brunchin'

I shared a yummy brunch today with Paul's mom at a spot in Pilsen called Azul 18. Topped off my meal with a beautiful parking ticket. 

Family Ties

Just Skyping with my cousin Neimah joon. Until a couple years ago, we didn't even know each other existed. So this virtual chat was a preliminary discussion to toss around ideas we both had about creating a family documentary. As a start, here is a rough family tree that I started to capture all the other cousins that I may have never heard about.  

'murica

I saw my very first bald eagle, in the wild, today. That is all. HEED ITS MAJESTY.

Mooseheart Child City & School - Mooseheart, IL

Mooseheart Child City & School - Mooseheart, IL

Right where we left off...

13 years I've known this chick. And it's never been anything other than a non-judgmental ear and positive energy. Love me some Jenny Barrios.

Goodbye, dear friend...

Lee Coppoletta was optimistic, energetic, witty and sharp as hell. At the age of 74, he was still cracking inappropriate jokes and making me laugh. He could account for the condominium complex's finances inside and out. He could recite expenses from years past and provide invaluable feedback about vendor partnerships. He knew every tenant in every building. And not just names...but their children's names, their ages, what their religion was and what their family customs were, where they grew up and what they did for fun.

Lee was happiness. When his body began to give out, his mind and spirit never slowed down. A rare trait to master and nurture as we grow old, Lee continued to meet new people and make deep and meaningful relationships with characters from all walks of life - regardless of age, gender, creed...

I will never forget you Lee - and I will always strive to live my life the way you lived yours. With a smile on my face.   

24 hours in San Francisco

So lucky to have been able to fly out to California this week for a quick work trip. Office culture on the west coast is a complete 180° from most places in Chicago. I strolled right off the plane in my gym shoes and a hoodie and walked into an executive staff meeting where I sat next to the CEO. Had the whole vibe not been so laid back, I would have been mortified with my sub-business casual attire.

I'm taking the plunge!

That's it. I'm doing it. I've always wanted to keep a diary...a journal...something that captures daily, or at least relatively frequent thoughts, comments, images, feelings that cross my path/mind. I always watch in adoration as my grandmother hand-writes her daily musings in her little leather-bound notebook. So here it is. My digital version.

Participants run into Lake Michigan during the annual Chicago Polar Plunge - where proceeds benefit the Special Olympics organization (March 2016)

Participants run into Lake Michigan during the annual Chicago Polar Plunge - where proceeds benefit the Special Olympics organization (March 2016)