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?