This week has been glorious! I had my first visitor---Ms. Kari Barnhart! It was such a sweet gift from God to have her here with me for a few days this week. It was nice to have a bit of "normalcy" so to speak, which I had been praying for. Kari knows me, so it wasn't like I had to pour out a lot of effort in getting to know her. We just caught up, had a lot of laughs, and enjoyed this beautiful city! The weather has been abnormally cold (well at least for me) the past few days, but earlier in the week it was perfect. The sun was shining and it was warm with a light, cool breeze.
Brunch has always been Kari and Is "thing". Back in Tyler, we would look forward to Saturday morning brunch dates at Cafe Tazza for omelette's and Belgium waffles, so it was only appropriate to start our day with a trip to my favorite brunch place, Orange, with a peel. This is the place that I promise to take everyone who comes to visit. The weather was SO nice that we decided to enjoy our meal on the patio. Kari and I are notorious for ordering a pancake or a waffle and an omelet, and then just splitting it all so we can have the best of both worlds. Today was no different.
Our appetizer: Amazing fruishi. Watermelon sticky rice with green apple and pineapple, accompanied by coconut rice and strawberries. It was delicious.
The Cinnamon Roll pancake. It is BEST pancake I have ever had in my LIFE! It was SO sinful, yet absolutely HEAVENLY! It is 2 cinnamon infused pancakes with a pecan, cinnamon sugar medley sandwiched in between and then covered with vanilla glazed icing and powdered sugar. We couldn't finish it. And needless to say, we didn't eat anything else the rest of the day! Except the free chocolate we managed to score TWICE from Ghiardelli's.
Fortunately, Kari has been to Chicago numerous times, so we didn't have to do any of the touristy stuff. I'm sure I'll get my fair share of that when a lot of you come to visit ;). Therefore, we did what 2 unemployed girls do best...SHOP!!! We hit up our favorite stores on North Michigan Ave. : Forever XXI and H&M. We did some major damage at both stores. I conveniently get to blame Kari for all my purchases (a pair of sandals, a shirt, 2 summer dresses, a pair of matching earrings, and a pair of sunglasses.)!!! It was a great day!
Then on Wednesday, we celebrated Cinco de Mayo by laying out, swimming in the hotel's HEATED pool, eating Italian food, and worshipping in an all-black church :)....no margaritas for us, but we had another wonderful day. Both of us got a little bit of color without getting burned! We were only outside for about an hour---I put on 55+ sunscreen twice and still got a lil pink. Somethings will NEVER change.
Later on that day, I went to my first IMB Appointing worship service and it was AMAZING. There was an incredible time of prayer, all the missionaries going to different countries shared their stories, and then the most awesome time of worship. This was the first time that I had been to an all ethnic black church. Those brutha's and sista's sure know how to lift it up and praise our King! I had such a good time being in the presence of this powerful choir. It was wonderful to clap our hands, get up out of our seats and worship. Here is a picture of the choir:
Thank you, Kari for coming to visit! It was WONDERFUL to have you here with me! I love you!!!
So I've decided that people in Chicago do not celebrate Cinco de Mayo like we do down in Texas. Then again, we don't celebrate St. Patty's Day like they do up here, so I guess it evens out. I was just a little surprised that there wasn't anything going on and that none of the Mexican restaurants had any drink specials on Mexican beer and margaritas.
So last night I went to Angels & Mariachi's with my friend Adam to enjoy a margarita on Seis de Mayo. Better late than never...
Cheers! Happy Seis de Mayo!
Cheers! Happy Seis de Mayo!
My first Chicago margarita. It was good, but not Texas good...
After enjoying my large margarita, like any good girl, I broke the seal...this is what I found in the ladies room and it really tickled me. Sorry fellas...
Well I better wrap this up for now, I've got a few errands to run and some friends to meet up with in a bit, so have a wonderful weekend! I'm headed to Chicago's Celtic Fest...Oh yes friends, be prepared for a lengthy blog next week about my adventures at Millennium Park with all the hot Celts in Kilts with accents. I can hardly contain my excitement!!! :D I'm just praying the weather cooperates!
And to my Mum and all my mom's out there...
Happy Mother's Day!!!
These are the flowers that I sent my mum today at work for Mother's Day. I managed to make her cry buckets! Score :D! I wish I could be with her this weekend :(, so if you are fortunate enough to get to spend time with your mom, enjoy every moment with her! Love her well not only for the holiday, but always.
Aren't they pretty? I picked them just for her! Flowers by LouAnn always does a great job!
P.s. I went on a couple of interviews this week. I don't want to disclose any details just yet, but things went well and I'm in the deciding stages. I'll keep you posted as things become more definite.
P.s.s Thank you to all of you who are concerned about the state that Chicago is in in regards to the National Guard wanting to come in because of all of the gang violence and murders that have been happening. I have already received several texts and I am OK. I am extremely cautious wherever I go and I am not out late by myself. I have already received several text messages about the Old Navy shootings that happened earlier this morning. I am fine, at home, and safe. Just continue to pray for Chicago, just like you pray for the rest of the world. I refuse to walk in fear and I pray daily for this city. God has me here for a reason and I will continue to be a "light" in a "dark" city.
Love to you all from my wonderful city,
Heather :)
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