Sicko de Mayo

That Monday when I went to the Violet Hourfor cocktails, Chicago was experiencing some beautiful weather.  Eventually it dipped back into the 50s as the week progressed.  I kept it low key for the rest of the week because the weather was just plain awful.  The rain came and didn’t stop for days.  I suspected that’s when I started to feel blah.  I could feel something was happening, but I really thought through tea and chicken soup I could defeat this.  I was wrong.  By Sunday I knew I felt off, but  figured it was just allergies.  

The following week was the first week of May.  My friend invited me to go with her to the Kentucky Derby, but I declined.  I was coughing too much and knew sitting in a 4-5 hour car ride was not going to happen.  I had a routine checkup with a doctor coming up and thought to myself, I’ll ride this out and wait then to have it checked out. 

Well I survived the weekend.  It sucked not being able to join in the festivities of cinco de Mayo or the Derby.  On Sunday I was having cabin fever so I took a walk to a café and tried to brush up on my Italian.  I don’t know how people could study in there.  I grew frustrated after an hour and a half and went home.  But at least I left the house.

I went to my scheduled appointment this past Monday and was praying she would be able to prescribe me something for my cold.  I told her I’ve tried everything, from zyrtec to cough syrup, advil for my migraines and more chicken soup.  Nothing seemed to work.  That’s when she told me, “It’s because it’s not your sinuses.  It is your asthma.  It has nothing to do with your nose.  It’s your chest and something is making it act up.”  Unfortunately, she could not prescribe me something because it’s not her specialty.  UGH!!

Tomorrow I have an appointment with my internal doctor.  I have not seen her in years, because I have not been sick.  Yeah I’ve caught a cold here and there, and rode them out for the most part.  I’m getting worried because I don’t want to have problems with my asthma.  It’s scary not being able to breathe.  But waking up coughing and not getting enough sleep throughout the week has got me exhausted. 

Meanwhile, my mom has had a ton of people come by and see the house.  So far she’s had two offers, but they did not pan out.  I’m hopeful once the weather cooperates, more people will be house hunting. 

I miss my healthy life.  Two weeks being sick has left me irritable.  Until next time.

Spanish Square for Tapas

The day after Easter my mom invited me and my brothers to come by for ham.  I felt bad because I told her I had plans that Easter Sunday to go to the Baby Sprinkle.  I guess she really wanted to do something with us.  I need to be more aware of her needs.  She gets lonely and it’s hard trying to fit some time with her especially when the weather has been all over the place.  So far this spring, Chicago has had its nice days followed by 4-5 days of consecutive rain and showers.  I feel bad for those who are suffering with flood problems.  This rain won’t give.

That same week one of our friends was visiting from California.  She set aside to catch up on Thursday since she was also working while she was here.  Me and my friends all came together to see her.  Unfortunately, the bar that she wanted to meet up at didn’t have a working kitchen due to construction.  We decided to go to Spanish Square across the street for some tapas.

We didn’t realize we walked into their weekly wine tasting event that takes place every Thursday.  Of course me and my friends loved that!  We had a ball that night.

I ended the evening on a high note, but what happened afterwards had me troubled for a bit.  Looking back this past month was a bit difficult for me.  I’m usually optimistic but with so much tension all around, I’m hoping things will start looking up soon.  I’ve been under the weather and it’s wearing me down.  I’m looking forward to taking it easy this weekend.

Baby Sprinkle

Still trying to catch up on April events.  I’ve been sick for almost a week now.  After a while it starts getting to you.  I don’t know what I have.  Cold, sinus infection, allergies, wheezing, fever, migraines.  It goes on and on.  Not to mention, I’ve been having trouble sleeping because of it.  I have a checkup coming up on Monday and if I’m still sick I’ll ask her to prescribe me something.  I thought I could ride it out but it’s starting to interfere with my life too much.  I’ve become irritable because of it.

