Do you know your neighbors?

When I lived in Chicago, I rarely interacted with my neighbors. In the Lake Shore Drive highrise, I would see people on my floor only once a week! Sometimes, I would ride the elevator down with my across the hall neighbor. However we would speak few words if any and just stare straight ahead on the seemingly long ride down. When I moved to the courtyard building in Wrigleyville, again I rarely saw my neighbors. When I did, it was just the quick hello and nod.


Fast Forward to condo in Florida. A few weeks after moving in, our neighbor came over to introduce himself. He came bearing a bottle of champagne to boot. It was so friendly and so unexpected. I had some baked goodies that I had made with my bf's mom. I assembled a little plate and sent the bf to bring them over the next day.


Last weekend, I got the urge to baked Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting. Being the Semi-Homemade girl that I am, I used boxed Red Velvet Cake mix (Duncan Hines). However I made the cream cheese frosting from scratch -- an activity that ended up being fun! Of course I make way too many cupcakes. I decided to bring some over to our new neighbor that moved in. We weren't sure exactly when she moved in, but we did notice she would always park in my bf's beloved parking space. :) Anyway, I packed up 2 cupcakes and hopped over to her door. I thought I would just drop off, say a few words and leave. I ended up chatting with her for like 15 minutes. She lives there with her husband. She's very friendly and was floored that I brought her cupcakes as a "welcome to the neighborhood" present.


I headed back to our place. I wasn't there more than 10 minutes before we got a knock at our door. It was said friendly neighbor who gushed about my cupcakes--especially the frosting. It was boost to my day! The next night, the BF's friend is in town and we had just finished dinner. BF was being the good BF he is by taking out the trash. He ran into said neighbor and next thing you know, they are coming up the stairs to get more cupcakes! Evidentally she told him how much she and her hubby liked them so BF invited her up to get more. Thank goodness because I was about to eat them all myself :)


For the few blogging friends I have, here is a picture of the cupcakes!

In honor of Valentine's Day..

I work from home so I decided I would play my favorite cheesy romantic comedies on our kick butt tv in honor of Valentine's Day.

I'm starting with Never Been Kissed (Swooning for Michael Vartan).






Then moving to Win A Date With Tad Hamilton (Swooning for Topher Grace).






I think I'll end with The Wedding Planner (Swooning for Matthew McConaughey).





Then the BF will be coming home to cook me dinner. YUM!

Super Bowl Snacks

We're having friends over for Superbowl. Like good hosts, we will have plenty of food and drink available. We're serving the following...

- Chicago Style Hot Dogs (please, no ketchup)
- Filipino Eggrolls (Lumpia) with Sweet Chili Sauce for dipping
- Ranch & Bacon Pasta Salad
- Egg Salad Sandwiches - originally was going to be Deviled Eggs but when I peeled the eggs, I messed up a couple of them :(
- Fried Chicken Wings with Blue Cheese dressing, celery and carrots
- Honey Dijon Kettle Chips
- Yellow Cake cupcakes with chocolate frosting
- Beer. More beer.

We always have too much food when people come over but I'd rather that then to run out.

They were talking about Super Bowl Parties this week on Good Morning America. They said that the average American consumes 1,200 calories during Super Bowl. Yah I can safely say we are hitting that but hey, this is the one time of year where I can serve so many bad food together.

Also can you believe the NFL was not allowing the church to throw a Super Bowl Party? Seriously like the NFL doesn't already make enough money. I know they are worried about viewership going down with the rise in Super Bowl Parties, but isn't this only if Nielsen families aren't watching the game?

Happy Super Bowl Sunday!

En fuego

The weather in Florida is supposed to drop into the 20's tonight. In honor of the cold weather, we lit our first fire in the fireplace! Yay. I wish I had marshmallows though..

All it takes is one bad apple...

One of my best friends and I went to see the touring Broadway show Sweet Charity. The touring cast has Molly Ringwald as the lead. She did a pretty decent job and was cute as a button. However there was a show competing with Sweet Charity. A Show in the back of the theater specifically. An extremely belligerent woman was screaming throughout the first half of the performance. It would be one thing if she screamed while people were clapping. Oh no. She was screaming during the performance--repeating lines being said by the characters. Both my friend and I went to get the usher. Eventually police came and escorted her out of there. Her friends were mortified to say the least.


Aside from the "heckler", we had a great time. People watching is always one of the best parts of going out around here. The weather is a tad chilly here in Florida right now. I was amazed to see the large number of women who wore fur coats! It was chilly but certainly not fur wearing weather. Plus, WHY would you even own fur in the South?

Slugfest in the Midwest....

The Colts came back from an 18 point deficit to defeat Tom Brady and the "Legendary" New England Patriots. Peyton and his boys have a ticket to Miami and the Super Bowl in two weeks! And against the Bears --- what a game that will be. Against all the naysayers (even I'm guilty of this), the Bears will get a chance to do their Super Bowl Shuffle again.


