Thoughts

From the other night...

Something that's really been on my mind a lot ever since I got here is the fact that I'm not 21. It limits the things I can do and places I can go on weekends with other people. If I was allowed to go into many place I feel like I'd get out more, see more people, meet more people, see the social scene of Chicago that i know I'm missing. I wouldn't have to worry about finding a place to eat at and having to call ahead to see if under 21 are allowed inside. It sucks, to put it bluntly.
I figured that since it's Chicago, they'd only card people if they asked for a drink. Nope. It's not Canada anymore. No one is allowed into the bar unless they have 2-3 pieces of ID. Come on! I just want to have fun, dance, laugh, have a good time, watch people, sit! I don't even want to drink because I can have fun at a bar without drinking! I'm not a high school student..nor do I look like one. Please let me in! "No, no minors allowed. This is an adult club! Raar! "

I wish I knew this ahead of time and could warn others who are thinking about the program beforehand. There are no clubs in the area we live that are 18+ clubs. And I haven't found out first hand yet, but I'm sure that those 18+ clubs are full of horny high school boys who are just dying to dance with some nearly 21 year old woman. Sick.

Sure, there are things to do during the day--museums and galleries--but night, if you don't go out, you're stuck inside watching TV or trying to borrow the ID of another short-haired blonde girl on the program.

Friday, February 24

Usually in the mornings, we don't meet up with other Chicago Semester people at the train station, but this morning we met up with Mike and Kyle and Rebecca at the train station! I have little disposable travel coffee cups that I take to work with me every morning. It's just nicer than having to carry a travel mug with me to work and back again. I know, I know...bad for the environment..I'll work on it.
All my roommates have left me this weekend. Ang goes to Holland, MI and Pam and Kate are going to Dordt! I'm still kind of sad that I missed out on that, but Chad's a very nice guest to have! He's even offered to clean the apartment tomorrow for us, make dinner, and go grocery shopping for us. After work Chad and I went for an awesome run by the lake. It was kind of scary by the lake because it is so dark on the one side and light on the other side with all the city lights. Mysterious, I'll say. We ran north first, then south to Navy Pier and then back...about 40 minutes all together. It was a good run. So much nicer than having to run on a treadmill inside and getting all hot and sweaty! The wind is so nice because it keeps you from sweating too much, like I always do. :)
Chad and I each showered and made ourselves look and smell nice for a night on the town. We walked down Rush street...a good night life place, and then ended up on Michigan Ave at a place called Tucci Benuch. We talked for a while over pizza (CHEAP pizza!) and then walked in the slight wind back to the apartment. We saw Kyle on the way back in a diner, and chatted with him for a bit. He said he'd buy Chad some beer for the weekend. He was in the diner with his brother and some friends from Trinity, and it was very random to see him down on Michigan Ave! We got back and hung out with Lydia, Dave, and Bain before "cashing in" around 1:30.
Interesting stuff tomorrow when Chad and I go out sight seeing!

Thursday, February 23

Work was SO fulfilling today. I got a LOT finished...just little projects like mail merge and creating documents that I love. I created letters for top donators, and soon certificates, decals, and labels will go with these letters. I wanted to leave work early so that I could meet Chad at a train station and still have time to get to the apartment, eat, and change before the Opera at 7pm. It was a struggle to get everything at work completed before I left, and still get out of there at 4:30, but I did it! Chad and I met at the station and then took the train home. We all showed him the apartment and got ready for Dido and Aeneas that evening. I took notes throughout the show and after. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would originally.

(My notes will go here)

The opera was long and many people left. I wasn't too tired because of the temperature of the theatre, but I did get a little restless and bored in the second part of the Opera. After all, I had been sitting all day and all I wanted to do was go for a run!

Wednesday, February 22

I'm trying to get in shape for Cross Country this fall and running long distance in the summer, so I worked out early in the morning. I love having a gym so close...and a gym with an awesome changeroom! It has hair dryers, showers, shampoo, towels, even Q-tips and cotton balls. I'm so spoiled there. My free one month pass expires on the 28th though, so then I move over to a university rec center...I'm not expecting too much from that, believe me. I hope I can shower there though. It is nice to have quiet when getting ready in the morning. Usually our apartment is pretty crazy in the morning...and it works like clockwork. If the first person is late, everyone is late because we all depend on that person getting out of the bathroom, out of the kitchen, out of the house at a certain time!
It was a beautiful day, and the sun makes people happy. We had classes, discussions, and I went outside and ate a cheap lunch of Subway. If I play my cards right...(or just buy the cheapest sub of the day) I can get a sub for about $2.75. Not bad at all for a fresh sub.
I went to volunteer at the CBF again, and I really like that place. The people and the work that I do are/is really relaxing..secretary-type work. Calling people, forging signatures, etc. :)
The Chicago Semester supplied us all with supper on Wednesday night. They try to have something for us every two weeks...and it usually falls on an arts event night, which is very convenient! We had HUGE wraps...with meat, rice, veggies, etc. in them. Hot ones...I didn't really like it, and I only ate about a quarter of it! I should have just skipped eating is and given it to someone who would have loved to eat the whole thing!
When I came home, I saw that I got a package from home!!! I'm not usually an outwardly emotional person, but this time, seeing all the thoughtful stuff in the package brought me to tears. Thank you SO MUCH, Mom (and Dad?) In the package: Cheezies :), granola bars, picture of Daryl, candles, NEWSPAPERS!! and a few more things! LOVED IT!
After enjoying the package for a bit, Chris and I worked out--mostly ran and lifted weights--and swam for about an hour or so. We finished off the night in Jeff, Dave, and Chris' room watching The Godfather, one of the top three movies ever made. It was the first time I'd ever seen it...quite long, but I liked it and am looking forward to the others...

