Friday, January 13, 2012

day at depaul

Steve and I spent the day visiting Depaul University to do our homework in order to get him situated in the fall for his final scholastic journey.  He began his last semester at College of Dupage and will get his associates diploma in multimedia and will finalize his college education at this great school.  His brother, Dan, just received his diploma as it graces our home reminding us of his hard earned achievement.
Way to go, Danny!  Our pride has no bounds.
I love new experiences and we decided to take the brown line to the Lincoln Park facility once we arrived in the city.  This is really a cool adventure in that we viewed Chicago from the backdoor and I was amazed at how much it has developed over the last decade.  I love Chicago!   It's a good thing sometimes people eavesdrop and when the tour gal overheard us talking about Steve's pursuit to board, she mentioned as a transfer student entering as a junior, he would not be interested in the entrance level dorms and prefer the selected apartments available, so we need not bother with her tour.  We went to another building where they have appropriate housing and the maintenance man once again overheard our conversation and chimed in his professional opinion on a few places and their condition and gave us some helpful tips on choosing the perfect place to be a resident while he gets educated.  One of the places is called Sanctuary where the nuns used to live back in the old days.  Interesting.
We decided to take the red line back to the Loop campus to meet with the guidance counsellor.  This is the underground method of transportation in our city and while not scenic, it is much faster and more crowded.  It says alot about the times.  A young man offered me his seat and while I thankfully declined, I also asked him where was he when I was 9 months pregnant? Back in the day, I did not get the same consideration.  The women nearby once again overhead me and we all shared a knowingly chuckle.
After our curious minds were satisfied from our rendezvous with Rebecca, we decided to eat at My Thai in the building where we indulged in some crab rangoon and spicy fried rice.  Yum.  The Loop location is shared with the City of Chicago administrative offices.  Who knew?  Once again, I hopped on the Metra train back home and realized as much as I love our city, I am always grateful to live in the suburbs.  Nowadays, the city is for the youth.  Steve decided to hang out with his buddies in the area and brought the vintage suitcase everywhere we went.  So cute.  I find extreme comfort in my humble abode and look forward to chilling with the pups beside a lit fireplace.  The hustle and bustle is better suited for those half my age. 
I'll settle for the quiet walks at Waterfall Glen to inspire me. 
And backyard visits from the bambi deer and geese. 
This week I have been blessed to be inspired by some heartwarming words of wisdom, hence, I share.

Don't dwell on those who let you down, cherish those who hold you up.

Don't worry about what people think, worry about what God knows.

With a closed mind and heart, the light cannot enter.

Miracles are the constant flow of Love always emanating from the Mind of God. Your next miracle is literally on the way; it's right around the corner. Stand firm in your faith in this, and it will manifest more quickly.

Things turn out for the best for the people who make the best out of the way things turn out ~ Art Linkletter
I do not define myself by how many roadblocks have appeared in my path.
I define myself by the courage I’ve found to forge new roads.
I do not define myself by how many disappointments I’ve faced.
I define myself by the forgiveness and the faith I have found to begin again.
I do not define myself by how long a relationship lasted.
I define myself by how much I have loved, and been willing to love again.
I do not define myself by how many times I have been knocked down.
I define myself by how many times I have struggled to my feet.
I am not my pain.
I am not my past.
I am that which has emerged from the fire.

xo