I recently went on a long weekend trip to Chicago for my 35th Birthday, here is a summary of Day 5′s adventures – June 10, 2013.

• Well today was the last day of my extended birthday weekend.
• Got up and packed up my stuff, had breakfast, and checked out of the hotel, letting them know what great service I received and I loved the special treats left in my room. I told them if I’m ever in that area again, I’m staying there.
• Then drove through morning traffic to get to the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago to spend the day there.
  • What an awesome place!
  • They have amazing exhibits and do a lot to preserve history.
  • I could have spent a lot more time there, but that would require another day, since I stayed until they closed.
  • In addition to the regular exhibits, I did the coal mine tour, an Omnimax movie, and the “WOW! Tour” which is their behind the scenes tour – I got to do a lot of special things on that tour. The tour was extra special because I was the only one on it!
• Then I got into my car and started the trip home.
  • Had a minor navigation error getting to the highway, as my car’s GPS was a bit confusing on what it wanted me to do, but I got on the highway.
  • Drove through a bit of fog
  • Stopped for snacks on the way home
  • And made it home in very good time.

All I can say is that I’m so glad I decided to do this little excursion for my 35th birthday – it was an absolutely AMAZING TIME! I loved every single minute of it, learned so much, caught up with friends and family I haven’t seen in a while (or a very long time!). I live such a blessed life.

I recently went on a long weekend trip to Chicago for my 35th Birthday, here is a summary of Day 4′s adventures – June 9, 2013 – my 35th birthday!

• Breakfast again was nice, and the CTA trips today as well – that’s pretty standard each day 🙂
• Attended church at Resurrection Lutheran Church with Ann.
  • What an absolutely wonderful service. I love my church, but the way their services are done, aren’t quite what I really enjoy.
  • This had everything – wonderful organ and piano music.
  • All the parts of a traditional service.
  • The Great Thanksgiving was sung!
  • Great hymns, including my favorite (or one of them) communion songs “I Am the Bread of Life”.
  • Just wonderful.
• After church Ann and I went to a little Mexican restaurant she knows and likes for lunch.
  • Very nice staff and great food.
  • When the topic of dessert came up, Ann mentioned it was my birthday, so the waiter said he’d bring out a piece of cake.
  • And out comes the cake – which was absolutely delicious – and a shot of tequila. So of course I ate the cake and did the shot!
• I then went to the Lincoln Park Zoo and had a great time.
  • I was a little rushed, because my OCD for completeness kicked in and felt compelled to see everything.
  • What a wonderful asset for Chicagoland – a zoo that is free of charge.
  • I of course felt guilty using it without paying, so I was relieved to find a places to put a donation in.
• I then traveled to go to Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria to meet up with Karen.
  • Went to have true Chicago deep dish pizza and to
  • Catch up with her – seeing how we haven’t seen each other since college!
  • It was a great time, and of course she mentioned that it was my birthday, so got a little freshly baked cookie with ice cream, whipped cream, and a cherry on top.
  • It was wonderful.
  • Karen was then nice enough to drive me to a nearby Blue Line station, so I didn’t have to walk to catch a bus to the train.
• Got back to my hotel earlier than any other evening, and relaxed in my room a bit and did some stuff on the computer.
• Then I walked to Dairy Queen to get a S’Mores blizzard as another birthday treat.
• I called mom and dad (since I can call long distance to their landline, but they can’t call long distance on it) to talk to them for my birthday.
• I then and went and used the pool and hot tub, came back and used the whirlpool in my room – got it as a cheap upgrade to my room, so figured I should use it at least once!
• Oh – and the icing on the cake for the day – was yellow. This isn’t the cake I had at lunch – it was on a cupcake. In my hotel room when I got back, with a birthday card signed by the staff here at the hotel. What a wonderful surprise to find!!!! This is a top-notch hotel!
• One more day of adventures to this weekend!

I recently went on a long weekend trip to Chicago for my 35th Birthday, here is a summary of Day 3′s adventures – June 8, 2013.

