Fourth of July in Chicago

For the fourth of July weekend, Garry decided to make another trip to Chicago. Thursday night we went out to dinner with my room mate and her boyfriend to a really good Mexican restaurant on the corner of my street. Then we headed out to Wrigleyville for the rest of the night.

Friday, we went to the beach. It was colder than what I thought it would be and really packed but we decided to go to Castaways (restaurant/bar on the beach) and we sat on that deck with our towels and it was much nicer. Friday night, Robyn had a BBQ on her roof deck. It turned out great! We all made home made sangria and there was plenty of good food. Her deck has awesome views to the city and to the lake. We watched some fireworks that were going off at Belmont Harbor. Then, from one angle of the building we could see the fireworks that were going off in all of the burbs. After Robyn's we went to Murphy's and then called it an early night.

On Saturday we went on the Untouchable Tours. The tour takes you to the famous gangster hit spots and hot spots including the St. Valentine's Day Massacre site, Holy Name Cathedral, the Biograph Theatre (the ambush site of John Dillinger, where the "Lady in Red" betrayed him) and the flower shop of Capone's North Side rival Dion O'Banion (who Capone "rubbed out"). It was neat to see all the different areas of Chicago at the same time.

After the tour, since we were downtown, we decided to go to the Signature Room for a drink and to see the view of the skyline. I went into the bathroom and took pics of the view and showed Garry the pics. He was very disappointed when he went to the guys bathroom and came back with a picture with no view. (Below - Women's restroom view on the left/Men's on the right)

After the tour we ended up going shopping and then headed to Murphs to meet up with Vic, Robyn, and Sara and we played cards.

Sunday we relaxed and went to dinner at I took Garry to my favorite sushi restaurant for his birthday gift. Oh and over the weekend, I found out that there is a way to get to the top of my roof from the back stairs and you can see the view of the city. It isn't necessarily a roof deck, pretty much just the roof, but people go up there all the time. The view is awesome b/c you can also see a small part of Wrigley Stadium, the Sears Tower, and Trump tower.

The weekend in Chicago for the Fourth and really fun, I was not excited about the 6AM flight to ATL on Monday morning.

First full week in ATL

So, the week of June 23 (I know I haven't blogged in forever!) I decided to stay a few extra days in ATL. The week in ATL was eventful. Garry and I grilled out one night (which I love doing in the summers) and we went to a Braves game that he owed me for losing a bet. Although, we didn’t get to the game until the 7th inning b/c I was working late, we still had fun.

Garry decided to take the chance and bet against me for the Redwings/Penguins Stanley Cup finals. He obviously lost which meant that he needed to pay up and take me to Six Flags. On Friday we took the day off and spent the day at the park. We weren’t able to ride on some rides b/c the lines were ridiculous. We were able to ride the new ride “Goliath”. I loved the roller coaster but I still think that my favorite was the “Acrophobia” which is like the “Demon Drop” at Cedar Point. It takes you up abut 16 stories and to make it more thrilling it tilts you at the top. Then it drops you fast and the whole ride lasts around 45 seconds. So much fun. Even with a little afternoon rain (during lunch) the day turned out to be great. I would love to go back again though to ride the other rides that we couldn’t.

On Friday night 10 of us who went out to a Japanese Steakhouse for Garry’s birthday. The food was really great! After the restaurant we all met back at Garry’s for everyone to gather before we headed out on the town in ATL. It was a really fun night and I definitely enjoyed seeing more parts of ATL other than downtown.
Since everyone was pretty tired from the night before, we all went to dinner on Saturday and watched the movie “Wanted”. The movie was a little far fetched but it was really good. And, some parts were filmed in Chicago (close to my house) and that was awesome to see. I think at one point Garry was annoyed with me telling him “I know where that is” all throughout the movie:-)

I had an 8AM flight back to Chicago on Sunday. The Gay/Pride parade was held that weekend and everyone in Chicago, says you need to see it at least once and it was in my neighborhood so I wanted to see what it was all about. I met up with friends to watch it and it rained on and off so the parade was stopping and then starting again. It was definitely a different experience but I am glad I decided to see what it was all about. A few pics from the parade are below.

Road Trip – Operation BWI to Kazoo

On Thursday (June 19) I flew to BWI (Baltimore, Maryland). Erin, Carrie, and I were moving Andrea back to MI! My flight got into BWI about 1130PM. Andrea and I went to get snacks for the road after and we didn’t get home to her apartment until about 1230AM. We put in a movie and I was sleeping in the first 15 minutes:-) Erin and Carrie flew in on Friday morning.

