Simply an Excuse to Explore

We do believe that one day we'll have a visitor come that wants to do cool Chicago stuff.  In that case we'll need a sweet list of things to do and know how to do them.  We're taking this assignment on gladly as we use it as our excuse to explore our city.  This meant Saturday = date day!

1st stop: Movie Theater!  Not exactly something we'd do with a visitor, but with a film studies husband we had to find a movie theater eventually.  This required us to go to a new part of downtown and cross the beautiful river.  With the beautiful day we received on Saturday, we took full advantage of the walk.  When we got there and walked in the door we couldn't believe our eyes!

 This was the first escalator of THREE that we had to take to eventually get to the theater!  It was so huge!!  We had to bite the bullet and pay $9.50 each for the afternoon showing (Patrick got a gift in the mail from my mom or we probably wouldn't have been so quick to go).  I know insane! Welcome to Chicago. But, it was actually quite the viewing experience.  I could have sat in that chair all day and the whole theater itself was beautiful.  It felt much classier than just going to the movies.  It was the total package.

Stop 2: Lou Malnati's.  This was a pizza place Patrick looked up that was supposed to be one of the best in Chicago.  We of course have had it on our list to get real Chicago deep dish pizza.  Oh My Goodness!!!  It took everything I had not to make myself sick off of it!  I can't wait to take a visitor there!  Also beyond how good it was, they served you!!  As in, the guy brought the pizza out, cut it, put in on my plate, and then put it in front of my drooling mouth. The ONLY bad part about this place is that your amazing creation of deep dish pizza takes 30 minutes to cook. Or shall I say...30  minutes of torture as you see everyone else's pizza come out.

I dare you not to drool!

3rd Stop:  Target. Not much of a date thing, but we were downtown and had to get some groceries.

After this Target stop it was home again home again after a very fun afternoon and evening.  

I also have some updates to give...

Update 1: Knitting Business.  Well after lots of time learning, I got this knitting thing down.  It's looking like my scarf will get done before Spring after all!!  

Yes I have to admit, I tried some creative camera angles to make it look longer, but I think I'm 1/3 of the way there!  It's turning out pretty sweet and helping my feeling of accomplishment of something!  I can't wait to share the finished project around my neck!

Update 2: Job Insanity.  A lot has happened since my first shout out to all those helping pray!  Right after I got done blogging last time, Patrick got a job interview as well....the same day as my phone interview!  He was qualified for a work study job.  So far it's looking like He has the job! Amen #1.  So, one job down one to go!  My phone interview ended up being a very short 15 minutes and the person who called did most of the talking making one pretty darn easy interview.  The next steps for this job are a interview if they like me still this week or next week AND (because I can't seem to do anything that doesn't involve a test) a test proving I can tutor math.  UGH!  Doesn't a math minor mean anything to them?!  I suck at tests and therefore was pretty upset about this.  I think it caused a lot of doubt in my head and made for not the best next day because I was so troubled over this stupid test and was already ready to fail it (I wasn't even sure I am going to get to that point!!!)  The morning after my day of sadness God proved himself once again.  I woke up and checked my email as usual...Inbox(1)...Of course I was expecting junk and of course I was wrong...

Thank you for your interest in Bright Horizons!

I would like to schedule a phone interview with you to discuss your background and our open and current positions we have available.

So, they said this could take place Friday (which already passed) or Monday or Tuesday.  They still have not gotten back to me so I can't tell you when to pray exactly, but I can tell you...THIS WOULD BE AN AWESOME JOB!!  The job I applied for was a two's teacher, but I don't know if they have other things available for me.  They ALSO have a summer program which I would obviously be qualified for and would do nothing short of begging for a job with that as well.  I really have been learning that you should never know what God had up His sleeve next.  Although it's scary not having a job,  I KNOW God has a plan and I'll have one with the utmost perfect timing.  Thank you for your continued prayers.  Slowly but surely they are being answered!!!

So, that's what's up with the Sullivans!!!  I know it was long, but I hope the pics helped keep you entertained!  And remember...We ready for a visitor!!!

What a day!

This blog is dedicated to all my prayer warriors out there.  Prayers are being answered in so many ways it is unreal.  

Let's start with 1:00 today...

