Christmas in Chicago

Dad, me and mom at the Chicago Diner

All the gifts under my beautiful christmas tree (a pine tree branch door hanger set atop a candle holder n the middle of the dining table)

After church

White Christmas in Chicago

Handyman, Dad, keeping busy

Mom helpin prep Christmas dinner

Mom and I cooking

You know me....gotta take pictures of the food... Christmas Dinner

Cashew Cheeze Pesto with tomatoes and crackers

Awesomely colorful brussel sprouts and beets....so cool!

Yummy plate of greens, brussels sprouts, beets, dressing, potatoes, squash and mushroom gravy

Chocolate Chestnut Tart with Coconut Whip Cream

View of the city at dinner

Christmas portrait

Todd, me and Kiley

View from my bedroom on christmas night...you can kinda see the red and green spears on the Sears Tower

On Thursday my parents arrived on the train to visit me for the weekend; a very pleasant comfort for a heartfelt holiday. Their train was 4 hours late but it worked out perfectly for me to go pick them up from the station right after I got off work. We immediately drove up to a cool vegetarian diner up north of downtown to eat dinner. After a great meal in a funky atmosphere we dropped by my store to pick up some last minute groceries and to tour mom around since she hadn’t seen my workplace yet. Friday, I had to work a crazy day at the store, although it was quite enjoyable because of all the holiday excitement and change in tasks. We ran around picking up holiday dinner orders and helped all the last minute shoppers. The lines were huge and the aisles were packed; quite a site. While I worked, mom and dad enjoyed a day of shopping on the Magnificent Mile, walking around downtown and dropping by the Christkindle Markt before meeting me at Lou Malnati’s for an early Christmas Eve dinner of famous Chicago style pizza. We enjoyed our meal in the somewhat quiet restaurant before heading home for an hour and then off to candlelight church service. After church, we attempted to drive around Chicago to see some scenery but the snow and fog made it a little difficult. When we arrived back home, we changed into some comfy jammies and opened our Christmas gifts. Quite a different Christmas than what we are all used to but so thankful to be able to spend it with some family. Christmas day began with a little trip to the gym by my mom and myself before we started the dinner preparations. After working out, we made some coffee, had a little breakfast, made some family phone calls and began the cooking. The kitchen was in full function between the oven, stove, crockpot, and toaster oven. Dad helped out with a few handy man tasks around the house while we took over the kitchen. In the afternoon, my cousin Todd and his daughter Kiley came in from the suburbs to join us for dinner. We enjoyed our dinner, had a great visit, and then finished the evening with a movie and a skype date with Levi and his family. Like every other event or holiday these days, it flew by, just like that. This morning we walked to a diner for breakfast, visited with Sari and then it was back to the train for mom and dad and off to Montana. So happy they were here, and, as usual, it never gets any easier to go our separate ways. I’m so appreciative and very thankful for the effort put forth by my parents to visit, especially knowing the holiday circumstances. I know it isn’t always easy to know where I am or where I’ll be next but I’m always gonna be somewhere accessible. Thank you Mom and Dad! Love ya! Merry Christmas everyone! Wishing you many many blessings now and always.

ChristkindleMarkt Chicago

Me and friend Jamie

My Souvenir Gluehwein Mug

A couple nights ago I finally made it to the ChristkindleMarkt in downtown Chicago. It is an imitation of the WeinachtMarkt that originated in Germany and Alsace. They street markets associated with the celebration of Christmas during the four weeks of Advent where they sell crafts or handmade items such as nativity scenes, nutcrackers, toys, books, and ornaments; treats such as lebkuchen, gingerbread, and candied nuts; and you can enjoy German food such as bratwurst, sauerkraut, potato pancakes, and curry fries while drinking Gluehwein (hot mulled wine) or Eierpunsch (an egg-based warm alcoholic drink). If you look back on my blog last December you will read about me experiencing this for the first time but in the originating country of Germany. LOVE IT! Jamie and I went in the below zero weather and drank a little hot wine while walking around a little bit but spent most of time huddled in the big warming hut. Really glad that I finally made it up there before Christmas but it was also a bit heartwrenching at the same time. Seeing all the familiar treats, drinking the wine, and hearing bits of German being spoken tugged at my heart-strings as it reminded me of Germany and how I miss being there. Maybe one day I will make it to German WeinachtMarkt again. I’d say it’s a pretty good possibility ;)

Ethiopian

Tonight Sari and I went out for a Holiday dinner before she goes on vacation this week for a couple weeks. We decided to try an Ethiopian restaurant north of downtown in Uptown. It is only my second time eating it but I remember enjoying it not only because of the dishes but because of the eating experience. I got a vegetarian sampler with lentils, yellow peas, spinach, and beets/carrots. You eat it with your hands and can scoop it up into a spongy bread called Injera. It is a crepe-like flat bread. Most of it was delicious ;) A couple things had some spice in them that I couldn't quite figure out and wasn't too fond of. Still enjoyable.

Hanukkah Dinner #2

This is really my first experience being around such Jewish traditions. Growing up you just assume EVERYONE celebrates christmas. I guess I just have never been in a place so heavily populated but I love experiencing new cultures and traditions. Another check on the list of new things. Last night, I was invited to a belated Hanukkah dinner at Sari's dad's house with her family. Of course we had the traditional Potato Latkes in addition to a variety of other foods. I mixed up a big salad to contribute. We made the 45 minute drive up north through the crazy snowfall that the city was being hit by yesterday. Thankfully it wasn't as stormy in the suburbs. After dinner the candles on the menorah were lit as they sang a song in hebrew. Then the kids got to open all their gifts. It was fun to sit and watch. A great experience with a very welcoming family.

