Winter Wonderland

Christmas is almost here and I am all about embracing this winter wonderland. 

I had a $5 thrift store Christmas Secret Santa this week. Sounds amazing... I know!  We each had a secret Santa and the gifts had to be from a thrift store and you could not spend more than $5. It was fun and challenging. We all ended up with fabulous things... a furry canteen, a 98 Degrees CD, an Esmerelda Burger King toy, a tea pot, a Lost puzzle... lots of great stuff!  It was mostly fun to drink hot cider and chat and catch up with my friends. So much fun when we are together.  

 Drinking hot spiced cider and enjoying each others' company :o)

 A Canteen!

 Lauren just got married in October... one of her thrift store gifts was a 

"Best way to get pregnant naturally" book. Haha!

Esmerelda Toy

Ninja Turtles Game

Last night we went to Lincoln Park Zoo Lights in Chicago.  I was with 8 of my favorite people. They decorate the zoo with Christmas lights and some of the animal exhibits are open.  We got to see gorillas sleeping.  They sell hot cocoa and cider and popcorn. It is a winter wonderland.  Prior to the zoo we also ate at Revolution Brewery, which I highly recommend... and also insist that you order the Mustard Chicken Sandwich (Grilled chicken, spicy mustard, garlic aoli, fontina cheese, red onion, and arugla... DELICIOUS) and order the Bottom Up Belgian Wit Beer (Refreshing Belgian-style wheat beer spiced with coriander and orange peel).

Revolution Brewery

Lincon Park Zoo Lights

Lincoln Park Zoo Lights

I LOVE giraffes

Live Ice Sculpting

Also... I booked a trip to Oregon.. along with four of my best friends in the world... to visit our two best friends who now live in Oregon (So the seven of us pictured above are going to be together in Oregon!!)  It is going to be insanely amazing.  We are going in February.  We were hanging out waiting for everyone to get off work last night and decided to see if the prices had dropped from last week and they were $100 less than they were 4 days ago. We jumped on it and now we are all going to Oregon!  So exciting.

********************************************************************************************************

My Fall & Winter To Do List!!!

• Bake cupcakes from scratch
• Go to Pops for Champagne (A champagne bar in Chicago)
• Take pictures at a park in my home town
• Apple picking
• Pumpkin picking and subsequent carving
• Sew my own Halloween costume
• See a Drive-in movie
• Knit a scarf
• Learn to crochet
• Make spiced cider
• Grow out my hair
• Spend less money
• Eat lots of food on Thanksgiving
• Shop at a thrift store
• See a musical or play
• Have a Christmas party with my girls
• Snowboarding
• Learn to ski
• Get straight A's
• Buy my friends' Christmas presents at a resale shop
• Bake a pie from scratch
• Celebrate New Years in style
• Go sledding
• Cuddle with Jay... or maybe my cat... under a blanket 
• Visit my friends in Oregon <<< FEBRUARY 18-25!!

spiced cider and a couch.

 

Last night... I sat on a couch, with my friend Ashley M, ate warm chocolate chip cookies, and drank homemade spiced cider... all while we watched Glee!  The perfect mid-week, holiday season night.  I just put apple cider in a pot and threw in some brown sugar, all spice, cinnamon, and cloves and heated it on medium until it all tasted yummy and warm.  Truly delicious.

Exciting things are happening this month!!!

• Only two exams stand between me and the end of my 2nd quarter of grad school
• Tonight I am going out to dinner in Chicago with two of my bestest friends, Laura and Lisa. We are going to try a new restaurant that none of us have tried.
• Saturday I am making a drop-off donation at my local food pantry. Every little bit helps.
• December 17 a friend's band is playing at the Cubby Bear in Wrigleyville (home of the Chicago Cubs)
• December 18 is my work Christmas breakfast and gift exchange
• The week before Christmas is when all my out of state friends come back home
• December 20 is my thrift store Christmas party with my best friends. (We are doing a secret santa - but everyone can only spend $5 at the thrift store)
• December 21 going to see the zoo lights at Lincoln Park Zoo

So many exciting things happening between now and Christmas time! I love the holidays!

