Rose of Damascus

Following up after my friend’s birthday party on Friday, my mom wanted to go to a flamenco performance that Saturday.  I had a migraine all day and it never went away.  I was getting burnt out by work and having to go to one thing after another.  I knew how much this meant to my mom since she personally knew people who would be performing.  I made a promise to myself not to get caught up with too many social activities.  It wasn’t fun anymore and I missed my time alone at my apartment.  Constantly having to turn on the switch of getting ready, catching up with different people and having the same conversation was getting to me.  I felt bad because I knew I wasn’t “myself”.  I did not want my friends to think they had done something wrong because I was always in a bad mood.  The worst part about all of this was that me and my mom had a bad argument leading up to this day in particular.  In the past, we’ve handled our differences by ignoring the issue and continuing on with our day, but sometimes that is hard for me because my blood is boiling.  It’s not easy for me to keep intense emotions bottled up.  But this is the dynamics of my family, and for her, I buried them once again to make her happy.  She wanted to see this and wanted me to go with her.  I could not object.

Back to the migraine.  It never went away.  And that day in particular the temperature was in the teens.  It was super cold.  We decided to meet up at Division street right off the Blue Line so we could have dinner nearby.  Because my mom was stressed with the flood issues in her apartment and dealing with her landlord, she moved back to her place but was still settling in.  She barely ate, but did manage to enjoy her meal. 

I ended up forgetting something that was SUPER IMPORTANT.  I knew I had screwed up big time.  I couldn’t go to the show just yet, but my mom insisted to ride with me back to my place to make sure everything was ok.  I ordered an uber and in no time, we both jumped in and headed back home.  Luckily, everything was fine so I ordered another uber and we headed back to the theater.  We made it right on time!!  My mom is a freak about time, so I know she was nervous we were going to miss some of the show.  Since we barely got to our seats, we managed to take some pictures before the show started.  It was beautiful!  We were hypnotized by the flamenco dancers and their beautiful dresses!  It was a lovely storyline about how flamenco was formed by migrants from various neighboring countries.  In the end, the message was loud and clear:  Love knows no borders…

Hamilton The Musical

I was trying to come up with some ideas for what to do for my mom’s birthday this year.  I wanted to take her to the movies since we haven’t gone in months.  I was looking into “Crazy Rich Asians” when another idea popped up.  I wondered if I could get tickets for Hamilton.  Hamilton has been in Chicago for over a year, with tickets still being high on demand.  My friend convinced me it might be easier to score some now since time has passed.  I looked into but was shocked at the prices!  I have not seen a play in years, but some tickets were close to $400!  I looked and looked and found some seating available on her birthday but we would be seated in two separate rows.  Whenever I tried to purchase something together the prices would skyrocket.  My friend suggested I look at other dates and surprise her with tickets on her birthday inside a card.  I thought about it, but then opted not to since I would still have to come up with something to do on her actual birthday.  I texted my mom right away to see if she had any plans with anyone first before I went ahead to purchase them.  Once she replied no, I got on it and bought the single seated tickets in two different rows.  I told my friend I hope she doesn’t mind sitting in front of me since this is the best that I could do.  Luckily she got very excited when I texted her what I had done.  I had no idea she really wanted to see this show!

On the day of, we met at the train station and rode downtown.  It was pretty cold that day, but it gave me the chance to wear my over the knee boots and new sweater dress I had bought months earlier.  My mom could not stop smiling while we waited in line to get in.  Once inside I decided to order a glass of wine since I didn’t want to miss any of the performance.  My mom was looking over curiously at the concession stand.  I asked her to pick out what she wanted, but she settled on the tour book.  I bought a souvenir t-shirt for myself before we were seated.

The show, as you have heard, is absolutely amazing!  I loved every minute of it and my mom was practically glowing from the whole experience.  I would recommend this to anyone visiting Chicago to check it out.  The music alone gives you chills!

Birthday Bash for Pop

I’m still recapping events in March.  I can’t believe I’m going to be traveling again in a few weeks.  In the meantime, to keep myself busy (and not spend money on nonsense) I’ve started some weekend projects in my apartment.  The sun is finally shining here in Chicago, and I’ve been in a cleaning frenzy ever since.  It’s amazing how much dust is around when you do not have good lighting at hand.  For now, I’ve decided to tackle my cube bookshelf little by little.  I have so many papers, magazines and catalogs I need to clear out.  It’s ridiculous, but I’m excited to see how much neater my shelf will look.

