Congrats to Christa and Scott

Hey Chris,
Congrats...congrats...congrats. I can't wait to meet the lucky guy at Christmas. I'm sure the Taylor family will treat him just right:) loves, hugs, and kisses for both of you.

Tofu jerky

This one is for my dear friend Emily Gingerich. (Hi also Alyssa.. I do remember you!) Philip was in Chinatown the other day and picked up a yummy bag of treats for us. We used the today in our makeshift wannabe spring rolls. I couldn't help but think that my friend Emily, and her entire Gingerich clan might enjoy a years supply of deliciously seasoned tofu jerky from Taiwan. Let me know, Em and I'll send some to you :)

tis the season?

As I walked to Joy's Noodles and Rice for dinner with Phil and Ross down Broadway Ave, I couldn't help but notice that many of the shops were loaded with holiday decor and products. I wonder if I have become oblivious to the season that is upon us. This year at the barn, we as a company decided to hold back on full frontal exposure of holiday decor till the beginning of November, whereas last year it was out the last week of September. Over the past few weeks,even, I have become more and more excited to begin to decorate for the holidays. But, it is only October. Where does one begin? We have Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years. We can't forget about the wonderful Jewish Holiday Season either. Do I have to pick and choose which ones, so that my decorating budget does not deplete? (not that I have one) I feel as if Christmas is the one to shoot for. Ross has laid down the law that we cannot have a live tree this year. I am filled with sadness, however I saw a fake 6ft tree at Walgreen's (yes...walgreens..and no.. we better not buy that cheap tree) that motivated me into a full acceptance of "the fake tree". What is a boy to do in this wonderful season that is upon us?

shout out #2

Tasara? how are you? send me some fish and chips, please?

shout out!

hi inga, how is louisville?

Saturday night out...

This Saturday was a long long day. I had to work at the barn till around 4 pm and after that all the fun began. Philip met me at work and as we headed to Express down the street we saw JeNeva in her GC car driving down North Avenue. She was to have met us at the barn and was running late. We dashed towards her as traffic was stalled and jumped in her car. We headed to Cafe BaBaReeba, a hot spot Tapas restaurant in Lincoln Park for dinner. Between the three of us we ordered nine tapas entrees to share of which some of the best were: Salmon and Scallop Ceviche, Goat Cheese in tomato sauce, Skewered Chicken and Chorizo, Chicken with goat cheese and Braised Salmon. We also got mini tapas desserts of flan, rice pudding, and tres leches chocolate cake. The meal was incredible and great fun. We headed back to my apartment and hung out with JeNeva till around 9:30 pm. After JeNeva left, Philip's housemates and visitors from Goshen began arriving. We kicked off the evening at Bar on Buena down the street from my building and then walked 10 blocks south to go to Berlin so that the crowd could get their fulfillment of late night dancing. Darrin and Hector from work met us there and we all had a great time. Most of the Hyde Park crew left at around 2:15. Hector, Darrin, Phil, and I left a little later and headed north in search of food, mainly at my request. For some reason we went into Nookies, a late night diner and sat down. We realized that we really did not want to be there so we got up and left. We told the waiter, but I think he felt bad:( We ended up at some taco joint and got some yummy late night snacks. Darrin and Hector went their own ways and Philip and I caught a cab home. I don't know what time it was, but it was very late.

Feminist Theories

Tonight was my 4th week of my Feminist Theories class. This week I actually did about 85% of the required readings, which is a lot considering the amount we have to read each week. Naturally, I felt confident going into class ready to discuss the methodologies I had spent forever reading. So, after being drenched by the mad afternoon downpour and sitting in class, I find out that we aren't going to discuss this week's readings on methodologies but infact will be getting into groups to discuss some of last weeks readings on epistemology. Everyone in the class is dumbfounded and very quiet. My groups reading was from a book that we didn't even bring this week because we weren't assigned anything from it. We manage to get a book, but no one in my group remembers the readings. MASS STRESS. We fumble through the chapter an manage to come up with some mumbo jumbo to talk about. It was a tense tense 3 hours for everyone. Don't you hate being tested?

Happy Birthday Dawn!

Today is my sister's 26th Birthday. Happy happy birthday to you... and many more.

love ya always.. david

weekend fun

It's been a while since I've posted on here. Life has been crazy. School started a few weeks back and I am still working full time at the barn. Between balancing work, papers and reading, class and my social life I'm just about all pooped out. This weekend was a glorious time. Friday night, Philip and I along with two of his Urban life buddies went to Sophie's birthday party on the mid west side of the city. I had to work on Saturday, but in the evening Philip and I with his housemate Alison went to House of Sushi and Noodles for their Maki roll buffet. For only 11.95 a person, and following their rules, you can stuff yourself with as many maki rolls as you can handle. After sushi, Alison departed and Philip and I returned to his apartment in Hyde Park to hang out with some of his housemates. After a gargantous bottle of Guiness Extra Stout and a little bit of "Garden State", that was about it for the evening. This morning we graced Chicago Community Mennonite Church to see friends and their wonderful new pastor, Megan. This afternoon we treated ourselves to yummy tacos and gorditas after which we immediately fell asleep for 3 hours. What a great little weekend. Now, as Monday approaches, return to the craziness that is my life.

...

time for sushi...yeah...

and then...