In honor of Da Bears making it to the Big Game, we will be dining on Chicago Style Hot Dogs. I ordered the neon green relish, mustard, sport peppers and celery salt from Vienna Beef. All we need are the dogs, poppyseed buns, onions, tomatoes and dill pickles. If you have never dined on a Chicago Style Hot Dog, Wiki has a little write up here.

I'll post pictures of our Chicago dogs after the game!

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

I wonder if there is a max out in the number of changes you can have in a short period of time. In the past 6 weeks, I have...

1) Moved to Florida
2) Started working from home
3) Went from long distance dating to in person/cohabitation
4) Flipped my social calendar (from going out queen to slight homebody)
5) Switched from PC to MAC

It's no wonder I'm a little pooped!

It's been a while!

The Holidays are over and my somewhat normal schedule is slowly reappearing. The theme of my holiday was cooking and entertaining.

We held two holiday dinners at our humble abode. The first one was on Christmas Eve. I had my first sit-down, somewhat formal dinner. I'm talking china... tablecloths + coordinating fabric placemats and napkins. Our families came over for dinner and it was a success! I was smart and accepted any help that was offered. I only had to cook/glaze the ham and make the green bean casserole. All the other goodies were brought. The table loked beautiful too! I even had a holiday centerpiece. My motif was a rich dark wintery blue and silver. Yes. I'm a dork!

The second party was much easier. NYE with a few friends, heavy appetizers and lots of beer. I rocked Paula Deen's curry chicken salad recipe. I also had some devlied eggs (duh-- we are in the South), lumpia (Filipino Eggrolls), a winter salad with walnuts, gorgonzola and cranberries complete with a from scratch dressing, chips and salsa and brownie cupcakes.

We got our first tree compliments of my dad and trimmed with a mix of donated and personal ornaments. I even had a mantle to decorate. :)

Hope your holidays were wonderful!

Ugh

I've been waiting to hear back from this local university about a position. I had made the top 5 and thought I had a pretty good chance to get the position. I hadn't heard anything--and I know that in Recruiting--silence is deafening. Anyway, since I am also an alum of the school, I receive monthly newsletters from the College. I check my email today and lo and behold, another newsletter. I start reading it and see there is a story about the position I interviewed for. No surprise that there was an interview with the person who would be running ths center, aka the person who got the job over me. I'm pretty bummed. I mean, luckily I have my current job still and I have other employment options. HOwever I'm disappointed that I didn't even get a call saying thanks, but no thanks. Or a letter. I mean--SOMETHING.

The person who got the position is very qualified and actually already works for the university. So c'est la vie I suppose.

I'm gonna pout a little more then just let it go...

An almost two years in review

I lived in Chicago for almost 2 years. Here are some pics I took while I lived there...

My office building is in this pic. Guess which one!


I loved living in Wrigleyville!


Oh, eL, how I loved and hated you.



I'm working on getting many more uploaded here!

Back in 'Hood

I'm back in Florida and it has just been wonderful. I'm keeping pretty busy with work as my employer has requested that I work remotely a little longer in order to transition my responsibilities. This works out great for me since I'm still making money! I've been interviewing for jobs and am anxiously awaiting the feedback on one of them. The place I interviewed with (a local University) is notoriously slow when it comes to making decisions, but I hope I will hear back soon!

Being near my boyfriend and my family has been wonderful!! I'm also reconnecting with old friends, which is always a blast. The weather has been awesome--it didn't take long to defrost!

I miss my friends in Chicago but honestly I can say I'm not missing Chicago itself very much ;-)

Leaving on a jet plane

So at 7ish tomorrow morning, I'll be on a one-way flight back to Florida. My last few weeks in
Chicago have been a whirlwind. Lots of going away dinners, a kick butt going away party, a 2nd places finish for my last night of pub quiz, one last night for quarter beers. While I will miss the fun times that I have had in Chicago, I'm really looking forward to being home. It's been too long away from my family, my boyfriend and the sun.

Since this blog is primarily my experience being a southern chick in Chicago, I'm at a lost of what to write about now that I'm moving home. But I'm sure I'll think of something!

Talk soon my friends :)

Soul Singing Santa

I was at the Thompson Center today, at the post office. On my way back to work, I decided to pick up some tasty Pumpkin Soup at Au Bon Pain. While waiting to cross the street, I saw the Soul Singing Santa. It's a guy dressed as Santa who sings soul music, like Al Green and Lou Rawls. He has a little sound system with his backup music. Now I love this music! It always puts me in a great mood. And Soul Singing Santa actually has a great voice too! So I gave him a buck. I normally don't tip street performers (except the Puppet Bike), but I had to make an exception for this guy!

