Monday, July 11, 2011

Child Support 101


Today was my first day going to court for my job at the Attorney General's Office in the Child Support Division. It was AWESOME! The AG's office is in charge of enforcing child support orders. I saw the most interesting people in court. Everyone had a story, some more entertaining than others. And watching the judge tell people that they would go to jail for not paying was hilarious!

MORAL OF THE STORY- PAY YOUR CHILD SUPPORT OR GO TO JAIL!

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Getting my SWAAG on!

I'm in Austin for 3 days at the Assistant Attorney General Conference. I'm working for the Child Support Division for the next 6 weeks and they sent me to the conference. It's pretty cool to have the State of Texas paying for my stay. Last night, we went to a really good Mexican food restaurant. This is what I got. It was yummy!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Taste of Chicago

On July 1st, we went to the Taste of Chicago. My dad had flown in for the weekend and we were all ready to eat some yummy food and enjoy the day. The weathermen has forecasted the high to be in the upper 90s with the heat index in the 100s. In fact, even in the morning they were still predicting the same weather. Well, they were wrong! If I have learned one thing about the Chicago weathermen, they are more likely than not wrong when predicting the weather. It was actually cloudy with rain threatening all day and the high was only in the mid 80s. Perfect weather for the Taste. We tried a lot of different food and Giada de Laurentiis did a cooking demonstration. She is so tiny and cute!


We also went to Millennium Park to see the Bean and the Face fountain.
And then here are some random downtown Chicago shots. I've discovered a new app on my iPhone so a lot of them were taken with it!


Tuesday, July 5, 2011

~Beauty and the Beast~



On Thursday, we went downtown to see Beauty and the Beast. It was a fantastic musical and just like the movie. It is probably up there with some of my other favorite musicals. Going to the theater downtown Chicago is something that I remember doing as a child. The theaters are so nostalgic and the Oriental Theater is exquisite inside. Here are a few of the pictures I snuck while the usher wasn't looking!
We also snuck some of this into the theater! Caramel popcorn is yummy!
Before the musical, we ate at the Parthenon. It is my favorite greek place to eat. I've been eating there since I was little. This is he yummy chicken I ate!
Day 5 of vacation was a success!!!

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Could Chicago be any better?!?!?

Wednesday Mom and I ran errands and then we had lunch with another one of my Mom's best friends (she is also my godmother). We ate at Egg Harbor Cafe in Geneva. They have the best salad dressing! We then went shopping in downtown Geneva. Geneva is a great family town. It is so quaint and cute. I'm going to really miss it!

That night, I had dinner with 3 of the teachers I used to work with at Ferson Creek. I love hanging out with these ladies and we always have a great time. I also love hearing about all the crazy things going on at the school. It just makes me more and more sure that I left at the right time.

I didn't take any pictures on Wednesday so none to include in the post :)

Saturday, July 2, 2011

The fun continues!

Day 2 of vacation was spent just relaxing and shopping. We went to Oakbrook Mall. The weather was again beautiful. We had dinner with one of my Mom's best friends. It was just a perfectly relaxing day. This is something I desperately needed. I've been pretty much working and going to school non-stop since January and while its been fun (and the money is always nice), sometimes a girl just needs a break. This week was the perfect time to take that break. I had finished up my job working at the Immigration Law Firm (but I'll be going back in August) and I don't start at the Attorney General's Office until July 5th. Did I mention that I really needed the break.

Day 3 was spent down in Oak Park. Oak Park is a fabulous little city. I love the houses and can only dream that one day I might live there. Oak Park is also where Frank Lloyd Wright lived. We toured his house and studio. They don't let you take pictures inside so this is the only one I got.
We also ate lunch at Mickey's where I got one of these:
Delicious is all I can say about Chicago hot dogs. There is something about the bright green relish, onions, mustard, tomato, and pickle that I love. Although it is such a weird combination that I don't think the rest of the world understands.

Friday, July 1, 2011

Summer has finally begun!!!!

I have been a horrible blogger the past 3 months! Life just got a hold of me and didn't let go. Since 2011 is halfway over, I better pick up the pace and start blogging again :) So, since today is July 1st, I'm going to try to commit to posting once a day for the entire month. I have a lot to catch up on since the last time I posted and a lot going on this summer!

I'm currently in Chicago on vacation. I've been here for a week and leave on the 4th. Its slightly bittersweet because this might be the last time I get to come to Chicago, sleep in my old room, see my old house, eat at all my favorite places, and just enjoy the city. My parents are officially moving. To Houston. Yes, that's right, they are following me. And it's about time. My dad has been working in Houston for the past 1 1/2 years and my Mom and him having been doing the long-distance marriage thing. This is something I hope I never have to do. I tried it with a past boyfriend and it didn't work out so well. I guess people do what they have to do but it would not be fun. Anyways, the house is for sale and the estimated moving date is October. So that means no more Thanksgiving or Christmas break visits, no more snow (or White Christmases), no more downtown Chicago traditions. I'll be glad to have my family back in one place but I'm a little sad about the whole thing.

Well, since this might be my last time in Chicago, I've been living it up this week. Since my dad is working in Houston, its just been my Mom and I until today. I love my mom and love that I've gotten to spend the entire week with just her. Its been a special time. I got to Chicago late Saturday night. My first stop was to here:
It was yummy!

Then on Sunday we went to the local farmer's market. I love farmer's markets. They don't have things like this in Houston.
This also happened to be the weekend of Swedish Days in Geneva. The parade was getting ready to start so we stayed and watched a good portion of it.
We also brought this boy along with us. He is a people magnet. EVERYONE wanted to pet him and compliment him and love on him. And to be honest, who wouldn't love this face?
We finished the day with a meal at Culvers. I love Culvers and their custard. The closest one in Houston is about an hour away :(

It was such a perfect day and the weather was perfect the whole day. It was a great first day of vacation!