I walked the whole .7 miles to the Sylvan Learning Center.  I met with the director and ended up having an informal mini-interview.  He talked with me about my experience and why I was interested.  Unfortunately the jobs they have available are for high school math and I had to be honest that I was only qualified for up to middle school math.  He did feel the need to mention another opening they had though.  It's more like a receptionist job.  The person would be working with parents and making appointments for children's initial testing.  The director was going to be interviewing someone later, but STILL wanted me to send my resume directly to him and he would keep me in mind of that position or any others.  Needless to say I left feeling pretty exited of all that happened.  

Tick tock tick tock

3:00

I sent off my resume and new cover letter to the director.  I wanted to make sure I got it in right away.

Tick tock tick tock

4:30

I checked my email because Patrick said you never know maybe they sent you an email back already.  I decided to humor him and check it.  This is what was awaiting me....

Good afternoon,

Thank you for your application for the Chicago Tutoring Fellow position through the University of Chicago.  We have reviewed your qualifications and would like to speak by phone regarding the position.  Please respond to this email with your availability for a 15-20 minute phone call during the following times:

This is a job I applied for 3 weeks ago.  It's a tutoring job that would be working with small groups of students that are having a hard time.  They are starting a new program and need a group of these tutoring fellows to work with the students.

AHHHH!

How does a girl go from nothing to 2 possiblities?  Prayer I tell you!  I took the first available phone call for the University interview and will be interviewing at 4:20pm.  So my dear prayer warriors now I go from telling you about specific jobs to a specific time.  I don't know what God has planned, but if this is it then I pray with all my heart the perfect words just slip off my tongue.  

Your prayers mean the world to me...I do not take them lightly.  I have felt them and now all of you can see them being answered.  My excitement is through the roof.  I am so blessed :)

Like a cereal box with a prize inside

Don't act like you don't know that feeling!  Everyone loves a surprise inside their cereal box (especially camp leaders that steal them from the Trix boxes...*cough* Drew).  Well when I saw a little box (that I was expecting) in the mailbox today I got that giddy little feeling.  Inside held two exciting things I had been waiting for.

1.  The curtains mom made for our bedroom.  It is soo bright here because of the street lights.  I'm so excited to see how much light they block out tonight, plus they match our bedroom perfectly.  Way to go mom!

2.  Mom had the great idea that I could start knitting to help occupy my time while Patrick is at school and I am still unemployed.  She found a knitting book and some yarn that she sent in the box too.  I began this project as soon as Patrick headed off today.  I began with a smile on my face....the middle got a little ugly. Stitch stitch stich...RIP RIP RIP....MOAN as if someone was here to hear me. 1 hour of stitching = 5 seconds of ripping it all apart.  It never seemed fair. Wait, I thought this was suppose to be fun?! After reading the book many times, watching many online videos, ripping apart my stitches many COUNTLESS times, and threatening to quick I finally got it.  So now I'm working on a scarf that I hope will be finished before Spring rolls around :)

Anyone notice the large tail that is not attached to the ball of yarn?  Yeah so I haven't got it all figured out yet, but I figured these minor things will work themselves out eventually.

As I knit away inside, it is turning into fall more and more each day.  While most people are posting their beautiful pumpkin patch pictures online and I think about how much fun that would be, I remind myself that I live in the city and even figured out today that the closet pumpkin patch is 25 minutes away (which probably means more like 40 min).  So Sunday this girly girl decided to break into fall the fashionable way and whip out my boots...

I would like to love fall as most people do, but for me fall just means that winter is peaking around the corner and this girl HATES winter.  I do love my black, cheap, falling apart, covered up marks with a black sharpie boots though.  So, for now I am choosing to be okay with this fall thing as I strut around in my boots.  Maybe it will help my mood if I wear them as I change my clothes from summer fun to cozy fall/winter.

No More Water!!!

Today this brought a smile to my face....

That's right we celebrate the little things around here.  Especially when they are just about the best thing that has happened all week!  Above is a picture of our new faucet that DOES NOT leak water ALL OVER what little counter space I do have.  The old one would leak so bad I soon had a waterfall coming off the counter tops.  Never have I been so happy over a faucet as of 3pm today!

