There are a few perks of this industry...

When many think of an audiologist, they don't think wow I bet they are really cool and get to do really different things--well we may surprise you!  We had our national convention (AAA) here in Chicago this past week.  We were able to learn things to further our education that will affect our patient care.  We also got to do a few things on the side!  One of those events was attending a live show from Collective Soul! 

Taking place at the Excalibur, it was an unusual venue!  As not the most popular hot spot in the city, I was a bit hesitant to go.  With three floors and multiple stages, there was plenty of entertainment and a great place to visit with people.  Collective Soul put on a great show! 

The icing on the cake is that I got to see Joel, the guitar tech for Collective Soul!  I got to see and catch up with him.  The perk was that at the end of the show, I got to help with some of the lights :)

You never know what audiologists will be upto next!  We always are doing something fun...

#221--Stroll through the Field Museum

As a resident of Chicago, I don't always participate in "tourist" activities but since I had a few friends in town this past weekend, I figured why not!  I ventured to the Field Museum to see natural history. 

We saw lots of taxidermied animals, including the largest bird collection in the world.  It was interesting to see some of these animals that were stuffed for the Chicago World's Fair!  We also got to experience Sue, the full T-Rex and attend her 3D movie. 

To be honest, I'm definitely a Science and Industry Museum fan but I'm glad I went to the Field Museum.  Boys (and girls) who like dinosaurs are definitely going to love this museum.

#221 is crossed off my list and ready to move on :)

All I needed was a laugh, not a fist fight...

I was presented with a great Thursday night activity last week, watch my friend's cousin headline at Zanie's Comedy Club.  After the past few weeks I had been having, I wasn't going to turn down a chance to laugh so I said yes.  We arrived a bit before the show began and purchased our two drink minimum.  I love comedy places because everyone there is ready to have a good time, or so we thought...

One of the opening acts was really funny and I know she'll make it big some day, while another one was bit blah and inappropriate.  During the headlining act, the reason I had came, a little dispute began to play out in the audience.  Some of the patrons did not want to respect the server and the two drink minimum rule and when she started yelling and complaining a paying customer, became very angry.  I fist fight insued followed by a lot of the guests leaving.  It was definitely an experience I wasn't expecting to have...

Next time you need a good laugh, you never know, you may get an extra added bonus of seeing people fight, which causes a laugh in itself.  Raise your glass, get ready to relieve some stress, have a good laugh, and go to a comedy show near you!!

Chicago Chef Week

I've learned that my palette and my inquisitivenss has made me a bit of a foodie.  Chef week allows me to try something new.  Last night I ventured with my friend to Blackbird (blackbird.com).  I've walked by plenty of times entranced by the appearance of the place itself. 

There is just something about the place that always drew me to walk by it.  As a high end restaurant, I knew I wasn't going there anytime soon.  Chef week allows people like me a chance to try a high end food restaurant at a fraction of the cost.  I started out with a warm spring noodle with avocado and pumpkin seeds followed by the entree of a squash and ricotta torte with mushrooms and arugala.  Our dessert was a dark chocolate ganache with parsnip ice cream.  It was all so delicious and the presentation was to die for.  The highlight of the dinner was the palatte cleanser of a green tea truffle.

So next time you hear of chef week here in Chicago, follow your instinct and try that restaurant you've always been drawn to or if you aren't daring enough, follow my recommendation and go to blackbird!

picture!

Here's the rollerskating picture!!!

Everyone needs a great girlfriend!

Sometimes there are those people that you meet and you instantly click with and become friends...that's what happened to Molly, Laura, and I. After meeting two years ago through big shoulders fund, Molly and I became instant friends.

As our lives have gotten busy, we decided to have a girls date for afternoon coffee. I took the girls to my nearby neighborhood of Noble Square to go to my favorite coffee shop in Chicago, Lovely (lovelybakeshop.com)!!

I discovered Lovely the first week I was in Chicago.  A lady I had babysat for in Columbus, had recommended this shop after reading about it in Domino magazine.  After eating their tuna salad sandwich, tomato basil soup, and their to die for macaroons, I was in love.  I had recommended we go there and now Molly and Laura also think the place is LOVELY :)

So next time you're in Chicago and you don't want to go to a Starbucks for afternoon coffee, stop by Lovely for their mini pies and amazing coffee!

I'm ROLLING Along!!

Sorry for my delay in posting, but I wanted to include a picture of this activity--You'll have to wait for it I guess.

I got lucky enough to go rollerskating this past weekend with 9 of my girlfriends all due to winning a silent auction!  So we packed into two cars and headed out to the suburbs of Chicago (a feat and adventure in itself) to attend rollerskating.

Now I had attended plenty of birthday parties in the past held at rollerrinks but I was never lucky enough to host one of my own. I should have known what a Saturday afternoon at a roller rink would have been like, but I was unprepared. We were greeted by yelling, laughing, crying, and rollerskating kids. Some parents had rollerskates on as others were too shy to try again.

For the next three hours we skated around the rink to today's top 40s as well as a few throw backs to the 80s, requested by me. There were a few falls along the way and plenty of laughs! We all concluded that it was definitely the best birthday party activity we had participated in in awhile!

So next time you're wondering what to do for your birthday, consider rollerskating as your next adventure!!