days. Smiles on the faces of everyone. And a lack of humidity. Because I have the summer off and my good friend has summer fridays; we decided to make the trek to the Museum of Natural History. I grew up at this museum. Fitting I should visit it before I move to a new city.

When I was a kid my mom would bring my brothers and me to the museum. We would visit the dinosaurs, the big blue whale and my favorite the gems. I loved being able to run through those levels and touch the gems and the geodes. I love geodes; there is something wonderful and maybe poetic about how on the outside the rock is plain or unattractive and on the inside is color and texture.

So "J" and I went uptown to visit the museum and check out their brain exhibit. It had been awhile since I was there and dang the museum has changed. The cafe has become gourmet with fancy Italian dishes and a salad bar, they have closed the lower level of the museum shop, and a few exhibits have a new facade. All the changes though seem to be positive (and they left the gems section as is) and it was wonderful to be at the museum. "J" and I bought our tickets and made our way downstairs for some food. Where she presented me with this...





Great minds think alike. I love it.


After lunch we made our way to the brain exhibit. It is a great! Most of it is tactile and hands on. I learned some cool new facts. We played some fun games they had to demonstrate how the brain works and explored the exhibit. Visited a few of the old favorites (like the big tree) and then left. Overall it was great time with a great friend.

I am going to sign off now. It has been a long day. Sweet Dreams.

Counting Down

I can't sleep. A mix of having a "lazy summer" schedule with the luxury of being able to sleep late and thoughts about this new adventure I am beginning.

Since I last posted there have been a couple of developments....


I was in Barnes & Noble and I bought myself two books on the in's and outs of living in Chicago.





I am going to know the best farmers markets, the best days to visit the museums, how to navigate the public transportation, the history of Chicago...

When I moved to Scotland I had a few books with me. One that was all maps, one about the customs and things to see. I went on tours and explored and learned that city like it was back of my hand. When my friends came to visit for Christmas and New Years I knew every inch of the city's history and was able to give them a tour. We went to the castle, Arthur's Seat, Mary's Close, the new city, the parks, the museums, Colton Hill, the Royal Mile...I was even able to tell them an anecdote about the lead horse statue on the Royal mile . It had to have a few modifications on it due to the Scottish weather. I don't know if this is the exact truth but this is how I heard it from the Scots. So, in Scotland it rains every day. Multiple times a day on most days and there is this horse statue that sits on the royal mile outside the old parliament . Actually it is King Charles II on a horse. To save money they made the horse hollow but every time it rained, water managed to get into the statue and it would tilt. So they made a hole in the bottom of the statue so the water could drain out. Now every time it rained it looked like King Charles was sitting on a horse that was urinating. In the end they had to fill the statue and make it solid.

When I have friends come visit I will be able to share stories like that as well with them about Chicago. Local folkore that adds flavor to the city. Chicago I am going to know your secrets.

I am also in the process of ironing out details about my living situation. It was too much to be able to go to Chicago for a couple of days and rush decide on a place to live. So I am crashing with a good friend for a couple weeks while I search.

Sleep is starting to kick in so I am signing off. Sweet Dreams.

Home Sweet Home

Part of this adventure has been finding a place to live.

For months now I have been telling friends about this idea I have. My dream house. Not even a house. It is really this backyard. In my mind's eye I see this garden. Friends gathered around a fire pit. Bob Marley or The Beatles playing in the background. The sound of laughter mixing with crickets, mellow tunes, and a crackling fire. A night sky blanketed with stars. Flowers and ferns lining stone paths. There is an ivy covered trellis, solar powered twinkle lights, and a hammock. The smell of smoke and spicy herbs. And the icing on this (saccharine-y) cake is that in the background a dog is eating tomatoes off the vine. While this concept is so cheesy I can spread it on crackers, to me this sounds wonderful.

Alright, so while I know that I won't move to Chicago and find this magical garden of all the perfect sounds and smells complete with a dog who has a taste for tomatoes; esp. those right off the vine ... a garden is on the list for my apt search. Being a New Yorker and living in an apartment a garden is this foreign concept that holds so much potential. So, along with an interest in certain neighborhoods and amenities I know a garden will help make my apt. a home. Luckily, Chicago has a plethora of beautiful apartments to help make this dream come true.

So far the apt search has been an interesting endeavor. While it has yielded no permant abode yet, I am in touch with friends whom I haven't spoken to in a while. Their kindness and support has meant a lot during this transition. I have also met a few potential roommates/friends through the school (some even from NY; take us out of the city and we tend to gravitate towards each other) My "fall back" is also a wonderful option thanks to a wonderful friend. All in all this should be good and as time flows I will update as to which option I went with.

Anyway, it is late and time to call it a night. Sweet dreams.