P.S. Today I have been married for 2 months! :)  So much has happened in those few days that I can't believe it myself!  Love you babe xoxo

Proven Wrong

I had been making a lot of fun of this town nicknamed "the windy city" since I had seen no such wind that was any worse than what I would find in cornfield Minnesota. Last night the town must have been fed up with my comments.

I'm pretty sure a tornado hurricane ripped through here.  I have no idea how our little apartment did not get knocked off the building.  We had to shut all the windows simply because the wind was going to destroy everything held inside our happy home.  I was concerned the hurricane outside would lead to a volcano in our home.

"The Eye"  is our living room...no joke!!

So, I take back what I said and now this winter-hating girl fears for what the cold, snow, and Chicago wind may bring.  I am thankful for our extremely warm radiant heat that will keep me warm in the winter while the wind hollers at me from outside.

Now a quick job update...Yesterday I applied for a position with Sylvan Learning Center.  It is a place where children can get help with school through tutoring.  Beyond how perfect this job would be for me because of all my tutoring experience, I google mapped it out.  .07 miles from my front door.  AHHH!  It was right next door and I didn't even realize it! It is half a block away! I have said before, "This job would be perfect," but really....I WANT THIS JOB!  If it was appropriate to walk through their doors, get on my hands and knees, and beg I would.

I might ball like a baby too for added effect

I appreciate all those people out there praying for me and our current situation.  Now, I am giving you a specific prayer to hold in your heart.  As much as I'm begging God for a job (especially this one), I am having a good week and am at peace that God has a plan...I would just be lying if I wasn't hoping His plan would involve my picture on the Hyde Park Sylvan Learning Center website! :)

Thanks for all my steady readers out there and those of you praying.  I have felt the prayers this week for sure!  Signing off from the Windy City :)

Say What?!

I just thought I would throw out a picture of where we're currently going to church...

That's right...I said it...that's where we worship on Sunday mornings.  Now so far the place has been a little far from full, but it's in no means empty either.  A screen fills up a lot of that yellow backdrop and so you can see the stage from anywhere in the theater.  It's simply called Auditorium Theater.  On special occasions it's host to different ballets and orchestras. A beautiful stage for such occasions.  But let me tell you, on Sundays....WE BREAK IT DOWN!  Yesterday we found ourselves singing "Lord I Lift Your Name on High" with congas and fancy instrumental solos.  I thought I had been transported to Kenya.  We have also seen a sax fill some space on that stage as well.

They are starting a sermon series on the book of Proverbs about Wisdom.  You can tell how excited the leaders are to start this series.  A lot of what they have been talking about is simply making smart decisions by following God and waiting for his timing.  We need to "dive into" and "pursue" wisdom. That waiting thing is probably why God dropped me off at the front of this church and therefore plopped my husband along with me.  This no job situation is just about killing me.  I realize it shouldn't be since we are in no means in a "financial crisis mode...yet," but it still is.  Trusting Him sometime seems impossible, but it must be done.

So for now we'll keep thinking "say what" as we walk into church on Sunday mornings and I'll keep taking notes on this new sermon series...I think I'm going to need it.

P.S. We're going to be hearing most of these sermons by Bill Hybels...he's kinda a big deal, or so I heard.

Miss Susie Homemaker

With a post title like that, I know what you're thinking...she's at it again.  I get these crazy ideas.  I am in dire need for a new blog title, but "what was I thinking" stills sounds appropriate at times like these.  Things in Chicago are much more expensive to say the least with no Walmart in sight.  My bread at the grocery store...almost $5 a loaf.  I refuse to pay this price.  I just can't choke it down.  So in typical Amanda fashion I got an idea...maybe I could make my own.  Oh goodness.  My kitchen aid came with this cute little cookbook that had a recipe in it.  So I thought that was a good place to start.  It was a flop to say the least.  Our little apartment smelled amazing but it was very small and would not work for sandwich bread. See for yourself.

I think the picture gives it even too much credit...it's pretty flat.  So I went out in search of a new recipe.  This one was for a honey flavored bread.  There was a lot more rising involved and took more time...BUT IT WAS SO WORTH IT!  I honestly can't believe it myself that it actually worked.  Now we have a beautiful smelling home with a beautiful loaf of bread cooling on the counter.  I can't wait to cut it!

