Day 24: Chicago to Ohio

Current Location: Dayton(Vandalia), OH

Today was both uneventful and eventful. I got up late showered and left my favorite condo in Chicago to drive southeast toward Ohio. First however I decided I would take the scenic route and head east through Indiana and Michigan then turned south from there and made my way to Dayton. As far as northern Indiana goes, I think it is pretty gross (sorry anyone from northern Indiana). Basically the weather was crappy, the air looked like L.A.’s and there were ugly buildings everywhere. However, that all changed when you enter Michigan. It was beautiful, I now understand why people have summer homes there. The leaves were changing colors, there were open fields of soybeans and other things amidst huge groves of trees. In short, it was very nice. As I turned south Ohio’s countryside was really beautiful as well. I spaced out part of the journey and missed probably a lot of the same things I had seen but I am sure it was pretty.

Anyway the trip was pretty routine except for one troubling engine light indicator. This however went away after a quick stop and I will hopefully figure out if there really is a problem (God I hope not!!) sometime this week when I take it to the dealer. Most likely the White Shadow is fine, I mean he is a champ and has never failed me before.

Other than that I arrived in Dayton safely and landed in Ohio’s humidity woo hoo, not. But Grandma had an amazing home cooked meal ready and waiting for me when I arrived and then we enjoyed some Law & Order episodes. Solid night if I do say so myself. Anyway ill post this whenever I get an internet connection, aka when I visit Starbucks or Panera, needless to say Grandma is a little behind on the times haha J

Peace

Day 23: Chicago and SF Giants Victory

Current Location: Chicago Wrigley Field

Today was another great and last day in the city of Chicago. I got up, navigated the streets until I reached Starbucks, then again to Sports Authority, and some Team Apparel store. However, in all my searches I was successful in only the stop at Starbucks (I mean when am I ever unsuccessful here). Either way I was trying to find some type of SF Giants apparel for the baseball game today, I found only a youth $70 jersey and I was not about to spend $70 on a jersey so I passed. Instead as you can see in the pictures I showed my support by wearing the team colors and cheering super obnoxiously haha.

Other than that Steph and I went to an amazing dinner/lunch or appetizers at a place on Clark called Havana. We had chimichanga and calimari appetizers and chips and salsa. WOW it was amazing. I highly recommend a stop there if you are trying to get some good food. After that it was a hop on the "L" until we got to Wrigley Field and got our tickets at Will Call for the game. Unfortunately, the weather was not cooperating and the game got delayed a good hour and fifteen minutes, a time in which Steph and I entertained ourselves by making videos (check out Facebook for a couple). The game started and was pretty quick but good, I was loud and annoying to Cubs Fans and basically because of me (and Buster Posey's home run) the Giants won the game. Everything was peachy. Cabbed it home and now going to bed. Going to Ohio in the morning.

Peace.

Day 22: Back in DT Chicago

Current Location: LaSalle @ Kinzie, Chicago IL

Yesterday was another transitional day. I moved back from the west loop at my cousin's apt to my friend Steph's condo that I was at last week. I basically did only a couple things because I was tired from the weekend and got up late.

Once I made the move back to Steph's my computer and I posted up at Starbucks for a good three hours, surfing the web, downloading stuff, wasting time, planning Winter quarter classes, stuff like that. Then later Steph and I met up for some dinner at good ole Portillos of Chicago, which I have been informed is famous. I had an Italian sausage, mhmmmm. Later that night Steph and I watched Monday Night Football!! However I am pretty upset that Drew got down the field so that the Saints could score the field goal in the last seconds of the game, pretty heartbreaking. I really thought the game was exciting though but come on 49ers this cannot happen again, they put in too much work and it was too close to be a loss on their record. Ah well though, they will hopefully step their game up And to be honest I am a Chargers fan. haha. Anyway today/tonight we are out at Wrigley watching the SF Giants play the Cubs!

Peace.

