I can tell you're not from around here.

I never really think about people from Chicago speaking any differently then they do in Cleveland. It's the Midwest so everyone basically sounds the same. (Or so I thought.)

I was teaching a lesson in the library a few weeks ago (currently I'm covering a maternity leave for a librarian). After the lesson was over I was chatting with another teacher that was in the library for my lesson and mentioned I was from Cleveland.

"Oh that makes sense now" -teacher
"What makes sense?" -me
"Your accent"-teacher
"I have an accent??" -me
"Oh yes, I can tell your not from around here"-teacher

Interesting.

Will Run for Chocolate.

On November 6th Angel and I ran the Hot Chocolate 15k downtown.  Even though there were wayyyy too many people in the race (30,000) and it was hard to move at some points I had a great time. I was so proud of myself for finishing! I ran it at about a 10:30 pace.

 

The best part about the race was it's sponsor; Ghirardelli. They gave us chocolate fondue, hot chocolate, and chocolate squares after the run. (Not the best idea right after 9.3 miles but whatever :) ) 

Delicious!

26.2

Angel ran the Chicago Marathon. The highlight of my day (besides watching Angel, of course :)) was meeting Jerry from the biggest loser. He still looks great! The best part was that I saw him in a subway which is one of the shows biggest sponsors.

I'm at the Jersey Shore, *****

Last night Angel and I dressed as Snooki and The Situation for Halloween! Everywhere I went people shouted "Snoooooki!" 

Angel really got the Situation pose down

 

 

 

 

Look at Angel's bronzer lines

It's T-shirt time!!!!!!!

Running

Lately I've been running a lot more. I used to just run 3 miles a few days a week. Since we moved to Naperville Angel and I joined a running group and all of a sudden I'm running a 15k November 6th. I actually ran 6 miles last Saturday. The last time I ran 6 miles I was in EIGHTH grade. (and thats over TEN years ago!!)  I plan to run the Cleveland half marathon in May and hopefully the full marathon in Chicago next October. Crazy, right?

Mockingbird

Today while working my part time job (taking pictures of kids sports teams) I noticed one little 6 year old boy had a very unique name.   

ATTICUS

You have to be quite a Harper Lee fan to pick out that one.

We Flung.

Angel and I on the first night of the fling

A few weeks ago the Last Fling came to our backyard. Angel and I both agreed we never want to eat fried food again. It was so tempting to just walk down to the riverwalk to grab a corn dog or a funnel cake.

three highlights of the last fling for me.....

1. Petting Zoo
2. Angel in an apple pie eating contest.
3. Shaved Ice

1. Petting Zoo

Tiny cow that was so friendly

Do you see the pig? I've always wanted one of those for a pet.

 I loved the petting zoo until Angel pointed out the trailer on the side of it, and I realized that these animals live in such a small space. That made me so sad.

2. Pie Eating contest.

I somehow convinced Angel to compete in an apple pie eating contest. He didn't win but came close. I can't believe he ate the whole pie! We looked at the pie package afterward and the pie was over 6,000 calories! Good thing he's so skinny.

Angel going to town on his pie

 

 

 3. Shaved Ice

It's no secret that shaved ice is my favorite food (well at least tied with guacamole for my favorite food). I'm very picky about my shaved ice. There is a huge different between shaved ice, snow cones, and slushies ( I won't bore you with the differences but if you want to know just ask! I'm an expert). Shaved ice is definitely my fav. A few years ago at the Taste of Cleveland I used almost all my tickets on shaved ice alone, so when I say I'm obsessed believe it. Anyway I was ecstaticThe to discover that the last fling had a shaved ice stand complete with it's own flavor station so you could try as many flavors as you wanted! The downside was it was a little chilly out for shaved ice, but that didn't stop me from getting two!

Shaved Ice #1 (watermelon and pina colada)

Close up

Shaved ice #2 (tangerine and pina colada)

Just looking at these pictures makes me wanna get out my shaved ice maker! :)

Fractions

Today I was subbing in a special ed 8th grade math class. I met with the teacher at the beginning of her day (she had an all day workshop to go to). This is how our convo went


Teacher: "They are working on fractions and having trouble so you may have to demonstrate on the board."

Me: "Uh Oh, I'm not the best at math"

Teacher: "Don't worry, these are low level learners so unless you are a low level learner you'll be fine" (jokingly).

Turns out I am a low level learner.

Those poor students must be very confused about dividing fractions after today.

Since when is it harder to get a library card then a drivers license??

Not at all impressed with my new library.

A little background information; I love libraries. However, I'm not the best at following all the rules of the library. Like returning my books on time; or sometimes not returning them at all. I've been banned (seriously banned) from 3 libraries.

I was hopeful that my new library in my new town would be the turning point. No more returning books late, no more losing books, no more keeping movies 5 months past the time they were due either.

So I go to this new library to turn over my new library leaf. The librarian wouldn't let me get a card! Ever notice how librarians seem to be almost drunk with power? Apparently having a drivers license with my address on it isn't enough. I also needed a utility bill mailed to my address. Well this was a problem because all of our utilities are included in our rent, hence no bills mailed to us. So now I have to wait for the library to mail something to me so I can get it, bring it in, and prove that I live where my DRIVERS LICENSE says I do.

Gotta watch out for all those library bandits....

(Also, you have to pay to rent DVD's from this library, isn't that what we pay taxes for?)

A traffic jam...when you're already late...

Sorry Alanis, not a real example of irony.

I have to admit, last year I complained about my commute to work every morning. I had to drive across the city to get there and sometimes it could take up to (gasp!) 45 minutes during rush hour.

I really had no idea.

I now live in a city where there is ALWAYS traffic. And I mean always. It's impossible to run out to the grocery store without getting stuck in something. (Oh, and did I mention that I don't even live in Chicago, this is in the SUBURBS!) I never realized that I would have to actually plan places I needed to go based on the time of day.

Wanna go visit a friend? oops can't do it because I'd have to drive through the city to get there and ohh it's 5 and I don't want to get there next Tuesday...

You need a ride to the airport Angel?.....too bad, you shouldn't have scheduled your flight at 8 am.

I've heard I may get used to this. I doubt it.

For now, I'll keep adding 20-30 minutes to any map quested directions.

Not cool.

My new digs

I think that it's time for another post.

Pics of our retirement community, erghh condo below.

Angel and I moved into a nice condo building right on the Riverwalk and less then a quarter mile from downtown Naperville. We have an exercise room, hot tub, and get free breakfast every morning.

Oh yeah, we're also the only residents under the age of 65. It's not so bad though, very....quiet.

And the hallways constantly smell of pot roast.

Moved!

I moved to Chicago this month..

Ok, not exactly Chicago but Naperville..

More info and pictures to come tomorrow.

For now...this is where I live

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