This is just with white flour, but the recipe is actually for wheat flour which I may get and use for our bread.  I think I found a solution today for my expensive bread problem.  This loaf cost me next to nothing.  The most expensive thing was probably the yeast which I didn't even use one whole package that cost me .40.  Patrick said I need to make it bread making day whenever we have a guest come.

Now as exciting as this whole bread thing is, it is not nearly as exciting as the announcement of Mr. Bennett Jaeger.  I just wanted to point out that he must be a pretty big deal since he made it on the Sullivan calendar!

It is taking everything I have not to drive back home to hold this little man for myself.  I also have a message for him...
         Dear Bennett
                  You are the source of my new baby fever that I cannot act upon.  Shame on you for being so dang cute!!!!
                  Sincerely, Amanda

So that's what we've been up to in the "Windy City."  Every day it feels a little more like normal.  I do have some job applications out...any of which I wouldn't mind getting any time soon. A job would help this place feel even more like home. Prayers are deeply appreciated!!!  Over and out :)

Welcome!

We open our apartment door today to the blog world!  I hope this video gives you a better idea of our home!  I did it on my camera so it's not the best quality, but it worked. :)

So let us know when you're going to drop by!!

Ups, Downs, & In the Middle...Literally

So Wednesday we decided to venture to the middle of it all.  Our reason was because I needed to get my new driver's license and the only spot to do this was in the middle of the hustle and bustle.  We figured out that we needed to take the #6 bus which conveniently would pick us up right in front of the apartment...UP! Inconveniently it cost $2.25 and you must have exact change.  We had to take a quick jog to the grocery store to get exact change...DOWN! Once on the bus we soon saw our first Michigan Ave street sign...I kinda felt like holy smokes what are we doing?  This is what we saw...

Thank goodness for phones and mapquest!  I had two different places I found that I thought I could take care of my business at.  1st location...the front desk man tells us we're in the wrong place...DOWN!  He did tell us to go to my second address though, so I was confident we were headed in the right direction.  Second location...step 1. wait in line step 2. explain all reasons I need a new license. "Ma'am I'm sorry but you have the wrong place"...DOWN!  She gave us the correct address, promised it was the right place, and also ensured I would not have to take a test.  UP? After finding this new huge building we wander around inside and ask many people till we find the right place inside.  Step 1.  Wait in massive line.  step 2. explain what I'm trying to do. "Ma'am you need two pieces of registered mail, birth certificate, Social Security Card or Passport, and Marriage Certificate"...I have only two off this long list...guess I'll see you tomorrow..."Oh and Ma'am you must take the written test"...DOWN! (and tears.)  

We left feeling pretty defeated, but decided we would continue to check off our to do list and try and find "The Bean".  A big Chicago sculpture. We found it! A much needed UP! Of course pictures...

You may say...Amanda what the heck is this?!...I was trying to show up close how dirty it was from handprints.  I can't believe how shiny it looks from far away!!!  Grandma Spence would not be pleased.

You could walk underneath it too!

Do you see us?  Haha  it's hard to point out but we are in the middle almost at the bottom.  You can see two little people standing close to each other.

The glass made us look silly

This is the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, next to the The Bean...So huge!!

The grassy area for the pavilion.

So we went back downtown again today.  This time we knew where we were headed...UP!  I had all the correct documents and passed the test.  The cool thing is they can print out your license on the spot!  I got to walk out with it...UP!  It took about 1 1/2 hours total so we had some more time to walk around and explore as well.  We ended up finding a massive farmers' market and found the church we're going to try out on Sunday.  Wish us luck. Here's the address if you want to see it :) (http://www.willowcreek.org/chicago) 

So, it has obviously been quite the past two days.  Tomorrow we have to deal with some stuff for Patrick's school so at least we get to stay in Hyde Park!!!  Of course we're not sure the best way to get there yet, but hey we're use to that now.  I leave you with one last picture...I set up a pretty cute table tonight for dinner and I wanted to share.  We had chicken caesar salad with potatoes and pears.  Monday our cable guy is coming to fix where our t.v. is now that all our outlets are working and after I'll be posting a video of our entire apartment...can't wait to share!!!  It's slowly becoming home after all.

So This is Home?

