Saturday, September 30, 2006

Viva Las Vegas

We re here....

Actually we got here yesterday. We arrived at around 4:20, got our bags by 5 and caught the cab at 5:35. The taxi line was insane and there were tons and I mean tons of people. It was a decently moving line but man! I was surprised to see slot machines at the airport and people using them...that was my welcome to Sin City.

Our hotel is the Imperial Palace on the strip and it is decent for what you can get. I am sure that each hotel room is pretty much the same hotel to hotel. Yet the lobbies are what makes each unique. We were getting hungry but I wanted to see the some hotels. So we ended up at the Bellagio. We got dinner at the buffet...not what you'd expect this was a pricey buffet ($35/person). So I ate....pasta, tomato salad, beef Wellington, salad, bread more beef Wellington and dessert. This buffet had everything from buffalo to prime rib. Yum. It was probably the best deal in the whole Bellagio.

Then we walk through the lobby and they had the Chuliully glass ceiling that was breathtaking. They also had the conservatory dressed up for fall and it was gorgeous. I think that the boyfriend was a little embarrassed by the photo taking!

Then we headed outside to watch the water show which was amazing. We saw a few of them and they were so cool to see. We then walked to the Paris hotel to look around. That hotel was so pretty, I want to stay there next time. At the Paris we made our contribution to keep Vegas alive. Then head back...

Today is our full day here so let the fun begin!!

Thursday, September 28, 2006

Crocodile Tears

Last night, after all my chores, I watched 20/20 with Barbara Walters. She had an hour long special with Terri Irwin, the widow of Steve Irwin. The program had me in tears because they had such a love story.

The program illustrated Steve's career and conservation efforts. It also detailed their story, how they met, fell in love, got married, had kids and worked together. She referred to his loss as losing "her prince". Yet, she considers herself blessed for having him in her life and mentioned that if she had to do it all again, even with the final consequence, she would have done it all the same. She shared his passion for conservation and wild life and you can tell that her heart is breaking.

It was such a heartfelt tribute to Steve.

Wednesday, September 27, 2006

Why does sand pass through the hourglass at warp speed after 6 PM?

It seems that lately once I get home (after both work and school) time just takes on a warp speed level and minutes, hours fly by. Last night I got home after class, worked on a powerpoint presentation and then at 10 something while on the phone with my BF, ate! Then of course you can't go to bed after just eating something so I stayed up until 11 pm. I just watched TV because it was too late to vacuum, do a load of laundry or shred mail.

So here is what I have on tap tonight. Note, I am heading to the BF house tomorrow after class because on Friday we head to VEGAS!

-vacuum
-go to walgreens to pick up cards
-do some hand washing of clothing
-take out the garbage
-pack
-paint the toe nails
-get ready for the group presentation tomorrow
-eat dinner
-bed

Fingers crossed that I will get this all done.

Monday, September 25, 2006

Disappearing funds

Where does muy money go?

I just got back from hitting the ATM and there is NO money in my checking account. Granted my rent, cable, and car payments are paid but, my savings is depleting. I am using it more and more to take cash out. I try to transfter some of my pay check to my saving each month but that is not going well. So I may have to re-consider my spending habits. Now, I don't have extravagant spending.

My typical monthly expense include gas, food, perscriptions. I have not gone "fun" shopping in months. I have been really good but the expenses for school and books also hurt me. Last month, I did go a bit overboard on the spending because my friends were in town but it was not that bad.

So I am not sure what to do!

Sunday, September 24, 2006

Short weekends

It is Sunday night and I am in the "back to work" blues mood. I don't wanna go to work tomorrow...

It was another good weekend with the bf and the pooch. Yesterday we took the dog to the vet and to look at the the boarding facility. Last evening, we went to the Gentleman Pirate's dad's house. One of this brothers came into town so we had dinner with his family. I really like is father, he is a very interesting smart man. So we had dinner and hung out there for a few hours.

Today we just vegged and vegged and vegged.

Tomorrow is back to the grind.

Saturday, September 23, 2006

After glow

I was speaking with Mr last night and she was still raving about how much fun she had when she was in Chicago. She told me that she had so much fun celebrating my birthday as she had celebrating hers. LW and JC also mentioned to me how much fun they had.

I am so glad that people had fun at my party. It made turning 30 so much sweeter to have friends around. not to mention my first kiss after turning 30 was with my boyfriend.