Day 21: Sunday in the Suburbs, Chicago IL

Today after the long day of Day20 we awoke bright and early to get up and head out to Willow Creek Church. For those of you that don't know, Willow Creek Community Church is one of the largest and most influential non-denominational evangelical churches in America. The church has three weekend services averaging nearly 23K attendees and was founded back in 1975. Go here to learn more or here to the church's site. :)

Anyway after service the family and I (included Ron, Leslie, Brad, Emily, Lucas, Agatha, and Sydney) all went out to eat some after church lunch! After consuming too much food and too much Tanch (Tapatio and Ranch) we headed to Brad's house for some Bears Vs. Cowboys football! The game was great and the Bears won! Holla Holla because I don't like the Cowboys. NOTE: If you do like the Cowboys sorry, keep reading my blog anyway. After that we commuted back to the city with of course a quick trip to Dick's sporting goods and Starbucks. The reason for the stop at Dick's is because I desperately need something SF Giants baseball that I can wear to the Cub's vs. Giants baseball game I am going to on Tuesday night. Can you believe that they don't sell SF Giants stuff in this city hahahaha ;) ...

Anyway the rest of the night was spent relaxing in front of the TV and hanging out with the fam bam. I love it. Anyway tomorrow I am back at Steph's and then off to the game and then off to Ohio the next day. Love ya all.

Peace

PS SORRY THERE ARE NO PICTURES TODAY I LEFT MY PHONE AND CAMERA AT HOME ALL DAY :( MY BAD

Day 20: Navy Pier/ChiTown/Wrigley/Dave Matthews Band

Current Location: Meat Packing District Chicago

So yesterday, day 20, was spent in a variety of ways. Firstly a little history, I am staying at a place in the meat packing district of Chicago aka where the events of the book "The Jungle" took place. Anyway the area around here was pretty busy with the meatpacking industry and the area was home to a lot of Ukrainian immigrants like those represented in "The Jungle". If you have not read the book I recommend it and if you wanna read something about the Union Stock Yards, check this out. So that is really all on the subject there lol.

Basically yesterday consisted of getting up around 10am hanging around and watching the Illinois football game and then heading out to Navy Pier. At Navy Pier we walked around and did the touristy thing that so many people enjoy. There is a lot of interesting stuff there, shops, tours, art displays, museum type stuff. After lunch at Harry Carry's we spent some time walking and then eventually headed back to a small house party in Wrigleyville. To our great surprise a friend of friend had some tickets to the Dave Matthews Band concert that was happening at Wrigley that night and we picked them up and spent the rest of the night in a Suite at Wrigley field enjoying the show! I met a lot of new people and the suite was fully stocked with drinks and had a great view of the concert. Jason Mraz opened, which I thought was awesome, and then Dave played. I am not really a Dave Matthews enthusiast however the show was good and it was even better to just sit and relax in an amazing environment. Things worked out pretty well and after the concert we headed to a bar called McDunnas to meet some more people. We got in pretty late, but the night was a complete success:)

Peace

Day 19: Chicago with the Johnsons

Current Location: ChiTown

Today after awaking and getting breakfast which actually was lunch at Champps restaurant in Old Orchard Mall outside of Evanston, Steph and I relaxed again at the condo. Then around six I headed over to the families house and star the weekend off right with a tour of the Willis aka Sears Tower. The tower was amazing and according to the decorative walls that boast a display of Sears Tower facts including that the tower contains more than two million pounds of concrete and 16000 feet of plumbing. The tower was great and the views amazing. I would have uploaded pictures tonight but I left the connection cord in the car and my laziness is preventing me from retrieving it. On another note the night was finished off with nachos, beer, and chatting about anything under the sun at a place called Rock Bottom in downtown Chicago (I also recommend the mini chocolate cake for dessert!). Anyway I am headed to bed early because of the fact that I was up until 4 am last night. That is all, lots of fun for tomorrow. Goodnight and Peace.

Day 18: ChiTown!!!

Current Location: Chicago, IL

So Day 18 which was yesterday was pretty great. I am becoming an expert in relaxation techniques. After the night of dancing and going to bed very late, Steph had to get up for class at 830 and I of course had to get up at no particular time at all, haha. I got up at around 11am and then watched Sportscenter of course, then caught up on Grey's Anatomy online, and then some ANTM. I went on a nice walk around the River Walk of Chicago and got myself some Starbucks, meandered Chi and then went home to re-assume my position on the couch haha. Steph and I finally got our butts off the couch around 5pm and got ready for dinner at Dave's Italian Rest. in Evanston and then went over to Loyala Shore Campus apartments so that we could get ready to go out downtown. The night went on from there with cute pictures and fun night. :)