Weekend Adventures

Monica and I enjoying the scenery at the Signature Room on the 95th floor of the Hancock Building.

Monica came to visit over the weekend and we had a great time. Friday night we went to see Up with Joe. I have been waiting for this movie to come out for months. (The last time I was anxious about seeing a movie was Sex and the City...not really the same genre.) I like Pixar films but don't necessarily get around to seeing them all and if I do see them, it's usually not at the theatre. But, months ago, when I heard about Up, I knew this was one movie I couldn't miss. And it didn't disappoint. In fact, I would love to go see it again. On Saturday, Monica and I went downtown, ate lunch, did some shopping and then went to see Blue Man Group. It's been a great weekend! (P.S. Thanks again from the frozen Shakespeare's, Monica!)

Grandma's Outing

My grandma loves the Cardinals so it was quite an exciting day for her last weekend when my Uncle Jeff, Aunt Cindy and Cousin Caleb took her to St. Louis to watch a game. She has now been to all three St. Louis baseball stadiums throughout history. Here are some pictures from her weekend.

My 88 year-old grandma at the Cardinals game

Grandma and Caleb

Joe's blog

If you're interested, my husband has a new blog.

Science and Industry

Today Joe and I went to the Museum of Science and Industry. It's the largest science museum in the Western Hemisphere and I was completely blown away by how impressive the museum is in size and detail. Our main reason for going was to see the Harry Potter Exhibit. (I haven't read any of the books or seen the movies but my husband is a huge fan.) This special exhibit showcased costumes and props from the movies. It was very well done and just being a movie buff made me completely fascinated by all the detail of the costumes and artifacts. (Unfortunately, we couldn't take pictures during this exhibit.)

U-505 Submarine - the only German U-boat in the United States.
Joe standing in front of the Pioneer Zephyr.

The baby chick hatchery was one of my favorite stops.

More change

I've become a real blog-slacker lately. The most significant news here is that I gave my notice at my job this past week. For obvious reasons, I try to make a habit of not talking too specifically about work on my blog but I'll make the exception here.

I have a history of loving my work and loving the people I work with who always end up like a second family to me. After about the first week or two I knew this job was wrong for me. I was surrounded by a sea of cubicles but rarely would anyone speak to me. I have been feeling a real disconnect with the people but even more of a disconnect with the work. It just wasn't exactly what I thought it would be or should be. I shared some of my concerns at my three-month evaluation only things didn't seem to change. I also recently found out that I had been mis-paid and after bringing that concern to my boss, he didn't try to make it right. Then this week I read an email that I wasn't supposed to read...you know the drill. You get copied on an email and you go back to read the chain and find a disparaging remark about yourself. Not cool. It was the final straw for me in an already unhappy situation. So I made the decision to leave.

I was asked to apply for another position with the company on the same floor. I've been mulling it over for the past few days but I honestly think that the situation would be a little too awkward for me and I also am not convinced that I'll be that much happier with the work. I think I'm going to pass.

So here I am, at the same place I was a few months ago. I am trying to figure out what's the next step for me. I've been thinking about graduate school or just searching for another full-time position that seems like a better fit (although those positions are scarce in this economy) or both. I feel like I know exactly what I want to do, if I can just do it.

So, yeah, lots of changes once again. But I'm ready to just hang out for a few days, enjoy the long weekend and leave all of that behind for awhile.

Weekend visit

Cathy, Bryon and Adyson came to visit this weekend. We had hopes of going to the zoo but the rainy weather botched our plans so we spent Friday indoors at Shedd Aquarium and went out for Chicago-style pizza. Saturday we went to Navy Pier and Ed Debevic's. It's been a fun weekend. Now I'm staring down what looks like a couple weeks worth of laundry! Yikes.

Cathy and me sitting on a "couch" at Navy Pier with Bob Newhart as Dr. Bob Hartley.

