I'm Leaving on a Jet Plane

Could it be? October 27th already? How did this date come around so quickly? And surely you, dear reader, know what this day means. This all important date likely changed your life somewhat (slightly? ok, maybe just a little?) ....Right? Ok, I'll wait for you to scroll back through all the old posts.....waiting.....scrolling...waiting....Oh! Right! It is Sylvester's and my one year anniversary of living in Chicago!

Somehow despite the 365 days of Chicagoland living, I feel like I am a recent transplant to the Midwest. Still don't know the general direction of the majority of the burbs, still learning the 'hot spots' in the city, still trying to meet people. Hopefully it won't take me as long as it did in Dallas to become integrated and settle into a Home feeling.

I thought I would make this post reflective. RJB peeped while I was drafting this and commented - "oh gosh, reflections." I'm sure he thinks I am about to get on a soapbox or get all teary and sentimental. So RJB, please take cover while I blow hard about my year of reflections...

Let's take you back to moving day....

So many boxes, so little room!

Where am I?

Heartstrings Across the Mason Dixon

It was incredibly sad to leave some of my closest friends and co-workers. In fact, these people were one of the few pros on my pros-cons list of staying in Dallas. This is good because it did show that I was able to build good relationships in Dallas, none of which were college friends (moved out of the college bubble and not reliving the good ole days). However, those who were most beloved and I felt the most loyalty to are still great, wonderful friends (albeit from afar). Keeping up through visits, phone, email, texts, FB....the connection remains after all this time which is extraordinary given how easy it is to lose touch with someone who is not involved in your day to day.

No More Girl's Locker Room

I am happier a work in Chicago. Is it because I am here with RJB? Or perhaps I haven't had my client base long enough for it to feel tired? Don't know my co-workers quite so well? Or is it because there is significantly less drama, baggage, and more appreciation for a job well done? Whatever the reason, I am happier here. Not that everything is perfect (I do share an office but Jer has grown on me. And we have all seen The Office and Office Space...) but I don't think I have had a face-turning-red-and-ears-burning moment here. Nice.

My vantage point of my office mate's set up.

Independent George Is Getting Angry

The transition from SWF living solo (well, with Sylvester but he's pretty easy going) to living with RJB in approx. 1,100 sq feet has not been as difficult as I would have assumed it to be. We commute together, work at the same firm (he a national guy and I am local office so we don't work with the same folks or sit on the same floor), hang out together...generally speaking we are together most of our free time. Independent JMP would freak out at the thought of this, but JMB actually likes it. I won't bore you by pontificating as to why so nonetheless, it has worked remarkably well. And personally I think what has added to our success is having 2 bathrooms and not sharing that space. Living together/marital bliss.

Windy City Heat

I really love this city. Love. It. In fact, if any of you are thinking of making a fresh run at things and want a new city, please move here! There's nothing like being in a bustling downtown - no matter if it is a weekday or weekend, day or night, there are people around. Fantastic! Then there's the CSO, Lyric Opera, Art Institute, Field Museum, Mag Mile, Lake Michigan....need I go on?

Little JP Is All Grown Up

I have had a lot of firsts in the past year...Public Transportation - owning Uggs - negative degree air temps - having an officemate - living with someone (sorry Dee, ND doesn't count in this case) - getting married (!!) - first trip to NYC - first trip to Tallahassee - first trip to Hawaii - joining virtual social networks - running along Lake Michigan - running my first 8K - having in-laws - first Christmas without my brother - first Christmas including someone outside the immediate family - two Thanksgivings (LOVE this new tradition) - living in my first midrise - seeing Harry Potter in the theater...ok, just got another 'oh man...reflections' from RJB. (I do think RJB secretly likes me to be reflective because then it helps him remember what he did in the past year. And I think he is secretly sentimental too but doesn't want to admit it. Jimmy Joes, RJB, Jimmy Joes....)

Still hate the winters...

Yay first 8K!

Newlyweds doing what we do best...eating

Dinner out in NYC

Our mid-rise

Um, excuse me, there's a man in my childhood bed

No birds? No squirrels? I guess I'll just watch TV

for entertainment!

