Chicago Blizzards and Frank Sinatra

I was born in Chicago... (Insert Frank Sinatra's "Chicago" background music here)

With access to the beach and glamorous city architecture within a walking distance of each other...

I guess, I've simply gotten used to so much beauty, that I no longer remember how great it is to be a Chicagoan.

Well it might be because the blizzards and floods and rainstorms begin to take a toll. 

With privilege, also comes specific obligations: 

Keeping sane throughout these drastic weather changes. One day you're tanning on the Willis Tower deck, the next you're running to the store to look for a snow blower. 

Store after store. Looking for a shovel. Looking for an umbrella. Looking for sunblock.

When you know that each of the above products are already sold out. 

Becuase when it rains, it pours in Chicago. Nothing is done lightly here. And most of the time, we are never prepared. 

I was remembering a snow blizzard that kept all of Chicago snowed in for two days, years ago. I happened to fall ill with a terrible fever and throat infection. Did I mention we lost all electricity? Meaning the house was cold and my fever was getting worse. I felt so close to dying, I considered telling my little brother he could keep my car and laptop.

But clearly, it didn't come down to that since I'm still alive and well. Anyway, it was that winter, that I began learn to let go of what I used to think I could  control. Just let go. And let God. And when that trial is over, you learn to enjoy electricity and heaters and so many things around you.

Sometimes being snowed in is a blessing in disguise... But God, please no blizzards this winter. Pretty please? :) ... It was worth a shot. Can't blame a girl for trying...

I Miss Google- Yours Truly from Mexico

No Joke.

100% serious, here people. 

More than I miss my comfortable bed and jacuzzi back home, I miss GOOGLE.

Seriously, from the bottom of my heart, I'd like to say that the inventor of Google has a special place in my heart. 

Since our arrival to Mexico, we have found that sadly but truly, toilets do not always come with toilet seats. 

A carryon handbag can indeed feel like the weight of three human individuals

Mexican Homeland Security can be intense. After Janette's grandma forgot she was traveling with her granddaughter, the Mexican version of homeland security was ready to question Janette's validity as a non-terrorist of the United States of America. 

A juice labeled "Anti-Flu" is completely the same thing as taking the flu shot. All flu symptoms arrive the moment after consumption. 

Real tortas in Mexico are the size of an NFL football.

Snails can be found in gorgeous, aromatic flowers. Getting your nose too close to the flower can come with its consequences

Falling asleep on a hard bench without tipping over is painfully possible.

So these are things that I was able to experience. But you see, Google would have helped me prepare for these situations, or prevention there of. 

For instance:

"Dear Google, what can I do to prepare my grandmother for airport etiquette when traveling out of the country together?"

"Beloved Google, what should I avoid drinking in Mexico?"

"Honest Google, what torta size should I at all costs prevent myself from eating in its entirety? Should I split my torta with Janette?"

And I know, that Google will always be honest. Always say it how it is. Always have my best interest at heart.

I'm counting the days till I can ask Google what tomorrow's weather will be. Where the nearest coffee shop is. And use Google navigation to get to the correct destination. Without first taking 5 wrong turns. Ask what the lyrics to the new song I heard at the grocery store are.

Mexico is indeed a work in progress. It's really time to invest in some more Wi-Fi, not to mention Stop signs. I never thought I'd live to see the day where I would actually welcome Stop signs.

Thanks for reading... My next blog will be more inspirational, I promise.

Mexico, Bad Bugs, and A Road to Recovery

I'm currently swinging on a hammock. Under a palm tree.

With my dear friend, Janette. 

Ok, ok. Not exactly a hammock and not exactly under a palm tree.

But I can almost bet that there is a palm tree within walking distance. And this Mexican Home Depot swing acts like a hammock, in the most modern of ways.

Today's journey took us to visit Janette's grandma. Whom she had not seen in over 16 years.

Or maybe I should rephrase and call it Janette's journey. Becuase she was pretty nervous to finally see the woman who had spent her first 5 years by her side. Then she moved away and never saw her again. 

It was a privelege to observe their first reunion. Pretty darn cool. And I made pretty darn sure that I recorded the whole thing with my handy dandy iPad...

No, we did not expect her to ask her for her name. Or to immediately change the subject to what we wanted to eat on our next visit. I expected more raw emotion and a few more tears. But, we allreact differently   and show shock in different ways. 