Wednesday, September 20, 2006

Brain droppings

*I finally emailed everyone photos from this past weekend
*I was driving home and this woman flicked a cigarette out the window of the car next to me, she then closed the window. The car had a toddler who was clearly surrounded by the smoke.
*I was actually a wee bit busy at work today
*I wrote my paper, just need to proof it and print it out
*Gas prices have gone down
*Dad is coming to town in a few weeks for a visit, he wants to see the site of the Haymarket riots
*FUNG (Fat Ugly Naked Guy) neighbor finally mastered the use of blinds (the world breaths a collective sigh of relief
*Time's cover story about Iran makes me nervous about the possibility
*TV sucks lately
*I need to write down my Vegas list, the trip is coming up next week
*My car insurance went down (wooohooo)
*My apartment is messy again
*Comcast has Moonstruck on demand for free
*JT wants me to watch the last episode of the West wing season 3 but I am afraid of it because of the other season endings.
*I haven't eaten dinner in the past few days
*I can't wait to spend some quiet down time with my boyfriend and Yukon the tub dog

Tuesday, September 19, 2006

Need to recover

I did not get to sleep until well after midnight! Part of it is that I had TONS of things to do last night. I had to do laundry, write out my cards, do homework, download the photos, update a few things and then get ready for work. At 11:45 last night I finally got done and went to bed.

I can't believe that this weekend is over :( but also how much I have to get done before Vegas...paper, project and life! Ack!

Monday, September 18, 2006

Threats

MR thratens her husband by saying "I am going to stick my foot in your bung hole and kick your head with the other one"...I was hysterical

Sunday, September 17, 2006

A milestone...30

I am officially 30 years old today. That is right, I turned 30 and it was a wonderful celebration. I had so much fun...

Friday MR, JC and LW came in from the east coast! I spent most of the day at and around O'Hare and that evening, we went to Lou Malnati's for pizza and then we met up with the boyfriend at Second city. It was so funny and we laughed and laughed and laughed. afterwards we hit Wells on Wells and had a few munches and drinks. Yesterday, we went to do the architecture tour on the Chicago River. Of course prior to that we had to hit the mag mile and do some retail therapy! After that we headed home for wig shopping, dinner and then ready to hit the town.

After the taxi ride from the depths of Hades, we arrived looking stunning at the W hotel and the Whiskey Sky bar. It was a blast J9 was there with her fiance and a friend. PK and his wife came, JT was there as was the cute boyfriend. The guy I met last year with J9 called to wish me a happy birthday so he was downtown and he came up. We hung out there for hours then the four of us and the guy from last year went to Tavern on Rush for a hour or two. Then we all came home.

I had so much fun with my girls...we laughed, talked, chatted, shopped. I have missed them so much it is so awesome to have them back. I was so happy to be surrounded by my friends who have been missing. I am overwhelmed with love for all my friends and I miss them so much. I have such wonderful memories and I was glad that they met my wonderful boyfriend and my Chicago buddies. It was a perfectly wonderful weekend.

Oh and the "girls were out" and on perfect display thanks to some wonderful boob engineers. Whilest leaving Tavern on Rush" a blond and her date looked at me and she says to him "See those, they are real". Perfect ending for a perfect night!

Thursday, September 14, 2006

Flowers all over the place!

Well I have been pleasantly surprised today by some unexpected birthday gifts. I received a delivery of stargazer lilies from my sales rep. Charlie sent me some photos including his cover of "Dog Fancy", my brother and his fiance sent me a gift card and a pair of earrings and midwest mama and Tab brought me a large bunch of flowers.

It is funny because last night at the grocery store I bought Gerber daises and some purple flowers. My apt will be filled with flowers. How cool is that!

So I am almost all set for my friends tomorrow. I have to just clean off my coffee table and then I will be all set. Chicago will never be the same!

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

Old School

Well last night was my first class in Micro Economics (yea last week was a trial run). My professor gave us all a one page (!) syllabus. We have three tests (!) one the Tuesday after Vegas and then another one 4 weeks later and a cumulative final the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. All that being said, the professor is very much on top of his game. He seems decent enough and knows what he is talking about. Last night was a review of stats and I was thinking that he should have been my stats professor. I get the idea behind the madness and he broke it down so that I "got it". I really don't think it will be a very tough course but I have to read the chapters and do the homework.

The one thing that struck me is that he does not use the online system and does not post his notes and he uses the blackboard. He actually wrote down the definitions, rules, theories and problems all on the blackboard with chalk. My other profs used powerpoint , slides, movies, overheads to convey their message. So it will be an interesting course. Also since it's once a week for 3 hours I think I can manage. I mean after taking two intensive summer classes that met twice a week for three house, a once a week class is wonderful.