Once I returned from Paris, the following day I had a dinner to go to for my dad.  We were celebrating his birthday at Tequila CJ Grill restaurant on Archer Ave.  It happened to land on the weekend for March Madness.  My brother asked if I could accompany him earlier so he could watch the game nearby at a bar.  I was fine with it, but as luck would have it, our dinner was pushed back an hour later.  Oh well. 

Me and my brother decided to go to the restaurant once the game was finished and hangout at the bar until everyone arrives.  We were not aware of how packed the restaurant could get!  The line to get inside was out the door!  It was cold outside too, so me and my brother waited in the car until the rest of the family showed up.  I couldn’t believe it, but our 7pm dinner was now reaching to 9pm and my dad and his wife was nowhere in sight.  They finally showed up when the restaurant was clearing up and we all grabbed a table by the stage.  There was a live performance that night.

My dad recently suffered an accident at work and was currently not working at the time.  I’m glad we had the chance to celebrate his birthday outside of the house.  I hope he enjoyed himself.  He’s hard to read sometimes.

The Sixth

I am an introvert at heart and although I love a great party; I get worn out with too many social settings.  Sometimes I need to lounge around in my apartment and think.  I would advise any introvert out there to listen to your thoughts and feelings.  Try to schedule a day to yourself and do not allow anyone else to pull you out of the house.  I cannot stress how many times people have tried to convince me to come out and join them when all I really wanted was the comfort of my apartment.  Back to recapping the holidays!  

Since Christmas Eve fell on a Sunday this year, I went out the night before with one of my friends who was in town.  We had a blast catching up at The Sixth by Lincoln Square.  Our cocktails were superb.  She ended up staying over my place and we had brunch in the morning.  It was our first snowfall here in Chicago.  I guess we lucked out in having a White Christmas after all.

I forgot to mention that once I got back from Paris and Iceland I had to take care of some business.  I had a doctor’s annual checkup and my mom’s closing all in one day!  I was actually proud of myself for pulling this off.  Regardless, I was happy we ended the ordeal on my mom’s house.  She was dipping into her retirement fund to take care of the mortgage and rent in her new apartment.  I’m hoping that she will be stress-free of money problems for a while.  It’s all about being responsible at this point.  We did celebrate with dinner afterwards.  It was nice.

A New Chapter for Mom

Once I got back from Paris and Iceland I had to take care of some business.  I had a doctor’s annual checkup and my mom’s closing all in one day!  I was actually proud of myself for pulling this off.  Regardless, I was happy we ended the ordeal on my mom’s house.  She was dipping into her retirement fund to take care of the mortgage and rent in her new apartment.  I’m hoping that she will be stress-free of money problems for a while.  It’s all about being responsible at this point.
 We did celebrate with dinner afterwards.  It was nice.

I always order crab cakes if I see it on the menu.

Legno’s cannoli is fantastic!

I had to come back to my mom’s the following Monday because I need to sign some more papers.  I was hesitant at first but needed to do this for my mom so she could take care of business.  I came over for dinner and my brother showed up as well.  My mom made some Italian pasta that I had brought for her as a gift from my friend.  The pasta was delish!  I got a chance to see my mom’s Christmas tree with the ornament I got her from Paris.  It was from Notre Dame.  I’m glad she enjoyed her gift.

#VegasStrong

After seeing my friends the night before, I took it easy on Leg Day Saturday.  I slept in; did my chores and went to the gym like I usually do.  Me and my brothers were celebrating my mom’s birthday that night and we decided to take her out to dinner.  We were having trouble figuring out where to go.  Luckily my mom had a suggestion and we were relieved.  Usually my mom has a terrible time deciding, that’s why we would have a ton of suggestions so she could choose from. 

