Category Archives: Chicago

I’m Goofy and I Know It

I saw the most incredible thing while traveling last week:

It’s a dude using a pay phone. A DUDE USING A PAY PHONE. I obviously had to take a picture. What I was unable to capture (to my dismay) were the moments before he picked up the phone, when he read the instructions and then looked for change. HE READ THE INSTRUCTIONS. Well, either he didn’t read the instructions well enough or no one was home because he never did speak to someone. Poor guy. I probably should have offered my assistance; he seemed to have trouble counting his change, too. I was not a good citizen at the moment. Plus, I was too busy giggling about it.

I caved and bought a pair of TOMS:

They’re comfy but let me warn you that I had to exchange my original pair for a half size smaller than my usual size. I’m a dumbass for not listening to my friend Monika when she told me to get a half size smaller. I do like them, but… how do I put this delicately… I have to be careful what outfits I pair them with because with the wrong pants or look, I basically look like an Asian refugee or female prisoner. This has to do with their slipper-like look, the fact that I’m Asian, and the fact that I have tiny feet (my TOMS are a size 5). TOMS gives a free pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair bought; Monika joked that I was one of the free pair recipients. Yes. That’s how they look on me. I’m wearing them anyway, dammit.

I finally finished reading Zeitoun. Wow. It’s so quietly powerful. I admit that I’m fiction’s bitch; it was Dave Eggers’s name that made me pick up Zeitoun more than anything else (yes, yes, ironic since he doesn’t really write fiction). I think it’s a really important story, and I would encourage you to read it. I started my next book, which was recommended to me by my friend Jen:

So far, so good. I may actually finish this one by next year…

This is nearly blasphemous, but I haven’t been keeping up with TV much lately. Mad Men is the only show I faithfully watch, but I did miss last night’s episode. It’s so good and Sunday nights are a perfect TV night for me. Plus, it’s Mad Men, people. If I’m only going to keep up with one show, it had best be Mad Men. Other than that, I’ve been marathoning Doctor Who. After Martha’s last episode, I wanted to pause before getting into the Donna episodes and the end of Tennant’s run. I feel like such a Who nerd for wanting to prolong Tennant’s run for as long as I can even though I’ve seen it all already and I’m a fan of Matt Smith’s doctor. Hahahaa, are you reading this? I can’t believe I’m talking about Doctor Who. Anyway, I still wanted something British, but more stiff and romantic, so I watched (for the first time) the BBC’s Pride & Prejudice miniseries:

Ewwww, Colin Firth! Stop being so sexy with that look and your dark curly hair and acting all snotty but then being all wonderful… I take it back, Colin Firth, please let me have your babies and is it okay if I call you Mister Darcy? Nothing will ever beat this adaptation! Disclaimer: I am not a Jane Austen nerd so take my assessment with a grain of salt. I loved it so much that I almost watched it again immediately, but there are other things to enjoy, such as Audrey Hepburn. I’ve never seen Breakfast at Tiffany’s. I know, I know! How lame of me. However, I did start by watching Sabrina and Audrey Hepburn is so pretty and petite and I hate her guts now.

In non-TV entertainment, I was uber elated to hear that the Art Institute will have a Roy Lichtenstein exhibit from May 16 through September 2. I fell in love with Lichtenstein when I saw a huge print of one of his works hanging in my boss’s office years ago. It’s such great Pop Art and I need to make sure I haul my ass downtown to see this one. Who wants to go with me?

Finally, and also in non-TV entertainment, I attended my niece’s dance recital yesterday.

Isn’t she sweet?!

Nah. She’s a goofball, just like her aunt. Alright, gotta go. I’m eating a mango and it needs my undivided attention!