• A lot simpler day, but still an excellent day!
• Started off with another nice breakfast at the hotel and a drive to my favorite CTA station to head out.
• Went to a spa for a nice several hours of relaxing and being pampered. It is always a nice feeling, too bad it doesn’t last longer!
• The trip back was a little slower because of traffic (I had to take a bus part of the way, so they get stuck in traffic just like everyone else!)
• Then I drove out to Aurora to visit my cousin Brian.
  • I picked him up at this apartment and headed out to correct a wrong I’ve been told I have committed. That is being in Chicago and not having gone to Portillo’s. I’m glad I was set on the right path because it was a great place and great food.
  • We then went out to drive around Fermi Lab. Looked around one of the buildings, but being late on a Saturday pretty much everything was closed. Picked up a little magazine and a DVD though, and it was still neat reading some of the signs they have around.
  • Also, drove to see the buffalo herd, but they were in an enclosed fence area, so really couldn’t see them either. Just something else to add to my list to do when I come back again, is to come on a weekend when they give tours and have discussions with their scientists.
  • We then went back to Brian’s apartment and after taking forever making up our minds – decided to stay in and watch the Fermi Lab DVD and then some episodes of The Muppet Show. Great choice I must say, had a great time watching them.
  • It was a nice relaxing and fun evening – a nice change of pace from the last few days. Always nice to hang out with someone who has a lot of personality traits in common with oneself.
• The drive back was not too bad except for when I was getting close to the exit for my hotel, there was major construction starting – as in they were going to shut down the entire northbound freeway at midnight, and then there was an accident. Accidentally got off at the wrong exit, but by doing so I seem to have skipped the last toll and possibly more traffic, but I made it back to my hotel safe and sound. Where they didn’t leave me a note and a drink today, but instead left a bottle of cleaning solution. Hopefully that isn’t a hint!
• Speaking of tolls, it’s interesting at the wide variety of attitudes of the toll collectors. Some are just silent and do their job without smiling or saying a word. Others are polite and ask for the fare and say “Thank You.” Others are very polite and seem to actually enjoy their job. But the best was tonight. Pull up, and the guy is silent, so I think, “OK, another one of the silent ones”, I get my change and say “Thank You” and he starts going on about how this country isn’t going to be right as long as the president is in office because he’s destroying the country – or something like that. I took that as my cue that our transaction was done and it was time for me to go!
• 2 more days of my fun little Birthday Adventure await!!!

I recently went on a long weekend trip to Chicago for my 35th Birthday, here is a summary of Day 2′s adventures – June 7, 2013.

• Got to sleep in a bit – although didn’t sleep all that good last night (but what else is new?)
• Had a nice breakfast at the hotel – my waffle actually came out perfect – I sometimes struggle with hotel waffle makers.
• Hotel staff was very pleasant this morning – several wishing me a good morning.
• Shedd Aquarium
  • Nice CTA trip downtown and a nice walk to Shedd Aquarium. Glad I purchased my ticket online – got to skip the long line. Shedd is amazing, so many wonderful things. The Great Lakes area isn’t open yet – opens tomorrow, but oh well.
  • Did a behind-the-scenes tour which was eye-opening. Very neat to see the tanks/exhibits from the other side, and learn about all kinds of things you don’t always think of – like feeding all the different animals, their vet/hospital area for taking care of the animals, science labs, etc.
  • And call me a softy, but I cried a bit at the aquatic show, it was about how we are One World and we share so much with our animal counterparts.
  • As always, I loved the penguin exhibit, I just love those animals. I wanted to do a Penguin experience, but they were all sold out.
  • Only annoying thing is that their food areas close early for some reason, so my plan on grabbing dinner there didn’t work out.
• Yes, I ended up at Panera again for dinner, but as much as I don’t mind doing things on my own, eating in restaurants isn’t one of them always. I know I’m comfortable at Panera and I’ll like the food, so I went there. I looked a bit for somewhere else, but felt safe with the old tried and true.
• Improvised Shakespeare Company
  • The two shows of The Improvised Shakespeare Company I went to were absolutely funny as always. Saw “Quantum Mechanics” and “Dolphin Poetry”.
  • Before the first show the couple sitting next to me started chatting and come to find out they were from Okemos as well and it was the wife’s birthday today. So weird for complete strangers from the same town to go to Chicago to see the same show and have birthdays so close.
  • Before the 2nd show, the people around me started chatting and one was from Seattle but grew up in Portland, OR. He was in town to see the Portland Soccer team play, and then a guy in the row in front of us is from Portland and was here for the soccer game as well!
  • As I was walking to the shows I started noticing all kinds of Cubs stuff and I was wondering why, and then I look up and see Wrigley Field. I had no idea where it was – now I know!
• The trip back to my hotel was long but uneventful, the guy I sat next to for the 2nd show, rode part of the way back with me, so that was nice.
• One other note, when I got back to the hotel, there was a note from the cleaning staff welcoming me back and hoping my day went well, with a free bottle of Gatorade.
• Now for a quick sleep before my Day 3 adventures!!! This weekend is rocking so far – I am so very blessed!

I recently went on a long weekend trip to Chicago for my 35th Birthday, here is a summary of Day 1’s adventures – June 6, 2013.

• Got to sleep in.
• Nice drive to Chicago with the traffic not being too bad. Car complained about low oil and low washer fluid, so filled those up when I got here.
• Hotel is very nice and the staff very friendly.
• Had dinner at Panera Bread – always a safe and yummy choice!
• The trip on the CTA to/from downtown Chicago was uneventful and pleasant – as I come to expect from the CTA.
• The Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me show was hilarious as always and I had a great time!
• Had a nice swim and hot tub soak at the hotel – the pool room could use something to absorb noise – and they never have a clock in them! There was a family in there with kids, who were just being kids, but the room echoed so much, it got very loud – but still pretty relaxing.
• Now for a nice sleep before Day 2 tomorrow!