Updates

We haven't been anywhere new in Austin since Mt. Bonnell, but I wanted to post what's going on. We went to Houston over the weekend where Joe and I spent most of the time apart. We did get to meet up with a bunch of friends on Saturday to sing karaoke (or in my case, enjoy and cheer) at the Mezzanine Lounge. After watching the tail-end of the UFC fight (and me counting down the everlasting minutes because it was dreadfully boring) the karaoke began. The KJ even remembered Joe from times past. She said she loved him!

She did lose Joe and Andrew's second requests until the very end, but at least they both got to sing for a second time before the end of the night.

Here's a clip of Joe singing "99 Problems" by JayZ. (It's very dark and some of the lyrics are explicit)

We were excited to visit with a bunch of friends. Andrew just got back from Spain, Heather has been in Houston, and we haven't hung out with her since moving to Austin.

I also saw my bestest from high school, Michaela. I finally got to meet her boyfriend, as well as checking out her new apartment, which was fully of Kayla-crafty style, inspiring me to finally get going on some apartment updates. Tomorrow's project = upholstering and painting our bar stools. Crossing my fingers.

my Chi-town (pronounced shytown) extravaganza

Last week I spent Wednesday through Saturday in Chicago. I went for my internship as part of a global communications conference for the company. I stayed at the Omni downtown, right off of the Magnificent Mile (MM) and listened to various presentations in the ballroom surrounded by fellow public affairs people.

Since it was "global," I met PA people from all over the world, including Denmark, France, China, Spain, Brazil and Switzerland. There are lots of things to tell about but I'll just list some of the cool parts.

1. I visited the Field Museum.

2. The MM was lined up and down with tulip mini-gardens. Most of them had an interesting sculpture or water feature and were filled with every color of the rainbow. I definately had to snap some shots.

3. I tried some great food, including Chicago-style deep dish pizza from Gino's East and fabulous popcorn from Garrett's (twice!)

4. Talked to some pretty high up people in PA about where they started after college and how they got to where they are today - inspiring for me while I look for my next career step.

5. Chatted about social media a lot.

6. Slept in a magnificent king size bed.

7. Learned what it's like to have cocktails with work people - and how my international colleagues play drinking games with towels.

8. Spent some quality time with my favorite cousin named Jen!

At the end of the conference and after a little shopping with the boss, Jen picked me up so that we could spend some time together. I don't think I had seen her since she moved to Chicago eight months ago. We had some delish sushi at a pretty snazzy place and then watched P.S. I Love You - a sweet, tear jerker, if I can put those two descriptions together. One of the great moments of the trip was going up in Hancock Tower the next day and looking out over the city and Lake Michigan. Pretty amazing! I took a lunch break while working on the beams and then washed some windows :)

Besides almost missing my plane home, the trip was fabulous! With all of these great pictures, I neglected to get any of Jen and I together - and none of sweet kitty cat Chloe.

round trip

I should not have had coffee at 4 o'clock because I need to go to bed right now!

I am wide awake - due to the caffeine (I'm sure of it) and probably a little bit of excitement.

I am flying out to Chicago tomorrow at 7:35 a.m. I will be attending a big public affairs conference for work as well as sight-seeing at the end with my cousin. Details and pictures to come on Sunday or Monday. In between that, I'll schedule some recipes to post this week and maybe *cross your fingers* Joe will throw in his two cents on the family reunion. There are some items I left out in my post because only he can tell them correctly.

it runs in the family

We're about to head out on an adventure.

Our little hot pocket (a new addition to the nickname list for Gypsy) went to stay with Amanda while Joe and I attend a family reunion. I have never before met, conversed or laid eyes on anyone on Joe's dad's side of the family. Today will be full of meet and greets and "OH, you're John's son!" since Joe says he has never met more than half of these people either.

We do know that there will be a lot of barbeque (yum!), canoes and other activities, and - this is the best part - two bunk rooms (one for the women and one for the men). At least I will know Joe's mom.... but who knows who I may be sleeping next to. :)

I'll let Joe post when we come home so you can get his unique perspective. I'll also try to document this with some pictures. Although, I'm not the best at taking pictures of people I don't know.