The Bahai House of Worship... of the North American Continent

I should start off by saying that I've had a serious case of Writer's Block for the past oh, four and a half months.  I've sat down many a time at the good ol' laptop to blog, but I just wasn't feeling inspired.

But tonight this post comes easily because I want to share a few beautiful photographs I took on my day off and a very overwhelming, yet special moment I experienced while I was there.  Many friends of ours have told us that a trip to the Bahai temple would be more than worthwhile.  With only seven in the entire world, it was mind-boggling to me that one would exist in our neck of the woods!

To start, it was a gorgeous day and quite perfect for a little sight-seeing.  The sky was a deep clear blue, the sun was shining, and the temperature was just right.  My plan was to take the L and a nice leisurely walk and see this wonder of Illinois.  And yes, it is actually one of the seven wonders of Illinois!

This is a view of the cute little street I walked down from the train station to the temple.  Wilmette is such a pretty town- notice the brick roads, nicely manicured lawns and beautiful homes.  Okay, I guess you can't see the homes, but I promise they were there!  Many of them reminded me of little cottages.

Had to cross a bridge with this view on either side.  It made me a little nervous when cars were zooming past me, but I had to stop and take a picture!

When I arrived there was a tour bus parked right out front.  It struck me as pretty cool that I only had to take a quick train ride!  The timing was perfect though because most of my pictures were tourist free, and I got to sit inside the temple in complete peace.

According to my pamphlet, "this unique structure stands for unity and invites prayer to God.  Each temple has its own distinctive design, and they all conform to a consistent theme: an area of gardens encircles a nine-sided structure covered by a single, majestic dome (symbolizing the unity of all people and religions under God)."

As I stared up at this amazing beautiful, intricate domed ceiling at my seat... I felt this sudden wave of emotions.  My eyes teared up a little, and all I can really say is in that moment, I felt incredibly moved.  Imagine the experience of sitting in this astounding sacred space, with nothing but natural light streaming down on you.   

Upon exiting the temple, I asked the lady at the door what the writing at the top of the dome meant, and she explained that it was a prayer that meant "O Glory of the All Glorious."  She was so nice and informative, and even told me I was welcome to take a few pictures inside as long as there were no services going on.

If anything, I would encourage anyone in the Chicagoland area to go see it.  The pictures just don't do it justice!

My First Visitor!!!!

I heart my friend Cathy.  She is one of my dearest friends- we were roomies for many years, starting all the way back in (gulp) 2000!  So you can imagine how excited I was when I found out that she would be spending five whole days with me in Chicago.  She even came during the winter (seriously a trooper, especially since she was coming from some fab weather in Cali), but I have to say... the weather didn't stop us from enjoying all the city has to offer.

Lunch at the Signature Room (95th floor of the John Hancock Building)- the best view of the city AND an amazing, affordable meal.

And this dish gets an honorable mention. Wagyu pastrami sandwich with french fries. Just a little plate of heaven...

Inside the Art Institute of Chicago.  What an amazing museum-- probably one of the best I have ever been to in my life (it was incredible to see Sunday Afternoon and Nighthawk in person, which are two of my all-time favorite paintings).

                                             Humongous ball of mistletoe.

                       Pretty view of Pritzker Pavillion from inside the museum.

                                Snowy bean (Cloud Gate) in Millenium Park.

Cathy and I love pictures that showcase pretty rows of trees. 

THANK YOU CATHY FOR A FABULOUS FUN FILLED WEEK!!!! 

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

Today while I was walking home from work, I couldn't help but think of how beautiful it is when it snows.  It really does make the winter so much more tolerable, and dare I say... enjoyable.  I really don't mind bundling up and walking when the snow is falling.  As much as I miss warm weather, Chicago is an amazing city to be in the winter.  When you learn to embrace the cold, it makes all the difference in the world. To have a White Christmas and Winter Wonderland for the holidays are things that I will take with me wherever I go.

Live Your Best Life

Oprah says it best.

It sounds so simple, really.  Why is it then, that so many of us don't do it?  I suppose everyone has their own reasons- understandable and legit reasons- that continue to hold them back.  So maybe the real question at hand is what you are willing to do to change that?

