Sarks in the Park

The best breakfast in town (so far). I have been desperately searching things to keep my days occupied, and this morning I decided to go to breakfast at Sarks in the Park on Clark St (that's a lot of "ark" sounds!). It was absolutely delicious. It sits on the garden level of a condo building on the corner of Clark and Fullerton, next to a Chinese restaurant. It is a quaint little store front, somewhat reminiscent of the coney islands in Michigan, and when I arrived at 9:45 there were 3 - 4 couples eating. I ordered the french toast and a cup of coffee. The toast was brioche (or something like it), but it had a bit too much cinnamon on it for me. However, it was still quite delicious. The rest of the customers had egg dishes and those looked amazing as well. I'm still not used to prices for breakfast yet, but it was pretty standardly priced ($7-$9 a plate). I will definitely be visiting again!

After breakfast, I walked down to Best Buy to get printer paper, and wandered back through the neighborhood. It was a lovely walk, although the humidity was in the high 80's. Drippy. When I arrived home, I watched tv for a while, but soon became lonely again. This time, I decided to walk the mile up to Trader Joe's and get some Three Buck Chuck (I actually really like their Pinot Grigio). It was a good walk and much needed. It's better if I'm "out and about" in the city, than sitting at home.

I've started making daily agendas to keep from getting bored and melancholy. It's working pretty well, actually! I use my small white board above my desk, write down what I want to get done and then have the pleasure of crossing it out when I'm finished! I know this won't last forever, but I still have another week before life gets busy again. I'm enjoying the time I have, even though I miss my girls.

Aimless Wanderings

So having a three month summer vacation is amazing, don't get me wrong, but it definitely comes with it's limitations. I have been searching for things to fill my time which I can do on a budget. This has been more challenging than one would think, as it definitely lends itself to self-pity and laziness. Consequently, each morning I wake up and create an "agenda" in my head for the day: knitting, practicing, writing, picture taking and walking are usually on the docet.

On Tuesday, I got up pretty late because I haven't been sleeping well (horrible nightmares about muggings and vampires), and I was feeling sorry for myself. I don't miss Phoenix AT ALL, however, I do miss Jenn and Caitlyn very much. Not to mention Carla lives in Detroit - needless to say I was feeling lonely. Instead of sulking, I decided to take my camera and head down to the water. It doesn't matter what kind of mood I'm in, the water can always cheer me up and put things into perspective. I grabbed my ipod, camera, backpack and a bottle of water and strolled down Fullerton.

It was a perfect day. The wind had picked up with the sailboats taking full advantage - there were no less than a dozen boats within my line of sight. The waves were big enough to encourage people to go play, while others lay just basking in the sun. I took my time and walked all the way down Lakeshore Trail to the North Avenue bridge, then crossed over Lakeshore Drive to head back through the park. On my way back, I walked through the park, practicing my photography (which needs LOTS of practice, by the way) and noticed that some of the animals were out when I walked past the zoo. To my surprise, they were ALL out - the camels, the alpacas, the zebras, the chimps and the gorillas. It was perfect, because the last time we were there right before closing and we didn't get to see anything.

Right in front of the Nature Conservatory in Lincoln Park, there is an absolutely enormous garden with a beautiful fountain in it. I've been wanting to get back over there and photograph some of the flowers, but Tuesday was the first chance I had to do that. Once I arrived in the garden, I was quite startled by the intricacies of the flower bed designs. There were quite a few flowers that were used, which I had never seen before. I felt like such a tourist, but I wandered aimlessly around the garden for about a 1/2 hour before heading back. By this time, I was a hot, sweaty mess and desperately needed a shower. I love days like this, as it makes me realize that even though things are difficult right now and I may feel alone, things will change. I know, in my heart, that I made the right decision and this is where I am supposed to be. I absolutely love this city. I will make new friends and meet people, it's just going to take time. Until then I will keep moving, keep working on my hobbies and keep a little perspective.

Welcome to Chitown.

I have been in Chicago for 2 months and have loved every single second. I cannot even begin to describe how incredible it is to be back in the midwest, surrounded by water, trees and a functioning society! This past week has been excruciatingly hot and humid, so I have not done as much "out and about" as I had hoped, but this too shall pass.

Last Thursday was Eric's birthday (and yes, I finally remembered), and I bought him tickets to see Bela Fleck at the Vic Theater on Sheffield. We went out to DMK Burger first (which had incredible burgers and "exotic" fries), and then we met up with our friend Franscisco and someone from his work to go to the show. There are no words to describe this show. Perhaps it wasn't even that great, but it has been SO long since I have heard any live music that I felt as if I was recovering a piece of my soul. Bela has a harmonica/piano player on his new album named Howard Levy. This man definitely stole the show - he outshone every single person on that stage.

