Happy Valentine's Day to Me!

Yarelli from the admissions department at The Chicago School just called to wish me a Happy Valentine's Day in her own way....

I AM IN!

Ironic that this morning I was investigating Master's programs, in fear that I wouldn't get accepted to any Doctoral program and I'd be forced to reconsider my plans. A sense of calm and peace came over me during the call and I knew that if I did not get interviews or acceptance to Denver or Portland, that I can rest knowing that God made it clear he wanted me in Chicago. Just like I dared him to do. (I don't suggest daring God on such things...)

Less than 30 minutes later I got a phone call from Denver inviting me for an interview.

Happy Valentine's Day!

(Photo by PhoenixFeather on Flickr)

A good and a bad day

The good...

My (long) interview day at The Chicago School went well! The faculty & administrators were engaging and professional, all questions answered thoroughly and competently, and the facilities & location once again impressive. My personal interview time of 40 minutes sped by and I'm fairly confident in my answers. The snafu regarding my application handling was acknowledged and apologized for, and I left the day comfortable that if Chicago is where I land, my education will be in good hands. They say I will get word in 2-4 weeks of their final decision.

Like a true Chicagoan, I road the El home and spent the rest of the afternoon gazing out the window as the snow began to fall. It was all rather lovely and serene and as I sat I felt a sense of knowing that if it is to Chicago that I come, I will be just fine.

The bad...

After dinner I checked my email, not expecting to have heard anything from the other schools at that late time. But alas, I did. And the email I received broke my heart. My application to MSPP in Boston had been declined with a polite, "We regret to inform you..." When assembled together, those must be 5 of the most ominous and foretelling words in the English language. There is no hope after such words, no optimisim can survive. Only disappointment and sadness, confusion and hurt. I realized how firmly I expected Boston to be an option. For so many years it has been the city of my heart and now it had rejected me. When friends were recently going through a job search and had been turned down by one position, my friend described the feeling as being broken up with before the person has given the relationship a chance. I can now attest that the feeling is indeed such, and as with any breakup, the giving up of hope and having to accept an outcome you did not want, sucks.

Last night, the knowledge and assurity that I need not give up hope on my future career aspirations or my desire to relocate because "God has a plan!" was of little comfort. It was surprising to me how quickly I began to fear that I have completely misheard that this was my calling and that rejection by all the schools may be in my future. Though too soon to believe that, the fear is nonetheless there and must now be fought. Sigh.

It was a sad ending to a good day

Still no word from Denver or Portland, something I expect within the next 2 weeks. More 'wait and see' is in my future and I must now, more than ever, trust that all will be as it should. And if it turns out to be something I never expected, deep down I know that it will be even better than I could possibly have imagined.

I said, "Brrrrr! It's COLD out here!"

Never more appropriate is that line from Bring it On than it is right now in Chicago when it's so cold your nose hairs freeze and your eyebrows are lightly dusted with frost. Although in the 24-hours that I've been here I have heard a couple people tell me how it's even worse in Minnesota or Wisconsin, as if to say, "So suck it up, Sissie!"
.

With that said, so long as you dress appropriately and have nice friends who wear the same size shoe as you and so can loan you a pair of toasty UGGS (thanks, Liz!), you will manage to live through the cold Chicago winter. Liz said that if I survived today, I can survive living in Chicago. Now I feel hard core.

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Being in Chicago these two times has been a bit like being back in Pasadena; just colder. On this trip Liz & I had the pleasure of a visit from recently-moved-to-Michigan-Julia and Jeremy, who was in town visiting Jules for the weekend. Just 2-hours away in Kalamazoo, MI, they made the trip to Chi for the day. Lunch at Stella's Diner where we watched the snow flurries fall, followed by a nap, dinner at Giordano's and a show at Second City rounded out our day together.

Today Liz & I took advantage of "Free February" and visited the Art Institute which was free to visitors. Finally, I could see Seurat's A Sunday on La Grande Jatte. We also saw American Gothic, the very first piece of "art" I ever owned, purchased when I was 15. It still hangs in my old bedroom at my parent's house. There were a couple other paintings I wouldn't mind hanging in my home if I had a few million dollars to spare.

After the museum we headed to Millenium Park and "The Bean" to see an outdoor ice exhibit. As you can see, the (heart-shaped) peeps made an appearance.

Thai food, manicures and Sex and The City completed our day.

Good morning from Chicago!

Don't blame me, blame Dooce!

Just because 9 or so people have all become sick within 48 hours of being in my presence does not mean I am the carrier. Right?! After all, Dooce had it first. Blame her. I've been reading so much of her archives I must have caught it through the interweb.