Planes, Trains and Automobiles

When I mention a train in my postings, I'm usually referring to the CTA. However I do enjoy riding the Metra which is the commuter rail to the suburbs and beyond. I went out to Oswego yesterday to see my former boss' home and have dinner at one of my favorite chain restaurants, Outback. Since I was born and bred in the suburbs of America, Outback is a very comforting place for me to be.

Anyway, back to the Metra. I boarded at Union Station, which is a few blocks away from Sears Tower. It takes a little over an hour to make the trip. The Metra is enjoyable for me because it is usually quiet, always cleaner than the eL could ever be, and the seats are cushy. I ike seeing all the "villages" that we pass along the way. It's just very relaxing.

Post dinner, I got to partake in ice cream from a local institution, Oberwies Dairy. The ice cream there is really amazing. While we can get the milk in the grocery stores, we don't have the ice cream shop in the city.

So after my enjoyable and relaxing day, I board the Metra with a full belly to head back to the city.

I'm going home to Florida for Thanksgiving. I missed last year and while I had fun with friends, there is nothing like being home.

Strange things about me

This is for my blogging friend Andie...

TAGGED!

Ive been tagged!
The first player of this "game" starts with the topic "seven weird habits/things about me" and people who get tagged need to write a blog about their seven weird habits/things as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose the next six people to be tagged and list their names. Don't forget to leave a comment that says, "You are tagged"

1. I am slightly obsessed with stupid MTV programming like "Parental Control" , "Date My Mom", and "My Super Sweet Sixteen". I once made my boyfriend watch 4 episodes straight of "Parental Control" and "Date My Mom"

2. I get sick everytime I drink red wine. I always end up puking. I'm a wimp.

3. I can always fall asleep when on a plane. Typically I'll fall asleep right as the plane is taking off. Maybe this is more due to the fact that I like flying in the early morning (less chances for delays).

4. I love sweet potatoes, but not in the way that people are used to eating them (with brown sugar and marshamallows). I like to eat them baked in olive oil, garlic powder, black pepper and rosemary.

5. I'm rockin a big TV crush on John Krasinski from the Office. Could he be any cuter??

6. I used to walk dogs and pet sit to make money while I was in college (aside from waiting tables). My dog clientele ranged from Irish setters to standard poodles!

7. I harbor a not so secret love for the 70's pop duo The Carpenters. Blame my parents. But how could you not love Karen's voice??

Hmm, who to tag? Oh! My friend who writes Musings from the Windy City!

Lift your pinkys!

One of my best friends, PreppyGirl, has said that every woman should experience formal afternoon tea at least once in their life. In an earlier post, I listed "Tea at the Drake Hotel" as one of my Chicago "Things to Do". I was able to check off this item as PreppyGirl and I, along with four of our girlfriends had a 3pm seating for tea at the Drake. We all dressed for the occasion, with the majority of us in skirts and sweaters. While waiting to be sat, we enjoyed the fabulous people watching opportunity. We marveled at our beautiful and elegant table setting, which included this contraption:


Since the majority of us had never had loose leaf tea before, it was a first to use a tea strainer!

Afternoon Tea at the Drake Hotel is held in the Palm Court Room. For $26.50, you receive your choice of tea and four types of tea sandwiches including:

• Roast Beef
• Cucumber and Tomato
• Egg Salad
• Asparagus and Ham (looks like a sushi roll!)

In addition, you receive fruit bread, scones, devonshire cream, and preserves. After all of that, you get a wonderful selection of petit fours.

We all tried different flavors of tea. I selected the Ginger Peach tea, which was wonderfully fragrant. I wish I had a candle that smelled like that! I tasted some of the other teas ordered by my friends, including Wild Blackberries. The sandwiches were really tasty, with favorites being the Roast Beef and Asparagus/Ham. Our waiter even brought us an extra plate of sandwiches after we devoured the first batch. The petit fours were excellent as well.

It was a lovely way to spend the afternoon. We spent two hours giggling about the tea experience and just having really good and funny conversation. I was really happy to be able to share this experience with these great girls!

Countdown to Sunshine

The apartment is on its way to being subletted (in the tenant application phase), I've scheduled movers, and I'm transitioning my work duties to someone else on my team. The countdown is on!

I suppose I could get sentimental about the city of Chicago during this post, but I've decided to concentrate on the lighter side of things.

Today's focus : The Drinking Glove

Say What?

The drinking glove is a necessity in Chicago when the temperature dips below 50. This is half the year. With the barrage of pub crawls that occur in the fall months, it is a necessity to have a drinking glove to wear on your hand to hold your beverage of choice. Also, think of all the tailgating that is done up in the Midwest. You need the drinking glove or your hand will be so numb that you won't be able to hold a beer. Best use of a drinking glove was during the Southside Irish Parade. You would see people not wearing jackets or scraves, but lo and behold, the drinking glove will be ever present. It's the one item you don't lose no matter how drunk you get.