Last night I was watching Revolutionary Road and was once again reminded of the four words that have become my motto for this new year (and hopefully the rest of my life).

Live your best life.

For me personally, living my best life in this current moment means taking advantage of living in an incredible city rich with history and culture.  After my two years pass in Chicago, who knows when the next time will be that I'll get to do something like this again.

During the past few months, I feel like I haven't been able to enjoy being in this city as much as I would have liked to.  I have become a working machine, only stopping to eat, sleep, and commute. And ohhhh, the commute.  It wasn't as easy as I thought it would be.

In a recent conversation with my younger brother, he mentioned that there aren't many easy ways to cut out unhappiness or unwanted stress in your life... but as it turns out, cutting out a long commute could make all the difference.

He was right.  To make a long story short, I decided to take a new job ridiculously close to home (ladies and gentleman, it will take me all but two minutes to walk there).  It wasn't the easiest decision to make, especially because I really did enjoy working for my previous employer... but it had to be done.

Sometimes living your best life means taking big risks.  Sometimes there will be sacrifices made. There's definitely the chance things may not turn out the way you envisioned and hoped for, but how will you know if you never tried?

40 Degree Weather? Yes, Please!

Every week, the temperature drops by a few degrees. I would say it's because of this fact that I am getting more and more used to the cold.

I no longer feel sorry for people who complain that it's cold back home. The wind chill here is serious! It makes the weather feel so much colder than it really is. For example, 35 degrees here feels quite different than 35 degrees there. I have now become one of those people who think 40 degrees is a FANTASTIC day for weather. I might even say that 50 degrees is... hot.

Next week we'll be in single digits, and at some point next year we'll probably go below zero. I can't even imagine what that's going to feel like!

So what do I have to look forward to these days? Snow. I LOVE walking in fresh snow and seeing the streets covered in soft white powder. The days that it snows are actually warmer than days that don't- it's so strange psychologically because the most beautiful, crystal clear days when the sun in sparkling and the skies are bright blue are the most bitter cold.

The thing I've really come to hate weather-wise is the rain. Man, rain sucks in Chicago!!! Mostly it's because of the wind- and to be honest, I think that rain is worse than snow here. It is a total pain in the ass to walk in, and you need an umbrella made of steel to weather the storms.

Despite the extreme cold and harsh weather conditions, I am (for the most part!) enjoying the winter season. Everything is decked out for Christmas, and the holiday spirit is all around us. I'm just hoping that this newfound excitement will carry me through my first winter here in Chicago.

Let's just pray that I don't slip on the ice and fall on my ass.

Happy Holidays!

'Tis the Season in Chicago

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!

Living Like a Midwesterner

It has almost been four months since our move here to Chicago, and exactly two since I've started my new job.

Now that we're completely settled in, I've taken note of the most significant change in my lifestyle.

PRACTICALITY.

Yesterday I had brunch with my friend Phyllis, who like me, moved to Chicago from warm and sunny California. Although she's got a year ahead of me, we were both talking about how we had to make some major adjustments!

#1. Forget about all the fancy shoes and handbags. They will do you no good here. In the fall/winter, flat boots (no heel) are a must, and in the warmer months, a good pair of walking shoes and flats. A good, practical black handbag will take you through the year!

#2. Invest in a few good thick cashmere sweaters for the cold weather. NOTHING I brought from Cali is good enough for the bitter cold. My warmest sweaters still need to be layered with about three other things!! Puffy down jackets are also a must. I even bought a puffy hooded vest, which I never would have been caught dead with in LA. Funny how much your style can evolve.

#3. Coats, scarves, and gloves from Cali are stylish, but not warm or practical. I quickly realized that my coats were a waste of closet space. I could have worn them in the beginning of fall, but then locals would poke fun because it was too "warm" for coats yet. When it did become "coat season," I had to go out and buy a thick HEAVY peacoat... and the most popular color? Black. You don't want it to get dirty on the train, rain, etc. No pretty winter whites. Scarves can't be made of polyester or acrylic- yes, we do need to look at the labels now to see what is going to keep you warm!