Lastnight after work, Phil met me outside of Pottery Barn and we began walking to California Pizza Kitchen for dinner. Right away this woman approached us. The first thing she said was, "I'm not asking for money" so to be nice I thought I'd listen to her. She said that she was 5 months pregnant and bleeding so she needed money to get to Mercy Hospital. As soon as I heard this I remembered the exact story that one of my managers told me about this woman approaching her like two weeks ago, so I grabbed Phil's arm and told the woman no and started walking. Philip had no idea about her scam and really thought she was telling the truth, so he was like, "can we call an ambulance to get you" and she insisted upon a taxi to go to Mercy hospital because the ambulance would not take her to that one. At this point I was getting annoyed and kept trying to get us going. The woman could tell that I wasn't buying it and then... she did the unthinkable. She was like, "you dont believe me? look" and then she lifted her shirt pulled out her breast and squirted milk from her nipple. I was mortified, disgusted, and incredibly pissed. I got Phil and we statrted walking to CPK. This woman was crazy and yelling and pretending to cry. I explained the entire thing to Phil as we were followed the entire way to CPK while she was yelling and crying. C R A Z Y. Today as I told the story, I found out that she's done this to about 6 other people at work also. Next time, we're calling the cops. People are so C R A Z Y.

Heath and Jake

Two well known male actors, Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal star in the upcoming film Brokeback Mountain, set in the 1960's about two cowboys who fall in love with each other. The trailer promises a touching movie with love, passion, sadness, and heartbreak. Watch out for its release in December. There is no official trailer yet, but if you search hard enough you can find one.

Finally

Today officially makes Chicago my home for 14 months. That is 14 months where Philip and I were not living in the same city. Philip is finally here. He moved into the Urban Life apartments in Hyde Park yesterday and is being subjected to the rigorous orientation for the program. We are both excited to start another new chapter together being closer and finally being able to start planning for our ceremony and the rest of our lives. Excitement!

my baby is back

yes indeed. I haven't been on here for quite some time. my faithful laptop was admitted to the Apple hospital and worked on by one of their geniuses. thank goodness for purchasing that wonderful warranty plan with my laptop. this is the second time my baby has had to be admitted. I've been saddened by its frequent illnesses: first it's hard drive punked out and this time, they had to install a new logic board and reset the aiport card. A cost of over $800, but zero for me! Don't be cheap...ALWAYS buy the warranty.

pierce me

I had the day off today with much to do: visit an apartment for a friend who lives out of town, visit church which is a potential for Philip and my ceremony, and meet with my proffessor about an independent study class. Things went by smoothly, however the apartment was a hole in the wall tiny ass weird apartment which did not receive my stamp of approval. The church was an interesting place. It is this small cute 100 yr old building nestled between many new condo proerties in a hot area on the north side of Chicago. Elizabeth, the administrator was very helpful answering questions and such, as I imagined this as a potential place for Philip and I to celebrate ourselves. So much to think about and so much planning to do. yikes! Here are some photos of the church building.



Also of interest, I recently decided that I wanted to get my ear pierced. So I decided that today was the day. I went to the local piercing and tattoo parlor only to find out that they do not offer gun piercing and that it would cost over $100 to pierce my ear. I was like, um.. goodbye now. So, my friend Darrin and I decided to go to Old Orchard Mall in the suburbs to get my ear pierced at Claire's. Yes, the suburbs! If you know anything about me, you know that I don't really like the suburbs. The people are crazy. that'a all. (yes, I'm sure that's what they think of me and my citymates also, but whatever) Anyway, so I walk into Claire's and the next minute I'm pierced. Oh the pain!

fill it up!

Thank goodness I don't own a car. Today, as I was leaving work and walking to the North/Clybourn Subway station I caught a glimpse of the neigbourhood gas station. I thought for a secoond that I was dreaming, then after a second glimpse I realized what I never expected to see. Gas prices over $3.00. Yeah, that's right. Regular $3.09, Plus $3.18, and Premium $3.27. No need for a double take, it's all real. Sheesh... thank goodness I don't own a car.

8:21 / stress...

It's 8:21 pm and I only have 40 minutes till the New Real World comes on at 9:00 pm. I didn't even remember it, until Greta reminded me at the wonderful dinner that she made. Oh yeah, in this 40 minutes I need to write 2 more pages for my stupid last paper for this Leadership course. Easy, right? Umm, not so much. I am blanker than blank could be right now. grrr...

computer farts?

I seem to be having all the problems with electronics these days. First, I must say that I adore Apple and I love my Ibook G4 dearly. But of late, I have not been in the best mood with my baby. 2 months back, my hard drive crashed.. yes crashed as I was writing a major final paper for my Qualitative Methods Sociology Class. Thanks goodness my professor believed me and let me turn the paper in as soon as I could. Who knew people were this flexible in grad school? Then this past week, as I opened my laptop it started farting! I was overcome with fear, madness, and sheer panic as I had no idea what was happening. 45 minutes on the phone with one of the least talented technicians from Apple Service got me nowhere. He thought it might be the fan. Fan Schman. grrrr.... I decided to try to ignore this obtrusive noise and squeeze it to make it stop when I could. I have just learnt the trick of putting a headphone in the jack to make it stop. Sure, Mr. Apple man it must be my fan...stupido! Oh, that's not all... my faithful airport card is not functioning so well. Yes it, picks up a wireless signal, but not over in that corner or down there. Is it out of range? NO! Everyone else's airport card works fine. Sheesh! Thank goodness for buying Apple Care. Now if only they could send someone to me so that I didn't have to part with my computer for how many days? weeks? what? On a happier note look at Humph:)

Dance Madness

So I think my new reality show that will take over my life is, "So you think you can dance?" At first, when I heard about this show, I was like, " whatever.. trash!" But after seeing tonight I have, all of a sudden become taken over by the drama, hot moves, and cute bodies. Sadness. It's so hard to be a good Mennonite boy.

More pics from our extended stay at the museum.

Here I am before taking flight...

Mid flight...

Cruising on flight 727..

Baby chicks hatching before our very eyes...

Philip and I lost (not really) in a mirror maze...