I am getting ready for my friends! I will basically be spending most of my day at O'Hare picking them up but then we have plans for the evening. I am so excited to see them. My apartment is almost presentable. I have to go grocery shopping and I have to do a load of laundry. Then we are all set!

Monday, September 11, 2006

A view from a memory


This photo is from the parking garage of Navy Pier. It was a perfect date with a wonderful man. The night was clear and beautiful and this shot that I took captures the magic of that evening. It is a snippet of my memory.

In remembrance


A tearful and heartfelt remembrance. A prayer for all those who died tragically that day, a prayer for the family and friends and pets left behind. A prayer for the world that will never be the same.

Sunday, September 10, 2006

My wonderful surprise

Last night, my GP and I had a very sweet and romantic early birthday night out. He surprised me with dinner on the Odyssey II. this is a dinner cruise boat that goes around the lake for a few hours. We got our photo taken, had a four course dinner, he surprised me with a yummy birthday cake and they had a band and we danced. It was so perfect and wonderful. I so love that man!

Friday, September 08, 2006

bittersweet

It is such a bittersweet day...

Sweet:
I am looking forward to the weekend. We have so much to do and so many cool people to see. Tonight GP and I are going out to dinner with some of his friends. Tomorrow, we are having brunch with more friends and then tomorrow night we are celebrating my birthday just the two of us. I will finally find out where we are going. Sunday we will be recovering!

I love my new class. One of the sessions will be at the Art Institute and other classes are filled with guest speakers, hands on activities and really awesome projects.

Bitter:
Today is the day 6 years ago that our dear friend Steve passed away. It was very sudden and happened very unexpected because he was doing so well. He was 24 and we all miss him so much. I still see him in his lazyboy like chair watching South Park...I guess he will always be young.

It will be 5 years ago that 9/11 happened. I still get profoundly affected by that. Teh images and tv and movies are constantly reminding us. CNN will show its coverage from that day. I can't relive it, I just can't. I am listening to Bruce Springsteen's album "the Rising" today and some songs are so sad and no matter how many times that I've listened to them, I cry. Today is no exception. Other songs are so hopeful that I feel uplifted. So here are the lyrics for Bitter and Sweet

Bitter~Empty Sky:

I woke up this morning
I could barely breathe
Just an empty impression
In the bed where you used to be
I want a kiss from your lips I want an eye for an eye
I woke up this morning to the empty sky
Empty sky, empty sky
I woke up this morning to an empty sky
Empty sky, empty sky
I woke up this morning to an empty sky
Blood on the streets
Yeah blood flowin' down
I hear the blood of my blood
Cryin' from the ground
Empty sky, empty sky
I woke up this morning to an empty sky
Empty sky, empty sky
I woke up this morning to an empty sky
On the plains of Jordan
I cut my bow from the wood
Of this tree of evil
Of this tree of good
I want a kiss from your lips
I want an eye for an eye
I woke up this morning to an empty sky
Empty sky, empty sky
I woke up this morning to an empty sky
Empty sky, empty sky
I woke up this morning to an empty sky
Empty sky, empty sky


Sweet~The Rising
Can't see nothin' in front of me
Can't see nothin' coming up behind
I make my way through this darkness
I can't feel nothing but this chain that binds me
Lost track of how far I've gone
How far I've gone, how high
I've climbed
On my back's a sixty pound stone
On my shoulder a half mile line
Come on up for the rising
Come on up, lay your hands in mine
Come on up for the rising
Come on up for the rising tonight
Left the house this morning
Bells ringing filled the air
Wearin' the cross of my calling
On wheels of fire I come rollin' down here
Come on up for the rising
Come on up, lay your hands in mine
Come on up for the rising
Come on up for the rising tonight
Li,li, li,li,li,li, li,li,li
Spirits above and behind me
Faces gone, black eyes burnin' bright
May their precious blood forever bind me
Lord as I stand before your fiery light
Li,li, li,li,li,li, li,li,li
I see you Mary in the garden
In the garden of a thousand sighs
There's holy pictures of our children
Dancin' in a sky filled with light
May I feel your arms around me
May I feel your blood mix with mine
A dream of life comes to me
Like a catfish dancin' on the end of the line
Sky of blackness and sorrow ( a dream of life)
Sky of love, sky of tears (a dream of life)
Sky of glory and sadness ( a dream of life)
Sky of mercy, sky of fear ( a dream of life)
Sky of memory and shadow ( a dream of life)
Your burnin' wind fills my arms tonight
Sky of longing and emptiness (a dream of life)
Sky of fullness, sky of blessed life ( a dream of life)
Come on up for the rising
Come on up, lay your hands in mine
Come on up for the rising
Come on up for the rising tonight
~Bruce Springteen

Thursday, September 07, 2006

take two

So I have class tonight...at least I hope so. I will head to DU and pray that I have class otherwise it will be another treks downtown. But if that is the case I will go to Marshall Field's before it becomes Macy's in a few days.

