Daily Epiphany: October 26

This is going to be a long post, I just know it. That's what happens when I finally do something relevant . . . at least in my field, anyways.

Yesterday I decided to take a trip down to the Chicago History Museum. I am writing this paper for my Urban American class, and wanted to use CHM's archives. I had never been there, so it was about time . . .

I also had this coupon for Cosi and wanted to use it for lunch, so i Google-mapped "Cosi, Chicago, IL" to see where the closest one would be. There was one right near the Belmont station where I was going to transfer! Unfortunately I couldn't find it. Weird. But that was alright, I knew where there was another one on the way. I would just hop on the 22 Clark bus like planned and get off at the next Cosi.

The bus never came. Sooo, I decided to walk. In all I think I walked 2.5 miles (Belmont to North Ave. along Clark). I was a nice walk--I got to look in all the shops, and see the little kids having their pre-Halloween celebrations in Lincoln Park. I even encountered a Farmers Market. I almost bought a pumpkin, but then I thought it would be kind of weird to coat-check a pumpkin at the museum.

I arrived at my Cosi, all in one piece, but very wind-blown and rosy-cheeked. The coupon I had was for $2 off any purchase. Even with the discount, Cosi is kind of expensive, so I went for the cheapest sandwich. Lucky for me, it's my favorite, the TBM(Tomato, Basil and Motzerella)! It is soo good.

From there I walked a few more blocks down Clark and made it to the Museum. I paid for a year-membership so I could come back again, and proceeded to the sacred third floor. Research was good. I found some good sources, and tightened my thesis a bit, so I was pleased with the experience. I felt very historian-esque.

For the journey home I decided to take the 22 clark bus. Now this is usually the kiss of death, but I was tired and didn't want to deal with transfering. On the way I listened to the Pirates of the Caribbean soundtrack on my new ipod. It seemed very applicable as the bus swerved and braked in Clark Street traffic. Oddly enough, I made it home in like 1/2 hour! I'm sure that's a world record.

I love fall / what have I been up to?

Wow, it's been a long time. Sorry folks. I guess that's what happens when a new semester starts.

To fill in, here's some things I've been up to:

• First, here are some pictures from my summer rompings through Millennium Park:

• I'm taking two classes this semester: Oral History and Urban America, and my internship credit.
• Still working at the university bookstore. . . thought is was only temporary, but I guess not. It's a good place to work, but I'm still always on the look-out for something to do with public history.-
• Been spending lots of time with friends and their kids. Super fun, and a great distraction from school work.
• This summer I painted a three canvases for the Kids Club at church. Here are two of them:
  

• I'm illustrating a children's book for my little friend Asher. The drawings are all done and I've started watercoloring them in. I'm excited to see how it turns out. The little book I started this summer has been put on hold. I promise it'll re-surface when I have more time.
• This last month I helped Heather as she set up a coffee house in the Jews for Jesus store front. It's a beautiful space. You should go check it out. (4118 Oakton St. Skokie, IL 60076)

(photos courtesy of Heather Blecher, 2008)

• My cousin Shannon slept over the night of Rosh Hashanah so I attempted to make a challah . . . it didn't turn out so well. I don't know what my problem is! Since leaving home, I have not been able to make a bonafide, fluffy challah.
• This is my fall break, so I'm spenidng this time updating my blog, instead of reading . . . yippee!

Fall is my favorite season by far . . . so enjoy the autumn bliss!

Going to sleep at 1:00 am and waking up at 9 o'clock this morning found me more rested than the same amount of sleep at a different interval (i.e. 12pm-8am or 11pm-7pm). Hmm.

In the morning I often listen to WMFT, Chicago's classical music station. This morning, in honor of Labor Day they are playing pieces about great occupations. Most exciting: Meredith Wilson's "Marian the Librarian." :-)

Daily Epiphany: August 29

Today for lunch I made an amazing saute, which is only one in a line I have created. (Who knew you could have a saute line? Maybe I'll name them Skillet Creations.) Anyway, last night I went shopping at Aldi and bought (among other things) their "Fit and Active" brand whole wheat noodles. Now, whole wheat noodles have a reputation of being hard to swallow, but I am trying to be healthy, and these are really good!

Mushroom and Spinach Saute

(add as much of each ingredient as you want)
oil
onions
garlic/garlic powder
mushrooms
fresh spinach
basil
soy sauce
salt and pepper

Stir in cooked noodles and heat on high until starts to turn brown/stick to pan. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

In other news. . . today at work I re-shelved returned books for 6 hours! Who needs exercise when you can walk through the shelves all day?

Daily Epiphany: August 20

My family returned safe from camp, and on the way home stopped in Chicago to wish me a happy birthday. Stoophy and I took some fun pictures with her digital camera. As soon as she posts them, I shall do the same.

Yesterday I went to the Salvation Army Thrift Store on Devon. It was actually an easy walk. Goal: some clothes and a book shelf. Well I didn't find a book shelf, but I got some good items for fall. I love thrift store shopping because there is so much more variety than your regular department store. You just can't go expecting to find something specific.

On the way to the store I ate lunch at this Mediterranean restaurant called Big Buns and Pita (soon to be called Sahara Kabob). Their Hummus and Shwirma is amazing!

I had something else to write about, but I forgot what it was . . . that's not good.

Classes start a week from yesterday! Ahhhhhh! Not quite ready.

Last night I rediscovered decoupage. At the beginning of the summer I was complaining to myself that I don't have any hobbies . . . now I have two children's books and a cook book to illustrate, a sweater to knit, and more recipes to create.

Living in the kitchen

This morning I woke up at 9am. Ten minutes ago I left the kitchen. Between making breakfast, cookies, mini-cheesecakes, lunch and super I was one busy women.

Saturday is my birthday, so I was making ice cream cookie sandwiches for a little party at the park. My family is driving back from camp on Sunday and stopping in Chicago for a bit, so the mini cheesecakes are for them (and Friday night dessert picnic at the Grant Park Music Festival). It was lunch time, so I had to make lunch (chinese noodles and an frozen egg roll). Tonight I work from 2-10pm so I had to pack a lunch.

Now I understand why women throughout history have been labeled as kitchen-bound. It is very easy to make a whole day out of cooking, baking and washing dishes! (I washed about three loads in three hours).

Time to eat lunch and run out the door.

Planetarium Fun

Now that I am working again, I have the joy of having scheduled days off. As opposed to being unemployed, days off make me feel like going on an adventure.

Therefore, on Tuesday, my friend Rachel and I went to the Adler Planetarium. Oddly enough, this was my first visit. It's a smaller museum so we were able to see pretty much everything in about 3 hours.

Looking at all the stars and planets, we couldn't help but marvel at our Creator's genius! Pretty amazing and awesome.

My favorite exhibit was the History of Astronomy.



Lots of great artifacts: compasses, navigation tools, sun dials, etc. ranging back to the 14th and 15th centuries.

There was also a re-creation of a medieval classroom. Pretty spiffy.




Being on a career path towards museums, it is interesting to think about the identity of certain institutions. The Adler Planetarium is a science museum, but obviously it needs history to tell the stories of its field's past. On the other hand, history museums rarely categorize their history into different fields (i.e. astronomy, oceanography, transportation, geography). Similarly, the Field Museum turns cultural history and anthropology into natural history--equating Native American dwellings with rock formations. Musings over.

Here's me getting ready to travel to the moon

Me and the city (in all it's hazy glory)