My little Nugget

HAD to share these photos of my sweet 3 month old nephew because he is the cutest baby I have ever seen.

See the photos below for your "aaaawwwww" fix for the evening and enjoy. :)

Music to my ears

 Last night, the huz and I went to the Red Hot Chili Peppers show at the All State Arena. It was the first time we'd ever seen them live, and it was an absolute blast! I can't believe how much energy they have on stage for being 50ish! We enjoyed the show so much that we're considering trying to find some Lollapalooza tickets for August so we can see them again.

One of my favorite shots I snapped at the show last night.

As we rocked our asses off last night, I lost myself in the music for 2 and a half hours, and came out on the other side (no pun intended) with a renewed love for the band, and for the live concert experience.

I have *always* been a musical person. I'm pretty sure I came out of the womb singing. My mom and dad have this adorable photo of me at around age 3 wrapped up in a robe performing with a microphone.

I am one of those people that can listen to a new song once or twice and know every single lyric. Just ask Will. When we first started dating he used to ask, "ummm how are you singing all of the words to that song already?!?!" It's just a weird talent that I have.

Music runs through my veins. I can't tell you how often I listen to a song and it completely changes my mood or thoughts. There are sooooo many songs that remind me of certain events or experiences from my past.

When I listen to "Smells Like Teen Spirit" it takes me back to my angsty high school days. Doesn't everyone have a Nirvana phase? I think they should! :) Anyway, that song takes me straight back to being 15 years old. I'm hanging out in the summer on the trampoline with Tracy, Kyle, Sandra, Jared, and Bryan. I can't help but smile and remember how we knew everything about everything back in high school...especially our futures. (HA!)

When I hear "Freshmen" by the Verve Pipe, ( you can find it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hxe85iErew)  I am always reminded of a nice guy I went to high school with that was killed after a work related accident a few years ago. We were casual friends during our freshman year of high school. That was in 1999 and that song was very popular then. Our groups of friends went our separate ways after that year. Every time I hear that song I remember T.J. and freshman year. And I think of how he was taken too young, and how precious and fragile this life is.

And every single time I listen to Tracy Chapman's "Fast Car" ( you can find it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfqEisOIMJc ) I am instantly transported back to Grand Cayman, sitting in Saskia's car with Kip, Saskia, their friend Michael, and my husband, who was actually my boyfriend at that time. We were driving to Sunset House, and the sun was soooooo hot and we were all a little buzzed and we were squashed so tightly in the back seat of that tiny island car that it was bordering on uncomfortable...

I remember wanting to freeze that moment. I remember telling myself to hold on to that moment. Singing at the top of my lungs to the radio with Saskia, speeding around that incredible island in that itty bitty car, looking at the Caribbean sea that was sparkling so brilliantly bright in the three o'clock sun and watching the water shooting up from the blowholes along the shoreline.

I remember being one-hundred percent completely lost in that moment in time; so happy, so perfectly content, and never ever ever wanting that afternoon to end. Every time I hear that song I go back to that time, and I have that same amazing feeling for those short few minutes. That is one of my most favorite memories and I will hold it close to my heart for the rest of my life.

I think that it's amazing that music has that kind of power, wouldn't you say? Because I really think it's
those memories conjured up by the music, those memories that are made in those seemingly small moments that truly make life so sweet.

Nom noms.

Since I was diagnosed with bronchitis over the weekend I've been doing a whole lot of nothing. I have been sleeping an average of 16 hours a day (totally not joking folks. I've been taking an average of 3 naps each day!), and I have just generally been trying to give my body the rest it needs to heal.

I haven't been doing much cooking or baking lately, and I'm starting to miss it! In fact, tonight after dinner I decided I *needed* something sweet, so I tried my hand at baking these tasty beauties:

10 minute Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip cookies. They're flourless, fast, and OH SO GOOD.

The recipe is found at the site below:

http://www.food.com/recipe/easy-peanut-butter-chocolate-chip-cookies-24153.

These cookies use just 5 ingredients: 1 cup sugar, 1 egg, 1 cup choc chips, 1 cup peanut butter, and 2 tsp. baking soda. Mix all ingredients, bake at 375 for 10 minutes. Boom. You're done.