So, Andrea wasn’t packed all the way. Carrie has helped move both of us and she said it was a toss up as to who was packed up the least. Luckily, Andrea had a few of her friend’s students (middle school age) come and help load the Uhaul (well we referred to it as a uhaul b/c I guess that is the staple, but it was actual a budget rental which we referred to as the “15 feet of danger” After it was all packed up we sat by the pool for about an hour.

We were MI bound by 4:30PM. (Carrie was driving Andrea’s car and Andrea was driving the “15 feet of danger” The previous week Carrie told me that she was brining walkie talkies. I responded with “awesome, but I have a cell phone”. However, they were the best idea ever! We were playing games over them which made for a fun and eventful ride.

Around 9PM we stopped at this pizza place (pretty much in the middle of nowhere) and we had dinner there. It was my turn and Erin’s turn to drive. And of course at that point it started to rain, only lasting about 45 minutes.

It was around 1130 when we started discussing where to stay over night; however, we made the decision to continue to drive b/c none of us were tired. I did have like 3 Large McD’s coffees throughout the course of the night. Carrie feel asleep and luckily Garry was in a talkative mood and stayed on the phone with me for an hour while I drove. 7 hours later (around 4AM) we stopped to go to the bathroom and get more coffee. At that point we were close to MI. Carrie decided to drive a little to let me sleep. A5 530AM I woke up when we arrived to Ann Arbor (Carrie and Erin left their car there when the left for the airport). So, it was now just me and Andrea. The ride from Ann Arbor was a little painful…I felt like a zombie at that point. We arrived in Kazoo around 730AM and finally made it to bed around 8AM. We slept until 230PM the following day…well needed rest. On Sat afternoon we had to unload some things from the “15 foot of danger” including a couch between the two of yes…that was fun. (Below I manged to take a few pictures of the nice scenery along the way)

Sat night we went to grab take out from Kansas City Dipping Grill where they have the best cream cheese based dips. We went to Monaco Bay for a couple drinks so we could see Brian. We went back to where she is now staying as a nanny for the kids on Gull Lake. It was nice to be near a lake for a change without all of the city noise. They had an indoor pool, so we swam for a bit and then went to bed.

Andrea took me to the train station in the morning and I headed back to Chicago to pack and get ready for the long week in the ATL.

Father's Day Weekend

On Sat morning I took the train to Kalamazoo where my mom and sis picked me up for a nice weekend at home. Of course on the way back to Ionia we stopped at Target, why not? Target twice in one week is too much! Now I know I why I went broke when I used to live by Target. Saturday night we visited my Nana in the nursing home. She will be there for a few weeks as she is recovering from some health issues.

On Sat night/Sunday morning (1AM) , my mom and I took my sister to Lansing so she could meet with her missions group to fly out to Costa Rica that day. After getting back home and catching a few hours of sleep we went to the nursing home and had cake and ice cream for Father’s Day.

I still had to work on Monday and Tuesday but it was just nice to be home and seeing family.

On Monday for dinner my mom made blue gill (which is one of my favs). I loved it growing up having blue gill during the summer for dinner, so having it on Monday brought back a lot of memories. She cooks it by rolling it in pancake batter and frying it and then she makes a “special sauce” that goes perfect with it. With the passing of my aunt, my cousin came into town. He is in the marines and lives in San Diego. I was able to see him for a few hours that night which was awesome. He is moving to North Carolina for a different position, so hopefully I will be able to see him more as that is a better commute from CHI and ATL.


On Tuesday I had a breakfast date with my Boppy (Grandpa). I was so excited to go to breakfast with just him and I. I went to pick him up at his house and he was already waiting outside We went to Big Boy and I tried Eggs Benedict for the first time and loved them. It is so cute b/c my Boppy knows like everyone in that restaurant and when a couple came by to say hi he said the “you remember so and so, right?” You have to love when grandparents do that and of course I didn’t remember them. I had the afternoon off so my mom and I went to get our nails done and I also got a pedicure! I went to visit with my Nana for a couple of hours before dinner and of course cried like a baby when I left. It is always so hard to leave home. I am satisfied with my decision to stay in CHI but I still question myself sometimes. I am the only one that lives “far away” so it’s tough. For dinner, my mom made another one of my favorites, goulash. My dad doesn’t like it that much but she still made it for meJ Then, around 7:00PM we left to go to the train station in Kalamazoo. My mom and Boppy and of course Kiara went to take me.

