Chicagoland

I spent two weeks last month in Chicago, and I'm just getting around to writing about it. It was a GREAT two weeks, minus the freezing cold weather. It's not like I'm not used to it, but it's just different when you are in a city and you have to walk everywhere rather than drive. Your ears feel like they are going to fall off.



For some reason, I have a lot of friends in Chicago, compared to other cities. Three good friends from high school live there, a good friend from college, and my cousin. They all have families, so we did our best to get together when we could. I didn't take any pictures with my friends- very out of character for me. But I visited them at their houses and condos, went out to dinners, had drinks, etc. My friend Allyson lived a few blocks from my hotel and had a bunch of stuff she didn't want anymore, so I spent a few afternoons over there putting her stuff up on eBay. The girl made over $400 of stuff she never wore anymore! Amazing.


There was one day where it wasn't bitter cold, so Kevin and I decided to take a walk and check out the Art Institute of Chicago, which is right next to Millennium Park. We totally lucked out because the Art Institute was free for the whole month of February. We walked around for a few hours, and I just had to laugh at some of the stuff in the modern wing there. A red chair on a white table? A black canvas wall? I mean, come on. Do you think they would pay me what they paid those artists if I drew them some stick figures? All of that aside, there were some amazing pieces, and some interesting displays. The way they presented their Monet pieces was probably my favorite part of the museum.

We had a day off on Monday, and after visiting a few Irish Pubs and fun areas of town, some of us met up for our company manager's birthday in Boy's Town. (You can guess what part of town that is, right?) And once again, for the second time in my life, but somehow for the second time in a month, I played Drag Bingo. It was too funny! The "girls" loved our wig girl, Kaylan, and had her calling the bingo balls. They were discussing hair weaves as she called out the numbers.

Did I mention that I LOVED our hotel in Chicago? It was a Kimpton property called the Hotel Allegro. Stay there. What I loved even more was going to visit my cousin Jon and his family last weekend outside of Chicago. It was about an hour train ride out to their house, and I made the trip twice. Just for short visits, but it was so worth it. I only see Jon and Rachel and the kids when we get together at larger family get togethers, so it was nice just to sit down in their house with them, play with the kids, and visit. Their older one, Tanner, helped Rachel make pigs in a blanket for us for apps- he did such a good job! And their little one, Landon, is just the cutest.

I was so proud of myself for not shopping in Chicago. OK, well maybe I did once. I just can't walk past a Nordstrom. But really- I spent time with friends and family when I had free time, and feel like I made the best of my two weeks there.