Headline for the day

Man allegedly killed roommate over toilet paper
"MOSS BLUFF, Fla. - A man accused of fatally beating his roommate with a sledgehammer and a claw hammer because there was no toilet paper in their home has been arrested."

We're on our last roll of toilet paper. Maybe I'll hide the knives.

After work and a dinner of beef stroganoff from a box and frozen vegetables provided by Jewel packaged foods and thrown in a pan by me, Ang and I went to a Loyola University Men's Volleyball game! I haven't watched volleyball since Christmas 2005!!! It made my week, possibly my month, to watch that awesome display and control of power. I love men's volleyball. It's so nice to see it in the midwest. FINALLY! They realize it as a men's sport! So long football...suckers.
It was nice to talk to Daryl and Dad on the phone tonight about basketball and how school is going for Daryl and Todd. Zones are wrapping up over in BC. It's too bad that Daryl and Todd can't be exposed more often to the high quality sports around here or even in Vancouver. It's such an eye opener to see good quality men's volleyball compared to some high school teams.
I always felt that way in high school. It helped our vball team a lot when we got to go to the Christian Schools Tournament in grade 9 in Surrey. The volleyball was much more competitive than up north, and it challenged our team more than ever. That's why we always fell apart at provincials...it was the first time we'd ever really been exposed to consistent competition and consistently having to work hard!
I ran to the gym, ran at the gym, and ran back from the gym for a total of about 2.5 miles after vball tonight. I have to get back in shape for Cross country again...or at least some kind of half marathon in the summer hopefully! We'll see what Philadelphia can offer me. I love feeling worked out after spending time running or at the gym. It's calming yet energizing at the same time. I know I can focus so much better after running than after taking a nap or sitting by the tv.
I worked pretty hard at work today for the Friendly's media tracking folder. There was LOTS of media coverage for that, and I'm compiling it all!
Classes tomorrow and also a dinner provided by CS. Opera on Thursday!

I love my Pants

Wow, 2006 already!
On Sunday night I finally realized that we graduated in 2003, not 2004 as I kept thinking...and I still have pants from grade 10 that I wear all the time! 2 pairs of em!
I'm starting to get an emotional attachment like those unfashionable people from "what not to wear" because they've been with me through various sports, various boys, various places...from BC to Iowa, Philadelphia, Ontario and Chicago. Why is it that we crave the familiar? I'm that routine kind of person. I tend to find myself always choosing the same locker at the gym, same order in the morning, sock on the right foot first, sugar in before the cream, etc. It's so weird that even in totally changing environments, I still find my stability in routines. Is that how I cope? Would I go crazy if I didn't have my routines, especially on this Chicago Semester program? Change is cool, but when it deals with other people, I like to know well ahead of time. For example, Chad's coming on Thursday night, which is great, but I didn't realize until yesterday that this week our arts even changed from Wednesday night to Thursday night. It messes me up, messes up plans...just like having classes on a different day would play with my mind. So now I have to figure out a way to either meet him before the Opera or after the Opera at an indecent hour. We'll see how it plays out. He might even be able to come to the Opera with us if Kate doesn't want her ticket.

There also has to be a reason from God why Chad is coming on possibly the only weekend I could ever visit Dordt this semester, and all of my roommates might be gone too (visiting family/friends)! I was pretty dissappointed last night when I heard that. I've been trying to find a ride to Dordt for the past month, and when it comes along, it's the only weekend I CAN'T go. Chad and I will have a good time, I hope. Maybe we can wander around the city and take cool pictures or something. I'll look into some cool places to go.

At work we had champagne and congratulated Chris for his national award. They also had a video stream set up so that the office in Washington could join us, too. Cameras set up. Chris was surprised and we had cake. It was cool to see most of the people in the office. There are quite a few younger people working here, which is cool.
The train was very empty in the morning, so empty that I could sit down! Then I found out that it was a holiday for some people. Time went very fast yesterday, and 5 o'clock came quickly. I stayed a little bit later to print off some stuff and then went home to supper almost ready. After supper I hemmed some jeans, went to work out (and watched a bit of basketball while running), came home, hemmed jeans again, and went on the computer for a bit. I always find myself the last one up. Why can't I be in bed by midnight? or even by 11? My goal is to go to bed by 11 two nights in a row. That's a lot to ask because 10 is when I get my energy!

Sunday, VERY COLD!