This is what we were kinda thinking come Monday morning.  If this is home...then we better figure out where heck we are. We began our exploring adventure.  We first made our way to Lake Michigan.  It was such a short walk (it would make an even faster bike ride) and in one word, beautiful.  There is a perfect bike and walk/run path that goes along the lake. Maybe we can make this home after all.  We also walked from the Lake to the grocery store and surrounding stores.  We figured out that Ace Hardware is our new one stop store surprisingly.  Hot pads, soap, extension cords, and the rest of your little random list.  Of course here are pictures from our little journey.

Patrick looking out over the beautiful lake...we didn't find the beach yet at this point.

"I got my toes in the water"...we found the beach area.

Sorry for all the skyline pictures, but can you blame me?

Dinner #2...oh yeah breaking out the Rachel Ray pots!!!  It was so much fun cooking with them!!

Game night!  Amanda won of course, but it's okay Patrick beat me at Monopoly deal tonight.  We're even.

Today we got a parking spot, switched our bank over to a bank that would be in town, and found a non-sketchy Target...only problem with this one is the traffic getting there.  Tomorrow we are going to attempt to tackle the L (train) and get ourselves downtown.  I have to go there to get my new driver's license anyway.  Wish us luck! (Of course we're doing all of this because I finally got my act together and fixed the closet situation.  A video blog will be coming when everything is finally in place!)

As I leave tonight I ask prayers for a family in Byron tonight. I don't know them, but I do know that just a matter of hours ago they lost their senior girl on her very first day of her senior year.  I can't imagine what they are going through.  Please pray for her family with me as you count sheep tonight.

Dorm living...ON STEROIDS

The title says it all.  Since I have lived in the same house from the age of 3, the only experience I have with moving is moving into a dorm.  I thought I had a lot then, but moving my little family of 2 into this new apartment was much much bigger than a little dorm.  We were so blessed to have so much help.  Moving all the stuff in happened in no time.  Unpacking boxes...well that's another story.  Our awesome family helped put many big things together for us that required a lot of work, but time still slipped by ever so quickly.  I never quite understood how people could live in one place for months and say, "I just finished unpacking the last box".  I was way too quick to judge!  Now, will it be months...no.  But we are very lucky not to have anything to do right away other than unpack.  So, it will probably take longer than I expected but it will get done. :)  Obviously I have to leave you with some an insane amount of pictures that say it all....

GPS on...Chicago here we come! 

Only 358.1 miles to go.

One ticket to Chicago please...we'll keep going straight

Welcome to Illinois!...Finally 

Oh no those toll signs again...

Have no fear, IPASS is here!!! Oh IPASS how we love you so! 

It was clearly hazy and about to storm and there were many cars, but how can you not appreciate this beautiful never ending skyline.

Piles of boxes. They were everywhere but this specific pile was in the kitchen corner.

Garbage...this was also everywhere.  My sweet mother-in-law kept filling bags upon bags of trash.  

Oh no way...more garbage and cardboard...I warned you, it's everywhere.

Yes it is true, we can't even walk into our closet right now.  I said I would fix this tonight.  It's 8:30 and I'm blogging...it may have to wait till tomorrow...UGH

Can someone please come clear our bed so we can sleep?  Thanks.  (Once again 8:30 and blogging...I think I better clean this immediately to keep my hubby happy!)

Our first dinner in the new apartment...I know how sad it was only pizza.  But it was quick since we spent most of dinner at the grocery store and it actually was pretty darn good!

So that is all.  I can't wait to be blogging pictures of the place done up all cute.  Since I took these pictures we have actually found the living room and the kitchen is all put together and thanks to my mom Saturday she got the bathroom done for us right away.  The living room isn't quite done yet because we are having problems with some outlets, but we can see glimpses of how it will become a place to come HOME to.  

It's quite overwhelming moving out and being on our complete own for the very first time.  I'd be lying if I said I wasn't crying over my pizza for no reason.  Thank goodness Patrick already said those vows!  It's just a lot to soak in, but we are so thankful and excited for our very first place:)

Tomorrow we might begin some more exploring and hop on the L (train).  Hopefully it will turn out better than our search for a Target Saturday night (we ended up finding the Target in a pretty sketchy place). Maybe searching for a non-sketchy Target will be at the top of the list :)