That Thing You Do

My parents were here this past weekend. It was fun having them in town and to be a tourist in my own city for a little bit, it reminds me that this city is pretty cool and has some fun stuff to offer.

We spent a day at the Museum of Science and Industry on Saturday and wore ourselves out! We followed it up with dinner with my cousin and our first tasting of Corned Beef and Cabbage.

That's right.

I swear we are the only Irish people on this planet who had never had Corned Beef and Cabbage before. I have no idea why it took so long, but I can say that I liked it! Do I really have to wait a whole year to try it again?

Happy Spring! I hope you all have beautiful warm weather! Enjoy!

The Chestnuts are Roasting...

I cannot wait for friday!

Not only is it Christmas Eve, but I will be on my way back to the mitten to celebrate Christmas with my family.

My mom and I have a movie marathon planned...Amtrak better run on time, I would hate for my movie time to be taken up with frozen train ride time.

I know it is only Tuesday, but it has been one long week. Last friday Mon Petit Chou (MPC) left to visit his family. It made for a very long, semi-lonely weekend that involved happy hippos and sappy movies on the day I didn't work.

To top it off I've had to work three days straight at 6:45am which means I have to be up at 4:45am. I am so NOT a morning person. I need my sleep! If the sun isn't up, I shouldn't be either. One more 6:45am day and one "normal" day before I head home for Christmas.

I CAN'T WAIT!

Oh, and I am thinking of cancelling my Facebook account. Why? Because I spend to much time on it. I really HATE the new "see friendship" feature. It shows me everything I don't want to know. I don't want to be able to see all the wall post between people. I really need to not use that feature.

I like ignorance. I am blissful there.

And Marshmallow Salad...

I think I've become an insomniac...


...again.

It had subsided for awhile, but this post is proof that I am definitely a "night owl". I find myself sitting at a kitchen table with a cup of tea, quietly tapping away on my computer.

Old habits die hard I guess!

During my night time contemplation, I have realized that this is the third year in a row I will not be going home for Thanksgiving. At first it didn't really bother me...I really could have made this year work if I had tired hard enough, but as I sit here thinking about it in light of recent events, it makes me really sad to not be going home.

I would love to wake up in my parents house and stumble down the stairs to the living room in footie pajamas and sit on the couch with a cup of coffee, homemade cinnamon roll and watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

After a few hours of laziness, I would find a cute sweater to wear and pile into the car with my parents and brother to journey to our grandparents house where I would 1)make awkward conversation with a cousin I never see or 2) make awkward conversation with my odd Aunt and Uncle who think they have tons of funny cheese jokes. Either way, it would be strangely fun and familiar.

Then after the table was set and drink orders taken, I would stuff myself silly eating generous serving of my grandmother's Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and marshmallow salad followed by a sampling of every dessert available (but not pumpkin pie, I don't really like it!)

After finding myself 20lbs heavier and in such a state of food coma I wouldn't be able to function, we would proceed to the next step in Thanksgiving tradition and curl up on the couch with my mom and start watching our Holiday movies starting with "It's a Wonderful Life" while my dad and brother find ways to escape our slightly psychotic movie marathon.

It's weird to find that life has changed into something you never expected.

I just really want marshmallow salad and a movie marathon with my mom!

The Cork Test

I had one crazy weekend.

I was back in MI for a baby shower and a wedding shower.

With my family.

At least I earned two drinks out of it.

Ok, I didn't really earn them, but won them. Is it bad to bet on your family?


Anyhoo, my pregnant cousin is expecting a baby girl, or so the sonogram says, but the cork says differently.

What is the cork?

You've never seen this done?

Oh, silly friends, it is classic!

You dangle a cork from a string above the belly of a pregnant woman and it can tell you if she is having a boy or girl. A spinning cork is the sign of a girl and a back and forth motion indicates a boy.

It's not really scientific, but my mother claims it correctly predicted both myself and my brother.

So we will see if my cousin really has a little girl. It could be very amusing if she has a boy instead, she received lots of little pink clothes!

Le Vendredi Saint

Happy Holiday weekend!

I will be traveling home to MI tomorrow and I find myself really confused about this trip.

I am excited to see my parents and brother and friends, but have no desire to see other members of my family or deal with the questions I know will be waiting for me when I get home.

"Are you seeing anybody?"

"How's the job search?"

"What do you do in Chicago?" (seems weird, but I will be asked that)

It seems easier to love my family when they are far away.

Does anybody else feel like that or is it just me?

And a what in the pear tree?

Christmas has come and gone again and I am back in Chicago.

This year was very interesting. At my dad's family party my cousin, who I never, NEVER speak to decided I was her new best friend. Which was cool. But I know she was drunk. Then I was accused of being drunk because I had been a little tipsy last year. I had one glass of wine and two glasses of water. The whole family forgot to include me in the grand kids/grandparents picture. And finally to top the evening off, my grandmother called me a street walker.


