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!