I have missed this more than words can say. The food, the music, the culture - so many times Eric and I have been walking down the street and we just look at each other and someone says, "We live in Chicago now." No other words needed. It's like a dream come true.

To add to my dream come true, on Friday we went with Catie and Russ to a jazz club in Uptown called the Green Mill. Apparently this club is one of the oldest jazz clubs in the city and was even a speakeasy at one point. It was amazing, as you walk in the door the bouncer tells you to keep your voices down and be respectful of the music being played. They take this very seriously! Toward the back of the room there was a group of women that were drunk, loud and out of control - after a while, they asked them to leave (to everyone's relief). The leader of the band waits until the audience gets quiet between songs, before announcing the next tune. Not only that, the band was incredible. They were all in their 60's, except for the trumpet player. You know that they have been around the block and seen some amazing things. I think I have found my new favorite place.

It's about time.

So, I'm leaving Arizona. For good. Forever. Good Riddance.

I sold the condo this month and close on April 12th and then move to Chicago on June 5th. I am so excited that I can't stand being here any longer, and yet I am so terrified that I'm trying not to be paralyzed by it. I have put in applications to 6 different districts and have not gotten a single call or e-mail and am leaving in less than two months. I. have. no. job. This scares me. I really truly feel like this is the right move, so I'm just going to have to trust that all my hard work will pay off and I will be able to find something quickly this summer once I get there.  Needless to say I have checked out, something I told myself I would never do.

That's where Joanna comes in.

She is my angel who started student teaching in January and now has complete control of my class. I seriously don't think I would have made it through this semester without her. She has been an angel. I have spent the last two weeks packing up my room, lesson planning for after AIMS and filling out applications. Is this what it's like to have a 9 - 5 job? I guess karma does exist . . . .

All children lie.

Eric said something to me the other day that has literally changed my life.

"All kids lie. It's like breathing."

At first I scoffed at the idea and thought he was a horrible human being for even suggesting the idea. But then I began to watch my students and listen to what they say. I quickly came to the realization that he is absolutely, 100% correct. Children lie.
All kids lie.
About everything.
They lie about not seeing me in the hallway when their shirt is untucked, they lie about having gum in their mouth, they lie about why their not doing what they're supposed to be doing, they lie about getting their work done, they lie about who they were talking to, they lie about why they didn't show up for detention, they lie about everything. The amazing thing is that if you are, as an adult, prepared for this reality, you are able to handle the lies with much greater ease than previously. This also greatly aids in your ability to actually get the truth out of students (even though this may take a little coaxing).

Now I don't want to seem like a pessimist, more a realist. In all honesty, I really cannot believe how much this has changed my outlook on everything.

Problems #1 and #2

Such an odd turn of events. Since we went hiking in the Canyon I have left all my training behind. Between that, the holidays, classes and now tutoring after school, I simply cannot muster the energy to begin again. I am beginning to notice a change, though, mostly in the minor "aches and pains." I miss hiking and I know this is where I must begin. It calms me, it soothes me, it relaxes me. Problem #1.

Problem #2. I miss normality. I miss my sisters. I miss my friends. I miss a life of no drama. I miss my girlfriends and wine nights and movie nights and nights at The Gathering Place and Sunday morning breakfasts. I miss not worrying about bills and money and the future. I would give anything for a year of nothingness. Of no stress and no idiocy. Maybe I will move away to a city in South America and learn Spanish. Just to hide. Forever.

Strangely alone . . .

So I am in the middle of searching for a new apartment. I found out a few weeks ago that Brittany is moving out, which means I am moving down to a one bedroom. The really strange thing is, that in searching for something as simple as a new apartment, I am beginning to plan out the next year or so of my life. Which is up with the clouds. . .

I really feel that my time here is done. My friends are going different directions, the heat is starting to make me crankier than ever, when I reach my goals for the year, I feel that the school will no longer need me. The reason I am here this year is to move my kids out of ELD. End of story. No discussion. I will work with all my heart to achieve this, but them my time is over. In addition to all this, I miss my family and friends back home more than imaginable. I have never even held my new niece, and won't see her until she's over 3 months old. I am truly struggling to keep going, it's merely the thought of seeing my kids every day that makes it worth getting out of bed. Ironic how my first year, my kids were the ones making me want to stay IN bed! My how things change.

2 months in, 8 months to go.