Holidays are OVER part 4!

It's been almost a month since the holidays are over yet it feels much longer.  One thing that freaks me out as I get older is how fast time flies.  Moments become instant memories in an instant.  You don't have time to process anything.  It's already slipped your fingers.  I've had people come in and out of my life who've affected me deeply yet we only came in contact for a brief time.  I'm saddened by some recent events, and wonder if I can ever truly get use to people being out of my life.  Their imprint has branded a place in my heart deeply...
On Christmas Eve Saturday, I was out at the stores.  A friend of mine had texted me at 1am that Friday night when I had just gotten home from the birthday party.  She wanted to see me at one point so we could exchange gifts.  I panicked.  I was hoping she wouldn't do such a thing, since I normally don't exchange gifts with friends, but we have spent a lot of time together this past year.  I have not known her as long as my close friends, but she's an amazing person and was flattered she got me something.  Since it was late after all, I let her know that my family celebrates Christmas Eve and we would have to touch base sometime this weekend, but I knew I was in a jam.  Since everything would be closed on Sunday for Christmas Day, I had to get her something beforehand.
I was completely tensed up when I got up that day.  My shoulders hurt so much.  I felt too stiff and did not have much sleep because of it.  I got a lucky break when my friend texted me if I wanted to workout.  He was going to head to a department store first to finish up some shopping himself and asked if I wanted to tag along.  I jumped at the opportunity.
We headed down Elston and there was traffic brewing already.  The store was in mayhem, but we managed to find stuff in the hour we were there.  I was pretty satisfied with my gifts, but it didn't stop my shoulders from hurting.  I was on the verge of tears from all of the stress leading up to tonight.  At the gym I used low weights because of how much my body ached.  I figured my body needed to move so I could loosen up.  My friend was great at hearing me out.  I am lucky he was around.  I just needed someone to vent at. 
Once we got back from the gym, I slowly got ready.  My little brother was working that evening and was going to pick me up once he got off from work.  I finished wrapping up my gifts and was ready to get this day over with.  I wasn't enjoy any of this so far.
We arrived to my aunt's place at the same time my other brother and my mom got there.  I could tell my mom seemed sad, but with so much commotion going on in the house, I couldn't check up on her like I wanted to.  I was glad my step brother was already there waiting for us.  He seemed fine to be there, but he ended up leaving after dinner.  He said he wasn't feeling that well when he got there but I couldn't tell if he was telling the truth.  For my mom and him, I knew my step dad was on their mind this day. 
Dinner was the best part of the night.  Me and my brothers always joke around.  We tried to keep the mood light hearted.  Once the conversation headed towards politics and religion, things tensed up again.  I concluded that most families probably can't help but bring up such issues during the holidays.
Finally the moment we've been waiting for all night had arrived and we all hugged and wished each other Merry Christmas.  With the news surrounding the deaths of much loved celebrities, I was grateful that my family was safe and healthy.
How did you spend the holidays?  Was it stressful like mine?  lol.  My moment of clarity was seeing my brothers receive the gifts that I gave them.  I bought them the Chicago Cubs Championship winter hats which were sold out everywhere.  I lucked out finding them but seeing the smiles on my brothers faces was all worth it!

Made it to my aunt's!



My brothers and step brother...

Christmas sweets!

Family pic.  I'm glad we are all safe and healthy.  They mean the world to me.

Magnificent Mile Lights Festival!

The holidays are almost here and of course, I'm not done with my Christmas shopping.  Not to mention, I've been to a couple of holiday/ birthday parties that are catching up to me.  I definitely want to take it easy after this weekend.  I feel bad turning down stuff, but I'm getting too old for this!  Sometimes having fun takes hours away from me and I'm beginning to value my time more.  There is no way I can do everything.  From my last post, I attended a wedding on a Friday.  The next day was the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival on Michigan Avenue.  I had promised my mom we were going to go and check it out.  I need to make some time for her during her retirement.  Her well being is what matters to me.  Although I was exhausted from the night before, we met up and made our way downtown that day. 
I haven't gone to this parade ever.  I was working in retail downtown when they first started to do this many years ago.  Michigan Avenue would get packed from people coming into the city.  Over the years, it has grown to a must-see event for tourists.  I have to admit, I was a little skeptical at first, especially because of how cold it was, but in the end, me and my mom had a blast!  lol.  I figured if we did something different once in a while, she wouldn't feel the time pass by so slow.  Her retirement transition is definitely challenging because she was use to working a lot for so many years.  To slow down is hard for some people.  Luckily, if we all pull through as a family, we can make sure she continues to enjoy time out whenever she can.  This city has so much to offer and it's up to us to take advantage of it!    

The openers of the Lights Festival! 

Brought to you by, Harris Bank!

Of course we had to have a Cubs trolley!

Yes it's a giant mitten.  LOL!!

We got a chipmunk here!

Santa on the horizon...

Fallen nutcracker

Let's eat!

I may not be a foodie but I got a chance to eat pretty well last October.  My friends make fun of me that I never have an appetite for anything.  I rather have a good drink than to have a big meal.  That's because I usually watch what I eat and exercise regularly.  But there are occasions when I find myself out and about trying new things.

My boss wanted to surprise one of our coworkers to a lunch for her upcoming wedding.  She chose the Ralph Lauren restaurant on Chicago avenue.  I was excited to check it out because I've never been.  We made reservations and noticed how full the place was.  Luckily we got our table and ordered a way!  RL is beautifully decorated in Ralph Lauren fashion.  There were sections that looked like a library and then there were sections that reminded me of a horse stable.  There are tons of pictures hanging; some are photographs of old Hollywood actors and  some are of Chicago's iconic skyscrapers.  I missed the feeling of being back in time.  Our city has had our share of up and coming restaurants with a new age/ fusion twist.  It was nice to be in a luxurious country club-style restaurant and enjoy some traditional American food.  By the way, my club sandwich was to die for!  I will say I was pretty envious of their monogram RL coffee cups with matching saucers.

That same week I had dinner in Avec restaurant on Randolph street.  If you head over to this trendy neighborhood, you'll see a string of restaurants back to back.  I haven't been in that area in a while.  It was nice to enjoy a night out in the city.  This tapas restaurant was delish!  I enjoyed the dishes very much and would highly recommend it for a date night out.  

Afterwards we wanted to have some cocktails.  I was curious to see the new Loews hotel, so we headed down there.  We ended up catching the World Series game there.  I loved the lobby bar and even though I'm not a sports fan, had a great time there with the fellow spectators!  Congratulations Kansas!  That was an awesome game!
Tonight me and my family will be celebrating Christmas Eve.  I'm excited to see my mom.  I bought her a vintage brooch and I hope she likes it!  I will let you guys know.  As for everyone out there, please have a safe holiday and enjoy the time spent with family and friends.  If you are spending it alone, there's plenty of Christmas specials on tv as well as blockbuster movies out (hint: Star Wars) for your viewing pleasure.  I'm single so I know how it feels to be alone sometimes.  It's moments like these you go out and try to enjoy your holiday regardless of your circumstance.  Not everyone has it so easy.  No matter how down and out you feel, remember Life has a way of reminding you how blessed you are!  Live life to the fullest!!  And Merry Christmas!!!!!!

 

Check out that mirror!  Loved the décor in RL restaurant!

I cannot find these anywhere, but I need them in my life!



The best club sandwich I've ever had, hands down!

Cheese spread in Avec....

A bottle of pinot to go with our dinner...

I love healthy dishes like this Trout we shared. 

Kale salad with shrimp!  SOOOOOO good!

What I wore to Avec and Loews hotel.  I chose an off the shoulder sweater with bootcut jeans.  Pretty basic since I didn't know where we were heading to.

Where's the snow?

So apparently, parts of the country are experiencing a dry winter so far without any snow.  And according to the weathermen (although I'm not sure how accountable they are), we might have a pretty warm Christmas this year.  They are predicting temperatures to reach around 50 degrees!  We have been getting some gusty rain instead, which in reality should be snow.  But in the meantime, I'll take a snow-less Christmas anytime.  Hey, not to bash a wintery wonderland, but I've lived in Chicago all my life.  It would be nice to take a "break" from the traditional blizzard just for a change.  Regardless, it's not like it's been sunshine city over here.  We still get sun less days, and it's pretty depressing.  Adding snow in the mix sometimes doesn't necessarily put you in the Christmas spirit.   As for me, who doesn't own a car, walking through a blizzard is pretty intense.  I am curious to see if we do get this warm weather.  Let's see how this pans out.
Back to recapping the end of September.  I had just celebrated my friend's birthday at Yuzu sushi.  The next day I was invited to a show to see Diplo perform.  He's part of Jack U which helped put Justin Bieber back in the music map.  I headed off to Concord Music Hall and had a blast.  I love dancing to dance music, especially EDM because the crowd gives off an amazing energy.  Since summer was over, music festivals is one of the things that I miss.  Going to these shows helps with the void in the meantime. 

On the 29th was my mom's birthday.  Me and my brothers decided to surprise her with a birthday dinner.  She had no idea we invited the rest of the family.  She was in shock!  I loved every minute of it!  Her birthday fell on a Tuesday, so it was nice to do something different in the beginning of the week.  We went to a cute Italian restaurant named Trattoria Porretta.  It's located in our neighborhood.  We knew off hand we didn't want to drive all the way downtown for some good food.  Luckily, the restaurant had a parking lot, which helps if you live in the city.  Only in the burbs you get good parking.  Not fair!
Regardless, I caught up with my little cousin, who also went to Italy earlier in the year.  We exchanged traveling stories.  I'm hoping to go back again next year.  I hope she does the same as well.  Traveling DOES expand your horizons.  Plus, Chicago is not for everybody.  I do want to relocate one day, and I feel one day I will find a place elsewhere to live and call "home".  In the meantime, I'm going to have fun looking! 

We all made it!

It was nice seeing everyone together...

My mom looks so happy!  I loved surprising her...

My mom with my brother.  We had a great night that night...