She wanted to go to Legno on Central avenue, which is in her neighborhood in Portage Park.  I was surprised she knew about it, but apparently it’s nearby her church, and they give out vouchers to the attendees from time to time.  Lol.  I have to say, me and my brothers were very impressed!  It’s connected to a banquet hall next door, but the restaurant served us right away, despite it being a Saturday night.  Some restaurants in the north side of Chicago do not take reservations, but we lucked out with this one.  It was nice to catch up to my mom and my brothers.  We were obviously talking about Hurricane Maria and my dad’s family out there in Caguas.  Still no word on anyone, but people off of Facebook were checking in that they had spoken to family out there whenever they received word about their safety.  

Never in a million years did anyone expect what was to come next.  Sunday night, at a country music festival, Las Vegas encountered the worst domestic terrorism attack in United States history.  My mom cried to me the next day on the phone.  With the tube terrorist attack I had missed in London a few weeks earlier and now this, for the first time, she was worried about me.  “I know because you love to travel and go to concerts; I don’t want anything happening to any of my children,” she cried.  I was at a loss for words because I knew she wanted me to say something that would console her, but instead I said the opposite.  I told her that I was sorry for making her feel like this, but I can’t stop living.  I can’t help but feel this way.  At the end of the day, we are truly living during a dangerous time.  If anything, I want to experience more.  In the end, what would it matter anyways?  We all gotta go sometime…    

OUTRAGEOUS!

Trying to finish up August events before I fly out!  I’m SO FREAKING NERVOUS!!!  I was doing good yesterday by finishing up a spiritual book on forgiveness.  I’m mostly a self-help book guru but I got this book from my church and figured I’ll do a quick read before I order my next book.  Believe it or not, it did bring up some interesting insights on forgiveness.  I realized that I needed to forgive myself for getting so anxious.  I am human after all.  I also have to have more faith that everything will be alright.  Easier said than done, but I know once I land safely, my new adventure awaits!

The last weekend of August I had dinner with a friend at Masada.  He has been eating a vegetarian diet lately, so this was the perfect spot for some good food!  He loved everything on his plate, and I enjoyed my “Little Village” cocktail.  We also lucked out on the belly dancer performing that evening.  It was a lovely evening.

Earlier that day, my firm held a raffle for a pair of Lionel Richie and Mariah Carey tickets at the Unite Center.  Once I heard they were going to do this, I envisioned me and my mom dancing along to his music.  I couldn’t believe I won!!  I was so excited I texted my mom right away.  She was in Michigan for a few days but was going to return that Saturday for the concert. 

The thing about my mom, she was rushing me a bit so we wouldn’t miss the show.  I explained that we would be fine, but I could tell she was anxious on getting there “on time”.  I realized she was just as excited as I was.  We got to our skybox lounge pretty early and met the other attendees.  It was then when I finally started to relax.  I had to bring my phone charger because I didn’t have time to fully charge it at home!

Needless to say, the show was amazing.  For those who are curious, Mariah did sing those high notes, but Lionel was the star of this show!  He brought everyone “dancing on the ceiling”.  He even performed songs from the Commodores.  The crowd went crazy for “All night long” as well as “we are the world”.  I just love the 80s!

Rolling Stones Exhibitionism

Last week on my birthday I took my mom to see the Rolling Stones exhibition at Navy Pier.  The weather was calling for passing storms so we made sure to bring our umbrellas just in case.

 

She was SUPER EXCITED we were doing this.  The Rolling Stones were her band during the 60s and she’s followed their career ever since.  I am familiar with their music although I was never a true fan.  But since word around town is that this was a good exhibit, I figured I’ll go with someone who will truly enjoy their impact in music history.

 

We have not been back to Navy Pier ever since it went through a renovation, so it was nice to go with a new set of eyes.  Once we arrived inside the exhibit, my mom started taking as many pictures as she could!  Lol.  I could tell this was a big deal for her and I let her take her time with each display.  I was very impressed with the history of the Rolling Stones from their startup back in London to their contributions to stage design from their world tours.  They put a lot of thought into the “art of entertaining”.  I also enjoyed the portraits from the Andy Warhol collection.  We had a great time!

 

Afterwards we sat and grabbed lunch from the Billy Goat tavern at the Pier.  A mini shower came and went and we patiently waited for it to pass.  Looking back on my birthday weekend, I realized I got a chance to do everything I wanted to do on my list.  I felt very privileged being able to celebrate with my family and friends.  I am truly humbled.