return from the dead

It's been 8 months since I last wrote...and what an 8 month's its been.

~I've gotten a new job at a kick ass non-profit that trains and certifies teachers, preparing them to work at "high-needs" schools at CPS. I work hard, but I feel like I am really doing what I was meant to do with my life. The only drawback is that they block all the fun websites: facebook, youtube, flickr, anything blog related, etc. I am still going through withdrawals.

~ I am FINALLY this close -->[ ] to finishing my coursework for my masters degree. It's been 2.5 grueling years but I have just one more quarter to go. Now, I have to get to that thesis!

~I have gone from planning a destination wedding, to an outdoor wedding here in Chicago, to saying "F@ck it...let's elope to the keys and just do it!!" Big weddings complete with elaborate color schemes and the whole white dress thing just isn't for
me. Plus, I couldn't rationalize spending so much money on one day...I just couldn't. We are getting hitched on our 7 year anniversary at sunset on the beach...nice :)

~ After 5 long years, I finally moved out of the ghetto! Me & the honey bought a new house and finally moved in together this past November. It's been a long time coming and while our place does need a lil work, it has a huge backyard with a enormous deck ....I love it. Plus, I finally have grown up furniture...no more jacked up futons for me! Whoo hoo...the biggest disagreement we have had is over a painting. I wanted to get a huge Frida Kahlo painting to put over our couch and he didn't want the boobs to be the first thing people see when they come in..I say..who looks at this picture an thinks of boobs??!! Am I right??

~ Last but certainly not least, this past November, I was actually proud of this country for the first time in almost a decade...Our country has gone to shit, and I sincerely hope Barack can step up to the challenge and live up to his expectations.

The last year has been extremely hectic for me. I have constantly found myself with less and less time to do everything I had to do. Actually, this is the first weekend in recent memory where I am NOT running around with errands and a long ass to-do list which seemingly never-ends. In addition, its been one COLD and SNOWY winter here in Chicago. But I wake up today to 50 degree weather and a glass of tea, and I feel great and just high on life. There's nothing like being a lazy bum every once in a while. AHHH..that's the life!

Humboldt Park murals

In my ethnographic research in Humboldt Park, I simply fell in love with the murals that lined the streets. Their dynamic color...their symbolic meaning..and their public displays of resistance and Puerto Rican power. These are just a few of my favorite.

blissful announcement

I am now officially engaged to my best friend...

:}

only in chicago...

will you experience the joys of all the 4 seasons in one day. Rain and spring-like in the morning, sunny and warm mid morning...windy and chilly in the afternoon..making room for sleet and snow by midnight...Tis' the winter that refused to go away!

I so need to go on a vacation...BLAH!

Picture from Flikr

two weeks notice

I will not be put down
By you & your status quo
Not again
For, Like the sun
I will rise
Think again
Cuz there will be no demise
Of my soul...
Can't you see
Through conformity and obedience to you
I fail me
I am more than your depiction of a pale reflection
I got soul
I got heart
I got mind
Robustly beautiful and refined
All to which you were blind
I stand before you
Unafraid to be me
and I’m proud of what I’ve grown into
I’ve left a woman...
Strong to the core
A female who won’t take this shit anymore...

catchy song for Barack

This morning on the way into the office I heard this catchy little tune from a Jamaican artist called "Cocoa Tea". The song serves as a unique endorsement for the Illinois Senator (did I mention it was catchy??!). I swear, the hook will be in my head for the rest of the day!!

Cocoa Tea - Barack Obama
Uploaded by jahsensie

it was a lovely day!

This weekend was utter bliss: it was sunny, in the mid to upper 60's and perfect in every way. It's about time! Chicago's winter has been long and brutal and I felt deprived of all sun and warmth. I had to get out and enjoy being alive.

This afternoon - Mike, the mutt, and I walked through Humboldt Park as I snapped the below pictures. This is just a sample of over 75 pictures I took...each which has it's own story. They are a portion of my final research project in Urban Sociology, where we have to research a Chicago neighborhood's social/economic state and observe how residents use public space. Obviously, my neighborhood of interest is Humboldt Park, where I spent large chunks of my childhood. It was a beautiful 2 hours, where I got to meet many interesting people!