Weekend in Chicago: Part 4 - The Finale

Current mood: happy

To further celebrate our experience and with all the money we had saved on our Wicked tickets, Rose and I treated ourself to a quick trip to H&M for a bit of speed shopping. I had a difficult time finding anything I really liked there but before I knew it I had an armful of things to try on. Rose too! We tried on our different garments and made some last minute choices. I bought a new skirt and new top. Rose bought a new pair of pants and severl t-shirts. All very cute! I love H&M! They have such a variety and such interesting things. They can be kind of pricey, but all the clothing is well worth it!

Totally content with our trip and the sun beginning to set, it was time for Rose and I to be making our way back to Urbana-Champaign. We pulled out the MP3 player, settled in, and drove home talking about our experiences. The weekend had been a total success. We had learned alot, accomplished all we had set out to do, and so much more! What a wonderful weekend.

Thanks Rose for going with me. Thank you for being so awesome. Thank you for sharing your time and energy with me. Thanks for putting up with me and teaching me so much. Thanks for being an inspiration. Thanks for all the memories and experiences. I know more will come and I look forward to those that we will have in the future!

Weekend in Chicago: Part 3 - Wicked

Current mood: enthralled

I believe we got only about 4 hours of sleep that night. By the time we got back to the hotel it was 6 in the morning. Rose went straight to bed. I took a shower and was in bed by 6:30. We woke up a couple of time not really able to sleep, worrying we would not get up in time. Rose got up before I did, showered, and planned our morning adventure. I got up at about 10 and prepared for the day.

The plan was to by some means get tickets to watch the musical "Wicked." We had two options.. 1. Win tickets from Borders or 2. Go to Hot Tix and hope they have some decently priced tickets. The contest at Borders runs each day two hours before curtain. You fill out a little card and stick it in the witches hat and two hours before the show, they pull ten winners. The winners get a chance to win 1-2 tickets for Wicked for the low low price of $25 each in the front two rows. Now I know what you're thinking. "$25.. You mean you gotta pay?!!".. believe me my friend, $25 is well worth it. Most tickets you find online were somewhere between $110-$400, the lower if you're lucky! Rose wasn't very confident that we'd win but we had to try!

We made our way into town, parked in the parking garage, and ran to the borders. We arrived with 15 minutes before the drawing. Already there was a decently size group of people and our hopes slowly began to deflate. We both filled out our cards, put them in the witch's hat, and waited. Silently I prayed a little prayer. I really wanted to see Wicked. I've heard such good things about it and it's one of the most popular shows now. I did not so much like the book, but I know that the show would be awesome. Though only 10 minutes passed, it seemed like an eternity. But finally the store manager and a couple other employees came out and the drawing began. Everyone stood frozen in anticipation of what could eventually bring so much joy or so much disappointment. The card was drawn... (insert name here). We all clapped as they happily made their way to the winner circle to recieve their tickets. The younger employee swished through the cards and pulled out the second winner... Rose Morefield! We were shocked and stunned. We had won! Rose and I were going to see Wicked! Once the drawing was complete, we immediately and excitedly headed over to the box office with our vouchers to claim our tickets.

With still had an hour or so before the show, our tummies rumbing, and tickets in hand, we made our way to Starbuck's for a caffeinated beverage and snack. We enjoyed our mini-meal in a parkesque area. The buildings towered before us, the sun shone down on us from the noonish sky, and happy people walked around us as we blissfully chatted and recounted our times, feelings, and thoughts. Near our little bench was a huge water drop like structure. It was smooth, sleek, and shiny like a bead of mercery and reflected like a pane of glass. The curve of the creation distorted the images within it and people flocked to wonder at its beauty. What a beautiful day in Chicago. It wasn't overly cold, there wasn't too much wind, simply.. wonderful.

As it got closer to 1:30, we made our way back to the Ford Theatre. We were both so excited. We were getting to see Wicked and we had front row seats!! If you ever get to go to the Ford Theatre (aka The Oriental)... GO! The building is gorgeous. It's not much on the outside, but inside, it's divine. Such wonderful architecture and decor. Stunning, to say the least. As we made our way to our seats, we soon discovered how much more awesome our seats were. They weren't only front row, they were dead center! OH!.. Such a blessing! Such a blessing!! hahaha!

Again.. if you ever get to go to the Ford Theatre.. or anything theatre at all.. If you're going to see a Musical.. see Wicked! It's absolutely amazing in all ways theatre can be wonderful! The costumes are beautiful, the set is interesting, the story entertaining, the effects fascinating, and the acting/ singing astounding. Very rarely do I want to give a standing ovation for a performance. Something really has to move me .. but before the final cast members came out, I was on the edge of my seat ready to stand and applaud the production. It was everything that I imagined it could be and so much more. I cried. I seriously cried! This is why I'm in theatre.. this is why I do what I do. This is what inspires me and spurs me on!