For now, us Midwest newbies are building the basics. However, while we are living this so-called life of practicality, we can still try to be as stylish a possible.. which brings me to a new term I have learned out here:

The Coastie.

What is a Coastie, you ask? Anyone who hails from the East or West Coast whose style is noticeably fashionable. Although this sounds like a compliment, I can assure you it is not. As explained to me, it is like someone who styles their hair with the "LC bump" (if you watched The Hills, you should know what this is). Well, as much as I have adjusted my fashion sense here, I am not ashamed to be called a Coastie and embrace my fashion sense non-Coasties wish they had!

Though in a way, this all makes me think about how silly it was for me to spend so much money on expensive designer shoes and bags. When you see how unnecessary it is out here, you start to wonder how living in a particular part of the country can affect what you choose to spend your hard earned money.

The Magnificent Milestone

One of the best parts about where I live is that the train station is literally across the street.  In a quick minute, I'm already at "The L," which is just about the easiest and nicest method of public transportation I have ever used (aside from the bullet trains in Japan).

It's quite different from the NYC subways, the main difference being that it runs above ground... so it's nice to be able to see what you are passing through.  I also got my official CTA card, which makes the whole process so much easier.  It works like a debit card, but when the balance hits $10, it refills back to $20.  No more stopping by the automatic tellers to grab tickets- love it.

I've already used my card way more than Scott has, and he thinks that I'm going to get to know Chicago better than he will!  Right now he's really busy with school, so I've been taking off on my own to go on job interviews or meet up with friends downtown.

This is my stop.  I felt incredibly touristy taking a photo here, but I thought it would be nice to document as it was my first time taking The L and going into the city. 

The very first thing we did was see the Macy's.  Until that day, Macy's New York had been my favorite department store in the US, but I have since changed my mind.  It was fabulous!  I wanted to spend so much more time there, but since I couldn't, I took a quick peek in the Walnut Room (where I desperately want to have a Christmas dinner when the tree arrives), read up on the history of the building (it used to be a Marshall Fields), and made a mental note about how awesome the food court was- come on... Marcus Samuelson AND Rick Bayless had counters there!

Since the food court was closed and we were starving, we decided to go The Plaza at Park Grill.  It was a beautiful day, and so nice to have lunch outside and people-watch.  I was very impressed with their Kobe beef burger and blue cheese potato salad.  I normally hate blue cheese, so I know it must have been good!  

After lunch, we saw the famous bean (cloud gate sculpture) and attempted to take several photos until we had a few that were "Facebook profile worthy."  I know it's just a bean, but it was pretty cool to see it so close up.

Then I thought I saw what looked like the Disney Concert Hall, and I realized that it was the same designer Frank Gehry's creation called the Pritzker Pavilion.  There was a free concert that was about to begin, and I made another mental note to come back one day and see one of the shows.  It was certainly a sight to see- funny how I know his work through his jewelry line at Tiffany, but no matter- his work is genius in any art form.

I also found the Crown Fountain to be quite interesting... we saw the Buckingham Fountain too, but I was less impressed with that one.  One can only get so excited about fountains.  I really wanted to go on the Chicago Architecture Boat Tour, but we just missed the last tour for the day.  The desire is two-fold- 1) because I am fascinated by the buildings and architectural design and 2) My Best Friend's Wedding is one of my all-time favorite Romantic Comedies.  Of course I need to see the boat tour!  And then maybe have a drink at The Drake hotel or something. :) 

My first two weeks in Evanston were dedicated mostly to getting the apartment ready, and there would be random times in the day where I would miss home and feel overwhelmed.  But I have to say that this trip made the difference in my whole attitude out here, and it really was the first day that I truly enjoyed being in Chicago. There is so much to do and see here.  I wish that everyone had the opportunity to pick up and live somewhere completely different from what they are used to.  You would be surprised at how much it could change your life.

Before hopping back on the train to go home, we walked along The Magnificent Mile just to take it all in and also visit a few shops.  

To me, Chicago is so different than LA and NY.  I feel like it's a great combination of the two.  A few things I noticed- it has an energy.  Not quite like NY, but it's there and just the right amount for me.  People stroll instead of walking super fast from point A to point B.  It's clean.  The architecture is just incredible.  There is great food and great shopping.  