Da Bears are Da Best?

So the Chicago Bears have had a perfect season. They have had more than their share of shutouts. However I really don't think that the Bears' perfect record is that impressive. Okay, hold on to that tomato for just a second. I like the Bears. I really do. I've been watching Rex Grossman since his days at UF. They are a good team. But Super Bowl bound great? Hmm..not so sure.

Why would I make such a statement against the beloved Chicago Bears? This is the primary reason. They are in a weak division. Let's look back at who they have played so far:

• Green Pay Packers (Final Score 26-0; Packers current record: 3-4)

• Detroit Lions (Final Score 34-7; Lions current record: 1-6)

• Minnesota Vikings (Final Score 19-16; Vikings current record: 4-3)

• Seattle Seahawks - after Shaun Alexander was out (Final Score 37-6; Seahawks current record: 4-3)

• Buffalo Bills (Final Score 40-7; Bills current record: 2-5)

• Arizona Cardinals (Final Score 24-23; Cardinals current record: 1-7)

• San Francisco 49ers (Final Score 41-10; 49ers current record: 2-5)

None of these teams are especially steller. In all honestly, the Bears are in the weakest division on the NFL (the NFC North). The Bears have been playing pretty sucky team so of course they have been winning. The Cardinals game was the DIRTIEST win ever. Grossman and those interceptions. Don't even get me started. They should NOT have won that game. The Bears play the Miami Dolphins (1-6) this Sunday and again, I'm sure they will kill them. But this easy schedule is the worst thing that could happen to the Bears. They have a tough couple of games coming to them after the Dolphins game, which include the NY Giants (oh Eli--I heart him) and the New England Patriots. I will happily change my outlook about Da Bears if they can win against these two strong teams. The undefeated record would actually be meaningful to me if it has been maintained come December.

Let's imagine that the Bears do make it to the playoffs. I would be very interested to see how they stack up against the following teams: Indianapolis Colts, Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints, and Baltimore Ravens.

A Bears/Colts playoff game? Bring it on!

eL Etiquette

While riding the Red Line into work today, I witnessed several eL etiquette atrocities. I saw several girls using their big Kate Spade/Coach/Louis Vuitton bags as weapons. The big bag is an essential in Chicago, as many of us don't have a car to use to schlep our stuff around. However, the big bag should never, and I repeat NEVER be used as a weapon. Many girls on the eL today used their bags to push against people as they manuevered their way into the car. Also many girls used their bags to establish their personal space zone. When you are packed like sardines in a car, there IS NO personal space. We are all just trying to make it into work without being too late. Could you just put your bag down or at least not use it to hurt someone?

I also saw a pregnant girl (at least 6 months) who had to stand because no one would give up their seat for her. I too was standing so I had no seat to give her. Everyone was concentrating a little too hard on listening to their iPods, reading their RedEye, or staring blankly into space. I even saw seated people look straight at her and not even flinch to give up their seat. I swear this happens on a weekly basis.

When we pulled into the Grand spot, there was a girl who shoved people out of her way to get out of the car. Mind you, these people were already in the process of moving for her and she just couldn't wait. Again, we know--you are late to work because the eL was delayed at Fullerton for like 10 minutes. But come on, the shoving isn't necessary.

So please..there is no need to shove or use fashionable accessories as weapons on the eL. And for goodness sakes, if you see a pregnant woman or an elderly person stading on the eL, give them your seat!

An Acclimated Chicagoan

As a southern transplant to Chicago, I always wondered when it would feel like I really lived here. Where I felt like it was a home (obviously can't be like my actual HOME in Florida, but you know what I mean). Here are some ways that I realized I had settled in here:

(1) I knew multiple ways to get from Point A to Point B on the CTA without consulting www.transitchicago.com. This is especially helpful if there is an accident on LSD or major delays on the train.

(2) I had developed an educated opinion about where to get the best deep dish in the city (Lou Malnati's of course).

(3) I could easily identify a Trixie or Chad by sight and name at least three bars where they can be found.

(4) I could shout my order quickly at Potbelly's.

(5) I got slightly irritated at suburbanites trying to figure out the turnstile at the eL station.

(6) I knew the difference between fans at the Cell vs. the Friendly Confines (i.e. US Cellular vs. Wrigley Field).

(7) I wasn't surprised to read about the Mob in the Trib.

(8) I memorized the Empire Carpet commercial *sings 588-2300 EMPIIIIIRE*

(9) I relate all my downtown directions to State and Madison.

(10) I could distinguish between 312, 773, 847, 708, and 630.

I wonder how long I'll retain this info when I move back to the FLA?

Any Chicagoans reading my blog? Add to the list!