Back in Chicago

I flew back to Chicago this week. Because school doesn't start until Monday I got to take a little time to explore Chicago since I don't have very much time when I am actually in school. Lori, my roommate, had some friends visiting from Dallas, so we all explored Chicago together. We went on a Chicago architecture tour, up the Sears Tower, to the Chicago Art Institute, and to Chinatown and Greektown, and to see Lake Michigan. Lori's friends were really fun to spend time with, especially Alexia's nine-year-old son, Ethan. We spent two days going all over. I won't have another chance like this until after I finish my program in June.




Standing in the Sears Tower sky deck observatory 1,000 feet looking down. The view would be better if it weren't so cloudy. Oh well.






Chicago Chinatown






Lake Michigan and The Chicago skyline just a few blocks away from my apartment.

We also had a New Year's Eve Party here at our apartment. It ended up being up the party for all YSAs in the entire Chicagoland area. We had probably 60 or 70 people in our apartment. We could see the fireworks from our rooftop patio, which added additional space which was helpful since we had so many people here. It was very successfully advertised. I think I knew maybe 15 people out of all the people that came. It was a fun evening anyway.


Setting up for the party


Glasses for our midnight Martinelli's toast.


A few of the people at the party. It got much more crowded.


Back view of Chicago


View of Chicago from the roof deck


Fireworks at midnight. Welcome 2011!


Ethan got to stay up to midnight, but he got a little bored with all the adults, so I set up my computer so he could watch Kung Fu Panda.

Today, after cleaning up some, I went to the Zoo Lights at Lincoln Park Zoo. It had been quite warm for the past few days, but today was bitterly cold. The lights were pretty, but I didn't stay outside very long because it was so cold.











I start school again on Monday. It has been a good break before I jump back in.