Very easy, and also husband approved! ;)

You could  make this recipe healthier by using less sugar (or replacing the sugar with splenda), using all natural peanut butter, and using apple sauce instead of the egg.

If you're looking for an easy baked treat, give these cookies a try. I am glad I did!

That time I got bronchitis when the weather was perfect for the beach...

That time is now, folks. Today I was diagnosed with bronchitis. This is the THIRD time I've been sick since we've moved to Chicago. Not cool. Definitely not. cool.

I knew something wasn't right earlier this week because I was running a fever Tuesday, but it was gone by Tuesday night. I thought I was in the clear. Then Wednesday I began getting all congested, and I began to lose my voice. By Thursday night my voice was completely gone. Still no voice yesterday, so this morning we got up around 9:30, got on the bus and went downtown to the doc.

(By the way, can I just say that riding the bus SUCKS ASS when you're sick? Trust me. IT DOES. But with NATO going on, there was no way we were gonna try to drive ourselves downtown.)

Going to the doctor was not an easy decision interwebz, because I do not currently have health insurance, and I was most definitely NOT super excited about spending buckets of money on a doctor's visit. I also don't really like taking antibiotics because I am weird about taking medicine. Buuuuuuuut Will basically told me to stop being a stingy asshole and said that if I didn't want the bacteria to eat my brain, I should probably see a physician. heh heh.

So I did go see Dr. Mathew at the Michigan Avenue Immediate Care Center. She was very nice and the office was super efficient. I was in and out within 30 minutes. It was almost pleasant, if seeing the doctor can be such a thing....except for the fact that I did spend well over three hundred dollars (!!!!!) on an office visit and two prescriptions. OUCH!

Side note: It was really weird going downtown this morning because in case you haven't heard, NATO is having their summit here this weekend. The buses from Hyde Park (and lots of other 'hoods) had to be completely rerouted because they've shut down a big chunk of Lake Shore Drive, as well as other roads near McCormick Place. We went through some super sketch neighborhoods. Good thing I was too sick to be scared. HA!

Also when we FINALLY got downtown this morning, Michigan avenue was a little bit like a ghost town. It was really weird. Not sure where the protesters were, but they weren't on the Mag mile.

Michigan Avenue, is that you? Did I just see a tumbleweed roll on by? ;) heh heh

Another side note: this whole NATO thing is really annoying and scary, yet cool all at the same time. It's annoying because it's cramping everyone's style because of all the road closures and closures of businesses. 

It's scary because there was that whole alleged terrorist plot that was thwarted. Here's the story: http://abcnews.go.com/US/nato-summit-protesters-arrested-charged-conspiracy-commit-terrorism/story?id=16385865 Yeah. Pretty scary.

It's sort of cool too, because there are cops on every corner; many of them decked out in full out riot gear. And there are protesters. I can't tell you how many dirty hippies I saw this morning flashing the peace sign. (Now of course you know that not all protesters are dirty hippies, but I saw quite a few today. heh heh!) And there are helicopters circling around this area day and night. And there are fighter jets. It's kinda cool.

Anyway, back to the enthralling story of my illness:

I had a delightful experience with the extremely bitchalicious pharmacy tech at CVS while filling my prescriptions this afternoon. When I finally got my meds, I immediately started the antibiotics, took a spoonful of the hydrocodone infused cough syrup and promptly fell asleep. I've been resting ever since I woke from my nap.

The doc instructed me to rest, push fluids, and no work until Thursday. It really sucks being sick, especially because the weather is absolutely perfect, and I want to be on the beach or at the very least outdoors. Unfortunately, since I'm on a Z-Pack I can't be out in the sun.

Also, I want Will to baby me, or at least hang out and watch movies with me, but he is too busy studying. And then of course there's the whole coughing until your chest is killing you and not being able to sleep for more than 4 hours comfortably, and the mucus, oh the mucus.... (I'm sorry, tmi.)

