Chicago Fun

Sorry for the delay! I was in Chicago visiting some good friends and having a great time. It had been two years since I'd last been to Chicago and I desperately missed my friends and the City. Chicago is so awesome in that the people who live there think it's the best city in the world and there's no place else they'd rather be. That is some City Loyalty right there! Back in 2004, when I first moved to Chicago for school, it was one of the things that shocked me culturally; I just felt like I didn't get that feeling from any of the other cities I'd lived in before.

So back to the trip and how amazing it was! I stayed with Michael, my former-roommate-turned-best-friend, and we did all kinds of fun stuff! I timed my arrival to Chicago specifically to catch the midnight premiere of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince which Michael, Meredith, and I went to. It was fun! I had on my custom designed shirt (that barely got there in the mail the day of the premiere!) It's red with gold lettering that says on the front "The Original G-Unit Since 1,000 A.D." and on the back "Gryffindor." So cute!
Before the movie though, I went and got my hair done by my favorite hairstylist, LaShonda at her shop, A Hair Delight, in Oak Park. She was surprised to see that I'd relaxed all my natural hair! The last time she'd seen me was when I'd gone natural and had her cut out the all the relaxer. That was two and half years ago. Later, I enjoyed $5 martinis and then dinner with my former-landlords-turned-friends, Dave and Rene. It was either the martinis or the dinner that made me nauseous during the movie premiere. Let Michael tell it and he'll say it was the martinis. I'm pretty sure it was the dinner though. Note to self: No more Flat Top Grill for me!
We didn't get home until after 3am so we slept in Wednesday and went out to see Snow White and the Seven Drag Queens that night. The play was a fantastically fun time! My favorite line was from the Prince "Whoa Peanut [his plush horse], we're not in Wrigleyville anymore!"

Thursday was spent getting Michael's hair done, meandering about the City, and seeing the Harry Potter Exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry. The exhibit was interesting because they had the real costumes and props from all six of the movies. While we were in the exhibit a terrible thunderstorm made it's way into the City and had the tents and the lighting at the tent's ceiling shaking! I was scared one of those lighting rigs was going to come crashing down on us!

Friday night we went to Boystown with Michael's friend Kevin and met up with some other friends. I ended up only staying about an hour. The black pumps I thought I'd broken in previously were killing me. I could barely wobble out to catch a cab! Got in that cab and yanked those shoes off immediately. My poor toes were all swollen and very angry at me. Note to self: break in shoes properly or pack flip-flops.

Saturday morning I had breakfast with my college mates Crystal, Gabby, and Amerit. Afterward, Crystal and I made a small detour so that I could tie a loose end, checked out the Chicago Premium Outlets, Crystal showed me her place, perused Nordstrom's Rack, and grabbed an italian beef at Portillo's. Crystal graciously drove me back into the City in just enough time to get ready for my night out with the Ride or Dies. Now the Ride or Dies consist of Luisana, Mayra, Erika, Susy, and Angela. Those are my girls! I cannot count how many times we've been out partying it up in the City. We had ourselves a good time at Club Ruby! They were playing all of Michael Jackson's jams, including PYT!

Sunday I nursed a hangover.

I had lunch with Robbi and Tracy from Dominican University on Monday. They updated me on the latest University news and Robbi gave me a ride to the Forest Park El Station so that I could be off to meet up with Victor and Gloria. I met Gloria and her son Victor while working as a bank teller in Broadview. They were one of my favorite customers so even after I'd left the bank (and that horrid manager, Paul Porter) I still kept in touch with them.

Tuesday night Crystal, Amerit, Gabby, Jose, James, and I had dinner at this great tapas place called Cafe Babareeba. The sangria was good! I also recommend the goat cheese croqueta. And before you go on a rant about goat cheese, try it before you knock it! You'll be pleasantly surprised.

On my last day in Chicago, I got a day pass for the CTA and went all over the City! I started at Buckingham Fountain, made my way to Millenium Park, headed out to Navy Pier, and then went to Oak Park for an arancini and cannoli from my favorite Italian spot, The Pasta Shoppe.

I'm so glad I got to visit Chicago this summer. I tell you what, my layoff couldn't have come at a more perfect time! I miss Chicago and I almost wish I'd never left. Hindsight is always 20/20 though, isn't it?