Chi-Town, Day One

Day one in Chicago was a good one. Our visas were approved in a relatively painless process, we had an uneventful flight, wandered around all afternoon/night, and tried deep dish pizza!

Here's M's new home for the next month. Christmas decorations are out in full force.

He's being put up in a short term rental unit at a hotel. It's basically a standard hotel room with a kitchenette. It may have been decorated in the '80s and it may have been built for hobbits, but it'll do!
Things I've already noticed about Chicago:
1) People are really friendly. Like small town friendly.
2) It's like Toronto but bigger.
3) It's like New York but smaller.
4) People are sloooowwwwww here. I walk like I'm on a mission because that's the Toronto way. Apparently people here are not in a rush everywhere they go?

Tomorrow I'll show you pictures from our pizza eating. You'll all want some and decide you must come visit Chicago so we can take you out for some!

Na na na na na na na, Goodbye

Oh noes. I tried to blog at 2am last night but they my computer died so I gave up. We're leaving for the airport now so here are some pics from M's going away party last night.

Reunited and it Feels So Good

Big D's girlfriend from Korea is coming to live in Toronto! I'm mucho excited for them because I know how much long distance relationships suck :)

So, carrying on with the Korean theme, tonight I....

1) Made bacon. Not that this is really a Korean thing to do - it just reminded me of when we did table cooking at a Korean restaurant and ate three layer pork and it was so good. Bacon really is disgusting yet delicious. I cannot handle the grease. It grosses me right out.

2) Ate Squid
Big D often gets treats sent to him from Korea and he shared with us some squid that was roasted on the hot stone. Hmmm... it was fishy. And that's all I'll say about that. Perhaps eating it at 11:30pm was not the best idea? I will have to give it another try.

3. Took Pictures of Beef Jerky we ate a long time ago.
This is another treat Big D shared with us. It was thick and meaty. Just like you might think beef jerky would be! The little candy is supposedly the flavour of burnt rice, but it tastes like popcorn!

I like trying new things. Bring it on.

Is it December Yet?

Is it December yet? Blogging everyday has become annoying. Writing becomes a chore, which I dislike. Come on, nothing interesting happens on Wednesdays. I can't give up now, though - only 5 more days to go!

I took a picture from my chair since I was too lazy to get up :)

Here's what going down tonight...

Packing! M was working up a sweat while I observed and encouraged. When you're moving to a different country, what do you bring?

Going Away Festivities

This week is busy busy. M is trying to get all packed and ready for Chicago. Wait, who am I kidding.. I am trying to get M all packed and ready for Chicago. Sometimes he needs a little motivation. For example, he's had a pile of shirts to be dry cleaned for at least 6 months now. He talked about bringing them in on Monday. That didn't happen. Now it's too late so he'll be packing dirty shirts. Don't even get me started on the towel rack he broke two years ago and hasn't gotten around to fixing. MEN. End of rant.

Anyway. I'm throwing M a going away party and I'm trying to decide what kind of food to make for our guests.

The plan so far:

1) Taco Dip/Nachos (a must)
2) Bacon wrapped water chestnuts (serious yum)
3) Pumpernickel and spinach dip (it's not a party without this)
4) Apple caramel cream cheese dip (heck yeah)

And what else? Gimme some ideas! What's your favourite party food?

It's a Dangerous Game

M and I play on a floor hockey team and tonight's game was rough! I fell and slid across the floor like Superwoman and M did a leap that ended with a few rolls. It was pretty impressive. I got slashed so hard that my hand started bleeding. Ahhh, all in the name of a good game - in a league that is supposed to be non-competitive. Is there such a thing?

Seriously though, floor hockey can be dangerous! I was slashed about 7 weeks ago in the ankle and although the massive bruise is gone, the bump is still the same. M told me tonight that it could take a year or more to go away! Is this true? Every week I leave with ball shaped bruises all over my body. People at work think I'm being beaten.

Oh well, it is a lot of fun and a great workout! Talk about doing a million lunges!

Merry Early Christmas!

This weekend we celebrated an early Christmas with M's family. The whole shebang - tree, presents, family time, and food!

We made out like bandits! A Bodum french press, tv on dvd, a Chicago travel book, hot chocolate mix with mugs, moolah, and tons of other goodies. Thanks you, thank you, thank you!

Wrapping gifts for this weekend got me into the festive mood. I'm going to have to pull out the tree and Christmas CDs tomorrow! When is it too early to start decorating? I hate going into stores on November 1st and seeing the Halloween stuff gone, just to be replaced with Christmas decorations. That's a little much.

When, if you celebrate Christmas, are you putting up your tree?