365 Days of Learning to Love Chicago

Monday, February 16, 2015

Things that happen when I'm listening...

Sometimes you have to sit for a long time and sometimes you need to be doing something to help you focus.

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

You thought I was done didn't you?

So I saw this beauty from a co-worker on Facebook and well it just shows how beautiful downtown Chicago really is. A lot of people are afraid of Chicago, but it's really such a beautiful and interesting place.

Chicago: The Great American City from Jackpot in the West Productions on Vimeo.

Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Day 365

Today is the last day of 2014. I feel like it requires me to reflect a little on the past year.

Over the year we've learned that the architecture in Chicago is gorgeous, the food is plentiful and delicious, family is only a short jaunt away, and I love my cat. Fans, I think that I may actually have begun to like this place. I don't know if I can say that I love it quite yet, but I do love the people I've met and the experiences I've been able to have over the last 365 days living here.

Also, if it weren't for Chicago I would have not made the largest collection of paintings I've ever been able to create. Some of them are good, some of them are downright awful, and some of them are really beautiful. I still feel pretty vulnerable posting the awful ones, but I think it's a good exercise in honesty. Now you know that good painting takes a lot of effort.

So here is my last little project. It's not a painting, another gift from the husband in my stocking, and of course, it's my cat--kind of.

What I love: I think I might be able to one day say Chicago.

Day 364

My sister gave us a Groupon to Waffles Cafe and On the Bun. We decided before we start Whole30 to take a trip to Streeterville to try it out. I ordered pound cake french toast that was OK, but the husband got Waffles Eggs Benedict and it was DELICIOUS. Also, the hot chocolate and hash browns were wonderful!

What I love: Walking downtown even when it is 13 degrees Fahrenheit outside. The city is very pretty and you meet and see such interesting people along the way.

Day 363

On a recommendation from a friend we took a trip to the Asian market. There they had dumplings and all kinds of crazy seafood.

What I love: I love Asian markets and I may also love red bean dumplings, but I'm not such a huge fan of kimchi. Thanks Chicago for broadening my food horizons.

Day 362

You are looking at my breakfast when the husband is out of town.

What I love: I love that my husband is the cook in our family because he likes it and he's good at it. Also, I may love Cuties, the orange, not my husband.

Day 361

The husband flew to Kansas City over the weekend and I got to hang out with my mother and sister in law. We took a trip to The Spice House and picked up spices for our Whole30 diet starting January 2nd.

What I love: Riding the Metra train, except when loud drunk groups get on. Also, I love hanging out with family and maybe I also love Dimple's Donuts.

Day 360

I didn't paint this one, but I did pour the glitter.

What I love: The husband and I have this ridiculous stocking tradition where we buy each other gifts from the dollar store for each other's stockings. This one is one of the fabulous gifts he gave me. It brought me back to my Lisa Frank days in elementary school. I gifted this one to my in-laws. I love being close to them and being able to do goofy things like glitter art for them.

Day 359

The husband showed me this picture to let me know that he bought me a hip hop class.

What I love: I love dancing and I'm excited for a new year where I get to bring out my inner thug in the big city.

Day 358

Today some of our good friends gave me a new set of brushes and paper. This is the result.

What I love: I love painting...most of the time.

Day 357

Today we visited a million people. Well not a million, but we did visit a lot of people and this is one of them.

What I love: The people here in Chicago that I've met and I've learned to love. Sometimes this place still drives me crazy, but I really am starting to love them.

Day 356

Today was a trip to the Christkindl Market. It's a German market where they sell all things Christmasy and German which includes beer, brats, toys, ornaments, and treats.

What I love: I still love riding the train downtown and I love the red and white striped village where the husband and I always go get ourselves delicious treats. While we were downtown the job he applied for called back and let us know that he's officially hired and it looks like he's taking a leave of absence from school and we'll be staying in Chicago for a couple more years at least. This is not necessarily what I expected or planned, but this is the artist after 356 days of learning to love this place and I'd have to say that I'm OK with this and interested to hear what else this city has to offer.