Some of you may already know this, but for those who don't, I will be spending the holidays here in Chicago. Not by choice, but because of the fact that hotels are open 365 days of the year. Weekends and holidays are the busiest, especially in the months of November and December.. so in short, going back home to Cali is not an option for me. =(
I wasn't expecting it, but someone at work must love me because I got Thanksgiving Day off. Of course, I work the day before and the day after- it isn't much, but I'll take it. We will be joining a few friends who aren't able to celebrate with their families, and I'm so happy to have a real Thanksgiving meal. Scott mentioned the possibility of going out to eat at a nice restaurant with this very same group, and I said no way in heck- I want to have a homeade turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and all the traditional fare! As the actual holiday is getting closer and closer, I am getting very homesick, but I just have to remember that this is only temporary and I'm fortunate to be spending it with good friends.
I'll be making candied yams, a pumpkin cake, and my favorite biscuits with cranberry jelly inside. If I can't be at home to eat my mom's cooking, at least I can eat a few things that I have every year. =)
I do have to say that Chicago does an amazing job at lifting spirits during the holiday season. I can't believe how gorgeous it is EVERYWHERE I go. The streets where I live are lined with beautiful lights, wreaths, and snowflakes. Downtown where I work, the window displays, hotel fronts, and millions of lights are gorgeous. Even the trains are decorated like crazy!
Tonight I watched the Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony just outside of my apartment building. It was a lot of fun with all the other locals cheering together and trying to stay warm with tiny cups of mint/chocolate milk tea. Afterwards, I treated myself to a Creme Brulee latte from Starbucks, which is indeed the new love in my life. Tiny bits of caramelized burnt sugar? Yumm-O.
Christmas is my absolute favorite holiday, and today I am getting all the decorations and my little mini tree out of our storage.
Happy Holidays!
Hi Kristen! I had no idea that you moved to Chicago :) Congrats and how exciting! I just read your earlier entries when you talked about your emotional rollercoaster and thought process of moving to Evanston. I'm so excited to see you living in a new place and enjoying the process all the same. I assume that you are no longer teaching? What are you up to then? I just recently visiting Chicago for a quick interview. It is definitely such a beautiful city and I actually could see myself braving the harsh winters and trying a new life experience. Who knows :) Thanks for keeping this blog - I love trying to reconnect with old college friends. Take care and stay warm! Love, Melissa
ReplyDeleteHi Melissa! Gosh, I thought I responded to this already- sorry it took so long. In answer to your questions, you are right. I am taking a break from teaching and giving the hotel industry a real shot. I think you know I was doing wedding planning on the side back in So Cal, and I wanted to to see if doing event planning for luxury hotels was in my future. We'll see how it goes, but for right now I am enjoying it. =) Have a happy holidays! xoxo Kristen
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