I'm pretty sure Janette's Grandma is just now realizing exactly who was at her footstep this morning. 5 hours later. 

I'm grateful for being present. I'm glad to be a part of something so special and unforgettable. 

I'm grateful for Mexico's Wal Mart and their (expensive) sun bronzers. Because now I am one step closer to a tan.

And Janette and her grandma are a step closer to closure and maybe a beginning of something beautiful. 

P.S. I have yet again gotten a reaction to foreign mosquitos or possibly an insect a bit scarier. My leg is itchy, twice the size of what it once was, and I refuse to visit a doctor and get an injection of something the doctor will claim to be good for me.

Until next time, dear readers.... 

911, the Fifty dollar Gift Card, and the Girl locked in her Office

ok, at Panera Bread again... Free Wi-fi and the closest place to the office...

I'm used to bad, funny, embarrassing things happening to me. It's okay. It's cool. I survive and get to laugh at myself. ALL the time. No biggie.

I walked into my office early morning Wednesday, then decided I really should go to the bathroom, then head out to lunch. 

Great Plan. If only my office door would open. It was stuck. Totally stuck. And I tried really hard not to panic. 

So, I did not panic. I simply worried. And called out, " Jim (my co-worker)... um... Can you help?!"

After calling him three times, I decided to try for Carolina, office neighbor #2. But thankfully JIm realilzed he really should go check on Ana.

"Are you like, stuck?" Jim said, as he was shoving the door to open. No luck there. 

"Yes, Jim, I am 'like' stuck." I was really doing a great job at keeping cool. " I HAVE TO GO TO THE BATHROOM AND I HAVEN'T EATEN AND I AM GOING TO DIE IN THIS OFFICE!" So much for my original plan. 

The men who I would've at one point considered to be strong and able men, were not able to open the door. 

"CALL 911. This is definitely an emergency." And they did. 

Corporate security called my office. I told them I had to go to the bathroom.

The head of maintenance called my office. I told him I had to go to the bathroom.

Everyone called my office. I told them I had to go to the bathroom, too. 

So overall, I have a really cool video of 3 hero-firefighters saving my life. And I almost hugged them when they opened the door, except I had to... Go to the bathroom. 

I enjoy my life, on most days. I enjoy the funny. And the scary. And sometimes, even the unexpected. Becuase it gives me an excuse to slow down and relax. As funny as it sounds, I was laughing more than I had laughed the whole entire week. So I thank God for my moment of seclusion in my office chamber. 

Because even thoough no one was in the office with me, I felt the support of a whole load of strangers who were genuinely concerned for me and wanted to help. 

The head of security wrote me a very nice email and came IN PERSON to apologize. He also gave a $50 gift card to a steak house. 

Now I can take my date out for steak... :)

Except, then I'd have to go out looking for a date and now I'm too exhausted. This was enough excitement for one week. Let's keep it at that.

Wear your Heels, Ladies...

I'm currently at Panera Bread. Working ten minutes past my lunch. I really should get back to work.

Back to stressing over people's finances. 

But I decided not to. As the responsible adult that I am, I am taking At least another 15 minutes. WOW. I am one daring individual. Improving, improving.

Anyway, In my last post, I talked about NYC. 

But what I didn't really talk about was "standing out in NYC."

And I really should, becuase it's so important and pretty darn cool. 

Being in the midst of millions of people, standing out is virtually impossible, right?

Think Again.

As I endured yet another jam packed day of workshop training, I decided to take a small break. So I walked out into the building's lobby. And two of my fellow tortured co-workers walked right out with me.

I overheard the following conversation: (Pay close attention ladies.)

Guy 1: " She is the type of girl you take to meet your parents. She's definitely not the girl you take to a bar. She's the girl you marry as soon as possible. Tell me, are ALL girls where you're from like her? Becuase I have seriously got to go."

Guy 2: "Uh ( a bit uncomfortable)... I don't know, I think so." (Co-worker stuttering)

Now, my point here, single ladies, is that you need to realize you are the girl that deserves to be shown off and respected. 

You deserve to be singled out. You MUST stand out. 

You are awesome and beautiful and so worth while.You are classy and funny and so darn adorable. The way you laugh without caring who's watching. The way you speak from the heart with out fear. The way you dress for yourself and also dress down. On days when you want to walk out with your old, ugly sweater. And still strut with confidence. The way your faith makes you calming and refreshing in a world thirsty for modesty and something real. 

Yep, he will be one LUCKY guy... 

Me, Manhattan, and Expensive Room Service

Work Life took me to Manhattan this past week. I saw glamour and lights and unstoppable dreams. There was a gimpse of anticipation in the air that you know many had breathed in before. Many who were now probably a step ahead of where they thought they would one day be.

Maybe they drive Ferraris and Maseratis and live in the middle of Manhattan, taking in the best of what NYC could offer. Maybe they acheived the promotion of their lifetime and gained full access to the best of NYC night life, where the world does not sleep. 

Maybe. A million maybes.

But the moment my airplane landed and I arrived at the hotel, I closed the door of my room and cried. In the middle of Manhattan. In the largest city in the country. The 25 year old me, cried and hugged her pillow. Because I wanted home. I wanted to feel safe and protected, as I always do. 

But these moments are meant to teach us something. That as independant and sufficient as we may be, the thirst we have inside for being close to God, does not cease. 

No matter where you are. Regardless of who is watching.

And I was relieved. That I felt that yearning to pray. To be alone. Just me, God, and my NYC hotel room. 

And I also learned that as stressed as one could be, very expensive room service actually does help relieve some of the pain. Thank you Jesus, and thank you Current Employer, for paying for my expensive dinner. 

A Robber and his Sneakers

It's really a great thing to sit with yourself and meditate on the ongoings of the day...

That is, if there's any time.

And believe me, all I wanted to do this past Tuesday was hit STOP on my life's virtual remote control and write a blog.

I witnessed a robbery at work!

I was interviewed by an FBI agent, who witnessed how terribly Ann I. Dee handles stress, which is by making a complete idiot of herself. I said the robber was wearing red. Somewhere. Not sure where. But I was absolutely certain I saw red.

Mr. Handsome FBI then asked: "What shoes was he wearing?" To which I replied:

"Oh, I'm not sure but he had to have been wearing sneakers. It's what would've gone with his outfit. You know, hoodie, jeans... sneakers."

Somebody should have shot me. But God does have mercy on us, pathetic creatures...

And for the sake of my reputation as a smart individual, I will stop right here.

My point is that living life on fast forward is not what will get us to a better tomorrow. To a better you. What we need is to live this moment. And every moment, as if it were our last. Learn from mistakes you make. And for the good of the Federal Bureau of Investigation: PLease, pLease, pleasE, pay attention to the small details and get them in order. You never know what's coming just around the corner.

The Hookie, Her Dishwasher, and the Missing Instructions...

First off, I'd like to begin by saying that I'm pretty committed to my job.

Until today, that is...

Today, I just needed some Hookie time. Some ME time. Desperately. So I emailed my boss and said I wasn't going in. 

I did what I knew I had to: I drove to my nearest Apple store. And bought myself an iPad. Somehow, I know this is my way of committing more to what's important...

My sanity. Blogging is like therapy for me. Seriously, no joke. 

After making the great staff at Apple wonder how in God's green earth I own an iPhone, MacBook, and now an iPad... and still not know that the "silver box" is called a track pad... smh

ANYWAY.. I digress. 

I got home and decided to COOK. Ladies and gentlemen, it's been more time than i'd like to admit since I decided to make an actual meal. Sad but kinda true. So I drove right to it and made some Mexican steak and rice. Which btw, was pretty darn good. 

And to make my perfect day of accomplishments even more perfect, I turned on the never-been-used dishwasher to be more productive with my time. 

Uh... yeah. That didn't go so well. In between checking the rice and making sure I didn't eat all the steak before it was actually done, I had to also empty the pot I placed below the dishwasher to stop the soapy water from invading all of my kitchen floor. 

I learned that although the cycle of everyday life is necessary to survival, taking a break from that cycle of life can be even more necessary. I'm not ready to schedule these in my calendar just yet, but I am now a more relaxed individual. And my co-workers will thank me. And I thank God for days like these. 

Where I can be careless, carefree, mess up the dishwasher, make impossibly perfect rice, and get to type on my brand new iPad keyboard. Some days are perfect the way they are. Enjoy life today. Breathe. And for God's sake... don't plan ahead of this very moment. Just enjoy...