As always it was great to be at home and spend time with the fam. And, I also got to see my dog…Hopefully I stop traveling all the time, so I can have her back. I miss her like crazy. (And obviously her Aunt Stephanie purchased this toy for her)

Good Week in ATL

This past week when I went to ATL I stayed in a part of town called Buckhead (this would be the equivalent to a Lincoln Park in Chicago) The area is not in the downtown district and it is where a lot of young professionals and families live. I was able to stay out there because the hotel I normally stay at (downtown near to the office) was sold out. This area of Buckhead also has Target! I never able to go to Target anymore b/c I don’t have a car in Chicago and it isn’t convenient to go there on a bus (b/c I end up getting too much stuff and I don’t want to carry that home...downfall of city living)

On Monday Garry was nice enough to take me to Target. I’m pretty sure he thought I was crazy b/c I was “glowing” when we walked in. He asked if I had a list…haha. I said "nope I am going down every aisle." An hour and half later we were out of the store. I was actually quite impressed with myself for as much stuff as I purchased and that I was so fast! I even packed an extra bag knowing that I would need the room! After Target we went to a restaurant called “Eclipse di luna “. It was Spanish tapas, so we ordered about 5 small plates. The food was awesome and I tried mussels for the first time. (http://www.eclipsediluna.com/pp/pp_gallery.php)

Tuesday was a late dinner. I went to a friends for some steaks on the grill and corn on the cob. I also made a goat cheese/pesto appetizer. So easy and very good! Dinner was followed by a glass of wine on the deck. It was so nice to be out of the city for a change. The area of town where I was staying was more residential. There were actually “woods” behind my friend’s house. (Not the “hunting” woods but trees”)

Wednesday I worked until about 915 but then I was invited to go bowling so I thought I would try it out. I haven’t went bowling in I don’t know how long. I ended up getting 5 strikes and bowling a 137. I wasn’t really sure how that happened but it was a good time.

I am fortunate that I was able to see a different part of town to have a different outlook of the area.

Sara's B-day

I feel like I am slacking in the blogging department lately.

Last weekend was Sara’s birthday so we went out to dinner on Friday and then hosted a party for her on Saturday.

Dinner on Friday was great. We went to New Tokyo for sushi. It is a small sushi place and it is BYOB. So we always take wine there. The food is great but the service is always terrible, yet we still keep going back. I think it is because it is so good and convenient to where we all live. After dinner we went to Murphys and had couple glasses of wine and then ended an early night.


The next day Robyn, Jodi, and I hosted a BBQ for her. Robyn and I had bought all the food during the week and the guests had to bring the meat to grill. It was a really fun day. We hung out outside and played some flippy cup. It was raining on and off so we had to continue to go from in and out of the apartment. But the rain didn’t prevent us from having a good time. I bought Sara a ring toss game and by the end of the night made her wear it so we could play. Everyone had that came to the party had to write a pick up line on their name tag. Mine was "How much does a Polar Bear weigh?" (Someone would say "how much") and my response would be "Enough to break the ice, my name is Staci" We had alot of great pick up lines that day and it added to the fun of the party. Sara is like a big sister to me so for her birthday I got her flowers and I made her a shirt that said “My lil sis loves me”. It was cute.

It was a great day bbq-ing in the city.

Sex and the City - Night out with the girls...

Last week we pre-ordered Sex and the City movie tickets for a show tonight. So, it was four of us girls that went out to dinner to JAlexanders (no cosmos but pinot grigio was involved). After dinner we went to the show.

I really miss that TV series! It is almost sad because I wonder if this is it now? I hope there will be a sequel but I guess we will have to wait and find out!

The book of poems in the movie was interesting and looks like it would be interesting to read (to a certain point b/c that stuff doesn't not happen anymore) Anyways the book is called "Love Letters of Great Men" if you watched the movie and would like to read it. I think I need to purchase that book according to the quiz below:-)

You Are Most Like Miranda!

While you've had your fair share of romance, men don't come first Guys are a distant third to your friends and career. And this independence *is* attractive to some men, in measured doses. Remember that if you imagine the best outcome, it might just happen. Romantic prediction: Someone from your past is waiting to reconnect... But you'll have to think of him differently, if you want things to work.

Which Sex and the City Vixen Are You?

P.S. I was hoping the Wings would just win the Stanley Cup on Monday but they didn't so the final game was tonight. And yes, I missed it. However, I made sure to score updates throughout the movie. At one point my mom asked my dad he was texting and he said Stac. She then told him that I was at a movie, he replied with "Yeah I know, but she wants score updates"