Adyson at Ed Debevic's. She loved the singing and dancing.

Bryon and Cathy at Gino's East.

Cathy and Adyson at Shedd Aquarium.

Public service announcement...

My husband made his blog "private" recently. So if you have been reading Joe's blog and haven't been added as an invited reader just let me know and he'll get you added. I will also note this means if you use an RSS feed I don't think it will show up; you will have to check in the old fashioned way.

Weekend Recap

As I predicted, it's been a busy but very fun weekend. We've enjoyed having Joe's mom and brother here visiting. Tom just left for the airport and Jo Ann leaves in the morning. Yesterday we walked ALL OVER downtown, we went to the top of the Sears Tower, went to Millennium Park (the picture is with Joe and his mom at the park), Billy Goat Tavern and finally to a delicious dinner at Rick Bayless' Frontera Grill. So good that I can't wait to go back! And today we had a nice brunch. It's been fun playing tourist and tour guide.

Weekend

Joe and I will have a busy weekend ahead of us. His mom and brother come in town today for a visit. His mom was supposed to be here by now but her flight has been delayed all over the place and now she'll get in very late. This means she'll miss the Second City show we're seeing and dinner. (This happened the last time she visited, too.) I have lasagna, bread and salad all ready to go...and a cheesecake to nibble on this weekend. I feel like we have a LOT of plans that revolve around food but what's new. Also, I can't believe I've failed to mention it but my husband has a great new job. He starts on June 1. Just got the word on Monday. We'll still be here but we may eventually look for a place to live out in the suburbs to be closer to his work...have I mentioned how much I hate moving?? Yup, pretty sure I have. But I always need an excuse to clean out closets and purge.

Update: Joe's mom is now supposed to get in a little earlier than I thought and may be able to make part of the show!

Jenny

Ellen, Jenny and me.
Jenny and I hugging at her 21st birthday celebration.

Today is May 4. It’s been 10 years since my friend Jenny died in a car accident. I asked her sister, Susan if I could write about her. Even after all this time, I miss her dearly.

I will never forget where I was when I heard the news. I was working at my college internship at a local hospital and we were in the middle of a tv interview when one of the reporters got a cell phone call that there had been a fatal accident on US Hwy 61. My heart sank. It was the same road that I, and several of my hometown friends, traveled every day to college. Typically, I would have gone straight to school after my internship but that day was different. Something in my gut told me to go home. When I pulled in the driveway, my mom was waiting for me.

Nine days earlier, I had celebrated Jenny’s 21st birthday with her. It was the very last time I saw her. We had exchanged phone calls and emails but life was busy and even though we lived in the same town and went to the same college, we hadn’t quite been able to connect for that week since. I am so grateful that I have such a wonderful last memory of spending her birthday celebrating with her.

Jenny was majoring in early childhood education and she often babysat for two special needs children. She had such a kind heart and was so genuine and carefree. She touched many lives through her teaching and love for children.

We loved to watch movies together, listen to Tori Amos, go shopping for the latest cds and of course we went to parties! We also LOVED to watch Dawson's Creek and even did homework together...although I don't think either one of us did much studying, mostly it was just talking. We went to see Titanic - a lot. (I saw it 3 times but I know she saw it even more than that!) She had so many friends and so much fun.

Jenny was an amazing friend and I’m so blessed to have known her. Susan said she often wonders what Jenny would be like today and I have to wonder the same thing. She was so young when she died and was just starting her adult life at twenty-one...I suspect she would be very happy - I can't think of Jenny without thinking of her big smile. And though I think of her often, I am especially thinking of her and her family today.

Anniversary celebration

Thursday night Joe and I went to dinner with Terrie and Kirk. (Terrie is my mom's first cousin.) We were celebrating their anniversary. 26 years ago, I was their flower girl! Fantastic dinner (also happened to be at the location of the Obama's Valentine's Day dinner this year) and great company. Happy Anniversary!