Weekend in Chicago: Part 2 - Neo

Current mood: refreshed

After the aquarium, Rose and I decided to head uptown to try to find our hotel. We had in mind previously that we might be able to stay with Cybelle again, but she had tech so she was way too busy. Our second plan and option was to stay with Rose's friend Vincent, but he had to work. So we began thinking about hotel options. Remember me talking about the quasi-scary Abbott hotel last time? Well we thought we'd be adventurous and try it this time. Despite our apparent courage and willing to try new things, we were highly advised by Vincent, not to stay there. Rose wisely took this into consideration and booked us a room in a more well known place, the Days Inn.

Boy.. did we get lost. We weren't really lost of course, just drove a bit too far. This probably could have been avoided had we been paying better attention and had made a better game plan before leaving the aquarium. But oh well. We did find it and checked in. We took time getting ready and then headed back towards downtown for some dinner and dancing.

Parking in Illinois really sucks. I don't think I've ever seen it so bad. Well.. I suppose it's worse in New York and L.A. Still, it really sucks. We drove around for a long time trying to find parking. I was worried that Rose was getting uberly frustrated. We were both very hungry and it seemed like we wouldn't find something. In the end though, we did. Thankfully so.

For dinner we chose an Indian restuarant. I had never had Indian before and was up for trying something new. I was cautious though to order something not very spicy as my tummy has a tendency to get irritated. I had a vegetarian dish with Spinach and Cheese while Rose had the Chicken Marsala. All of it was oh so tasty. My spinach and cheese ended up being a bit too spicy but all of it was good.

After dinner, we headed straight to Neo. We wanted to get there a little bit early to avoid a line and well, it was really cold out that night. Neo rocks so much! It is totally awesome. The set up and the place itself is not that great, but they play a great mix. The people there are totally hard core too. It's great to go to a place where people actually dance. Just so much fun. Mainly they play industrial with some power noise and the like. By the end of the evening, my knees were hurting and I was dripping with sweat. I love it!

For the most part I spent my time just dancing and having fun in that aspect. There was a guy I had my eye on, but I couldn't quite tell if he was gay or not. But whatever, I don't go to hookup. Dance is what it's all about. There was this other asian guy too. He was a great dancer and cute too. I loved watching him dance.. very fluid in his movement and lots of confidence. But I danced next to another for a good portion of the evening. Not that I was attracted to him or anything, but he totally kicked butt on the dance floor. He had a great outfit on and man could he tear it up. Just dancing near him gave me lots of energy and allowed me to really let loose.

At one point, I was taking a break and standing with Rose and some of her friends. A guy randomly came up to me. He leaned in and said that I was "fucking hot".. no no.. wait, I am "very fucking hot". lol. I didn't think much about it despite the obvious ego boost until he later took me by the hand and pulled me onto the dance floor where he introduced me to his wife. I couldn't believe it! This was the second time in my life when a couple, a pair of polyamorous people had hit on me. I didn't know what he or she wanted from me. I suppose just to dance and have fun with them and their friends. So I danced 'with' them but not with any single one of them. Eventually they got the picture that I wasn't into that sort of thing and left me alone. Funny.. they weren't even goth type people but a group of preps. Perhaps they thought since we're "freaks", we'd be into that kind of thing.

Sometime later while taking another break a guy came up and stood by me. He looked at the dance floor, then at me, then at the dance floor, then at me, and so on and so forth. I looked back at him and smiled, waiting for him to make his move. He proceeded to tell me that I was really beautiful and that I had great facial features and expressions. He asked if I was greek or Asian Indian. I informed him that I was American Indian and Hispanic. He asked my name and I told him, wherein he informed me of some italian restaurant with a girl there with the same name. I think. I couldn't quite hear him. Suddenly the DJ played some Nails.. and I'm sorry, but I can't resist Nails. I walked out on the dance floor and to my disappointment he joined me. There are some Nails songs yes that you can dance to with other people, this however, was not one of them. Not only was he a very bad dancer, but he wouldn't stop touching me and grabbing my ass. I was so angry. Just because we had talked for like two minutes, that does not give him the right to touch me. I really really hate it when guys do that. They need to learn to wait till I give them permission and he was far from ever having that rare privilege. I couldn't even finish the song I was so irritated. But he wanted to still talk to me so I continued our conversation to be nice. .... I really need to learn to not be nice sometimes. This guy was rather annoying and a bit of a loser. Once another really good song came up I took my que to run and was on the dance floor again, this time alone! Yay!

