New Apartment, New Roomie

It's a little early to be announcing my move seeing how it's not happening until Labor Day weekend, but I officially signed the lease last week. I have enjoyed my Logan Square residency and have no issues with my wonderful roomie, Christina. My big reason for swapping homes yet again...Chris and I have decided to move in together!

Most of you who even read this blog know this big news, but just spreading the word officially via blog. And before I have any conservatives posting comments on premarital cohabitation, let me explain. Ahem. Chris and I have discussed this decision for a length of time now and don't take this matter lightly. We are committed and have been thoughtful about taking this step forward in our relationship. And don't try to throw that "you're more likely to get divorced" psychobabble at me. As a psychology major, I've examined the flaws of those case studies and understand the reasoning for those conclusions. If you want to discuss this more or argue my point, then please feel free to contact Dr. Omri Gillath, a leading psychologist in today's intimate relationships research and publications. (Just Google him) Anywho, I had to explain that little tidbit for all you naysayers.

Now back to the fun details for all you just dying to know more. =)

The apartment is in the Old Town neighborhood of Chicago, more specifically in the Old Town Triangle Historic District. There are tours specifically for this neighborhood since the history is so rich. In the 1850s, German-Catholic immigrants settled there. The infamous Second City has called Old Town home since its Chicago opening in 1959. The neighborhood also became the center of hippie culture in the 1960s. And by September it will be Chris and I's neighborhood. I'll go more in depth with my history lesson once I've submerged myself in Old Town.

We leased a walk-up brownstone style apartment on the second floor. Lincoln Park is two blocks away, which means the lake is walking distance. I could also walk to work when the weather is nice. (Please understand that I love walking more than the average person - four. hour. walks. enjoyable.) I'm SO excited to be in such a great location. As for the apartment, Chris and I have a lot of furniture/accessories to purchase. This isn't so much because the place is too big. It's more or less the $60 Salvation Army couch from college that screams at me to grow up and invest in a nicer sofa. I'm excited to make this apartment a home by decorating and getting new "grown-up" belongings. Of course I'll keep you updated on how it all comes together.

Not to overshadow the most important aspect by all the decorating/shopping talk, I do realize what the most exciting factor is. Brace yourself, here comes the cheese...I could not be more happy to take this next step with Chris. I have really enjoyed being Christina's roommate, but I'm going to love having Chris as a roommie. Obviously, he is more than a roommie, but you get my point. I think having two bathrooms will help with any disgusting boy habits (boy bathrooms are just gross - no need for details.) And who am I kidding, all bad habits can change. (Hence, when you come to visit us, you will have the choice of two clean bathrooms.) =)

Well, that's my exciting news. Any advice for the young couple...comment below.

Absolutely Nothing and It Felt Great

I did absolutely nothing this weekend and it felt wonderful. I'm neither sad nor proud to admit that I woke up Saturday morning in my pajamas and went to sleep in those same pajamas...without ever changing clothes or taking a shower in the between hours. To my defense, it was raining all day on Saturday. Although after watching an early viewing of Jerry Maguire, I did fall back asleep until 3pm. Work has been taking a toll on me, but that story is for another day.

Naturally, I did do something. I just didn't leave the confinements of my apartment. I managed to watch back-to-back episodes of HGTV's finest. I caught up on Tori & Dean's life (Oh, Tori Spelling why is your life so intriguing to me) and on all Bravo programming. Speaking of which, how did I not know that Project Runway began last Wednesday?! WooHoo - the season has begun. Now, back to a very important topic...

My name is Rebecca, and I'm addicted to HGTV. It's no joke that I will probably be on Intervention one day with friends and family begging me to stop watching home improvement shows. They'll fly me off to a rehab center in Southern California for detox while I'm shaking on the plane from the withdrawl symptoms of missing House Hunter and Property Virgins. I'm sure it won't get that bad though...just never let me get DVR. I will continue to live vicariously through the shows until I'm a home owner or become a successful realtor in a booming market. Favorites that I highly recommend: House Hunters (& International), Property Virgins, My First Space, Design Star, Get It Sold, Designed to Sell and My House Is Worth What. I warned you though...addictive...all of them.