It doesn't feel like "home" yet, and that realization sank in when I came back from Japan a few days ago.  It felt weird to have O'Hare be the final destination.  In any case, I am proud to be a part of this city.  

Next on the blog: KWEST Japan!  Another milestone waiting to be told... 

Northwestern Territory

It's been about two weeks since we've arrived in Evanston, and so far I am loving it. Almost everyone I have met -whether a neighbor, waitress, or salesperson- has been so friendly and helpful.  I know I keep saying this, but it is such a big difference from what I am used to.  I can't tell you how refreshing it is to be in an environment where everyone just smiles more and seems so much happier.  We have also been quite lucky with the weather and have taken advantage with some beautiful walks by the lake.

The apartment is getting close to feeling like home.  We're just waiting on our new couch to be delivered, so as soon as it comes, I'll post a few pictures.  I am so excited because for the first time in my life, I will have a REAL couch.  Not the IKEA futon excuse for a couch that everyone had back in the college days, but a real, soft ivory leather, beautiful, gorgeous couch!  The day it arrives will feel like Christmas.

Among other exciting news, having a doorman is the greatest thing since sliced bread. How in the heck can someone remember EVERYONE's name in my building (there are 25 floors for Pete's sake!)?  I don't know... but I like it and it makes me feel special. We are also ordering things like crazy online- even stuff like paper towels and energy bars.  I find it very exciting when I see the special key chain stuck in my mailbox that says I have a package waiting! Being able to have someone sign for your packages is so convenient.  It's the little things in life, you know?

                                                    bunny rabbits!

                                            
Living in a college town is fun.  I compare it to Westwood, but of course, it has its differences in many ways.  One of the things I noticed right away is how clean and safe the streets are.  Being able to walk to Whole Foods, the Farmer's Market, restaurants, the public library, shops, the lake, etc. has been one of the greatest experiences.  For Scott, it's more old hat since he used to live in NYC, but for me it is a whole new world.  Back in April when I was apartment hunting, I had no idea how much I would come to appreciate being in the most convenient part of downtown.

I've been told that I have three months left of good weather and then I will see what it is like to live in the freezing cold.  Today I purchased all my winter gear- down coat, base clothing, thick socks, and snow boots.  I got very paranoid when I heard that everything sells out by October, so of course I made my check list and got it all!  When Scott saw the receipt, I think his heart might have stopped momentarily.

Despite all the negative comments people make about how I'm going to hate the cold, I am actually looking forward to seeing the seasons change and the first snowfall. Check back soon for the next blog entry: a recap on my first real trip into downtown Chicago, taking the L, and my happiest day since the move.

Road Trip!

Well friends, we made it safely to Evanston and are currently in the midst of getting settled.  So far, the weather has been treating us well, and everyday there is something new and great to experience.  I am really enjoying living downtown so far, and I seriously can't get enough of the Midwest love!

The drive out here was definitely an experience I'll never forget.  At first, I didn't even want to think about a road trip.  Our initial plans were to pack up and take the first flight out to Chicago... but after much thought, we decided that it would make more sense to do the drive.  Plus, it would be an opportunity for me to go a few places I probably never would have planned on visiting.

First stop was Vegas.  It was hot as hell, but I had a great time there.  I still get paranoid every time the weather gets crazy hot because it reminds me of when I was hospitalized for dehydration/exhaustion about 3 years ago... but I ate well, stayed hydrated, and rested so there was nothing to worry about!  We stayed at the Encore, which I have to say I enjoyed much more than the Wynn.  The suite alone was incredible, and it didn't hurt that it was super cheap for midweek summer deals!

Notable mentions in VEGAS:

-Beef noodle soup from Noodle Asia at the Venetian.  Scott's foodie friend swears by it, and because of his reputation for knowing good food + the fact he was also Chinese gave us the confidence we needed to try it out.  It was a little pricey, which is expected in Vegas, but I have to say that I was very impressed!  Flavors were really good and it hit the spot for our first late night meal.  All the waiters and cooks were Chinese, so it felt like it was going to be the real deal.  We also had the black peppered beef stir fry noodles and chinese sausage and broccoli stem fried rice which were tasty, but the highlight was definitely the beef noodle soup.

