the beauty of rain

Today when I was walking Taz it started to rain...and not just any rain. But a kind of rain reminiscent of Puerto Rico on a lazy afternoon. The sun was still shining, it was still relatively warm outside, yet a soft rain fell...then stopped for a few minutes...then rained again.

I was so refreshing, so cleansing. I could feel it replenishing everything around me and for a second...everything I had to do and all my worries just evaporated. I just let it soak it in and wash me of everything I didn't need.

I love the rain...

i gotta spring in my step

It seems to me like this is the perfect start to the spring season. The sun has just come out and the scent of rain fills my nose thorugh the open window here in my office. And, for the first time this year this chica has actually worn a skirt to work. ahhhh, life is good.

tornado in chicago ?

the aftermath of the storm half a block from my parents house

Friday night during the tail end of rush hour traffic- what appeared as a small tornado came close to striking in Chicago. During my commute: a mere 5 minutes from my house, I noticed the clouds becoming more angry - they were dark, fast moving, and close to the ground. The sky became pitch black in a mere instant and it started pouring rain so hard you couldn't see across the street. Something felt terribly wrong about this storm & when tree branches started swaying back and forth, I started to panic. When I pulled up to the front of my house with a quickness, the grammar school half a block away was blaring it's sirens - warning all within earshot range to seek shelter. As soon as I got into my house, my windows starting shaking ever so softly and rain just poured down from the heavens. My dog just kept barking and running back and forth. When I turned on the TV, the news stated there was a tornado warning for the city and advised everyone to stay indoors for the next 45 minutes.

Thankfully, my house and my neighborhood did not incur any damage. However, my parent's neighborhood, a mere 3 miles from my house, didn't fare as well. I got worried that night because my parent's phone line was down. So, when the storm cleared I made haste to go check on them. As I drove to their house, I noticed the small streets within a miles radius from their house were closed due to trees which have fallen in the storm. When I pulled onto my parents block, I noticed right away that the lights for the block had failed - it was pitch black and there were huge tree branches scatterred about. Thankfully, both my parents, their cars, and their house were ok. Though, they went without light and a phone for almost 3 hours.

We were lucky because a few houses in the area had sustained damage to their windows, frame, and/or roof. There were cars which prematurely met their demise - crushed because they were parked under trees which fell victim to the storm. A mere block from their house, a street which was once lined with trees, now has close to none to enjoy. I tried to chronicle the damage with my camera the next morning, but City workers were already clearing out the streets and surveying the damage. Still, what I captured should give you an idea of the devastation the Jefferson Park neighborhood in Chicago endured due to the storm. See the pictures HERE

6 days and counting...

Even though we still have 2 more weeks until the official first day of Autumn (and the official countdown to my birthday) begins, in my mind, Fall in Chicago is already here. The trees are starting to show their first signs of color change, the weather has been chilly and brisk (especially in the mornings and evenings). Lastly, the sure fire sign of all signs: all the kids are back in school. I see kids of all ages on my commute to work, dressed in their new clothes and equipped with freshly sharpened pencils and untouched notebooks, drudging their way to the bus stop or walking with parents/and or friends to school. Ahh....the joy of being young...where all you have to worry about is turning in your homework on time.

Well that time (of doing homework) is almost upon me once again...in 6 days and counting I will be on my way to my Masters Degree- taking my first Graduate Level class: Advanced Intro to Sociology ( a prerequisite because I have no real background in Sociology). I am both excited and nervous - butterflies continue to play around in my belly - reminding me that it's been over 5 years since I've taken a test or written notes or even studied.

Yesterday, that feeling was compounded when I got an email from my professor. It was a simple email really...he just introduced himself, informed us where we would be meeting, and assigned some homework. Not only do I have to read 4 chapters before I even step into class, I have to find an article which deals with a pressing & current sociological debate. Being that the first day of class is a day after the 9/11 anniversary, I have a hunch that a majority of articles will be about war and the pressing issue of possible terrorist attacks.

Being the oddball that I undoubtedly am, I picked out a 2 part article from the Chicago Tribune which goes into detail about Illegal immigrant workers and the health care system. Unlike a lot of the articles you read nowadays,this article actually goes the opposite way into detailing the heavy price illegal immigrants pay for taking on such shitty and dangerous positions. It is a very interesting article and I highly suggest you read it and let me know what your thoughts are on the topic.

Til later...Peace and love.

Isn't it some kind of wonderful when the weather mimics your mood?

This morning I awoke cold from head to toe and feeling mighty bitchy at the world. By chance, it's blistery, cloudy, and snowy in Chi-town this morning.

That fact alone almost makes me want to smile...almost

random thoughts

This is the life. I am now enjoying a rare moment of solitude with no boyfriend and no dog. Yippie!! It's just me, my laptop, and my comfy pillow; surrounded by candle light and a fresh breeze coming in my windows.

Talking about time for myself, I have had a lot of time to read, and am currently reading 3 books right now simultaneously. Matter of fact, its not rare to see me walking down the street, open book in hand, on my way from the train to the office...or the car to the home. I do, from time to time, look up to make sure I am not straying from my intended path, especially at intersections and such. It must be a strange sight because people just seem to stare and stare. Oh well

One of the great things about living in Chicago is the fact that it is one of the only cities around with 4 clearly defined seasons, which really make you savor them. That being said, at the beginning of each season, I think to myself "XY season is my favorite season of the year." In the spring, I am awe inspired by the sprouting leaves of trees, the freshness of the air, the cleaning properties of spring rain. In the summer, I indulge in the outdoors: looking forward to the many family cook outs, getting that wonderful tan, and just plain enjoying the warmth of the sun. In the fall, I lose myself in the rich brown, red, and green colors all around, the crisp air, and of course, my birthday. Last but certainly not least, in the winter, I take in the beauty of a city covered in all white, the joy I get when making a snow angel or riding down the slopes on a snowboard, and most importantly, partaking in the cuddling of my honey under the blankets. Today, I am thinking...spring is the most beautiful season of the year. It’s warm, but not too warm, breezy, but not windy. Utter perfection to me...