Let It Snow

This post was originally titled, “Hibernation,” and was going to be a treatise on staying in during winter in order to avoid the cold and snow. I will admit it upfront: I do not like driving in the snow. It’s scary and can be stressful, and my little Honda Civic feels like a deathtrap. I dread having to drive anywhere: work, the grocery store, my condo. Still, we have only had two big snowfalls this winter, and if I wasn’t traumatized enough after witnessing a woman have to drive through a red light because she couldn’t stop, or after almost crashing into a railing over 294 because I was sliding, seeing cars end up in ditches, or having to–this is the worst–clean my car in the middle of a raging blizzard, I think I will be just fine. Here’s the thing: some really amazing things have happened to me during crazy snowstorms.

In 2000, my mom took me shopping on a day so snowy and crazy that the mall closed early, but not before I found the perfect little black dress for a party I was invited to by my crush.

In 1999, I went on a road trip with my sister and two cousins to Indianapolis for a Backstreet Boys concert (yeah, yeah, hilarious). We stayed there two nights. On the second night, the weather was insane, but we still drove to the drive through liquor store to get some beers. That was an awesome trip. It’s one of those things that I can’t believe we did, especially in those conditions. It makes for a great memory, though.

In 2009, my niece Juliana was born. It snowed that night. Having been born in August, I can maybe brag that it was sunny. I think snow makes for a cooler birth story.

In 1999, there was a snowstorm so bad that it forced everyone to stay in. My family and I hung out in the basement, played mahjong, and drank. Then, once the snow stopped and the alley and streets were clear enough so that we could go somewhere (and the piled up snow was taller than I was), we went shopping. We were carefree and simply enjoying each other’s company.

In elementary school, we used to play on the snow mounds made by the snowplows at the end of the parking lot during recess.

In 1994, I have this distinct memory of having walked in snow that was up to my crotch. I was wearing my school uniform: red plaid skirt, white tights, and boots. It was a wild thing for me to do, but a much more efficient way to get into the car versus walking around the snow.

For many years, the Zoo Lights Festival at Lincoln Park Zoo was something I loved to visit. Hanging out at the zoo, in the city, at night. Having hot cocoa and snuggling with someone you like or love. Bundled up in a great jacket, wrapped in a scarf, wearing gloves and earmuffs.

I was tickled to see people sledding and even skiing in a park by my parents’ house the day after the most recent snowfall. What a reward to enjoy the snow with your family and friends after a dreadful commute the day before.

I dread winter, I worry about driving in the snow, but I love winter in Chicago. I love that a little snow doesn’t stop us. I love how my snot freezes up when its below zero. I love sweaters and my puffy jackets and my wool coats. I love the feeling of turning off my car after driving through snowfall. I love snowmen and snowladies and snowpants.

So, let it snow, Chicago. Let it snow. Just try to snow on days or times when I don’t absolutely need to drive. And be kind to Lake Michigan and Lake Shore Drive.

Gift Guide: Ethereal Confections

Site: Ethereal Confections (link)
What You Will Find: Classy and delicious chocolates that use only the finest ingredients and no preservatives. They are dairy free, gluten free, and vegan*.
Perfect for: Anyone who appreciates fine chocolates and cares about what they put in their body.

Who doesn’t love chocolate? Well… there’s a lady at work who doesn’t like it (Hi, Bettie!), but chocolate is generally a crowd pleaser. It tames the wild, hormonal, and anxiety-ridden beast that lives inside of us. My friend Tammi got me a box of Ethereal truffles for my birthday and I absolutely fell in love with them.

Ethereal Confections are handmade locally (local to me, anyway) and contain local ingredients. You can definitely taste and see how much care is put into making the chocolates. They chocolate itself is so fresh and tasty–and they don’t use any milk or white chocolate. The flavors are creative but never weird for the sake of being weird. There’s something for everyone from the traditionalists to the adventurous.

Ethereal Confections just opened a store in Woodstock, IL where the chocolates are made. Their products can also be found in a handful of stores in Illinois and Wisconsin. You can also buy directly from their web site.