-European pool at the Encore.  No one actually goes topless, but it was nice having a 21+ crowd w/o kids running all over the place.  It was very relaxed and the crowd was hip and cool.. Scott thought it would be funny to take a picture here.  Apparently, he really did look like a Pool Boy because a woman came over and asked him where she could get bottled water!

-ALEX restaurant at the Wynn.  I swear Steve Wynn is a genius and just knows what people want in a great hotel.  Between the Wynn and the Encore, the good eats are never-ending.  I have eaten at my fair share of amazing restaurants in the world, but this one takes the cake by a landslide... seriously the best dining experience of my life.  It is completely worth a trip out to Vegas for a special occasion!  The only way to do it is to go for the seasonal 7-course menu.  In-freakin-credible.  Just try it and you will thank me later.

After Vegas, we drove through Arizona for a little bit, then Utah to Denver, which was a gruesome 12 hours.  It definitely was the hardest leg of the trip and driving through those damn Rockies was pretty scary at times.  On a positive note, I did enjoy the scenic route- there is something so beautiful about the crazy rock formations... pictures don't do it justice.

So Denver.  I was very underwhelmed by this city!  I hope I don't offend anyone who hails from this area, but I guess I was expecting a lot more.  It was a quaint town and the people were very nice, but for some reason it just wasn't my favorite.  Maybe staying downtown wasn't the way to go?  The only two things that stick in my memory were the abundance of pawn shops and how many Cubs fans ruled the city.  They were in town to support their team play the Rockies- the Cubs have quite a following when they travel, which is pretty impressive.  We stayed pretty close to the ball park, and I swear I don't think I saw a single Rockies fan anywhere!!

Notable mentions for Denver:
-a cute little area called Larimer Square
-Snooze cafe for brunch.  Upside-down pineapple pancakes and coffee were delish~

It wasn't until about this point of the road trip that I really started to feel far from home.  It was almost like a fun game to point out Japanese or German cars; gas stations, fast food chains, and convenience stores were unfamiliar... I found comfort in junk food, which is of course totally acceptable and healthy on all road trips.

Now it was onto Omaha, which was the most pleasant surprise.  I honestly did not have high expectations, and considering the way I felt about Denver, I certainly was not excited.  This leg of the trip was easier- about 8 hours this time and much easier to drive.  It's funny how things work out, but this was actually my favorite stop (after Vegas) en route to Chicago.  What I remember most about Nebraska is all the green... and I can't really explain it, but there was just something different and really nice about the area.  I was also very impressed with their downtown "Old Market" area, which a local described as "a poor man's version of the Gaslamp District."  Apparently rent (and the cost of living) is dirt cheap there- I found out the average apartment was only $500 per month!  Below is a pic of all the barrels of hay I saw alongside the road... it reminded me of a challenge from the Amazing Race, my fav tv show.

Notable mentions for Omaha:
-The "Old Market"
-Upstream (freakin awesome!) restaurant where I had the BEST Omaha ground sirloin burger and homeade creamy rootbeer.  I even got a complimentary big scoop of vanilla ice cream to help me finish it at the end of my meal. =)

For the last major leg of the trip, we did another 8 hour drive through Iowa.  All I remember were fields and fields and fields and fields of corn forever.  And that is all.

At long last, we arrived in Chicago.  Of course, we had to pick up where we left off on the deep dish pizza tour.  I had previously been to Lou Malnati's, and this time, it was Gino's East.  We had the spinach deep dish, which I really enjoyed!  Since then I've also tried Giordani's, which I think is currently in the lead.  I used to think I was a New York pizza girl at heart, but I think I'm crossing over to the other side!!

The last stop: Evanston.  I can't wait to tell everyone how beautiful this town is.  We're living in the best part of downtown- walking distance from everything, including the train (which is a quick ride into downtown Chicago) and also the lake, which is so huge it looks like an ocean.

Look out for the next entry, which will be about everything Evanston!