Last Day in Chicago... or is it??

Thursday December 19th

I wake up earlier than planned and decide to make sure I find the time to see Quashia as she is not sure if she can come to dinner tonight.

Quashia and I

I head to Gibson's to drop off a few goodies I got for the expectant mother.  She loves the Lion King paraphernalia and the few items for relaxation which I'm sure she will need in the coming months.   I can't stay too long as she is at work, but it's great to catch up and see her for a few minutes.

I stop at a few stores on the way back to Megan's and purchase a few goodies for myself.

Megan and I walked the "few" blocks to Aberdeen's Tap.  No problem, until it started raining.  Megan had brought her umbrella so she was good.  She very nicely shared.  We sat and talked for a few hours and just enjoyed the company.  Once we were dry, we walked back in the rain.

Megan was going with her dancers to a performance and I was headed to Quartino's for dinner.  YES!!!  I really missed Quartino's and Aldo.

 I met up with Rachelle and Michael at Caribou before dinner as Rachelle couldn't make it to Quartino's.  Michael and I left for Quartino's and I was getting really hungry.

I told the hostess at the door we were here and we went to the bar to wait for everyone else to arrive.  Aldo waited about 5 minutes and then came and got us.  Told the hostesses we were sitting down and had us ready to go.    He had already brought some anti-pasta to the table and people began to trickle in.

Aldo and Meghan!

We laughed, talked, made fun of Meghan, made fun of Rachel - alot, and had a fantabulous time.  It ended all too quickly but I needed to get my things, go to the bus, and head back to Ohio.

Rachel and Monica - I'm sure we were mocking Rachel right before this.

Monica was awesome and volunteered to drive Rachel home and then me to the bus stop. So I said goodbyes to all and then we hopped in the car.

Rachel read Shades of Grey aloud to us on the way to her house.  It was quite amusing with her drunk commentary.

Monica drove me back downtown to the bus stop and we waited for my bus.  While we were waiting a "Megabus" employee came over to the car to let us know all buses had been canceled due to snow.  I looked around to discover what he was talking about.  "Seriously!"  there is no snow.  He informed me there was snow on the routes and all routes had been canceled for tonight.  I assured him he was wrong as just in case I had called earlier and they informed me if they canceled my trip I would receive an email AND a text.  I had received NADA!!

After 30 minutes of waiting, he was correct.  All buses had been canceled.  Now what!!  Monica drove me back to Megan's and I called Megabus.

They booked me on the trip leaving Friday afternoon  - sweet  an extra night in Chicago.  At 1:30 am I received an email from Megabus canceling my Friday trip.  STILL NO SNOW!!!!!

Friday December 21st

I called at 8am when they opened their phone lines and was on hold until 8:40 at which time they informed me the NEXT AVAILABLE bus would be Sunday at 6pm.  I would not get home until early morning Christmas Eve.  NOT OKAY.  It was 8:50.

I got online and looked up Amtrak and other bus lines.  Everything was booked.  I thought real quick I'll look at airlines, but knew most of them had canceled due to weather as well.  There was a (not massively expensive) fight on Southwest at 10:10am.  I booked it.  I was already packed so I grabbed my stuff, ran out the door, jumped in a cab and made nice with the driver, then I told him I really needed to be at the airport by 9:20 - I had bags to check since I wasn't taking a bus (stupid 3oz rule). 

We made it.  I checked my bags and was through the security before 9:35.  I grabbed some food and went to the gate.  I made sure my parents knew when I was getting in.

I was excited to have made the flight and not miss the weekend with my family but I also realized how abruptly and weirdly my time in Chicago ended.

Tchau for now!!!

Still Chicago Dec 2012

Tuesday December 18th 2012

I woke up Tuesday morning as Kerri was leaving for work. However, I was taking the train into the city today, so I rolled over and went back to bed for an hour.

Jessica had graciously offered to pick me up at Union Station, so I called a cab to drive me 2 miles to the train station and hopped on the Metra. Very quiet ride into the city. I read a book on my iPad the whole time.

I texted Jessica when I was close and we figured out the best spot to meet.  She drove us to her place and I got to see her apartment and FINALLY meet her cat.

Her apartment is close to being as cool as my Chicago apartment.

We hung out talking for awhile and then meet up with Jonathan downtown to enjoy some lunch.

Jonathan met us for lunch and we went to Macy's and tried the food at their fancy food court.  Jonathan had to go back to work so we left there and Jessica and I headed back to her place.  We stopped on the way to enjoy the German Christmas Market and spent some money.

Jessica had a few things going on so I dropped my things off at Megan's place and then went with her to mass before heading to dinner.

GIORDANO'S

I met Pete and Michelle at Giordano's and we sat and talked while we waited for awesome pizza.  I caught up on their lives and their trip this summer to all the baseball parks in the US.  Pete made fun of me    We ate GREAT PIZZA.  I really do miss this.  There is nothing similar in Brasil.

Pete and Michelle at their last baseball park.

My amazing former roommate!

I head back to Megan's and got to see Mark and Aimee for about 10 minutes.  Megan and I got to stay up for a few hours talking about how great we are and catching up on lives.  It sucks not being roommates anymore.












I have no plans for breakfast - yay to sleeping in - but meet up with Jenny and Theresa for lunch then head to the Metra to meet up with Katie Kastner out in the suburbs.  Again a very quick and easy ride using the iPad.

Tim and Katie Kastner

Katie picks me up and head to her house.   We get to chat (Tim and Katie are expecting a baby), hang out, and eat dinner before I need to catch the train so I can meet up with more friends for a 2nd dinner and chat fest.


While on the train, I get a text message at 6:20 asking if I am running late.  I respond to Yoojung with no I'm will be there at 7.  I was excited since everything was on schedule and there had been no hiccups.

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Yoojung then replies with, we started at 6pm.   NO!!!   Well I got there at 6:55 and ate more food and explained again how completely normal yet weird my current life is.

After hanging out for a few hours with the girls, I went back to Megan's and spent a few more hours catching up and talking about everything and nothing.  I really miss those late night chats.

Megan also let me know she does have a to work a bit tomorrow so I'm thinking I'll go shopping.

Night....