 

________________________________________________________________________

My Fall & Winter To Do List!!!

• Bake cupcakes from scratch
• Go to Pops for Champagne (A champagne bar in Chicago)
• Take pictures at a park in my home town
• Apple picking
• Pumpkin picking and subsequent carving
• Sew my own Halloween costume
• See a Drive-in movie
• Knit a scarf
• Learn to crochet
• Make spiced cider
• Grow out my hair
• Spend less money
• Eat lots of food on Thanksgiving
• Shop at a thrift store
• See a musical or play
• Have a Christmas party with my girls
• Snowboarding
• Learn to ski
• Get straight A's
• Buy my friends' Christmas presents at a resale shop
• Bake a pie from scratch
• Celebrate New Years in style
• Go sledding
• Cuddle with Jay... or maybe my cat... under a blanket 
• Visit my friends in Oregon

big house

So... I don't know if I have every really pointed out that I live at home with my parents right now.  With my current situation, living at home was the most logical decision...

• My work is close to my parents' house
• I am paying for graduate school out of pocket
• I cannot live with my boyfriend since he lives too far away
• I have no idea where I will be in a couple years after I graduate so, I cannot buy a house.
• Renting an apartment would be a waste of money if I can live at home for free and pay for grad school out of pocket
• I will have no debt once I graduate and will be able to afford a nicer house when I do buy one.

While I love my parents dearly and appreciate all that they do for me, living at home is just what you imagine it to be.  I mean, yes my mom will do my laundry and cook for me, but she also will call me if I don't come home by a certain time just to check that I am still alive... she will also 20-question me about everything, just because she is curious about my life.  I also cannot just sit around and do nothing for a day, because I feel guilty that I am being lazy when she is up and about working and cooking and cleaning... etc etc etc.  

This week... my parents are on a cruise with some of their friends and it has really hit me hard that I really don't like living alone, even if the alternative is living with my parents.  I constantly keep the TV on, because I like the background noise of voices talking.  I am calling Jay every minute because I want someone to talk to. I sleep on the couch downstairs, because when I am in my bed upstairs, I hear the creaking of my house and think someone is robbing it downstairs.  I have been eating out a lot, because making meals for only one person is never fun and I won't eat the left overs.  

I never realized how much I truly enjoy being surrounded by people. 

Another realization I have made this week is that I really like to entertain.  I had people over last weekend in celebration of having a big house to myself.  Just several of my friends gathered for food, laughs, and games.  I had fun going out and shopping for appetizers. I enjoyed writing the text messages to invite everyone over.  I liked making sure everyone was having fun. We had some beers/wine/cocktails and played good old fashioned pictionary.  It was a great time.  I really look forward to buying a house and hosting.  Jay and I have talked about how we think we will be great hosts since I love setting up parties and planning the music, activities, and food, while Jay is really great at cooking.  Hopefully the future comes sooner than I think it will.

 fun with food

 gathered around the table

 good ol' fashioned pictionary

 laughing it up

 plenty of beers consumed

 centerpiece and snack!

it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!! :)

I will leave you with a quote from the show Scrubs (one of my favs)...

"I don't think poeple are meant to be alone, 

that's why if you find someone you actually care about, 

it's important to let go of the little things" 

...the wise words of Dr. John Dorian.

Turkey Balls.

The day before Thanksgiving, a small pub in Huntley, IL throws a big party to celebrate the consuming of turkey testicles!  The Turkey Testicle Festival.  I was finally able to attend this year and boy was it everything I imagined it to be.  Deep fried turkey balls, live music, lots of dancing, plenty of laughs, great friends, and fun times.  

 

 

 My friend, Justin, trying his first turkey testicle. Yum.

 

 

 As happy as my face looks here... they were super gross.

 At first, they seem like a chicken nugget.  Then after three or four... you get sick to your stomach. Gross.

 We had a fun time dancing... to Hurts So Good by John Mellecamp.