I also wasted time making lists and browsing furniture online. I wrote down furniture, accessories, color schemes for each room of my new apartment. Did I mention that I will have a new apartment with a new roommate beginning Labor Day weekend? That's for an upcoming blog. ;-)

I've tried to participate in all the Chicago summer events since I've moved, but every now and then you need a day or two to sit around in your PJs and do nothing. I still managed to see the city skyline on a Sunday walk, so I don't feel too bad about my lethargic behavior. At least now I know how to redesign a living room to fit my style and how to research and finance a first home before buying. So all was not lost in laziness.

Summer Days

Last Saturday Chris and I spent the a fun summer day at Olive Beach by Navy Pier. I love the Chicago beaches. Lake Michigan looks more like an ocean to me than a great lake, and the city skyline behind the sandy beaches is a beautiful scenic backdrop. Saturday was perfect weather and I think I actually sweated. I do miss the Midwest heat since the summer weather here is not as hot. My hair doesn't miss the humidity one bit though.

On Sunday Chris and I walked our way through Lincoln Park eventually making our way up to Lincoln Park zoo. It was my first time to the free zoo. The zoo was entertaining to say the least. Each habitat had the typical zoo animals including lots of little kids running around screaming at glass-shattering pitches. A pidgen pooped on my leg - still not sure how he hit only the back of my calf missing my butt entirely. It was an easy aim to clean up, although Chris took his sweet time to get napkins for my pidgen-pooed leg. While we wondered through the reptile house, Chris and I saw the most entertaining action for the day. The photo below explains it all.

Chris and I seem to find humor wherever we go, so a day at the park and zoo was so much fun.

Congratulations, Navteq

Congratulations to Navteq on making the smartest decision!

The company recently hired Christopher Pyle to be a part of their Chicago team. In my opinion they just hired their most valuable asset...but I suppose I'm biased. If you're interested to know more about Navteq, check out the link below. I would try to explain what the company does, but Chris laughs evertime I try to interpret anything aerospace.

http://www.navteq.com/

I'm so proud of my man and even happier that I am no longer his Sugar Mama.

Congratulations, Chris, on your hard work! See you in Chicago in a couple of weeks!

America the Beautiful

On the Fourth of July, Chris and I spent the morning grocery shopping at Dominick's. I wish there was a way to express my love for grocery stores, especially Dominick's. There is no quick trip to the store for me. I spend at least ten minutes in the cereal aisle, 15 minutes in front of the ice cream coolers (usually deciding on a new Ben & Jerry's, but who am I kidding - I'm going for a pint of Half Baked), 15 minutes around the produce and deli counter (side dishes and store-prepared meals intrigue me) and at least 20 unnecessary laps around the store. What makes grocery shopping even more fun - having a buddy to explore with...or to at least control me. So it was a good morning...especially after baking and eating the Cinnabon Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls. =)

I'm realizing with each entry that I talk about food an awful lot. I promise to add more excitement to my life so not to overwhelm you with my love of food. So back to the Fourth festivities...

Chris and I roamed around Old Town neighborhood for the afternoon. I showed him the apartment I saw for rent that I'm still mourning. The perfect starter apartment for a young couple such as ourselves, and it was taken right from under me. The rental market is tough in Chi-town.

After walking around the city for hours, we headed back to my Logan Square abode to take naps. I love me a good nap. Chris woke me up just in time to go see the Navy Pier fireworks display. We found a grassy spot among the crowd and enjoyed the explosives commemorating our great nation. There were actually two fireworks displays exploding at the same time along the lake - one by Navy Pier, the other just south. I couldn't get over the fact that we were staring off into the dark summer sky to watch beautiful sparks appear only to look behind us and see the magnificent city lights illuminating the night sky. The skyline was just as beautiful as the fireworks.

