Memorial Day Weekend in Minneapolis

What a great long weekend and welcome to summer. Zach, Scooter, and I drove up to Minnesota on Saturday, because my parents had great tickets to the Twins game and we hadn’t been to Minneapolis since Christmastime.

Saturday before the game we went out to eat at Darby O’Ragans, which I think is a hilarious name for a restaurant, but the food was really good. Then we stopped for a picture. 

Our seats were amazing. They were in the Legend’s Club, which is a private section in between the upper and lower decks. There were no lines at the concessions and Twins artifacts everywhere. Thanks mom and dad!

To make the experience even better, my dad knew the cameraman that was right behind us and got Zach and I on kiss cam. 

Lifelong Dream Realized

The Twins came out on top of the pitcher’s duel and a man dressed as a mouse ran onto the field after the game. Best game ever.

On Sunday afternoon we went to a fun barbecue at Leah’s parents house and saw her and Blake’s new apartment. And then we went out to dinner at Keegan’s with Johannah and Ryan. So great to see all my Minnesota friends. 

Back in Chicago on Monday we had a nice Memorial Day picnic with John, Kirstin, and Gunnar. The boys played catch and Frisbee and the girls played with the baby.

After a weekend like that I would have hated going back to work today except for the fact that I’m almost done!

“How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!” - Maya Angelou

Farewell to The Oprah Winfrey Show

I started watching The Oprah Winfrey Show my freshman year of high school. I’m sure I didn’t understand much about the topics, but I just loved her.

Since I moved to Chicago I was fortunate enough to attend two tapings. The first was with Liz and featured Hilary Duff, Enrique Iglesias, and Gwen Stefani. The second was last year with Whitney and featured Mary J. Blige and Malaak Compton-Rock, Chris Rock‘s wife. That show was the only Sunday taping in Oprah Show history and they sat us in the front section because I said “yes” when the audience booker asked if I was a Mary J. fan.

I learned so much from the show over the years: I read many great Oprah Book Club Books, I learned what it means to live in the present, I learned to listen to myself, and I learned that anything is possible. In fact, today on her final show she said that she was just turning thirty when she moved to Chicago. That shows me that my life is just beginning and that I can accomplish whatever I put my mind to. 

The Oprah Winfrey Show was the best produced show on television and will leave a huge hole in our Chicago hearts. Oh well there is still O Magazine.

“Don’t waste any more time. Start embracing the life that is calling you and use your life to serve the world.” - Oprah Winfrey on her final show

Chicago Dogs

Today, Zach, Ryan, and I had a delicious lunch at Hot Doug's. 

Best Hot Dog in Chicago

Hot Doug’s is the only place I know of where you can get a vegetarian Chicago style hot dog, which was a delicacy I thought I'd never get to enjoy until I went to Doug’s.

The only downside? The long wait, especially on a chilly day like today, but it's all part of the experience. 

My other favorite Chicago hot dog?...

And my favorite Chicago dog?...

"The noblest of all dogs is the hot dog; it feeds the hand that bites it." - Lawrence J. Peter 

Happy Mother's Day

I want to wish all the mothers out there a very Happy Mother’s Day. I hope every mother feels appreciated and special today (and everyday).

To my mom: I wish I could be there to celebrate you in person. I hope you did something nice for yourself today. If not I'm sure Herbergers is having a sale. But for real, you are the best mom anyone could ask for.

Can you believe that Scooter didn’t get me anything? 

Three Generations

“I love my mother as the trees love water and sunshine - she helps me grow, prosper, and reach great heights.” - Terri Guillemets