Bob and Dan Photos

If you haven't listened to Episode 59 of Bob and Dan Cast, you should. Also, if you listen closely, there are times when you can hear my camera shutter snapping photos in the background.  The results...

 bob

dan

That's how strong my love is.

One of the sexiest singers ever.
Otis Redding.

This song is a beautiful favorite.

Listen and enjoy and just feel good listening to it.

(This is the first song on "Jay's Cd for Rachelle Disc 2")

Being thankful, yet wishing for more

Although I mostly associate Thanksgiving week with binging on food and shopping for deals, I do like to remind myself that this is supposed to be a week to reflect on things to be thankful for. 

I am thankful for...

• My gigantic family - there is always someone around, makes you feel like you always have someone to support you.
• My old friends - most of my bestest friends are from grade school/middle school/high school. I love them so much. We have grown to be such different people, but its like we are family now, we accept each other along with all the craziness that follows.
• My new friends - it is hard for me to make new friends since my old friends are so great and I feel like most people do not live up to their standard, but that just means the few new great friends I have made since high school are just that fantastic.
• Jay - He keeps me steady when I get flustered. He makes me laugh when I want to scream. He is so very kind. I love him.
• Being financially stable -  right now my financial situation is not too much of a worry for me, which I am so very thankful for, since I know so many families out there are sadly struggling.
• My happiness - I have become recently aware of how unhappy some people truly are. It boggles my mind that some people are generally unhappy or dissatisfied with life. I am thankful that I am not one of those people, I strive to find light in even the darkest moments.  I have only a handful of unhappy days a year and I smile more often than not.  When I am stressed, I do throw a fit, but end up just laughing at myself later at how ridiculous I was.  It is just takes too much of my energy for me to be unhappy.

Even though I am very thankful for the life I have been blessed with... I still do wish for some things.  Christmas is coming and like every child (at heart) at Christmas... I have a wish list for all the Santas out there that want to brighten my holiday with gifts! (That means you!)

A keyboard so I can re-learn to play the piano.

This bag from Urban Outfitters

T-Mobile's new G2 Phone

The board game Quarto!

So much fun... and it makes the rusty wheels in your head turn!

Knee high argyle socks

This Aero Bed Airmattress.

My family used to have one when they first came out, but after 7 years of constant use, it finally crapped out. 

I spend a lot of time visiting people and I want one of these again.

An eternity scarf.

It is one big loop.

Someone to bake me white chocolate macadamia nut cookies. My favorite.

A trip to Spain.

Hey, a girl can dream!

Bob and Dan Cast

So my fifteen minutes of fame have been used up this past week.  My friends have a weekly podcast that they put out into the world. They are two funny guys who discuss television, movies, current events, video games, and just shoot the shit.  This week they asked me to be on the show. 

So. Much. Fun. 

I was super nervous, because they are witty, smart, and funny. I was not sure I could keep up. After actually listening to the show, I think I held my own! Phew!  

Take a listen and enjoy!

BOB AND DAN CAST: A podcast made especially for you.

I appear on Episode 59: Funny Shui

Slacker is me.

So... it is 1am... and I was supposed to work tonight, but our census was low, so I told them I would stay home if they didn't need me.  They didn't.  So here I am.. with a ton of  homework ahead of me.  And what am I doing instead of using the extra time to get ahead of the game? I am taking an awkward picture of myself on my webcam for all of you to see.  This is me... lying in my bed... snuggling up with my sweater... about to watch shows on Netflix.

I always do this. I wait until the last minute to do a homework assignment and then even if I find that I am given extra time... I end up catching up on the latest episodes of Dexter and Cougar Town instead of writing my Scientific Basis for Clinical Reasoning Paper. I suck.

I just work better under pressure. When I know the deadline is rapidly approaching, I can sit down, focus, and type twice as fast.  

So, I guess I will just take this time for rest and relaxation so I can wake up early and head to the library with laptop and headphones in my backpack.  

At least I am true to myself and am self aware of my flaws, right?

WAYYY more importantly than me being lazy... the new HARRY POTTER MOVIE!! Ahhhh!

I loved it.