Sorry MollsCarlosKiraDeniseMattMikeAudreyYvetteBobbyJacob. Oh wait, that's 10.

I'm really sorry.

(Thanks to sister-Kirsten for her kind care these past few days. As a mom of 3 she knows what to do.)

I guess my appetite is starting to come back. Darn!

I've only ever had Bananas-Foster once in my life, but this picture makes me want to have a dinner party just so I can make this at home. Thanks for the recipe, Williams-Sonoma!

Operation:Rescue Molly (or, "We are SO FUN!")

Conversation last Friday afternoon at approximately 2:03pm:
K: Hey, M. You in Fresno?

M: Hi, K. Yeah, I'm sitting in the theater waiting for Juno to start.
K: Having fun on your day away? You needed it.
M: Yeah, I went to Target and Anthro and now I get to see a movie by myself. It's been great. I wish you were here though. :-(
K: I do too. Hey! Meet me and Lauren in Bakersfield!
M: What?! Are you crazy?! Ok!
K: We are SO FUN!


And the rest, as they say, is history. And allow me to reasure you ladies and gentleman (Hi Jer!), that history was indeed made this last weekend. In Bakersfield, no less. History was made, dear friends, because even in this town, where the IHOP has a 'B' rating and little boys strolled past with rat-tail braids hanging from the backs of their otherwise buzzed heads, we managed to find real shopping, the balm for any homesick girl's heart. And it wasn't at the oh-so-classy Valley Plaza.

It all started with a drive north. No road trip with L & K would be complete without a little Coolio. Lauren & I are some bad-a##-mo-fos, I tell ya!

Dinner was had at the ever-popular Olive Garden, where the three of us 'endeared' ourselves to our waitress with our individual water requests (K= Water with lemon, no ice (it irritates the cough!), M= Water with Lemon, with ice, L=Water NO Lemon, with Ice), just as we always do everytime we dine out together.


The next morning, the Peeps enjoyed the view of Bakersfield from our 4th floor room at the Holiday Inn Express. Ah, trailer parks! Aren't they lovely?!


And because the three of us can never have enough self-portraits, we took a few more. Some more inclusive than others.

So long, Bakersfield! We will not miss you per se, though we are eternally gratefuly that you were so conveniently located between Fresno & LA. I'd say Operation: Rescue Molly was a success.

I might be dying

At least it feels that way. Apologies to those I may have infected. I promise I didn't feel this bad when I saw you!

Places to Go: Pasadena (City Hall)

One of my goals before I move this summer is to tour SoCal and (re)visit sites that I love or are quintessential L.A.

One of my favorite buildings around is Pasadena City Hall. After years of renovations and retrofitting, it is once again open for exploring. As I found myself that way yesterday afternoon, I decided to snap a few pictures, taking advantage of the beautiful blue skies and afternoon sunlight.

Lauren & I had dinner at CPK right next door, so I was able to get a few at night, the building golden with lights. Unfortunately my battery ran out before I could get all the angles I wanted (and after I figured the right ISO to capture the night lights). I guess another visit is needed--Oh darn!

What are some of your favorite LA sites? I'm taking suggestions!

PS. For more Pasadena photos, go here.

Phoebs, I promise, you were cool.

Cause if you weren't, then I wasn't either, and that's simply unacceptable.

And hello!? Our wheels automatically qualified us for coolness.

'82 Dodge Ram pickup truck with plumbing storage bins on the sides and a pipe threader on the back. A 16-year old girl's dream car, I tell ya! And your vehicle options were just as cool: 15-passenger van or steakbed pick-up truck. We ruled MHS when we rolled up in these babies!

I promise, Phoebe, we were cool. And somewhere else I have the pictures of us driving the Principal's Mustang Convertible to prove it.

The Outfit

With my first interview just days away, I had to figure out what I was going to wear. Thanks to D's help, I'm pleased with my outfit which is conservative enough, but not too staid, and complete with some fun/funky jewelry touches.

Charcoal: View from Makeout Point

This is what heaven looks like:

Sometime this weekend I will make this Potato Focaccia. My mouth is watering just looking at the pictures.

(Image from (& for recipe): The Wednesday Chef)

Hey, Guess What!

Can't read that? Here, let me try and make that bigger...

February 11 interview in Chicago!

Calling all distractions!

Yesterday was a low point in this whole "waiting for word" process. Tears of frustration and impatience were shed. So it's been decided that I need something to distract me, some project to occupy my time. After work I went for a walk and took my camera along.

What should I do today? Tomorrow? The day after that? I welcome your suggestions, your challenges, your ideas.

As Seen On a Road Trip (HWY 99 & 41)

Going there:

Coming Home: