Surprise Birthday Party Barbecue

My friend decided to throw a birthday party for her boyfriend who was turning 40 this year.  He was really surprised!  Lol.  We all hid behind the garage while they pulled in.  My friend had snuck in her other friend to decorate the backyard while they were out grocery shopping.  We even had pizza delivered in time for the party.  Of course the birthday boy couldn’t help get a barbecue grill  going.  That’s his specialty.  I loved that Sunday.  It was a quick party that came together at the last minute but we all enjoyed ourselves that day.

West Fest 2018

This year I went with my friends on a Sunday for West Fest.  Normally this festival runs all weekend, but over the years, we noticed the crowd was usually significantly better on Sundays.  Again, Chicago was battling hot temperatures.  I laid low the rest of the weekend and was ready for my friends to pick me up after church that day.  We luckily found parking and decided to have a late lunch at the infamous Tecalitlan Restaurant right by the corner of Wood street.  Believe it or not we also lucked out getting a table.  Again, we had a great time catching up with everyone as little by little more people joined in our group.  We spent a good amount a time at the restaurant and decided to join in on the fun by finding a spot not too far from the stage.  There we listened to some good old house music before heading home early.  We didn’t want to stay out once the festival was over since it would be hectic to get an uber.

King for a Day!

I am so grateful today is Friday!  I am pooped out.  I had an eventful week and I’m glad it’s almost over.  I am also proud of myself.  I managed to get some things done for my upcoming trip.  It’s nerve wrecking everytime I have to fly out.

Last weekend Cinco de Mayo and the Kentucky Derby was going on.  And I didn’t do a thing.  I was not in the mood to deal with overly drunk people.  I skipped out on the day parties and enjoyed my usual Saturday routine.  I cleaned up my apartment, did some French lessons, and read a chapter on a book I’m trying to finish up.  I also had the chance to lay out on my balcony.  I missed being under the sun.

Sunday I had a birthday party to attend to.  My friend’s son was turning one, and she threw a big soiree for him!  He was calm throughout the party despite being around so many people.  We were impressed!  It was nice to see my friends together.  It’s getting harder and harder to catch up with one another.  I had a good time until someone let the yorkies out.  My allergies started right away and I left shortly after.

With all of us moving in different directions and dealing with personal struggles of our own, I think the importance of being kind to one another is more important than ever.  I’m stressed out as well and my anxiety is not helping the situation.  The countdown has begun…

Shameless

Due to recent circumstances, I will be posting less frequently in order to take some time for myself.  Unfortunately, I’ve been hit with too many personal issues at once, and it’s beginning to take a toll on me.  I’ve been having a hard time sleeping, have been ill with a cold/cough, and feeling overwhelmed.  Despite this turn of events, I feel the need to be close to loved ones more than ever.  Some of my recent posts are bringing me back to the start of all of this.  I have to admit, it’s very hard for me.

Columbus Day weekend, my friend was visiting from out of town.  I was very excited to see her.  We use to work with each other back when I first started retail.  I loved our friendship very much.  When she left Chicago I was sad, but luckily she comes into town pretty often to visit her family.  On this trip we scheduled to see each other that Sunday.  We made plans to go to the mall.

Well that didn’t happen of course.  Lol.  She picked me up and confessed that she wasn’t feeling well herself, and wanted to go back to her sister’s place and chill like we use to do.  I didn’t mind one bit, but she did have a request for me.  She wanted to see the house from the series “Shameless.”  Even though I am a native Chicagoan, I didn’t recognize the show.  I rarely watch tv and it’s been that way for me for a while.  Most of the times, I have no idea what people are talking about when they mention Game of Thrones or Stranger Things.  I rather read a good self-help book.

We drove down to the neighborhood and tried to find the address.  My friend recognized it right away but we were unaware that people did reside in the house.  There was a family bbq happening in the front lawn, and we looked like stalkers driving up to it very slowly.  Despite my pleas to leave, my friend insisted I take a quick pic before she put the pedal to the medal.  I got the money shot and we drove away like bandits. 

Back at her sister’s we shared our little adventure.  Only she can make me do something so silly like that.  I miss her very much.  I wish we could work together like we use to.  We had a lot of fun when we did…

The Money Shot-  Shameless House 

Labor Day Madness

I’m recapping Labor Day Weekend before I went on my big trip.

Since I only purchased one day for North Coast Festival that Friday, I figured I would do my chores and usual leg day routine at the gym the next.  One of our friends was in town from Michigan but she wanted to meet at Brookfield Zoo around 1pm.  I wasn’t sure which of my other friends were going so I could bum a ride.  I do not own a car, but lately, it’s become harder to meet up with my friends.  Some of them have kids and have moved out of the city.  I was thinking maybe in the distant future I should consider getting one, but who knows.

I didn’t have any plans until the evening when our other friend invited us to her place in Skokie.  We headed over there and hung out all night.  It was fun catching up.

The next day, our other friend was planning a Labor Day bbq in her new home.  She bought a house not far from where I live in the city, which is nice because I can actually see her from time to time.  Lol

Once at the bbq it was food galore.  I was having a good time until another friend was messaging me.  She wanted to go out.  It was nearing 7pm but she insisted Estate was the place to be right now.  I had to go home and change.  I ordered an uber and off I went.

I messaged my friend that I was on my way once I was dressed.  We got to Estate around 9pm and she was right!  Apparently they had a block party happening along with djs on stage.  People were dancing all over the place.  I was enjoying myself.

Because of the noise ordinance, the crowd came into Estate after 10pm.  I didn’t realize how packed it could get on a Sunday night, but then again, it was Labor Day weekend.  I saw some familiar faces, too!  Once it got close to midnight, we decided to go to another spot.  

A few of us headed to Tunnel in River North.  Again, it was nice seeing more familiar faces and catching up.  I wasn’t paying attention to the time at all.  Next thing you know, Tunnel was announcing last call.  We still didn’t have enough.  We wanted to head to a later spot.  

People started heading to different spots but now me and our new group decided to go to Underground.  It still tops as one of the number one venues in River North.  Luckily we got in but the vibe inside was amazing!  I forgot how much fun I have in this place.

I felt a little guilty the next day on Labor Day on all of the spots I went to that night.  I haven’t gone out like that in a while.  I can’t help but think how much more of this I have left in me.  What can you do when you live in the city?

Thai on Taylor Street

Finishing up recapping my weekend when my friends were in town from North Carolina.  The next day was Sunday and some of them had flown out earlier in the morning.  After church, I got a chance to meet up with one of the birthday boys and my girlfriend.  We decided to hit a fest on Taylor Street for the Taste of Italy.  Taylor Street was always known for being the street for Italian cuisine, but over the years, it has grown into a diverse community.  I rode the Blue Line over there and got off at UIC school and got an uber ride from there.  The air and water show was still taking place, so the traffic on the expy was insane.  I figured if I rode down there via transit, it would help me cut the traffic.  We decided to meet up at Ralph’s Cigars which was nice because I’ve never been there before.  Once our friend met up we walked in the festival.  It was crowded and hot, perfect for some Italian ice.  Unfortunately, due to time restrictions we figured we should get the birthday boy some real food instead.  He insisted on Thai food (lol) so we went to his favorite restaurant.  It was nice catching up to them.  I told them about my struggles with my mom and her anxiety.  They shared me their stories as well.  It’s nice to hear different perspectives on how to handle senior parents.  Our friend had to run to catch his flight, so we drove him all the way to the airport.  We were cutting it close but he made it!  On the way back I caught up with my girlfriend too on my emotional weekend.  I hope she understands where I’m coming from when I tell her how I feel.  I’m 9 years older than her and I want to make sure she can see things from my perspective.  Getting older and dwelling on regrets is a hard.  You have to realize at one point, some of the choices you’ve made haven’t been the wisest.  In the end, you just want your loved ones to be safe, and everyone to be happy. 

I made it home in time for my older brother to pick me up.  My dad wanted to celebrate my younger brother's birthday.  I had a chocolate cake from Portillo's for the dinner.  Unfortunately it was pretty hot that day and the cake fell in.  At least everyone still enjoyed it!  Lol

Suburban birthday party!

Last Sunday I attended my friend's son's birthday party out in Skokie.  They had him baptized a month earlier.  I know it was pretty stressful for my friend to plan two parties so close together, but what can you do?  It's fun to enjoy some of our summer, and as usual, me and my friends had a good time catching up with one another.  I made sure I brought along my appetite!  They hired a taco stand with cooks preparing our customized tacos!  Yummy!!


Despite yesterday's terrorism attack in Nice France, I've grown to realize the importance of spending quality time with my friends.  I care for them so deeply.  I've always said they are my 2nd family.  My friend in Italy was pretty upset.  I promised her I was going to give her as well as my friends and family here in the States all the information I had on my upcoming trip; from hotel reservations to transportation information.  I will even print out my itinerary.  I refuse to live in fear and have to trust my gut that things will be ok.  Our world is changing around us and we need to adjust to our surroundings. 
What precautions have you taken since our frequent terrorism attacks?  Have you changed the way you do things?  View things?

He seemed to enjoy his personalized birthday cake!

Mickey Mouse themed!



A polaroid photo for keepsake!  Loved the idea...

Monday Motivation!

Well here it is.  The last week of 2015.  Hope everyone had a great holiday!  I was off the past couple of days, so it's nice to go back to my regular routine.  A winter storm has arrived for us Chicagoans.  I'm glad I got a chance to spend my time off running errands before the slush came in.  It makes my world a lot easier since I don't own a car.  Regardless, I'm almost done recapping October events, but I am hopeful I will be up-to-date with my blogging by mid January.  Not a bad resolution to start off 2016!
Back in late October, my friend had some friends visiting in town from Rockford Illinois.  We decided to show them a night out in town by hitting a couple of spots.  It was fun because seeing their faces get excited about our nightlife is magnetic.  You start to appreciate the city even more on what it has to offer.
Up first, The Drop in Lincoln Park.  A friend was throwing a party there and we stopped by for a few.  I loved it because it felt like a nightclub in downtown.  If you want to go dancing in the Lincoln Park area, I highly recommend it.  They played top 40/ pop/ dance so everyone was up and moving.  It definitely got us geeked up for our evening.
Next stop, The Godfrey Hotel for some cocktails and people watching.  We got a chance to talk too since The Drop was jamming.  We lucked out on a beautiful night.  The rooftop was opened and we enjoyed the city view.
We walked over to the Lite nightclub and stayed there for a bit before heading across the street to Shay nightclub.  We heard Nelly was performing there so we were pretty excited.  It was a bit chaotic to get in, but luckily we made it in on time before the show started.  It was a packed house in there!  Nelly had the crowd going CRAZY!  That was pretty amazing for us to be a part of. 
Our friends really wanted to dance to some edm/house music after that, so we walked over to Spybar since it was right down the alley.  I loved the fact we got a chance to show our friends different venues in Chicago.  Too bad we didn't have more time to show them Hubbard Street as well. 
The following day was Sunday, so we all met up again in Wicker Park for some Sunday funday.  We hopped around some bars and had some quick bites before we ended up in The Southern for cocktails.  I think her friends had a good time because I sure did! 

Bathroom selfie at The Drop.  Since I didn't know what our plans were, I wore black and white to be safe.

Check out that view from the Godfrey Hotel's rooftop! 

Good times at The Godfrey!

Nelly taking a sip before his show!

Can you find us?  We're in here somewhere!  lol

Sunday Funday at the Southern.  We had some friends watching the Black Hawks there and we crashed their party.  lol