The last guy I danced with was at the very end of the evening before the club closed. I watched at first laughing as this kid tried desperatly to dance with Rose. He bounced idiotically and untalentedly around. I chuckled as Rose tried to escape him, then froze in terror as she brought him over to meet me. Yes... she whored me out to him just so he'd leave her around. lol. I protested and insisted that I was tired. I said my knees hurts too much and wasn't up for dancing. But the kid egged me on and reluctantly I consented. But I warned him to watch his hands. In the end, i had a great time dancing with him. I totally let loose and went crazy. He spun me and we rocked it out hardcore like a couple old school punk machine heads. I'm sure people watching us probably assumed I was totally wasted, but that was further from the truth.
I hadn't expected us to close the club down. At one point we had been on the verge of leaving when I had been called back into the crowd by sweet sweet music and Rose had found some other old friends. Before we knew it, the lights were on and we were getting kicked out. hahaha. We were still wide awake and hungry so with her friend Will, we headed over to a diner and had some breakfast. Man was it good too. Rose and I split an omelette and pancakes. MMm.. pancakes. I should make some for dinner. te-he. But I digress. It was just nice to sit, enjoy their company, and eat. For some reason I felt like a kid again. Like I feel when I'm with my mother.. small, innocent, comfortable, and special. When we walked out of the diner.. we were welcomed by a magnificent sunrise.

Weekend in Chicago: Part 1 - Aquarium

Current mood: impressed

Rose and I took another little trip up to Chicago in celebration of Spring Break and simply to get away and have some fun. We've been planning this for a little while, well, not necessarily planning as much as merely talking about it. As the weeks have flown by and our depature date coming closer and closer, we realized we had nothing specifically planned out. Nevertheless, our hearts were set on getting out of Champaign and having another mini-adventure.

Our excursion began a bit behind schedule but again, determination boosted our escape. Driving to Chicago always seems to be a wonderful time with Rose. It gives opportunity to really open up and talk which is not always possible at work or at Subversion. It's good having her as my friend. She's a great person and we always have so much fun together. She helps me out so much and is so encouraging. I think to myself how much I want to be like her when I grow up. It makes me sad to know she has hard times and struggles sometimes. I wish I could help her out. The only way I know is to pray for her and just be her friend.

We arrived in Chicago sometime after noonish and headed straight for the Shedd Aquarium. When we got to the front of the building to enter we were shocked to discover that there was a line. And I'm not talking about just a little line.. we must have stood in it for somewhere between 30 - 45 minutes. It's ok though, we eventually got in and it well worth the wait. The aquarium is truly beautiful and wonderful. They have so many different exhibits and animals I've never seen before first hand. At first we stood at the large tank at the entrance and watched the different fishes. We talked about and discussed the different fishes and marveled at the funny sea turtle that for some or another couldn't get its rear end from floating to the surface.
The sea turtle signaled to us to get move on to explore the other wonders that awaited us. We headed straight for the larger exhibits which houses Beluga Whales, Penguins, a Sea Lion, Pacific White-Sided Dolphins, and last but not least.... the most adorable and wonderful creatures... SEA OTTERS! That's right baby.. super cute and cuddly Sea Otters. They were mightly playful and just oh so marvelous bundles of merriment. Have I mentioned lately how much I like Sea Otters?! lol. Viewing the Sea Otters was kind of sad though. Alongside the tank there was displays and information pertaining to the Oil spill a few years back that wiped out much of the Sea Otter population as well as other sea mammals, fishes, and birds.

The aquarium has a large stage set up and does shows with the dolphins. We did not watch the show from above, but from the underwater viewing area. I personally think that these aquatic creatures are much more intersting to view in the water than merely seeing them jump out of it, as amazing as that can be. After, we walked back into the main tank areas and looked at fish from all over the world. It's really amazing. Generally you would think.. you see one fish, you've seen them all. This however is not the case. Fish are fascinating and quite wonderfully unique, species to species. For example, there was a whole section of seperate tanks that had what to the regular person different types of fish. However, genetically, all these fish had come from the same type of fish. Due to flooding, changing of the geography, and time, there were many different varieties of this one fish. Absolutely fascinating. Evolution at its finest.
There was really so much. It took us like 4 and a half hours to look at everything. Well, we didn't even get to see everything! We totally ran out of time and missed the Wild Waters exhibit. That's ok, that just calls for another trip, heh heh.

I can be such a schmuck sometimes. When I was a child I absoltely adored aniamls, stull do. Perhaps I cling much to the Lord's giving us himans dominion over them and feel that it's my responsible to care for all his marvelous creations. Anywho.. I used to study and learn anything and everything I could about them. Because of all that I feel pretty confident in my knowledge of them and of course when I get into environments like that, I always have to show off. Well, it feels like showing off I guess. I hope that's not how I come off. I just love animals. (that does not include insects).