I think these illnesses might be God's way of telling me to CHILL OUT a little bit, because I have been constantly on the move lately. I've been having this sense of urgency like I need to get out there and go go go because I might miss something. Well, now I've been knocked on my ass and I need to just be still for awhile. It sucks though because the laundry is piling up, the apartment feels messy, and I LOATHE dishes in the sink....but again, I need to just let. these. things. go.

In other news...

I had mentioned in my last post that my sister, bro-in-law, and nephew Allen came for a visit. They got here Wednesday night and stayed until Friday night. It was such a wonderful couple of days having them here with us. We took Allen to his very first Cubs game on Thursday and he was so well behaved. Then on Friday I babysat all day while my sister and bro went to Wrigley for a second game. When they got home we took a picnic dinner to Promontory Point and spent some time throwing the football around by the water. It was a perfect couple of days.

Looking ahead, I am looking forward to the first weekend in June when we're all venturing up to Minong, WI for a surprise 50th birthday celebration for my mom. My mom has a good friend who has two lovely cottages on Big Sands Lake, and my sisters, their significant others, and I will be going up there for a long weekend. It should be a great time since we're surprising my mom, and also because it's always wonderful when we can get our whole little family together.

I am also looking forward to the change of pace.

Don't get me wrong. I do love the city, but the hustle and bustle does get to me on occasion and I just want to take a step away and breathe. The fresh air will do me some good, I'm sure.

Doesn't it look peaceful? Ahhhh...

Well folks, I'm signing off for now so I can take some more of that good hydrocodone cough syrup! muahahaha ;)

Emme

Fun :)

My family came in for a visit; more specifically my sister, brother-in-law and sweet baby nephew. They stayed for two nights, and though I am way too tired to write a whole post right now, I did want to share a couple of photos.

It's really hard to describe the love that I feel for my nephew. I know people always say that about babies and unconditional love and such, but it is so true. I just love him to pieces.

Enjoy the pics, and a full-length post will follow soon!

Is that the cutest cubs fan you've ever seen or what?!

Auntie Emme showing Allen the skyline view from the park.

Tuckered out!

 

 

 

More soon! I promise!

Emme

This week's happenings...

Full disclosure: I am writing this post with a belly full of delicious margarita and chicken chimichanga. Ohhhhhhhhhhhh yes, I have an enormous food/drink baby in my stomach right now, and I'm not entirely sober. Now you know that this may not be the most eloquent post you've ever read, so I can continue...

It has been a fantastic week, interwebz! I finished up my semester, so I am officially on summer break (YAY!) and I also discovered an awesome bookstore this week. (I am sort of obsessed with books, not gonna lie.) It's called Powell's and it's less than a mile from home. It is HUGE, and has a really great variety of books. My purchases were a Hyde Park history book that I promptly devoured, another history book that centers on crime in the 1800s/early 1900s in Northern Illinois, and a Dr. Seuss book,  "Oh, The Places You'll Go!" for my sweet baby nephew.

Yesterday, I finally checked out the Hyde Park Art Center, and I have to be honest, it wasn't really my cup of tea. I think I will still definitely check out their prints and pints class, but the exhibits I saw yesterday were all very contemporary. Certainly there is nothing wrong with contemporary art, but it's just not really my style. There was one piece I really liked, and the rest I was kind of meh about.

I did however truly enjoy stumbling upon the trade store they have upstairs in the art center building. They had tons of homemade jams/jellies, knick knacks, books, TONS of plants, flowers, and fresh cooking herbs, planters, art, etc. and everything is for trade (or a "fair price"). I.E. I can bring in a plant of mine, like one of my spider plants or diefs, and trade it for some fresh basil or some flowers or mint. I really enjoyed browsing the store, and I definitely plan to trade there in the future...maybe when they have their rooftop tomato garden open.

On my way home from the art center yesterday I noticed there was a stand set up in the park across from our place, and I realized the farmers market had begun! I stopped and spoke with the vendor and she said the market is starting early this year. It usually doesn't begin until June, so I was really excited to hear this news. I browsed around a bit, and the flowers were gorgeous, but it is still a bit early for most veggies so I will have to wait a few more weeks.

