sunday evening...

I'm sitting here watching 'Extreme Home Make-over"...it was something that Amy and I would usually watched on Sunday evenings - both us in tears by the end because it is just incredible what they can build in a week and you also realize that no matter how "rough" some things seem to be - you realize how good you actually have it compared to others in our country.

I just got back from a conference in NYC...all around a good time, minus the delayed flights. I think I'm going to really enjoy my new job, mainly because I feel like after this past year - I can handle just about anything...I'm sure there will be some curve ball thrown my way, but at least I'll have everything else under control (or so I seem to think!). I'm excited to get to know the regions that I'll be working with - LA, the Bay, Las Vegas, St. Louis, and Philly - hopefully I'll be able to make some site visits this year :)!! I think I was really worried about leaving my "family" w/ the recruitment team, but considering how welcoming and caring my new team has been especially with all things that have happened these past couple of weeks with the death of my Opa - I know that I'm in the right spot. I'm really lucky to be a part of talent recruitment now.

I think my apartment is just about complete - I'm looking for a pot-hanging mechanism for my grandmother's copper-bottom pans and I really want to frame some of my posters that I intend to keep for a while. It's time to step up to framing instead of the double-sided tape squares. I do have two new chairs for the living room, a new desk for my computer, and a new bed (and mattress)...thanks to the visit from the folks :).

I have decided that my dad can basically swing a free beer anywhere he goes. At first, I thought it was only at Free State Brewing Company, but sitting in the patio area of restaurant off of Division Street, the Kaiser somehow got a "stereo-typical" frat boy to give him his extra Goose Island 312...only my dad could make something like this happen.

Since Eric posted some of his artistic "still" pictures...I decided to do some work w/ some pictures from Blair's visit to Chicago last month...

By Lake Michigan


At "The Bean" in Millennium Park

At Navy Pier

moving right along...

Thanks to the help of the Reddigs and Buschelmans - I am officially living and working in Chicago. It was quite a weekend and for the most part things went smoothly - and only a few picture frames broke. So I'd say it was a success.

Now for the stream of consciousness on the weekend. Mainly this goes out to the folks that were here for the move, but for the rest of you - enjoy it in your confusion :).

The Ford dealership in Glenview has possibly the best service even if they don't think to mention that your insurance might cover a cracked windshield. Baking/Cooking is definitely my stress - reliever. Always remember to have "NeeeeMO" on hand. A Chipotle that does not give you an extra tortilla when the first one breaks as they are rolling it up is not a true Chipotle. Secret Shot Game makes me more nervous than walking alone at night. Never have 2 viewing screens on (ie computer and TV) when you are trying to convince a 2-year-old that you are not watching anything. Be careful of what events you allow Robert to bring his video camera to. Sharing a full bed with a 2-year-old can be comfortable when the 2-year-old willingly sleeps on the floor. Dunkin' Donuts and a Box o' Joe can make any morning better. It's a toss up which song won this weekend "Part of Your World" sung by the whole crew minus (Prince) Eric w/ donuts in hand or "Torn" Karaoke-ed by a "deaf" person. Sharp rights can sometimes (secretly) actually mean "left". "I love the way it smells here." - Liesel. U-haul may be cheap, but service friendly? Not so much. Stoplights where the oncoming traffic has a longer green light are basically asking for accidents to happen. Always trust Katie to know how to set up a kitchen - who knew there was such a thing as an "appliance garage". Always trust Liesel to know how to set up a living room - it's all about using the corners. Always trust Eric to make your air clean and make a fine margarita. Always trust Robert to have a shot of tequila ready for you at a moment's notice and to create a family/friend tree out of picture frames. Always trust Mary Ann to be happy with a "mooooovie" - even if the viewing location is on the bathroom floor. I will be doing my Christmas shopping at the Ukrainian Village Grocery - please send your lists to me. 2 extra pinches of cayenne pepper is painful. Margaritas are not. Neither is Sangria w/ Vodka. Cayenne pepper, a shot of tequila, Sierra Nevada at dinner, 2 Margarita's, Sangria w/ Vodka - followed by Sunkist and Vodka...definitely painful. Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream Cake on a Sunday afternoon - best feeling ever.

Thank you for an awesome weekend full of sisterly and brotherly love...and well, I can finally say that I live in Chicago...:)!