Sunday morning we all decided to go to the 4th Presbyterian Church near Michigan Ave. We went to the 9:30 service. We could have taken a bus and then only walked 2 blocks, but we didn't want to stand and wait for the bus in the wind either, so we just walked the 7 blocks to get there instead! It was a magnificent church. Very high ceilings, formal, choir music, organ prelude, brass band, etc. Basically picture a big catholic church in Europe with stained glass windows and we were in it. And I've never seen so much fur in one place before. It seemed like a high class of people in this church, with their fur, leather, diamonds, and other bling. It seemed like church was a formality for them., no personality whatsoever. The pastor had an interesting message though. Easy to understand, but not really a clear underline to it. I don't remember what it was about, but I remember the stories that went with it.
We found a more sheltered way home, walking down Oak Street...cute little shops there. It would be a gorgeous place to visit in the summer, for sure. Little sidewalk cafes and upper class hollywood-type stores...Kate Spade, Hermes, Prada, etc. Yah, high class!
We managed to spot our apartment before our legs froze and we used our last storage of energy to run over to the apartment to warm up.
Now, there are so many churches here in Chicago that I want to check out, including Willow Creek sometime, so I scanned our church directory thing quickly and found an 11:00 service that might suit me better as far as the music and community goes. I caught a bus to Park Community Church in Lincoln Park area. It's a community church (non-denom) that is held in the theatre of a school. I loved it. It's a small branch of the Willow Creek Church and the music is awesome, speaker was easy to listen to, church was brighter, and the "congregation" was a LOT younger and more friendly. I'm going back next week. They also have discounted books and refreshments in a tiny tiny gym down the hall. Cheap books. I'll have to check them out.
I caught the bus back to State street and then got on with my afternoon...watching tv, eating, taking a nap, reading homework, updating blog, and organizing my closet (again!)
Kate and I wanted to go out somewhere around 9:30, but of course, I'm not allowed to go ANYWHERE because I'm not 21...I'm still very bitter about that. So we stayed in, watched tv, and I organized my recipes. Yep, boring night. I ended up highlighting Angela's hair and then going to bed.

Saturday, February 18

My morning started at 1 in the afternoon. I love sleeping in...Even though I wake up so early in the morning during the week, I still find that I get SO MUCH energy at night! I'm wide awake at midnight still and have to wake up so early!

I woke up, updated my blog from yesterday, cleaned up around the apartment a bit, and then gathered up enough energy to go for a terribly cold run outside. Ever since I came here, I've wanted to run by the lake. I hear there are lots of trails/paths down there. Beautiful scenery. I didn't manage to find those paths (I'm told that they're underground or something?!?) so I ran around our area, the Gold Coast. Man, it was cold. No, I haven't turned wimpy since I left Smithers, this wind is freezing. I ran for about 30 minutes braving that -6 (F) cold with a high of 9 degrees (F). Record lows for this time of year. Just my luck hey?
I came back and my roommates had come back from thrift store shopping. They immediately went into high gear for our appetizers starting at 5pm. They had a little over an hour before people would come over wanting appetizers! Chicago Semester had given a limit of 45 dollars for the appetizers...we'll give them the receipts later and get our money back...and we definitely used all of that money. It adds up fast when you have to think about serving 40-50 people. Plates, napkins, and enough bacon wrap thingies for everyone. They were delicious though! We scrambled all over the apartment cleaning up, straightening things out, making wraps, warming them up the microwave, chopping veggies, mixing the spread, cutting the wraps, putting toothpics in..and we did it all in 30 minutes. (Granted, we did hide the dirty dishes in the bathtub and end up throwing a few things in closets for temorary storage, but the place looked and felt very clean and polished.) We got many compliments on our place...the way it is set up, our lighting, our amazing wraps, and the good punch. (Whipped up with some juices, sherbet, and ginger ale.) What a night so far!

We were looking forward to seeing the two other appetizer places and then on to the main course and dessert apartments! We wanted to make an appearance at a main course location a little farther out of the city and we knew it would take us a while to get there on the blue line. Since the student and her husband lived farther away we figured not many people would go all the way out there for the meal. We studied maps and finally got what we thought was the right blue like train to our destination. We took a few tries at first to find that train, but we were sure we were at the right stop. We got there and walked a block south like we planned, but our street was nowhere to be found! We even asked people at a convenience store if they had heard of the street. Keep in mind that it's outrageously cold outside and that taking one step after the other is mentally painful in the wind and darkness, so even walking an extra block is out of the question. We had to turn around. We decided to just take the blue like back to a dessert location and skip the main course altogether. BUT we ended up waiting over half an hour in total for trains and by the time we actually got back on the red line, what we needed to get to the dessert place, dessert time was already over! Curses!
We skipped dessert as well and trudged back to our apartment, our stomachs hungry and our faces to the ground. We celebrated our arrival back after 2 hours of transit with dessert of our own...hot chocolate and ice cream :) When in doubt, eat chocolate.
Last night on TV we watched a stand up comedian talk about various disorders people say they have (ADD, OCD, PTSD, PCP, LSD, etc.) these days...and she mentioned one in particular which applies to all of us in the room: TBD--Too Busy Disorder. I'm sure it also has a lot of side effects. I'll keep you posted on that. I'm looking forward to another relaxing, hopefully warmer, day tomorrow!