Let us pause for a moment of Erin...

Yesterday was a beautiful day in Chicago. The rain had stopped and I was able to walk to Rach's office to meet her for lunch. The weather was just wonderful and I really got to enjoy the atmosphere of walking down the streets of the city. Our evening consisted of us going to Navy Pier. This was lots of fun. Another great place to go with friends. We ate at Bubba Gump Shrimp. I was extremely excited about this. I love that movie! I love most Tom Hanks movies, cause I LOVE Tom Hanks! I just got excited about everything from my souvenier glass, the movie stuff all around our table, my magnet, and my t-shirt that says I'm a Catch - Bubba Gump Shrimp! :) I decided the best course would be to gorge myself by eating a bucket of shellfish! I just thought that since I was there, I might as well go big or go home. Man, I shouldn't go big sometimes. I was REALLY full! But it was really good! Next we walked around Navy Pier. There were lots of little stores, places to ea...

Last night was another great night. Again, I went to two places I had never been which were both quite an experience. We started out by eating at Ed Debevics. (Thank you to those who left suggestions on Rach's facebook for the place.) Now that was a hoot! They do slightly prepare you for a very different eating experience in the beginning by asking you if you had ever been there. When you reply, no, they continue to tell you that they are rude and like it that way. Oh man, the waiters say extremely sarcastic things to you, and even yell at you. I just thought it was the funniest thing ever. I laughed every time they said or yelled anything at anyone. I just thought to myself, how great would it have been if Hardee's had been this way when I worked there. I would have never complained about work if I could have worked here. They get to wear really funky cloths, too. At one point our waitress, Major Pain, told Rach to "slow down on that soup, girl, MAN!" Lo...

Ok so there weren't any planes yesterday, but there were trains and cab rides. These were two firsts for me. I experienced them and learned some new things. I guess as a teacher, I like to look at all things in life as learning experiences. :) I started out the day with an early train ride from Carbondale to Chicago. I had hopes that the ride would be just fine and fears that I would ride for a while and feel sick or uncomfortable. My first flying experience made me a bit ill last year, so I was a little nervous yesterday. I liked the train. I had plenty of leg room. (one thing I think the movie theatres need to work on) With my bad knee this is a must for me when I am going to be in one spot for an extended period of time. I did, however learn that the train is like a movie theatre in the fact that I needed my extra jacket. They kept it cold in there! I also learned that the tiny pillow the lady seated next to us brought, would have been a plus if I planned on napping. ...

Tomorrow morning bright and EARLY, I will be boarding the train and heading to Chicago for the week. This will be a week full of firsts for me, and therefore will probably result in many blogs. I have never been on a train before this trip. I also have never been to Chicago. On some of my other journeys, I have driven through big cities, but never stayed there. But this week, I will be staying all week in the big city. I am really excited! I am going with my friend Rachael. She will have to work during part of the day, but the nights are OURS! We are staying at the Hyatt Regency and have plans for every evening and night. Tomorrow will be a full day of fun for us. And then every afternoon and night we will do something different and fun in the city. And yes, I will probably have to say in the city all the time during these blogs. :) So the big issue for today is the preparation for the trip. Packing for an entire week is quite a chore for me. When I go on weekend excuri...

Today was report card day at school. Basically this is the last time we will see our students before summer vacation. The last time they will be a part of our class. The kids come in, get their report card, and can leave directly after. Now I usually take goodies that I have left in my classroom and divide them up, and give them to my students on the last day. One more treat for the road! :) This year, the school got some Easter candy donated from CVS I think. There was sooo much that even after the teachers had taken some to give to all their students, there were left-overs. Well, turns out, we still had some left. And for all of you sitting there thinking, What - Easter was when?! And they still have candy?! And they gave it away today?! Two things - One, there are so many preservatives in some candy, it may be on this Earth longer than me. And, two, we are talking about kids. Kids will eat pretty much anything you give them. Remember Mikey? Give it to Mikey, he'...