I hope you will consider Ethereal Confections for the chocolate aficionado in your life!

*I contacted Ethereal Confections through their web site to find out if their products are vegan. Sara informed me they are vegan, however, honey (which some vegans may not consider to be totally vegan) is used in the following: Lavender Honey truffle, Sesame Ginger truffle, Ginger Orange bar.

All photos were found on www.etherealconfections.com. I would have taken a picture of the chocolates that were given to me but I devoured them.

The Best Things I Ate This Year

People who moan incessantly when they eat something delicious annoy me. Sometimes, I feel like telling people to get a room with their steak or cake or whatever. Don’t get me wrong -  I enjoy eating and I appreciate tasty food. But when I do the whole “mmmmmmm, oh my god, mmmmm, that is so delicious, mmmmmm, I want more of that” bit, you know that I really, really, really like it. Here are the dishes that made me go “mmmmmm” this past year:

Oxtail Pot Stickers at Sunda

Surf and Turf at Pete Miller’s

Carnitas Tacos at Uncle Julio’s *WINNER* – I was having an embarrassingly orgasmic reaction to these tacos. It was a special that night, so now I feel like calling ahead before I go again and asking if they have it.

That stuff from that street vendor in NYC (Midtown)

Iceberg Wedge at The Yard House

Feta cheese in Israel

Lamb with mashed potatoes and green beans at my friend Sue’s house

Pumpkin donuts from Didier Farms

Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake from Cheesecake Factory

 

Be Humbled, Get Inspired

Yesterday’s front page of the Chicago Tribune featured a story on Tommy Carroll, who is a blind student at Glenbrook South High School. Read it. I’m a sucker for stories like this that both inspire and humble me.

This story is especially touching to me because I once saw Tommy Carroll out to lunch with his friends at Chipotle. I didn’t know who he was at the time or anything about him. I did notice a tall kid with his hand on his friend’s shoulder, and I wondered what the deal was with that. It wasn’t until I saw his walking stick (or whatever the technical term is) that I noticed he was blind.

He ordered his food. He paid for his food, sat at a table, and was engaged in conversation with his friends. (Before you think I stalk high schoolers, I happened to be sitting at the next table.) When the boys were ready to leave, one of his friends grabbed his hand and placed it on his elbow to guide him out.

I was moved by everything I had witnessed. Once I saw “blind” and “Glenbrook” on the front page of the paper, I just knew it had to be a story about that kid I saw that time at Chipotle. It was nice to learn more about him and see what an amazing kid he is–and how amazing his parents and his friends are.

I’m gonna go randomly hug someone right now.

It wasn’t until I saw his walking stick (or whatever the technical term is) that I noticed he was blind.

03.06.2010 The Flower Flat

I had breakfast yesterday at The Flower Flat, which is a charming little place in East Lakeview. I got the waffle, which was very good and came with fresh fruit (pomegranate, banana, gooseberries), but I envied the scrambled eggs that my dining buddy got. Note: the scrambled eggs came with fresh fruit, too. (I really should stop being an asshole and stick to savory breakfast dishes.) That was the main selling point for me with the waffle, in my attempt to go healthy. One negative thing to point out – the bacon doesn’t quite measure up, however, it’s a plus that it wasn’t greasy. Coffee is delicious as ever Intelligenstsia, served in a french press carafe. Handmade jewelry, accessories, and art are for sale throughout the place. Fresh flowers are also sold here, and they were beautiful. I’ll definitely go back, especially since it’s a short walk from The Condo.

P.S. I’m sorry I didn’t take pictures of our actual dishes. I just wasn’t thinking about it at the time.

Chicago Bike Laws – Uh, Really?

I’m continuing to do my research on bicycle riding. You have got to be joking with these laws. It’s not that I disagree with any of them – it’s just that they’re clearly not enforced. Do I seriously need to register my bicycle? Someone tell me.

In other news, I think my sis will let me loan/buy her bicycle.