Chicago

We’re currently in the Windy City for me–I have a business meeting this evening–and we’ve turned it into a mini vacation. We’re only going to be here two nights, but so far we’ve accomplished a bit. We’re staying at a hotel right in the heart of the shopping/dining district of Chicago, and we’re only two blocks from the Magnificent Mile. We’ve taken advantage of that already.

Here’s some pictures of the view from our hotel room window (we’re on the 31st floor):

The coup de gras

And here’s me sitting outside the Lego Store on the Magnificent Mile (told ya we’d already done a little shopping):

I think he kind of likes me.

We battled with whether or not to come to town the day before the meeting, but I’m glad we did. It was a 5-hour drive, and it took us forever to find parking. I couldn’t have imagined doing all that and then going to a huge meeting that I’ve been preparing for for months. Yeah, not a happy Alicia.

Anyway, we’re deciding whether to stay around the hotel and do some more shopping (I have to be back early to prepare for my meeting–which will take up most of the afternoon and the entire evening) or go to the Shedd Aquarium for a few hours. With our dear friend, T, moving to Chicago next week, we’re certain we will be visiting often, especially since we’ve discovered the MegaBus and all it’s inexpensive, comfortable gloriousness (T has recommended it highly, and I’m going to try it out in April when I get to go back to MN for a long weekend!). I’ll upload more photos as soon as I have something more to share.

Scratching San Fran

We were going to head over to the West Coast of the U.S. and visit beautiful and fascinating San Francisco, but I think we’re going to stay a bit closer to home this summer. Now I have to decide between a weekend excursion to Holland, MI or to Niagara Falls, ON (Canada totally got the better side of the Falls). Hmmm. . . . Choices, choices!

Incognito

Sorry I’ve been MIA. I’m now 95% time at work, which means I spend many more hours at work each week. I’m not complaining. I’ve been able to accomplish a ton more at work, including enhancing my division’s online presence. I no longer feel like I’m always playing catch-up during the days I’m there. I feel like I’m doing something more. And that feels good.

But it makes my neglect most everything else in my life while I get adjusted. And this includes my blog. I’ll get better at keeping up. There will be much more fun stuff to write about soon, I’m sure.