All in all, I think we made the best decision by having us (Sylvester and me) move to Chicago. I still struggle with living here (knowing winter is quickly approaching makes Dallas look very attractive right now) and I still miss my friends and old haunts in the Big D. But I'm glad I'm here. Apparently so is Mayor Daley...

photo from some dude named wallyg on flickr

Library Tower, Tiers 2 and 8

We went back to campus this weekend for the BC game. Cold, rain, wind...status quo for South Bend in late October. Oddly we saw a lot of strollers on campus this weekend. Why you would take your young child out in that type of weather for hours is beyond me, but then again I have no children.

RJB and I did have a good time. Walked one of the Lakes, hit up most of the standard places. Bought some brats from a student group, stadium dogs, overall the general experience. Given the weather, what we did not do was (1) hit the grotto. I think RJB is not a fan. Or perhaps is it because of all the dang fans around so the aura of the place isn't quite there. (2) watch the band on the steps. I was okay with this given the rain. But weird nonetheless.

Outside of Howard

God Quad

So that spectacular jacket that is making me look like the State Puff's little sister? That is my first ever The North Face jacket. Two in one - nice shell with a zip away liner you can wear on its own. This jacket was key to my success in staying dry and warm. Like the Uggs, worth every cent.

The rest of the weekend was rather quiet. We did check out some condos that we really liked. Hopefully there will still be some units available next fall when we have enough saved for the down payment and the closing costs. We secretly hope one of the units we saw today will still be around. We will see.

I did get out and run today. Totally did not want to but was happy I did. I walked up the footpath that takes you over LSD and that helped keep me from tiring out too soon (footpath is within the first half mile of the run and is quite steep).

My birthday is two weeks away. RJB has made reservations at Capital Grille and I cannot wait. A big glass of red wine and a steak is in my future! And given my consumption of red meat, that will likely be it for November. It is weird that growing up a Texan and eating plenty of red meat as a kid that I don't really eat it as an adult. It's almost as though it doesn't even occur to me to make roasts or steaks. I don't routinely order burgers either (though I do eat more of those when I am with RJB).

Today I stumbled upon Le Mis. For whatever reason, I have a yearning to read epic novels which is not good because my availability for reading seems to have decreased lately. Though knowing winter is almost upon us, perhaps it is a good thing. If anyone has suggestions of favorite epic novels, let me know. December and January are generally good reading months for me....

Alright. Time to avoid Sunday Night Blues by getting ready for tomorrow. Peace.

PS - Nick, thanks for the suggestion on the personal humidifier. It's amazing how much 'stuff' is needed to survive the winters in the north - humidifiers, tons of lotion, winter outerwear....and then you have to prepare your car! Holy Cow! Hope Door County was nice!

Ricola! Ricola!

The fun never ends in this newlywed's life:

• I am in day 19 of experiencing some form of illness - headache, sore throat, sinus problems, cough, glassy eyes...ode to the days of breathing easily and looking healthy.
• Our humidifier officially died this week, which makes my aforementioned illness worse.
• Today we battled the rainy rush hour to hit the store for a new humidifier. There was only one type to buy. And now RJB is scouring the internet for reviews and data for what is apparently now a suspicious humidifier. I guess it doesn't heat the water that apparently is the standard operating procedure for these things. I just want to be able to breathe at night without waking up with the dry-throat-gagging-cough that is oh, so attractive to my new husband.
• My mother finally met Sylvester this week (!!!) and The Little Guy didn't become his normal Scary Cat self and approached mom. Like I have always said, mom is a regular old St. Francis. (mom came to visit me earlier this week. yay)
• Buying my first The North Face jacket tomorrow. Purpose? Necessary to sit in 45 degree rainy weather in the Bend this weekend.
• 'Tis the season for the gym. Yes, it is becoming too dark outside in the evenings to run outside after work. Boo.

Ok, it is time to tuck in to Dracula. If you haven't read it, do so. It is fantastic!

Go Get 'em Death!

Alright, so I am a week late with the Results from the Marathon posting. I did make a good attempt at posting on Friday but the system wasn't letting me load photos. Nonetheless, here it is. Note that this posting is solely my perspective of race day. I guess if you want RJB's, you will need to give him a ring on the blower.