Too bad I saw it with Jay who fell asleep and snored a little through the movie (I was mortified). Although I totally love him for coming with me, because no one else could see it on opening day with me. I was about to go alone.  I refused to see it at midnight, because packed theaters make me claustrophobic. I feel like I am breathing everyone in the theaters breath. Gross. Not to mention the lines and the stuffiness and the constant chatter and obnoxious, smelly people. No thanks. So we saw it opening day while everyone else was at work and the kiddies were at school. It was glorious.  If you are reading this and you haven't seen it yet... we aren't friends. So, redeem yourself and go.

That's all folks.

thinning the closet.

My parents are visiting our family in the Philippines early next year. I don't know if I have ever talked about my mother's family before, but she is one of nine children and her entire family still lives in the Philippines. It is insane to me that my mother was once a different person than she is today... that she was once young and single... with no children... probably a lot more of a free spirit than she is today... with her current life of schedules, bills, cooking, cleaning, working... so weird.

Anyway, about every three to five years our family goes to the Philippines for a month.  This is the first year our parents are going without us.  Every time we go, we get rid of a bunch of our old things and give them away.  Our family isn't completely poor, but they do appreciate free American clothing.  So, I am currently going through my closet and trying to purge myself of pieces that are crowding my space.  It is a lot more difficult than I always think it will be...

I see an item. 

I decide I do not like it anymore.

I remember the fun memories I had wearing that item.

I throw it in a box.

I walk away...

     ... I come back.

I remember another memory I had wearing that item.

I think of another item that would better this item when worn together.

I think... "yay, new outfit!"

I put said item back into closet.

I am back at square one.

Damnit.

... slowly but surely my closet is becoming less crowded. It's really not a fun game though. I guess I just need to remember eventually I will refill the holes with new things until the next time my family goes across the sea.

In other news... my favorite cousin had a birthday this week.  Last weekend my friends and I took her out in Chicago. She is a Milwaukee resident now, so the big city of Chicago is unfamiliar to her.  We showed her a great time.  

 she's the one in the middle. the short one. :)

My other cousin's little baby boy was baptised this weekend.  He is such a little nugget.

Advice from a wise wizard

The world isn't split into good people and death eaters.

We've all got both light and dark inside of us.

What matters is the part we choose to act on.

That's who we really are.

-Sirius.

... omfg. HP 7!

I just...

Ahh! I haven't blogged in awhile.

 [rockin' my shades]

I need sleep (just got home from a 12 hr shift.. and a meeting after my shift)... so all I have to tell you is that I just...

... ate 7 pieces of Halloween Candy at 9:20am. Gross. I promise to brush my teeth though, don't you worry your pretty little head... this gal is getting no cavities!

... put on a really old Old Navy long-sleeve. So comfortable.

... went to Walmart at 8:45am and found out that the pharmacy opens at 9am... not 8am. I am too impatient to wait 15 minutes.

... can't fall asleep because I am excited for the weekend. Maricel, my favorite cousin, is growing another year older next week, so me and my friends are taking her out on the town... Chi-town that is.  Then Sunday is one of our cousin's baby's baptism. Family and good food on a Sunday? Yes please!

[took Jay out for some celebratory (yay he passed his prelim) beers]

[Hello, my name is Luhfawnduh]

A CORNy Halloween!

My Fall & Winter To Do List!!!

• Bake cupcakes from scratch
• Go to Pops for Champagne (A champagne bar in Chicago)
• Take pictures at a park in my home town
• Apple picking
• Pumpkin picking and subsequent carving
• Sew my own Halloween costume
• See a Drive-in movie
• Knit a scarf
• Learn to crochet
• Make spiced cider
• Grow out my hair
• Spend less money
• Eat lots of food on Thanksgiving
• Shop at a thrift store
• See a musical or play
• Have a Christmas party with my girls
• Snowboarding
• Learn to ski
• Get straight A's
• Buy my friends' Christmas presents at a resale shop
• Bake a pie from scratch
• Celebrate New Years in style
• Go sledding
• Cuddle with Jay... or maybe my cat... under a blanket 
• Visit my friends in Oregon

 **********************************************************************

Here it is!! My Halloween Costume!!!

