122nd Day

These trees are fading into red from one end to the other. 

Day 122

It was a beautiful last day of September in Springfield today. I've seen it so many times, but I still love the Old State Capitol.

Day 121

By request, another shot of the Chicken McNuggets.

121st Day

Never lose an opportunity to see anything that is beautiful. 

        It is God's handwriting - a wayside sacrament.    Welcome

        it in every fair face, every fair sky,  every fair flower.  

                                                                             - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Day 120

This is Obi-Wan Kenobi. We found him wandering in the desert that is Founders Village and then proceeded to spend our evening trying to find him a home. Tomorrow he will journey to a no-kill shelter in Galesburg.

120th Day

I love when the old meets the new in the city. Scenes such as this are especially common in the River North part of Chicago. 

Day 119

On this especially busy Monday, I'm just now getting to my reading for tomorrow and it's after 11:00 pm. Who needs sleep?!

119th Day

Chicago, Chicago that toddlin' town was quite cloudy when I returned. 

Day 118

The McDonald's Chicken McNuggets are making a return appearance in my windowsill for Halloween this year. I think I've had them since I was four or five, and they still make me laugh.

118th Day

Delicious autumn!  My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.  ~George Eliot

Day 117

After a day spent out in the rain at a football game, there's nothing better than curling up on the couch with some peanuts and candy corn to spend the evening with my old pal Katharine Hepburn.

Day 116

Whenever I see a leaf that looks particularly crunchy, I can't help but step on it. On my way across campus last night, I found just one such leaf!

117th Day

 

            Ponchos, ponchos, and umbrellas!

              

116th Day

I miss this. 

Autumn doesn't look like this in the city. 

115th Day

All of the lake side chairs in the IC were taken this afternoon so I found a seat facing campus. I got to watch the wind whipping through the Windy City on this first day official day of Autumn.

Day 115

I do my best writing when sitting on the floor. And tonight, my apartment is covered in newspaper articles and census records.

114th Day

I love autumnal decorations. So does Enrique. 

Day 114

I rocked the new Burberry glasses today. I kinda sorta like 'em. A lot. I also like old books. They're everywhere in my apartment!

113th Day

Getting our Gleek on for the season premiere.  Meet Emma Pillsbury, Mercedes Jones, and Rachel Berry.  We have too much fun dressing up.

Day 113

Well, I love a rainy night! Especially when I can:

a. stay in bed and read

b. go for a run

Tonight, I didn't get to do either of those things, but I still love the rain!

112th Day

In honor of my presentation on American Manhood for my Women and Gender course I decided I needed to get in a manly spirit.  Flexing while looking fierce was my best try. 

Day 112

I drink entirely too much Coca-Cola. I like to think that Vincent Van Gogh did too. Although he was probably drinking the heavier stuff.

111th Day

Having grown up in an old house, discussions of crown molding, wainscoting, beading, pocket-doors, newel posts, and spindles were common.  I was able to put this unique knowledge to test on Sunday as I volunteered as a docent for the Edgewater Historical Society's Annual Historic Homes tour.  I spent my afternoon in a charming Queen Anne style home ushering visitors throughout the upstairs, oo-ing and awing over the five bedrooms, maple flooring, and beautiful crown moldings.  I was especially enamored by the original doors and doorknobs, and the beautiful stained glass window on the landing of the stair case.  I am such a nerd.   

Day 111

Best word of the day ever: Orchidaceous. I will soon be peppering my daily conversation with the word orchidaceous.

Ejemplo Uno: "Why are you so orchidaceous? Stop it."

Ejemplo Dos "There was nothing orchidaceous about my evening -- just cooking Indian food and watching The Office with friends."

Day 110

And so my cooking adventure continues...

110th Day

"Give me the splendid silent sun with all his beams full - dazzling, give me juicy autumnal fruit ripe and red from the orchard." Walt Whitman.

Day 109

Today, Nora and I went on an archives-style adventure to find a trophy. Sadly, we didn't find it. But we did climb up this scary ladder. Unlike last time, I made sure to wear shoes.

109th Day

Today I joined my friend and classmate, Brooke, for lunch to talk about life outside of academia. We ate at the adorable Waterfront Cafe which has a spectacular view of the skyline. The weather was absolutely perfect.  We both had delicious wraps, and I got really excited that their menu was creative and vegetarian friendly.  I'm just sad that I just now found this place because it's closing down for the season on October 15th.  At least we got to enjoy it today - and we've still got a month!

Day 108

When life starts to get the best of me, s'mores are the perfect remedy...

Along with reminiscing about my favorite place in the entire world. If only I could go live on the beautiful island of Grenada!

108th Day

I have been in awe of my bright bouquet of flowers all week and I just had to share them.  The lilies are especially breathtaking.  I took a series of shots as a little experiment to see how quickly they opened.

This was taken last night.

And I awoke to this.

This one was slowly waking with the sunshine.

And greeted me when I returned home tonight.

Note: the quickest way into my heart... fresh flowers.

Day 107

I'm addicted to research. And the library. There's a possibility that it's becoming a problem.

107th Day

Today was the launch party for Loyola's new catalog system: WorldCat Local. College kids (and adults) can't resist free food and games, right?  In the picture above, Charis and I are on the balcony of the IC.  Yup, a balcony in a library.  How cool is that?!  Below are some of my library crew enjoying a game of Uno, some free snacks, silent films projected on the wall, and tutorials of our sweet new online catalog.  It was a fantastic hour between work and class. 

106th Day

My alternate route to work this morning included a detour to the U.S. Post Office in the Loop (Gavin, Hope and Anna - keep an eye on the mail!).  As I crossed Dearborn in front of the Dirksen Federal Building, and passed a line of protesters who have stood there every Tuesday morning since September 11, 2001, I was greeted by a large farmers market under "The Flamingo" statue.  These baskets of tomatoes, corn, and apples seemed out of place surrounded by steel, glass, and brick.  Nevertheless, it was an unexpected treat to my morning and provided me with some much breakfast. 

(U.S. Post Office in background)

Day 106

Two cups before Art History. Two cups after Art History. One cup in the library after lunch. One cup in the library after doing some research. I pretty much live on coffee (and Chinese/Mexican food) these days.

Day 105

I ran in my beautiful new running shoes for the first time this morning. I am seriously in love with them -- like Cinderella and her glass slipper/Dorothy and her ruby red shoes in love.

105th Day

The Bezazian Branch of the Chicago Public Library in Uptown is only a few short blocks from my apartment.  It's great for when the books I want at Loyola's library are all checked out. Like today.

104th Day

Yes, food again, I know. But it's frushi - fruit sushi! 

Delicious!

Day 104

My left foot is finally free!

103rd Day

My mother raised me to understand that presentation is key. 

This Bridal shower had an English feel, what with cucumber sandwiches and Eton Mess. Delicious!

The Bride and friends for some Amazing Indian food. (Note: I hadn't really had Indian food before last night, but it is seriously like a party in your mouth - so many flavors! And so vegetarian friendly!)

The Bride and her (free) flourless dark chocolate cake. Our waiter had recently eloped with his love of 22 years and was excited for Gretchen's wedding.