First snow of the 2010 season

We had our first snow of the season last night and today. I had planned on going to Montrose Beach to watch friends run in the Santa shuffle, but after considering the small amount of sleep I would probably have gotten, and needing to get work done, I decided to stay home. This morning, Richard and I took a break and played in the snow. We both have new boots this season, they kept our feet warm and dry, Richard also has a new hat which he is really excited about. Here are a few pictures from our (short) adventures.

Cookies and Studying

When I have a lot of studying to do and and am procrastinating, I sometimes end up baking. I am pretty sure Richard is a big fan of this form of procrastination. I wanted to make something over the weekend, but didn't get around to it. Attempted again yesterday, but realized that by the time the eggs and butter warmed up, I would be too tired to do it.

When I got in today, I was determined to make chocolate chip cookies. I found a great recipe for them. It does call for 1lb of butter and two cups of sugar (divided between white and brown sugar), plus chocolate chips and walnuts, it is hard to go wrong. They turned out great, gooey in the middle, crisp on the outside, and now we have chocolate chip cookies for a couple of days!

Now back to studying. Three exams is all that stands until the end of my fall semester.

Coffee and Candy

Tonight, Richard, Marge, and myself ventured into Logan Square. We needed to find a coffee shop that was open until at least 10pm. Our normal places we like to head close at 8pm or 9pm. So in the hunt and knowing that Marge would be able to drive, I searched outside our normal stomping grounds (Ukrainian Village).

We found an incredibly charming place called Cafe Mustache. This place was definitely a locally owned coffee shop. The coffee they use they obtain from Bridgeport coffee. They serve ice cream from iCream. The music is played from LPs, and none of the tables match. I enjoyed a hot chocolate with drip coffee added to it, Richard had an Earl Grey tea, and Marge had a simple cup of coffee.

On our way home, Richard requested an adventure. Marge suggested Margie's Candies. We drove by, it looked open. When we investigated, the door said they were open until midnight! Definitely good to know. We shared a brownie sundae, and I thought that their hot fudge was the best I ever had. Across the street is a 24 hour burrito establishment. Sounds like a great Saturday night combination!

Hey Blog, what's up?

It is now 2010, in fact, it is almost not 2010 anymore.

I have been married for about a year and a half, I have been in grad school for about the same amount of time, and have been living in Chicago for the same amount of time.

Sometimes I like to look back at old emails that Richard and I wrote. Right now, a friend of mine is in a long distance relationship. The couple are incredibly happy, they finding the difficulties of long distance. He says it is hard, but then also says that it is nothing compared to what Richard and I went through. But what we went through is different to anyone else, not easier, not harder, different. But their cuteness of the new relationship wears off on me, so that is why I like to look at old emails and pictures of us.

Richard's sister, Vikki, just had her first child. Her name is Maddy, and she is the most beautiful little girl I have ever seen. It makes me sad that we don't know when we will actually meet Maddy and spend time with Richard's family next. Thank goodness for skype and video chat. It is still difficult.

But good things: my semester is almost over, and will have a whole month to be relaxed and do projects I have put off. A month to spend stress free time with Richard and other friends in the city, and in that month is Christmas, New Year's, and my birthday! Hooray!