Chicago Weather

My back door to my apartment.
And you can see my beautiful Christmas tree through my living room window.

I parked in the snow on my street and then it turned really cold and became ice. My car was stuck for three days. My really nice maintenance guy came one night and helped me. We spent over 2 hours breaking apart the ice under my car with a crowbar and shovel.

My new look?

Should I go curly?

Second Week of Christmas

The giant Christmas tree in Macy's department store. It was quite red this year.
Caroling at the Bean. They had free candlesticks, which were pretty, but in reality didn't keep us very warm.
Out my window. Although, since then, we had a snowstorm and now the streets are all quite messy.
My neighborhood. Actually, this is not a frozen lake or snowcovered meadow. It's just a big industrial lot that has been empty since I moved here. "Hardhat area" though.

Badminton

Did I tell you I love badminton. It's the only sport I'll play. (Yes, badminton is a sport!) I beat Ross three games in a row yesterday. He won the other four games...but I'm doing better I think. Working on my backhand. We play every week at the church. (There are so many perks to being a member of this church!) I tried to find a city league to play in, but all I could find is GLBT leagues. Tempting, but no.

I can't believe my first week of vacation is almost over. So far I've tentatively thought through my courses for next semester, made some Christmas cards, bought a couple shirts for myself, practiced the organ at the church, finished an article I was writing, started another, worked on my cv, went to the library and got a pile of books I'll probably not get through.

Chilly Chicago Morning

I took these pictures this morning on my way to the post office. Close to my neighborhood is a slightly industrial area with this part of the river running through it.

Happy Thanksgiving

Michael came out to visit me in Chicago. Yay! We had fun, and it was nice showing him my place. As you can see, we were pretty productive.

We put up the Christmas tree. My first, very-own Christmas tree.


And then we also went downtown and went ice skating. It was really crowded downtown.

We also drove down to Michelle and Andy's for Thanksgiving dinner on Friday.

Sisters. Sisters. There were never such devoted sisters. (I'll have to watch that movie again this Christmas (eh, Craig and Michelle!)

Uncle Michael was so good with little Matthew. He's such a happy baby!

Michael took this picture of him looking in the mirror. Isn't it adorable? Especially with the drool.

Testing Embedding Audio

Does this work? Can you see it?

Yeah, so my latest idea is to have my students create their own listening material (i.e. interview a native speaker) and questions, and put it in a blog. I really don't know how anyone taught English as a Second Language before the Internet was developed!

My new Aura

So, I actually ended up getting the Saturn. I need to get a picture of mine, but here's a photo off the Internet. My car in real life looks a bit darker red actually. But anyway. It's pretty, eh. I can't think of a good name yet. Any ideas?

Cars

I thought I better put something else up... I really wasn't trying to say anything about my blog by that funny T-shirt picture.

So, what do you think about my getting this car? Hot- just like me. I think we're a good fit.

The sad truth about the blog

So, my brother sent me this photo of a T-shirt. LOL.

Fieldtrip to the Zoo and Expensive Lunch in Chinatown

So, I accompanied 45 of my ESL students on their fieldtrip last week to Lincoln Park Zoo, and then we had lunch at an authentic Chinese restaurant in Chinatown. I didn't organize this, but was instructed to just have everyone sit down and order, and then I'd pay with the university credit card. The students had a blast ordering all kinds of dishes to share, and the bill for all of us came to $1639.98 for 47 people! The organizers of the fieldtrip were surprised because most of the dishes on the menu were only $12. However, the Chinese do not do restaurants like we do. We have our own meal for $12. But they order tons of wonderful things and share it. I'm glad one of the student mentors caught a student ordering an $80 shrimp dish. But I did see a $50 goose on the receipt. Yes, someone ordered a whole, roasted goose. Hope they enjoyed that.

More Matthew!

Four generations. How wonderful.


You just can't get enough of this guy. Hot!


So, mom and I had fun shopping for Matthew. Almost as fun as buying clothes for me. A bit easier though, anything that's definitely boyish. I think he got tired of trying all these outfits on though, as you can tell from his expression.

More of My House

I bought this table online! It was waiting on my doorstep when I came home from work. Well, in a box. You can buy anything over the Internet.

Graceland Cemetery

I love cemeteries. They're so peaceful and spiritual to me. On Saturday, we went to Graceland Cemetery where a lot of well-known Chicago people are buried.


So, this is the grave of Pinkerton, one of President Lincoln's detectives/security agents.

And the founder of the Chicago Cubs. What an appropriate tombstone.


And me by Wrigley Field, where the Cubs play.... not that I care about watching baseball, but I love having my picture taken by famous places.

My Nephew

I'm here at Michelle and Andy's with my new nephew Matthew Craig. He's such a handsome guy.




No, this is not me holding him. :)

Bridgeport

And now, here is my new neighborhood. I went on a thorough exploration with Emily this morning and we decided it definitely has character. She actually pointed out that on the edge of my building is a faded old advertisement for the Daily News.

Utah

I went to Utah last week for a few days for Rebekah's graduation. Congratulations to her on getting her MPA!

Happy Birthday

to Michael!! He's the most wonderful guy.

On My Own

Well, I moved into my new apartment last Friday. The moving went pretty smooth and m internet was up and running the same day. We accomplished everything with four great guys in my branch- Ross, Craig, Casey, and Adam. And of course, my good friend Benjamin. He put together my bookshelves, and hung my paintings. Here are some pictures: My living room, with the $30 bookshelves from Walmart. And you can see my Russia paintings. I still need a kitchen table and chairs. I think my apartment smells a bit musty though. Overall, I think I like it. It is nice to have my own place finally! At age 27.








Coming soon: Bridgeport in photos. (That's my neighborhood.) I'd like to capture all my neighbors out barbequeing on the sidewalk, old men mowing lawns without shirts, and kids riding bikes, but I'm a bit shy. Oh, and my neighbor that stands out on his porch across the street and just stares at me, said hi to me today. He seems nice though. The guy upstairs moved in too. I can hear him moving around.