I spent  my day today walking the lake front path, walking at Promontory Point, and lounging/reading on 57th street beach. It was a perfect 78 degrees, the sky was brilliant blue with nary a cloud, and I kept thinking "how lucky am I to live so close to the beach?!" This summer is going to rock!

The lovely 57th street beach looking toward Promontory Point. Within walking distance from home. SCORE.

And to top the evening off, my husband took me for a celebratory dinner! We went to Maravillas in our neighborhood, and our fiesta was complete with margaritas and coronas to celebrate the fact that I survived another semester. :)

Maravillas. Tasty margaritas. Chimichanga was pretty tasty too, and the guac was not too shabby. If I yelped I'd say 3 our 5 stars. ;)

To sum things up, just in case you can't tell, I continue to fall more in love with the city each day, especially as the weather continues to improve. I swear it's like Chicago has a completely different energy in the summer. My sister and brother in law are coming in next week for a Cubs/Sox game. It just so happens I am off work next Friday, Saturday, and Sunday so I may try to convince my mom to come in too so we can all hit up Wrigley together.

One final note, Will and I have started the count down to the Red Hot Chili Peppers concert! t-16 days! I AM SO EXCITED!

I'm in the home stretch!

It's finals week at the University of Illinois at Springfield, folks.

Wait................ whhhhhhhhhhhat?

It's finals week?!

As in the final week of class?

When the hell did this happen?!

I swear to you, I was chugging along all semester doing a fine job of keeping up with all of my classes just like the little engine that could, and then all of the sudden all of these term papers, final projects, and comprehensive exams crept up on me. For the past few days, I've sort of felt like the illustration below.

Luckily I have NOT been up that late/early, but I have definitely been

 BUSY busy busy!

Fortunately, as I type this blog post, I can say with confidence that I am pretty much done! I have one more project for my HTML course due this Saturday, but it is something I've been working on all semester, so it should be no sweat.

This means in t-4 days I am officially on summer break! It's pretty awesome telling everyone I've almost reached my much anticipated, ever so elusive summer break.

Yeah. I don't care that I'm an old, moldy, married, non-trad (did I mention old? heh heh.) student at age 26; I am excited about my summer break, damn it. :) I also don't mind bragging about my gpa to my mom, and bless her heart, she still tells me she's proud of me every damn time!

Me, the moldy, old 26 year old *finally* finishing undergrad: "Hey mom just called to tell you I got my grades again. I got a 3.4 this semester."
Mom: "Aw honey you're so smart! I'm so proud of you!"
Me, the 26 year old, UIS super nerd: *blushing* "Well shucks, thanks ma!"

Bahaha. Um yeah. So maybe finals week IS melting brain cells. I don't know.

Anywho...

The first item on my summer break agenda has actually been completed. I checked numero uno off the list tonight.

The huz and I went out for some exercise when I got home from work this evening. It was so nice outside that we were reluctant to go back indoors, so after we were finished our normal routine, we continued on to explore the Osaka Garden.

This is Osaka Garden, and you can see the Museum of Science and Industry in the background as well.

 I was pretty impressed with the garden. It's not very big, but it is very beautiful and serene. It is almost surreal how peaceful and quiet it is there. I kept telling the huz that it felt like we were millions of miles away from the city. And I kept stopping to fill my nostrils with the sweet smells of spring. I bet this place will be breathtaking in a few more weeks. I will be looking forward to another visit in the very near future.

Tomorrow or Thursday, I'll be making another check mark on my "summer break list" by paying a visit to the Hyde Park Art Center. I'm embarrassed that we've lived here two months now and I've yet to visit. The word on the street is that this place has some fantastic exhibits, a cute cafe, and it also houses a seed exchange on the top floor. Pretty cool stuff.

Ooh, I also learned this evening that they hold many classes/events there; one of which is called "prints and pints". Ummmmm whoever conjured up this concept is clearly an effing genius, no?

On the most basic level, it is an art class where you learn how to create art whilst enjoying a frosty brew. Afterward you can mingle and check out exhibits while a DJ spins some music.

Oh you better believe I'll be getting in on that action asap!

Happy trails to you my dearest readers, until we meet again (after the ALL of the end of semester projects have been completed!),

Emme