Last night I yelled at my mom pretty bad.  I’m ashamed of it but she had me so frustrated.  I just don’t get her sometimes.  I cannot figure out what she’s thinking because she changes her mind too often.  Do you know anyone like this in your life?  How do you handle this person?  For me, it’s hard because I do not know what this person is thinking or where they are coming from.  I am not a mind reader and for me to guess what someone is thinking is very hard.  How would I know what your perception is?  Why should I figure out the clues?  Wouldn’t it be easier if you tell me what you are feeling?

The thing is, I never really know what my mom is feeling.  I think she goes with whatever the majority rules, and I’ve never been that way (or I try not to be).  I want to look after her best interests but with these mind games, I’m afraid I won’t know how to help her. 

The following day after the Davis Theater was Palm Sunday.  I went to church that afternoon and found out one of my friends went on a cruise for Spring Break.  Nice!  I’m curious about vacationing on a boat.  Who knows?

Later that day me and my other friend decided to meet up for margaritas.  We called up our other friend and headed to Skokie to Uncle Julios.  This was one of the nicest days we had in Chicago and we wanted to sit outside.  It was fun catching up with my friends on juicy gossip.  

The Easter Bunny showed up for Palm Sunday.

The following weekend I helped out a friend by keeping him company while he was going through some stuff at his storage unit.  It was another hot day in Chicago, but I needed his expert advice on how to handle my mom with the house situation.  I was still pretty unsure if we should put it on the market or not. After listening to my friend’s advice, I had no choice but to sit this out.  The pros and cons go on forever.

The next day was Easter Sunday and I went to mass in the afternoon.  I then had to go to a Baby Sprinkle for my friend who is going to have her 2^nd child.  A “sprinkle” is a smaller baby shower since nowadays it is more common to have just one shower for a family.  It was nice seeing friends come together with their little ones.  Kids love having fun with other children.

Two friends stopped by later after the party and we headed to Café con Leche for some afternoon cocktails.  It gets harder and harder for all of us to get together.  That is why I jump at the chance to see them when the opportunity arrives.  I just want everyone to be happy, no matter where the road takes us.   

I wore a maxi dress to the baby shower on Easter.

Just hanging with my peeps 

I got to hold my friend's 2 month old son!  He was loving the Paris themed mural!

A sad time indeed...

I've been MIA these past few weeks due to illness.  Nothing serious, I swear.  Just didn't do much because of it.  I've been suffering silently on my own. 
Obviously the attack in Brussels has brought me down.  What a sad time indeed.  Terrorist attacks are more frequent and horrifying.  What is impossible to imagine becomes possible.  Our fellow man has troubled thoughts and wants people to suffer.  No one wins ever.
Throughout time, we've seen acts of evil over and over again.  As we approach this holiday weekend, I am reminded that evil has existed as far back before biblical times.  Our world has been troubled before, and like all things, we do our best to move forward.  Is it hard to imagine living in a peaceful world?
I believe it CAN be possible.  But then something like this happens again, and my heart breaks.  Yet despite the tragedies, the world does suffer as a whole.  It affects everyone.  I know we can do better.  I know we can love one another.  It's hard especially with the elections taking place here in the U.S.  The ugly truths, the misleading lies.  I have a hard time believing anyone nowadays.   


To recap events leading up to the past few days:
About two weeks ago Chicago celebrated St. Patty's Day with an all weekend celebration.  The annual dying of the Chicago river brings out thousands of people to the downtown area.  Thus, every bar in town had some sort of St. Patrick's Day theme going on.  Regardless, I missed out in the fun.  Prior to that, I've been feeling under the weather.  That day in particular, my head was pounding with yet another migraine.  It could be allergies.  It could be my body is going through some changes.  All I know is that I've been miserable and I hate it.
People around me have been getting sick as well.  It's this crazy weather and it makes everyone vulnerable to colds and viruses.  Not to mention, when you're sick it drains you.  I've had no energy to do anything whatsoever.
I'm doing good with my financial diet!  I can't believe Easter is almost here and Lent will be over soon.  I'm proud to say that my credit cards look better than they did early in the year.  I feel pretty confident with my financial goals. 

I tried my best to smile but I had a migraine while I took this picture.  I never got a chance to celebrate.