Winter is Coming...

     We went to Chicago for my birthday weekend and had a blast! We drove in from Madison on Friday and started our weekend with a scrumptious sushi dinner. Saturday was my actual birthday and we spent the entire day exploring the city. It was so beautiful and nothing like I expected. The sidewalks of downtown were crawling with people and between the hustle and bustle and the towering skyscrapers, Chicago reminded me of a cleaner, better-smelling New York.

The view from our room- Buckingham Fountain and Lake Michigan in the distance

2nd anniversary of my 29th birthday!

     We spent Saturday exploring the city. Aaron has been to Chicago countless times but he let me play tourist the entire weekend. We took the architecture boat tour and paid a visit to Willis Tower where I did a little yoga in the sky box. That night, we visited Second City- a comedy club that has served as a springboard for many SNL stars including Mike Meyers and Tina Fey. We were randomly seated in the front row and I was laughing for two hours straight. 

We were waiting in line for two hours! I needed to stretch!

                              The Second City stage

     On Sunday, we ate pancakes for breakfast and took our coffee to go to do a little more site-seeing before we headed back to Madison. We visited Millennium Park including the obligatory visit to the Cloud Gate sculpture (The Bean) and The Crown Fountain. We ended up at the Buckingham Fountain. It was the perfect weekend and one of the best birthdays I've ever had!

The Boeing Gallery

The Crown Fountain

Aaron approves of The Bean

Buckingham Fountain's hourly water display

My parents sent flowers to meet me in Chi-Town!

          Back in Madison, we have finally fully settled into our apartment. It is beautiful and warm and full of lots of natural light. The animals have completely adjusted to their new space and are as happy as ever. Aaron and I continue to spend our weekends walking around town, eating at new restaurants and generally scoping out the city. We finally made it into the capitol building, where we ventured to the observation deck to get a 360 degree view of Madison. 

Our cozy living room

Mowgli will never take furniture for granted again

Family portrait

Chairs lined up for a wedding at Monona Terrace

Wisconsin State capitol building

The northeasterly view from the observation deck

                                    

                                                     Madison fire department festival on The Square

         

                      Sometimes we take the train tracks home (our building is the last one on the right)

     In the last few weeks, we have been marveling at the beauty of the trees as their leaves change color. It is absolutely stunning and the trees seem to be glowing. It is a sign that the brutally cold winter is on its way. Almost every day, I receive some sort of sympathetic comment about this being my first Midwestern winter and the concept is too abstract for my brain to process. However, I am optimistic about my ability to adapt! I have built up my winter wardrobe and have been practicing dressing appropriately as the temperatures start to drop. Winter is coming but I'm ready to take it on!

Khi is also preparing for winter

     I will be finishing up my physical therapy school applications this week. I am also interviewing for a massage job at a high-end spa this Thursday.

Upcoming Events:

10/24: Aaron and I are going to see Dave Chapelle at The Orpheum downtown

10/25: We hope to get tickets for the UW homecoming game

11/1: Deadline for PT applications

Thanksgiving: We are headed to Miami for Thanksgiving on the beach!