Friday, March 29, 2013

Bipolar Spring

It's been a week since we returned from Chicago and I still feel bloated. In the 2 days that we spent there, we must have had 10 meals. Thankfully we split almost all of them to soften the blow. My birthday "weekend" was one of the best birthdays I've ever had, right up there with the surprise limo ride on my 21st and the surprise car on my 18th. 

Since then the Midwest has been damned by the weather gods. Yes, I know I live in Illinois and yes March is always a roll of the dice when it comes to "Spring-like" sunshine and flowers. I just got too spoiled by last year's Winter of 30 degree weather and last year's Spring temps of 80.

Luckily there were a few days of sunshine and in Illinois, if the sun is out people take advantage. It was 50 degrees out, below freezing by Hawaii standards, but people bust out the shorts and sandals on rare days like this. So Boyfriend and I went on a little Vietnamese lunch date.


Coffee time!

Boyfriend's vermicelli bowl

My usual: tofu pho

Outside was so warm and beautiful, I couldn't resist an opportunity to get out of my Winter coat and snow boots and put on something sunny for the occasion, even busted out some pumps. Ah, I immediately began to feel energized and cheerful.

Blazer: The Limited
Blouse: The Gap
Jeans: Express
Shoes: Nine West
Bag; Aldo




Then this happened...

Yup, that's my back yard

It's a pity that one of the most gorgeous days of the year was followed by a huge storm. Champaign went from light flurries at 2pm to 12 inches of snow overnight. Springfield got as much as 18 inches. Crazy.

The airport

Knee deep in snow at work

Driving home from work was like off-roading. The snow plows were so busy, some of the major roads were still neglected. The snows started to turn into ice and hardened into lumps on the road. Luckily the snow has started to melt and the sun is starting to come out. Spring is finally on it's way.

-Akemi-chan

Monday, March 25, 2013

My Kind of Town, Chicago is... Part 2

Another beautiful sunny day in Chicago, but it's still March. that means we still have to sport our Winter coats. Another great day of eating around the city. 

Wow Bao for some hot Asain buns haha
Half our bounty
Pork and cabbage pot stickers
BBQ pork bao
Thai curried chicken bao
Spicy beef bao


Iconic

Why does this cow have horns....
...and utters?


Cloud Gate aka "The Chicago Bean"
Bro, do you even lift?
It looks like a butt, hee hee
No one's surprised that you love yourself
<3
Millennium Park 
Bridge to Art Museum
Picaso's behind
Chris sliding down the statue
C for Carly
Chris trying to make a B for Boyfriend

Intelligentsia: voted Chicago's best cup for coffee
Mr. Barista
Had to get my Argo tea fix

Stopped for pizza before the game
New York style pizza in Chicago, ha ha


United Center: Home of the Bulls. Oh yeaaahhh!
Look at those pennants 
DA BULLS!!
Get your $8 beer! haha
Look at them racing!
Nachos with jalapenos
Benny the Bull
Yeah!
 
 
Midget

After party at Timothy O'Toole's
Still some green beer in the city
Cheese

The next morning we we wanted more of everything, but instead we just got more pizza and Wow Bao.


Found my doppelganger at Wow Bao

We stopped by Boyfriend's Dad's house to pick up Puppydog and spend some time with family.

Crazy face