The Wrigley Building stopped me in my tracks that night. The building is probably my favorite in the city, and on the Fourth of July it looked even more majestic. See for yourself (although a photo doesn't do justice).

The Taste

The Taste of Chicago ended last weekend, but I made sure to go twice during its two week span. For those of you not familiar with the Taste, it's Chicago's largest festival in Grant Park with lots of food and music. The park is packed with food stands of all Chicago's famous eateries. You buy tickets and then get any food you desire with your tickets. The festival also features free concerts with amazing artists. This year the Taste featured Stevie Wonder, Bonnie Raitt, Joss Stone and many others.

My first trip to the Taste as a local was during my lunch break at work. Some coworkers and I took a trolley to Grant Park from the Mart. After roaming around the BBQ-smoky streets, Rob and I decided to get the 10 ticket turkey leg from Helen's - quite the experience. We ate like kings...literally. All I needed was a goblet to drink out of. The photo below shows the turkey leg in all its majesty.

After a chocolate strawberry and fudge, we headed back to work. I was in a turkey coma for the rest of the day. Damn you, L-Tryptophan! (That's the sleepy stuff in turkey)

Chris finally arrived in town after many plane/weather issues. Nothing like being at the airport until 1am. Thursday morning Chris and I commuted together since Chris had an interview in the same building as Ogilvy. After a half day at work and great interview, we made our way to the Taste.

This time I was on a mission. We bought 48 tickets, and made our way through the crowds. 48 Tickets will buy: mini crab cakes, one O'Brien's corn on the cob, a bottle of Pepsi, Adobo's guacamole (taste size), half a Billy Goat's cheezborger (if you mentally corrected my mispelling, you're obviously not familiar with the magnificent Billy Goat's Tavern), a liter of water, cup of lemon and strawberry Italian ice, cup of Bobtail's strawberry and vanilla ice cream (the best strawberry ice cream you will EVER have) and a pizza bite. Eating ourselves into a daze, Chris and I went back to my 'hood to nap. Cheers for two hour naps!

Go Sox!

I went to my first White Sox game on Monday. My roommate and her family invited me to enjoy the game at U.S. Cellular Field with them. Although the stadium doesn't have the old charm that Wrigley does, I enjoyed every minute of my Sox experience.

The view of the city was amazing from the top of the ballpark. (Wish I had taken a picture at the time.) We had seats in the upper deck, and got there just in time for the first inning. As soon as I sat down, I jumped out of my skin from the fireworks booming to initiate the game. I think my excitement level was pretty high, so I needed to calm down a bit if there were going to be explosives throughout the game. Christina and her mom seemed to get a kick out of my anxious behavior though.

The evening was filled with ballpark food...nachos, churros and Miller Lite. Churros, that's a new one for me but apparently a must at a Sox game. While Christina watched the game, I continued blabbing on about such topics:

• We need a nachos cheese machine in our kitchen, and Christina should not be surprised if she comes home to see one on our counter. We agreed that nachos would be on the menu every night for dinner.


• Baseball players look sexy in the old school uniforms. There's something about that Field of Dreams look with the raised socks and quarter-length sleeves. Guess I'm just an American girl.


• The Kansas City Royals prepared Jermaine Dye for his debut as a Chicago White Sox. The Royals apparently love giving away their best players to top-rated teams because it's becoming a trend. Other ex-Royals that flew the nest are Johnny Damon for the Boston Red Sox, Carlos Beltran for the New York Mets and Paul Byrd for the Cleveland Indians.


• Super rope is delicious, but not as delicious as Red Vines.


• I bet a chocolate churro would be way better than a vanilla churro. Too bad they were out of chocolate churros.


• Pretty much the rest of my chatting for the night was about food. Surprise surprise.