You can't beat family fun like that.

Luckily the next day was better.

I am hoping next year that I can be in another country.

One Reel at a Time

Since the last time I posted I have watched the following movies:




Sunshine Cleaning was amusing and good, but not what I thought it would be. In fact I was a little disappointed in it.

New York, New York was terrible. I was really excited for it after reading about it and adding it to my Netflix list but they didn't talk about the abusive relationship between the two leads. I am sorry, I just can't get into films that glamorize bad relationships.

My favorite of the three was the Blindside. It was so good. I can't believe it's a true story. Sandra Bullock was great in the film.

My mom and Aunt came for a visit for the weekend. It was fun. We shopped. I feel like I live in malls and shopping centers, oh wait, I kind of do...

For the longest time

My brother was here this past weekend. It was fun. Now I have a fridge full of beer.

I started this post with a head full of stories but now I lack the gumption to write.

I've learned that my grandmother thinks I am wasting my life. How lovely.

This weekend I have a real weekend. Saturday and Sunday are free days! Yay!

Anybody want to visit? I know a place were we can listen to a fabulous polka band!

Good God. There's writing on both sides of those pages.

My time in MI is coming to an end. Soon I will be on my way back to Chi-Town. I don't really want to go. Summer here is so nice.

It's so weird being at this point where my childhood home is no longer my "home" or at least the place I live full time. I know I haven't lived here full time in a while but knowing I am really acting like an adult just confuses me. Where did time go?

Alright, one month to my next three day weekend. I am hoping it lands on the labor day weekend and I can join the family up at the cabin!

The Sound of Silence

Today I woke up in my old bedroom to the sound of birds, dogs and some kind of little summer bugs. It was nice. I had forgotten how green the world is outside of the city. I love being able to escape the madness of the city and slow down in the country for a little bit.

My Mom has taken it upon herself to plan my whole weekend. Sorry friends, I won't be able to meet up on Sunday, but next time I'm in the state I PROMISE we will do something.

I hope you all enjoy your weekend!

P.S. My parents now have WiFi, it is fabulous! Why did they wait until I moved to get it?

Is Chivalry Dead?

I often wonder when getting on to a full bus if chivalry is dead. Often little old ladies and women are standing in heels crowded into a stinky bus and guys will be sitting in the few seats not even considering that they should give up their seats. It doesn't really upset me that they don't offer me a seat, but the fact that they don't offer the little old ladies the seat that annoys me.

Anyhow, this past weekend my mom came to visit and we had a blast. Saturday we saw Jersey Boys which was fantastic. If anyone gets the chance to see it you should! Then Sunday we went shopping and I now have several new dresses and cute things to wear. Monday we hung out at the Zoo. We ate Chicago style pizza, and even had a true Chicagoan moment when a person committed suicide by jumping in front of our "L" train. It was interesting... Mom told me as she was leaving that she likes the buses best and saw more of Chicago than she ever wanted.

Now to the four more days of work I have in front of me before a day off...

Okey Dokey

My friends,

I appreciate your comments of reason. I *know* deep down that it isn't very probable that I will catch the Swine flu and die, but every time I watch the Chicago news they make it sound TERRIBLE!!!! Just think about all of those people who come into Chicago via O'Hare! Anyways, I don't know why I am letting the flu bother me when global warming is going to do us all in!

I am trying not to freak.

But, it's not really working...


In work related news, I think I helped pick out tights for a gay wedding. The guy was really funny and cute about making sure the tights matched the dress. I like friendly customers!

In family news, my dad is going to have his gall bladder removed. Apparently he has gall stones. At first they thought he had an ulcer, but after his recent hospital visit on Friday they decided it was his gall bladder. I guess it's a good thing you don't really need your gall bladder!

I hate being far away from my family when things like this are going on.

I have a three day weekend coming up! May 9, 10, and 11!!! Yay!!!

Can't make no vows to a herd of cows.

I just spent an evening with my cousin and a friend eating left-over Chinese food and watching this movie:

I've never seen it before. I am amazed. Plus I think a few of the brothers might be gay...so they didn't really need a "bride". But it was entertaining and fun to watch!

Sailing away

I can see a sail boat on Lake Michigan from my apartment! It's so cute! I love that spring is finally on it's way! Ok, I know they are talking cold and snow for later in the week, but right now it is lovely.

Last night my parents, my cousin and my dad's cousin all went out to dinner a great little Chinese place. It was really fun. My dad's cousins are very amusing. Especially Esther. She is from Singapore and she cracks me up! She calls everything "lovely" and calls everyone "love" and "sweetheart".

