Friday, July 22, 2011

Chicago, I'm falling for you

I really miss the san Francisco bay area still- even after living in Chicago since late January of this year. Here is a list of the things I like about Chicagoland.


The lake front path is about .75 miles from my apartment. Yay running!

All the cool bars and restaurants near my place with craft (micro) brewed beer.



There is a great sushi place close by. (oysy)

Gourmet Food trucks. More Cupcake truck, southern Mac n cheese truck, meaty balls truck, haute sausage truck, tamale spaceship. And the newest one I've found: fido to go. Yes, it's a gourmet dog treat truck. On thursday nights about 7-10 food trucks gather outside "Ethyls dive"(a new restaurant in the west loop) I want to go soon. Cb wants to see fido to go too.


(from the fido to go website)

A new gourmet grocery store is opening very close to my apartment soon. Whole foods is currently 1 mile away, target .5 mile. I was SO happy to see them working on the store yesterday.

Farmers market at the daly plaza With the creepy baboon Picasso statue looking over the scene. Also, I get a goat cheese, honey, olive tapenade, crepe with balsamic reduction almost every Thursday now.


I also get plants from the market


That violet plant now sits on MY DESK in my NEW OFFICE!
After being a "temp" employee for the past 3 years, I got a real job 2 weeks ago. My first corporate job and I have a Fricken office. It's awesome!
That's one of the main reasons I'm starting to fall for Chicago. Having a real job =stability= peace of mind= happiness, at least for my world.


(chomper 4, from the farmers market)

I love Bikram yoga in a studio a stones throw from my apartment. What the hell took me so long to sign up for this when I've been seeing the signs since February? Probably the job situation. This is my first week and LOVE it!

I'm falling for you Chicagoland.

What are some things you love about your city?

Have a great weekend!


-Xaar

10 comments:

  1. Ahh, that was a great post. I've visited Chicago twice for a Print Conference, always in Sept. and i love it!

    I love that you have all those things so close!

    And congrats on the job!!! It's so nice to have permanent employment, huh?!

    Things about Wichita: Big city, but small town atmosphere. Everything is 25 minutes away no matter where you are. Tons of restaurants. And a new arena that has great concerts!!

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  2. You make Chicago sound so amazing! Congrats on the new job with an office--Hooray! That would definitely put me more at ease. And how awesome that you have so many great things right by your home, I'm jealous!

    I don't live in a "city" by any means, but I love the trails around my house, and all the great lakes so close by!

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  3. Congrats on the office (and the permanent position that goes with it!). i think stability is one of the greatest things you can wish for someone and I am very happy to hear that you are finding it!

    I've never been to Chi town but if I do (I drove through it once in a terrible storm and nearly died, but didn't stop to take a look around) I feel like I am going to know all the best places to go!

    I am moving back to Napa so I am probably going to do the Napa Valley Marathon in March. It is mostly downhill and a BQ race (I have no intentions of BQ'ing). If you are interested, you can always stay with me! Bonus: the finish line is at the school I teach at, so we can use my classroom as a locker room. Score!!!!!!

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  4. I love Chicago for the same reasons you do! Enjoy the weekend!

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  5. I agree. Chicago is great. That is all.

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  6. This is where I need to be on Thursday nights...what am I thinking???

    Glad that you are falling for this dirty city that has insane weather and angry citizens! I don't know why but it has tugged at my heartstrings as well and our love affair grows deeper and deeper as time passes.

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  7. Congrats on the new job! I couldn't love Chicago anymore. I can NOT wait to live there. Can you come to the tweet up after Rock n' Roll? I'd love to meet you!

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  8. Ah, our darling Chicago!

    Congrats on the new job! Yay!

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  9. the food trucks sound fun!! they have just recently started popping up all around nashville, but i haven't tried one yet..

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  10. Hi fellow Chicago runner! I love finding other blogs doing the same thing as me...good luck training!

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