EAR OF CORN!!!

I hope everyone had a fun and safe Halloween! I spent it with some of my greatest friends at our friend's house party in Chicago. It was nice and chill and fun. We went out to the bars for a little bit afterward, which was fun just to see other costumes.  A great Halloween spent with fantastic people.

Champaign - Urbana

Coming back to a town you once lived in is really eye opening. 

I lived in this town for four years. 

It has been three years since I lived here.

The life I lived here seems so far away, so long ago.

I was a different person back then.

The buildings all look the same, so classic, so old.

I drove around town with a huge smile on my face.

The trees paint the town orange.

Some of my favorite eateries are still thriving.

I have plans to walk around and pretend I am a resident again.

I want to blend in as a secret outsider.

Billy [Sub Par] Elliot

Crossed another off the list!

My Fall & Winter To Do List!!!

• Bake cupcakes from scratch
• Go to Pops for Champagne (A champagne bar in Chicago)
• Take pictures at a park in my home town
• Apple picking
• Pumpkin picking and subsequent carving
• Sew my own Halloween costume
• See a Drive-in movie
• Knit a scarf
• Learn to crochet
• Make spiced cider
• Grow out my hair
• Spend less money
• Eat lots of food on Thanksgiving
• Shop at a thrift store
• See a musical or play
• Have a Christmas party with my girls
• Snowboarding
• Learn to ski
• Get straight A's
• Buy my friends' Christmas presents at a resale shop
• Bake a pie from scratch
• Celebrate New Years in style
• Go sledding
• Cuddle with Jay... or maybe my cat... under a blanket 
• Visit my friends in Oregon

My family celebrated my mom's birthday last Thursday. Her real birthday was Saturday, but in a family of two nurses, a senior in college, and a medical technologist, it is super difficult to get the same day off.  So, miraculously we all got Thursday off and spent the evening downtown.  

We ate dinner at Grand Lux Cafe. It is a nice place to eat with reasonable prices.   Since it is a sister to The Cheesecake Factory... you know its delicious.  My mother loves this place, so we go there whenever she goes into the city.

[My dad and mom @ Grand Lux Cafe]

After our feast (which included two of Grand Lux's famous desserts), we hailed a cab to the Oriental (Ford) theater for my birthday present for my mom... Billy Elliot.  (You can see my review of the show below). The theater is gorgeous. During intermission I just sat in my seat and stared at all the details of the ceiling. Obviously, you are not allowed to take any pictures, so I have none to show you, but I bet the pictures would not do it justice anyway.  

[My brother, dad, and mom after the show]

 [We should SO try out to be Billy Elliot dancers]

 [After the show]

Overall, the night was great.  My mom really had fun.  After the show, we stopped at Starbucks, grabbed some warm drinks and walked back about 8 blocks to our car, enjoying the downtown area, nice and quiet on a Thursday night.

 [On the walk home]

 [haha]

My review: My family has seen our share of shows: Lion King, Wicked, Jersey Boys, Million Dollar Quartet, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat... to name a few off the top of my head. So, Billy Elliot was just okay to me. I was REALLY excited for the show and had really high expectations. I was kind of let down.  Overall, I enjoyed myself, but it just didn't totally hit the spot for me.  The whole story is set in the UK during the mid 80's when the miners went on strike and amidst all the chaos and commotion, this little 11 year old boy wants to become a ballet dancer.  The accents were SO distracting, they almost sounded Scottish to me.  I couldn't understand about 25% of what they were saying.  Also, the singing was only okay, none of the singers were really THAT amazing.  When people can really sing, I tear up. During Wicked, I got teary eyed. During Lion King, I was teary eyed half the time because not only was the singing great, the show is just beautiful.  Billy Elliot singers did not really hit me on that level.  Then, the dancing was only okay as well.  You could tell the dancers were really really talented, but the overall organization of the dancing was only okay.  Lastly, I felt each dance number did not really tie in with each other. It was like different people choreographed each dance without talking to each other.  I am not claiming that I am any expert, but just my thoughts.