So last night I tried on some clothes. On Saturday my GP is taking me out for my birthday but it is a secret. All I know is that I have to wear cocktail attire and that he will be in a suit. I am so excited but of course, had to figure out what to wear. Well I decided on a dress that will be perfect! But then I tried on my leather pants. See I want to wear them for my birthday party in a few weeks and well they don't fit as well as they used to. Now, I know I am not overweight nor pudgy but those who know me know that I an tiny so a pound or two does make a difference. Well now it seem that those one or two pounds turned into about 4! So I have one week to get into those pants. I felt like I was buldging out a bit at the top on my pants. So it is a muffin top!

I have been whinny about being out of shape to the BF who subsequently rolls his eyes. But I want to shape up but the problem is the time (school) and money. Also I want to learn how to work out properly so I want a trainer to help me use the machines properly. I would love to do yoga again and learn palates. Maybe I am using the lack of time and money is an excuse so maybe I should quit school and get a higher paying job. Yea...good luck with that!

Wednesday, September 06, 2006

Blonde moment

I had a MAJOR blonde moment yesterday. I was so sure that I had class yesterday. So I ran home, hopped on the EL and headed to DU. I was a bit early so I went to get my books and headed up to the classroom. I noticed that they were very young students, kind of like undergrads. Weird then I asked this guy near me if this was the class that I was suppose to take. Nope it was not. I then went downstairs to the list of classes and class rooms and it was odd, because my prof and class number were not listed, it turns out that it was the summer schedule and classes begin today!

What a dork am I!

Tuesday, September 05, 2006

Short week...

I love short weeks but nonetheless I still have to be at work. I guess with the past few weeks of vacation and last week's ear infection I can get used to not coming into work. But then again I get bored easily. I guess you can't win.

Tonight is my class and for some reason I am a wee bit nervous about school and there is no reason to be. this will be my 6th (!) class and I will do okay! Sometimes I don't get myself!

I am starting to get ready for the visit from my friends. I want to do a Chicago "goodie" bag but I am still pondering what to put in them. I have a few ideas. We'll see how it turns out.

Some sad news, Steve Irwin died killed by a sting ray. The croc hunter was diving on the Great Barrier Reef and was stung in the heart and died instantly. It was quite sad to hear. I hope that his family is okay and that his memory and conservation efforts will live on.

Monday, September 04, 2006

No Meerkats!

The boyfriend and I had a nice long weekend together. We just putzed around his apartment but did go out on Saturday and yesterday. Friday we watched this Peter Sellers movie on TMC and it was hysterical. We made pizza for dinner and it actually came out very better that I remembered.

Saturday we went to his dad's house and hung out with his father and his brother. It was a very nice day. I really enjoy talking to his dad, he is very witty and smart. Yesterday we decided to go to the Lincoln Park Zoo. It was so much fun, they had a lot of cute animals. Except Meerkats, GP was disappointed that there weren't any Meerkats. We hung out at Lincoln square for dinner and ice cream then crashed for the evening. Today was just veg out day. I came home to get some stuff done.

I have to get ready for classes. My micro class starts tomorrow and on Thursday is my mgmt class. Plus I have to get ready for the visits from my girls in a week or so. Can't wait.

At least it will be a very short week!

Friday, September 01, 2006

Spinning

I think that I have an ear infection! Yesterday I woke up with a bad case of vertigo and had problems getting out of bed. I went to get juice with Yukon the tub dog (I adore her) and when I got to the kitchen I was so hot and sweaty. I went back to lie down and GP was worried. So after about 15 minutes and it did not get better he said that I am not to go to work and to call in sick, I was in no condition to get behind the wheel so after some reluctance on my part I called in. He was right but I have this sense of obligation when it comes to work, I may not like my job but I am obligated by it. He also took the day off to keep an eye on me.

So yesterday the three of us were so lazy and I did not get out of my jammies all day. I felt bad because I hate being a drain on anyone and actually started to get a bit sobby about it.

So today when I got up, I was a wee bit dizzy but not as bad as yesterday and then my ear began to hurt so I suspect it is an ear infection that is causing my vertigo. Thankfully, my dr. can see me at 3 and I don't have to spent hours at urgent care!

Ohhh and I found my book. Yeah!

I have the best boyfriend in the world.