It was really cold last weekend so I went to Target to get a throw away sweatshirt for RJB to wear while waiting at the start line. Came in handy as I cannot believe how cold it actually was. There was a hard freeze warning in the 'burbs and it was about 30 when RJB got up.

Sylvester and I watched the start of the race on TV. I then got dressed, walked to the Red Line in Chinatown and headed to the Loop. I did a last minute change in plans on where to get off and that proved to be an amateur move. I got off at Monroe & State and took off for Monroe and Franklin. Alas, I could not cross LaSalle so I had to go back and take the El south to Jackson and get to Franklin that way (LaSalle dead ends at Jackson - it is actually in the Dark Knight scene at the end with the 18-wheeler and the cool Batman bike.), which was the original plan.

I arrived between mile marker 12 and 13 with plenty of time - I saw the elite women go by. So I was pumped because I would for sure see RJB. I waited. Checked my phone for the runner tracker update (looking for the 10K update). I waited. I cheered. I waited some more. Got frustrated that spectators moved more than 1 car lane onto the road, thereby blocking my rad review right at the curb. I waited. Then I saw the 4:05 pace group go by. Surely I missed him? Surely. There is no way he had yet to cross the 10K marker. So I took off to a McDonald's that had marathon people there to look up pacing.

Well, I TOTALLY missed RJB. I mean, I was there, but never saw him go by. Grr. However, I got RJB's split times and knew he was doing well. And the runner tracking to your email system just wasn't working. Wonderful. I will have to approximate when he will finish. I chilled at McDonald's as long as I could - hands frozen. Visibly shivering (hey, I was standing in 1 place for a little over an hour in 30-some odd degree weather in the shade). Not ready for winter. I got his split at the 30K and took off to the finish.

Now I was on a serious mission. I was going to see my man run by and I was going to cheer my head off when I see him. I owe him that. So off I go to the finish. Good mercy what a trip. You'd think the other spectators were out on a Sunday stroll rather than strategically placing themselves among the race route. Ugg.

I finally landed near the finish line where the risers are set up. I worked my way up to the barriers and stood tippy-toed over the shoulder of quite possibly the tallest woman I have come across in recent years. For about 20 mins I tip toe and then....I see RJB running strong to the finish on the side of the road I was standing! I yell so loudly and suddenly that I startle super tall woman but didn't care because I then took off to try to meet my super fast husband.

He did so well - 3:43:22. I am so proud that I am still practically purring for him. :) He said his legs felt tight last week but no serious pain or soreness (proof in that he didn't hobble around but for right after the race). RJB is starting to feel that post-race depression of having no major race to work towards. So soon I am sure he will pick out his races for 2010.

Pinning his bib the day before

My lookout post at Franklin & Monroe

- between miles 12 and 13

If you squint, you can see some of the

elite women (hence the camera 'cycle)

My tippy toe view at the finish...waiting for RJB

Outside the last chutes of finishers on Columbus

RJB at the CARA post - race room

at the Congress Hotel. Doesn't he look great post-race?

RJB's parents sent cookies on Friday for a job well done!

For those wondering about the title of this post, someone ran the entire race dressed at the Grim Reaper. At some point, Grim passed RJB and a spectator yelled 'go get 'em Death'! Just doesn't stop being funny to us.

All the photos below are from Chicagotribune.com

These were just so good that I wanted to share:

Back of the Pack

Well dear readers, the weekend of the Chicago Marathon has finally descended upon us. For those not in the know, no I am not running it. I will be a spectator, out in the city streets early on Sunday morning (my spectator vantage point has changed from my original thoughts). The real champ is RJB. I will post on Sunday with photos (hopefully) and an update. Currently the weather is predicted to be perfect - 40s and 50s, no rain.

So, the hubs has been dedicated to his training since June. Running 5 days a week, including a long run on Saturdays starting at 6:30am. He has even run on our vacations. Not a complaint out of him. In fact, he is doing his last taper run right now. In the cold. In the rain. And what am I doing? Me the person who joined a running group this summer and then halted all running to be a slave to the dreaded IRS statute due dates? Me who said I would start straight away after 9/15 with the running? Oh. I'm sitting on the couch. In my pj pants and a sweatshirt, in front of the TV and computer.

