Life Update

Well, I have good news and bad news....

BAD NEWS: My house fell through. There were WAY too many things wrong with that place so I am not too upset about it but it does mean that I have to start ALL OVER in the home hunt...UGH!! If I would have gone through with it, it could have been a Money Pit (although M & T are doing such a good redecorating job...if they would ever update their blog, I would know more.)
Here's the list of needed repairs:

• New dishwasher (the one in thekitchen has been recalled and is known to start a FIRE!)
• The AC unit is 23 years old!!! WHAT??
• The hot water heater is 23 years old!!! WHAT??
• There is a mysterious bump in the floor which could mean a cracked floor but it would take a structural engineer (hired by me) to confirm or deny this
• Many wood shingles were rotten which mean water could have been getting in for months or years!!

GOOD NEWS: I think I officially have work friends. I was causually eating with a coworker who had mentioned a sushi place that she loves. I calmly said we should go sometime and she's like, "Sure, how about next week?" and then another co-worker who was there said, "I want to come along" so now I have TWO work friends and we have plans for SUSHI!!! I am so excited. I feel like I am going on a first date.

I hope I don't blow it. What should I wear??

Wilmington

So, I continue to tour my new state. This weekend it was Wilmington, NC which is an adorable little port city with cute shops and restaurants and home to the famous USS North Carolina(No, we didn't do the tour.) Andrew flew in on Friday and we immediately hit the road. We made a brief pit stop for food and gas and made it to Wilmington by 7:30pm. On our way we saw this...


Okay, so this isn't exactly what we saw but its damn close. We were driving down the road and saw the most amazing rainbows. Imagine this picture with a highway instead of a farm. It was two amazing rainbows, one brighter than the other. We could actually see blue and purple represented. I have never seen a rainbow with all of the colors. We, of course, took a dozen pictures on our cell phones once I figure out how to get them off I will update with the real picture :)

We had booked a room at the Front Street Inn and stayed in the Hemingway Suite. It was absolutely breathtaking...the pictures they show do not do it justice. After we arrived and settled in, we went off for some drinks at a local pub, Barbary Coast (the Loafer's of the south) and then out for some oysters and mushroom caps at a nearby restaurant.

Saturday started out a little rainy so we stayed in for some Trivial Pursuit (Andrew-1, Christie-0...I know, poor showing!) and then ventured out for some fresh seafood. Later we hit the beach right before a storm came and the waves were HUGE. Andrew, of course, loved it but I only wanted to go in to about my knees. For dinner we went to Yosake for sushi. It was really good and the Saketini was yummy...so were the next few :)


Sunday we hit the beach for what Andrew decided would be his yearly burn. To quote him, "Ill burn but it won't hurt and it'll quickly turn to a tan." Needless to say later, when I was spreading Aloe Vera gel on his back, he may have rethought this idea. We left the beach and headed back to R-D (Raleigh-Durham). We did a quick tour of Durham and stopped by the Mellow Mushroom for some House Pesto pie. We went by my soon-to-be new home and I was shocked there was an under contract sign in the yard...DUH!


Needless to say, the weekend was great and I love the fact that I only live two hours from the beach!!!

I Heart North Carolina!

So, I am adapting and learning to love my new home. It will of course but much easier when I move into my new place and settle in but overall, I feel good about being here. This weekend confirmed that decision for me.


I am less than 3 hours from Oak Island! I was able to drive to the beach from my place in less than three hours, which allowed me two fun filled days to frolick in the sun and sand with my friends. Here are some highlights:

• Snorkeling: This does not involve a large body of water but rather a next day hangover.
• Ocean Swimming: Always interesting as I am somewhat afraid of the ocean. I have a few rules 1. I never swim alone 2. I stay in until people nearby mention seeing a large fish which is my sign to GET OUT!
• Shrimp Dinner: There are no side dishes, just shrimp. It's prepared in as many marinades as possible.
• Clams Casino: A Range family staple at Christmas, and its second showing at the beach...bacon, butter and clams, YUM!
• Beach Firsts: Words cannot express the precious faces of Addison, Evan and Oliver as they touched sand and experienced the ocean for the first time.
• Le Tour de France: Only this group could turn the largest cycling race in the world into a drinking game. ( I love my friends!)