Here are some pictures of my apartment:





Now you all have proof that there is a place for you to stay when you come to visit me!

A New Bed

I have a new bed. My parents bought it for me from Ikea. It is cute. My apartment looks like a real place and is less depressing.

I am happy.

My parents are visiting for the weekend and I have real furniture!

I hope you all come to visit soon!

Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy!

It is a beautiful day! I love sunshine, and warm weather! It makes me a very, very happy person!

I have been planning a trip to Chicago to job hunt, as most of you know. Today my mother asked me:

"Are you sure that's what you want to do?"

What is that suppost to mean? Really? Now, she is going to plant a seed of doubt in my head. Thank you very much.

In happier news, I used the the French Chef Cookbook by Julia Child to make a leek and potato soup that was to die for. So yummy! I am planning a fabulous french menu for the next time we all get together! I am so excited! It will be so yummy!!!




State of the Day time!









NEBRASKA!!!
...is in the middle of the U.S. Ranked 16th in size and 38th in population it's known for its farming and ranching industry. There isn't much else to be said about Nebraska. As a child I had friends who moved there so they could ride their horses! Check out Nebraska's site here.

I'm just peachy keen...

I woke up yesterday with a tiny sore throat that has become a cold today. Yay.

To make things worst, there is this giant storage tank in our basement that has been there forever, and today my dad decided to take something out of it and now our house smells like oil. I can't tell if I'm light-headed because of the smell or the fact that the only thing I've had to eat today is a couple of Halls.

I have opened almost all of the window and have about a dozen candles lit to help get rid of the smell, but it doesn't seem to be working.


At Moi's request here is a clue for the "mad reds":

HG:"I've got to do something about the way I look. I mean a girl just can't go to Sing Sing with a green face."











Now for the State of the day:

VERMONT!!!!!

...was the 14th state to join the union (the first to do so after the original 13). It ranks 45th by area and 49th by population. Vermont was the birth place of Calvin Coolidge and Chester A Arthur. Alan Alda's character from M*A*S*H "Hawkeye" was from Vermont. I think I would like to visit Vermont, it seems very cute! You can read more here.

Just One More Moon Dance With You

I love it when the cattle get out. I really do! It is so much fun to throw on a coat and boots and chase them all over the farm. What makes it even better is when NOBODY comes out to help, so instead of it taking 10minutes, it takes 45minutes. That's right, my brother, who arrived home and saw the cattle were out moved the straw from the barn and then went in the house because his girlfriend was coming over to watch The Office. He couldn't be bothered to help. Not when Rachel was coming over!

What a great guy! He falls right in line with our neighbors who also couldn't be bothered to come out and help.

Oh, and let me not forget that I only had a thin pair of jeans on so now my legs are frozen. And I missed The Office, again!!!


Arrgg, Sorry I am being annoying again! Moi, I really think France would be perfect!

I'm just too nice!

Oh my dear friends,

I am once again frustrated with my life. My interview with JDL went well, great in fact, but it wasn't enough for me to get the job. I recieved a call yesterday that went like this:

Kate(librarian): Hi Rebekah. I'm calling to let you know we went with another canidiate.

Me:Ok

Kate: Well, ya, actually it was a really hard decision between you and an internal canidate.

Me: Ok

Kate: I encourage you to apply for the sub postion. It's still open. Thanks for meeting with us!

Me: Ah, no problem. Thanks.

Kate: Thank you! Bye.

Me: *crying*

Arrgggg. It is incredible frustrating friends!!!

Anyhow, I met Regan on Sunday! Toi, I know you and I talked about her a little bit a go, but she is really very cute. She is in this stage right now where she likes to bounce when you hold her! My arms are sore today!!!! Too Cute!

In final news, my aunt convinced my grandpa to pay for her and three of my cousins to go to Florida because "Brian and Brittnee are seniors and need a senior trip" Which I have a major problem with. He didn't pay for me to go on a senior trip, or any of my other cousins for that matter and this time I wasn't even offered a plane ticket. I am just too nice to my family. I never tell that what I am actually thinking and that is how I end up in the perdicaments I do with them.

Goals:

I made a little mental goal at the beginning of the month, I was determind to write a post everyday. Well, as you can tell I didn't make it, I have already missed a day or two, but I am still going to do my best to post something often, even if it is really, really boring.

So for today's news I have an interview with the JD library system on Friday, it's just a library assistant position, but at least it's something! Thursday evening I am suppost to go see "Phantom" at SAU with my Mom and Aunt. Saturday we are doing a birthday breakfast with my Brother who is turning 21. I am just hoping he isn't too hung over from the night before, and then on Sunday I am going to the east side of the state to meet Regan for the first time.

I sound busy, but it doesn't feel that way!

Hopefully one of these events provides an exciting story to tell you!