I have reached a rut with running. Unfortunately it is a rut of NOT running. RJB challenged me on whether or not I even like running. And I do enjoy it. It is a challenge to me - I am not a natural athlete - so I know I will never be a bad ass with running. But man, the two times I ran at the end of September were torture. How quickly I fell out of shape. I am so disappointed. Something is wrong with my annual training. Likely that it is not consistent throughout the year. Sigh.

I did sign us up for the Turkey Trot. I have to get my act together. If 2.5 miles is hurting me, then an 8K will be a disaster. Must. Devise. A. Plan.

YAY RTP + HAS; JMP + HAS = SIL!

I am pleased to announce that I am a sister-in-law! Whipee! RTP and HAS tied the knot in FLA over the weekend. I could not be luckier to have these two in my life and I seriously have lucked out in all in-law avenues. It was a wonderful weekend (sans travel to FLA. I was about to crack, seriously. Then today I saw an article on msnbc about what NOT to do as a traveller and I almost was the poster child for the article. Thank goodness RJB and I get riled up at different moments). Nonetheless, rehearsal dinner was super tasty and good times! Food Glorious Food, indeed! You know its a good meal when there are potatoes, goat cheese, blue cheese, wine, AND cobbler! Plus I got to sit with my brojo and get some good laughs in.

Weather on the wedding day was perfect; sunny and about 90. Everything went wonderfully and the reception was delightful. I am so happy for RTP and HAS!!! No pictures yet. Brilliant as I am, I forgot my camera and hankie. So I must just wait....or must I?!? Below are some wonderful pictures I have downloaded from Facebook.

HAS receiving her ring

Kiss the bride!

Let them eat cake!

Otherwise, things are fairly calm, but here's the laundry list:

• RJB and I will be married 5 months on 10/16.
• I have yet to change my name, but will go through all the red tape on Pearl Harbor Day (fitting since we saw Pearl Harbor on our honeymoon. However, the date is just where the PTO and other travel allowed me to do so).
• RJB runs the Chicago marathon on Sunday. Run RJB run!
• Found a super funny blog - http://myhusbandisannoying.com/. Even RJB logs in and gives it a hearty laugh.
• RJB and I head back to ND this month for another game. I hope it isn't too cold.
• Holy cow is it already cool here! 40s at night, upper 50s during the day. BOOOOOO!

Ok, will post more later. Totally time for some grub!

Rally Sons of Notre Dame

RJB and I headed back to campus this past weekend. For me, it was the first warm weather game I've attended in several (6 maybe?) years. What a difference it makes! We had a good time and the team won, so goodness all around. However. Yes, there is a however. Campus is a-changing my Irish loving friends. Two more dorms (one named Ryan Hall - funny because of Ryan and funny because Ryan Hall happens to be one of the best US marathon runners around these days), new performance hall, new law school (in the same place as the old one?), new faculty hall, new athletic facilities, roads that once existed are no longer there..... It is amazing, how eight years after graduating (for RJB, 7 since he is a Double Domer) campus can change so quickly. Is it for the better? Who knows. Nothing I am ready to discuss at this point.

Since RJB and I weren't freezing during our football venture, we did take the time to walk campus and reminisce about "the good ole days". And let me tell ya, the college days really were some of the best years of my life. It is scary how quickly some memories fade (e.g., names of bars or haute eateries) or the years begin to fade into one another. At the same time, some memories are so clear it is as though the event just occurred.

It is also so odd going down memory lane with RJB. See, we did know of each other in school but didn't really know each other (undergrad class is actually quite small at ND). Our dorms were so close - his was the closest men's dorm to mine - and I knew of some of his Keenan boys, yet our circles never crossed hard enough to allow us to take pause of each other. Maybe for the best? Clearly hindsight is 20-20, but man, knowing that I was sitting in class, attending SYRs, and eating in North Dining Hall not knowing that my future husband was there too is just plain craziness!!! How lucky am I?

Enjoy the photos. WE! ARE! N! D!

Tee hee hee....we think Ryan Hall

is a women's dorm.

Hesburgh Library

(aka Touchdown Jesus)

Inside the Main Building looking

up under the Golden Dome

Back door of Keenan

Pregame show

Irish Guard

Basilica of the Sacred Heart