Hello summer! Sort of!

Industry Events is over! The Spring semester is over!  We ended the semester 2 weeks early because of the NATO summit - Columbia is pretty close (or close enough where it matters) to Grant Park where the protest are, so the school was worried about the safety of employees and students.  Now that the G-8 moved, we just have Nato, which is May 18-21.  We have those dates off :)

Anyway, time to settle into the summertime planning and moving on with my life!
Bill and I are starting the home search again - its pretty necessary.  We're still unsure whats up with our apartment, and I REALLY want to own a home.  Paint a wall, tear down a wall, etc.  I'm ready to start nesting.

Anywho you six readers out there, prepare for a summer of veggie shots from my CSA, and of course my garden.
Over and Out.

Me and Richard Steele, journalist and reporter at WBEZ at the Radio Industry Event.  Man my arm looks fat.  And working out can resume now, too!

April is kind of like February.

Longest month ever.  And its so cold!  Way colder then March.  I'm exhausted. I'm feeling a little weird about work.   We have 12 Industry Events that we are planning, and we had our first one last night.
I feel like I may not be as valued as the other CIL's, though.  I'm very logistical, but I feel like sometimes I'm not really needed.  And like I'm really not valued.

Maybe I'm just being self doubting, I don't know.  I know I'm tired and that expectations are super high.  We had our first event last night and it went really well.  I just really hope they all go that well.  I'm feeling like I'm fluttering - we have 3 events in one week and we don't have enough professionals, are unsure about the seating situation, and for one event I don't even know what room they are in.

I just hope I  can make it through.  Worst though is that Jack died today, of Jack and Angie, Bill's mom's cousin.  I know it sounds distant but its not.  Its Bill's only extended family in the states.  He's very sad as is the family, and if I wasn't working so much yesterday I could have had an opportunity to visit with him one last time.  What a month.

100th post, and I'm 34

Wowzer!  Really?  My 100th post.  Overdue, that's for sure.
I had a lovely birthday week - I normally don't have a birthday week at all, my birthday happens to usually fall on a weekend, or over spring break when I have time to take my birthday off and this year is different.  I didn't get to speak to David Carmona, the wonderful man and soul that has never forgotten to call me on my birthday.  I wanted to call back, but he's on a fantastic vacation with his family so I would rather not disturb.  It means so much more that I'm in his thoughts, I love him so much.

I had a great birthday celebration at Archie's, there were so many moments when I looked around and thought "Wow.  I'm so lucky.  I literally have so many friends here for ME.  For me.  They love me.  And I love them.  And I am so loved.  And I am so happy."  That is the most important thing I took away from my birthday.  Being blessed.  So amazingly blessed.  Friends are family and they really do make the world go round.

I guess thats it in a nutshell.  David called and left me a sweet message, Japes has yet to miss one of my birthdays yet when he shows up I'm stunned, John rolls in on his bike even without Kadima, and all my city people are there.  Mary bought me pretzel rods.  Friends brought me unnecessary gifts that I didn't need but wow, I love.   And didn't ask for at all.  Bill bought me shoes that yes, I do love.

I woke up on my birthday to a sweet birthday song from Molly, Ryann and Taylor. You can't ask for any better.

I love you all.  Thank you all for being my friends.  We travel down the road and back again.  And you know the rest.

March and April

Running at full speed ahead into spring - we somehow "sprang" forward already yesterday, and now its already almost halfway through the month.

Work is freaking crazy, I have been going full steam ahead with Industry Events and the first event is less then a month away.  Kind of freaking out over here.

I also have been going to Industry parties, any kind of social engagement to invite professionals to Industry Events.  The best ones have cotton candy.

That's Lisa from Women In Film.  Its good to have people to tag team these events with.
And thats about it.  All I do is work.  I have started working on my website but I have no idea what I want my website to actually be.  So its kind of all over the place.
Anyway, there is nothing I would love to do now more then anything then lay under my desk and nap.   But I can't.  But I wish I could.

Oh, and my birthday is coming up - just planned it Here!

Leap Day William

Because February is the longest yet shortest month of them all, I thought to start off on a comedic foot.  Today is Leap Day!  I'm not really sure if I'm supposed to do something special or not, but since it only happens once every four years, I figured I should mention it.

Anyway, this has been a tough month.  My dad had surgery, work has been stupidly stressful, Mackie was forced into resigning from her position at work and now she needs to start looking for a new job.
I feel like every February is a trial.  Lex and Mary-Frances both lost a parent in February.  Two years ago was a terrible February for the Alevizos's.  It really is a hard month, and I wonder what the power of February is to make things like this happen, and to really have such a strong blow.

It's like February is a challenge, its so hard to climb over it and get to March.  Maybe that is why, though.  The last month after a long, cold and dark winter.  Spring right out of reach of your fingertips.  I'm not sure, I just hope that the rest of the year goes better then it has started.

Am I really an adult?

Sometimes I feel like that I may not "really" be an adult.  My perception of an adult as a child was many things involving suits, knowing how to go to places, making home improvements, married with kids.

Well, I have one of those things.  We have a higher majority of friend that rent vs friends that own.

Home ownership is terrifying.  So scary.  But in the same way, its always been something I have wanted.  I hate paying rent.  Our landlords pop by whenever, we always have to worry if they come by and the gates are open and the dogs can escape; or worse - dare they just walk in.
Our deck is in total code violation - I guarantee more then 10 people would collapse that thing.

I have an obsessive addiction of looking at houses - online, I probably get emails from at least 4 different companies a day - Truilia, Redfin, etc.  Because I really want to own.  Come April 2012, we will have paid over 40K in rent where we currently are.

But there is the freedom in renting - being able to move to a different hood, not being responsible, etc.  But with the responsibility of 2 dogs  - its not that easy.  Only one is "medium size".

Anyway, on our homeowner ship quest, we found the house in the post previous to this.  Is it perfect?  HELL NO.  Is the yard the size of a shoebox?  HELL YES.  But is there potential?  Can we move in and be comfy until the kitchen makes me crazy (minimum of 2 weeks), but can we?  Yes we can.  I think.

These big decisions in life terrify me.  As they would with normal people.  After renting for 13 years, owning is totally different.  But a lot of people do it.  Its how I look at having children - lots of people do it.  So there has to be a learning curve I have to learn, right?

The dude accepted our offer - 50K less then what he was asking + a 13 month home warranty, meaning if the furnace blows or the roof implodes, we're ok...at least I think?

My biggest fear is leaving my neighborhood.  I was thinking Forest Park because there is so much more bang for your buck, and talk about YARDS!  But then, I think that maybe I'm not ready.  When kids come, it will definitely be my #1.  But for now - lets see?

I have lived in Ukrainian Village for 13 years!  Well, my first place was Goose Island, but I don't count that, really  My living, growing, turning into the person I am, meeting Bill was in UV.  It's a lot.  UV is so freaking pretty, and nice, and safe, and convenient,  and what I'm used to.  Logan Square is all diagonal streets and I'm easily confused.  I can figure it out, right?  Its so much more populated over there it seems, right next to the blue line.... as I ramble on and on.

Here it is on the map! 2711 Julia Ct.  I do kind of love I would be Julie on Julia...not going to lie.
Stay tuned.....

The House we want to buy

Here we go again!  Our building is in foreclosure, and Bill and I have had enough!  We found a house that we both really, really, really like.  Here are some photos!