Needless to say, I had a blast and returned from the beach a wee bit sunburned, a lot dehydrated and a little sad to leave all the fun.

"That's my house...I live there!!!"

First, can anyone name what movie that quote is from?

Second, I BOUGHT A HOUSE!!! I'M A HOMEOWNER!!!!!

HOLY SHIT!

Yes, I have found a little place to call my own. I will be taking up residence in Durham, NC in the Woodcroft neighborhood. It is an eclectic area with various kinds of abodes surrounded by greenery. It also has a lovely walking/jogging path inside of it.

I will be closing on the 22nd of August so if you feel like helping me move, come on down!!

Here's my little home....

It is much better in person. It is the end unit in a townhome development. I think it looks like a little cottage.

This link will bring you to the realty site for more pics.

Christie's new home

Sweet Home Chicago

What a wonderful weekend in Chicago!

Friday, I went to dinner with Deb and Andrew at Tank sushi (YUM!) Afterwards, we decided a drink (or three) was in order so we headed to Paddy O'Splaines for some libations. Little did we know we would be front row for some of the best (and most dangerous) fireworks in the city. We sat near the open windows and noticed a crowd across the street in the Aldi parking lot. Next thing we knew, fireworks were going up around us. A few different guys took turns letting off these enormous fireworks. I am not talking about wee little fireworks but the BIG ones you see downtown. Needless to say, they drew a crowd. The display lasted for about an hour or so and luckily no one was hurt...although a few fireworks didn't go off like expected and flew sparks towards the crowd. To top off the display, the chef came over and started talking to me in movie quotes (LOVE IT!) and provided us with a yummy flour-less chocolate cake, on the house! Thank you mister chef!

Saturday we began pre-wedding celebrations at the Reuters and even managed to squeeze in a bar before the ceremony. We made it on time to see little Jack (Berto's nephew) race down the aisle. We were whisked off to the reception by Renata and Toby (thanks!), where we wined and dined and wined some more into the wee hours of the morning.

Congrats Berto and Keelin...you are both the perfect excuse to come back and visit!

All Is Forgiven

So, in order to get to my office, I have to take a shuttle from my parking lot to the hospital. Yes, a shuttle...well, its more like a bus but essentially it runs as a shuttle service for students and employees. As with many institutions, new employees are the bottom of the barrel so we park in a lot which I like to call, "IOWA." Yes, it is a long standing joke that when Jess and Andy moved from Lincoln Square/Lakeview area to Albany Park in Chicago, we referred to their new location as IOWA, meaning very, very, very, far away. In actuality it was no more than a mile or so, but I digress.

So I am on the bottom of the parking list, hoping to for someone to retire so that I may move up the transportation chain and park closer to the hospital. Until then, I park in Iowa and take the shuttle. So, on my first day (almost two months ago) I rode the full 5pm shuttle back to my lot. I unfortunately had to stand and hold onto a bar, and was quite nervous as it was my first ride. The bus driver decided to drive like a maniac and took a turn very fast. Needless to say, I lost my balance and landed on a woman's foot. Of course everyone around saw me sway and falter and smash her toes, so I was terribly embarrassed. I immediately turned crimson, apologized profusely only to be met with a look of death. The woman was PISSED. My bus stop came and she got off right behind me. I squeezed out one more weak apology and crawled to my car.

Ever since then, I have avoided her like the plague. If I see her I look down, I try to sit at a different end of the bus, everything so that she doesn't hurt me. Well, yesterday, I was sitting quietly on the bus. It was full but not packed, with many available seats. I noticed "Foot lady" board the bus and I immediately tensed. She walked down the aisle and decided on a seat...RIGHT NEXT TO ME! I was nervous and smiled, and was greeted with a warm smile and "hello." Relief swept over me.

She likes me! She really likes me! She's forgiven me for ruining her pedicure! She no longer hates me for breaking her toe bones!

Relief is mine....or she totally doesn't remember the "foot" episode and was just being friendly.

I think she forgives me.