Hanukkah Dinner

The Menorah with the three candles lit

The potato sludge

Me fryin with the awesome wrench handle

Jamie throwin' em down

Cooking

The latkes....nice and greasy

Yesterday was Day Two of Hanukkah and what better to celebrate than with some Jewish friends and Potato Latkes. Last night my friend Jamie invited me over to a little dinner party with others to just hang out and make Traditional Potato Latkes. Latkes are traditionally eaten by Ashkenazi Jews and other people who are hungry during the Jewish Hanukkah festival. The oil for cooking the latkes is reminiscent of the oil from the Hanukkah story that kept the Second Temple of ancient Israel lit with a long-lasting flame that is celebrated as a miracle. (And let me just tell you, we used about 2/3 of a large bottle olive oil in making them. Jamie kept saying, “It’s all in the oil, it’s all in the oil.”) Potato latkes or pancakes are shallow-fried pancakes of grated potato, flour and egg, often flavored with grated onion or garlic and seasoning. They may be topped with a variety of condiments, ranging from the savory (such as sour cream) to the sweet (such as applesauce), or they may be served ungarnished.
When it comes to events of food culture and tradition, I get really excited cause I love it and nutrition gladly goes out the window for me. I was happy to attend, although it would have been a bit more enjoyable if I still wasn’t a little under the weather and my stomach a little sensitive. All that oil didn’t really agree with me later and I’m glad I passed on the wine because the combo would probably have been worse. My dad would have probably just told me to take a shot of blackberry brandy and it would all be good ;)
When I got there after work, Jamie and her boyfriend Eric had already shredded the batch of potatoes and mixed the ingredients. I took over frying which I haven’t done FOREVER. We were using all the tools in the kitchen including a big wrench since the pan we had didn’t have a handle. It was awesome ;) Three candles on the Menorah were lit as Jamie and Rachel sang a little prayer. Then we visited, ate latkes, had drinks (water for me) and I learned a few things about Jewish tradition, all the while, reeking of fried food ;)

An evening with the girls

The girls of the evening....Marlo, Ashley, Me and Jaclyn

Just like old times....now just a little older

Senior picture pose ;)

Jac and I

On the way out of the restuarant before the 'throw down'

Jaclyn tackling me in the snow

I then tackeled her after a quick ride the car and we made up

Taking down Ashley next

One more time in the deep stuff....snow angels

It just so happened that I wore clothes that the snow really stuck to

Sunday Jen, Tyce, and Teagan gave me a ride to Billings so that I could make my flight back to Chicago Monday morning. The great thing about flying in and out of Billings is that I get a chance to see a couple of my bestest buds from high school, Marlo and Ashley. It is great because although we may only see each other once or twice a year we always pick up where we left off and enjoy every minute of it even if it is only a short while. We spent the afternoon with all the kids and then were able to sneak away for a couple hours for a little girl time. Marlo, Ashely, Marlo's younger sister, Jaclyn and I went out to dinner and then had a little fun in the new EXTREME snowfall that Billing was getting that day. Before dinner we I had mentioned that we were going to make snow angels after dinner and no one opposed. Little did I know that when leaving the restaurant, Jaclyn give her camera to Ashley in order to capture herself tackling me to the ground. It started a fun domino of events in the snow. Marlo was luck that she had hurt her knee earlier that day falling in the snow and we were considerate enough not to cause her more injury. We were home early but it was a great time with close friends, in a familiar part of the country, visiting about new happenings and reminiscing about the old. I love and cherish forever friends.

Thanksgiving Weekend with Zach and Fam

Zach, Jen, Tate, Tycelee, and Teagan

The Puzzle

Tate, Tyce, Teagan and I

Teagan showing off evidence of her Tyce's secret tatoo parlor.....blame it on Auntie

The girls....Tyce, sister Jenny, Teagan, me, sister-in-law Jen, and Ainsley

Auntie and the kiddos....Teag, Tate, Ains, and Tyce

Me and smiley Ains

Despite the change in plans, I had a fun time with Zach and Jen and my neices and nephews. We played games, watch movies, made food, and visited. Very layed back. It was nice just to wear my sweats around and not have to really get ready for anything. I gave the kids their christmas presents early, so they had alot of fun trying them out. Tate learned the how to do Mad Libs and loved the funny stories they made while learning about adjectives and nouns. Tycelee and Teagan made cards for everyone with the card making kit. At one point while I was doing a little school work and Jen was painting, Tyce and Teagan decided to plaster themselves in the tatoos that auntie had provided. (They apparently did believe in saving some for later :) )

We also kept busy for a couple days on a very difficult puzzle that turned out to be quite addicting. It was left out and when ever we passed the table we could sit down and work on it a little bit. It was fun because we all pitched in and a couple times just Zach and I were sitting there working on it while the kids ran around the house.

On Saturday afternoon, Jenny, Brock and their daughter Ainsley drove through on their way to Boise. It was great to hangout with them for at least one night. I hadn't seen Ainsley since she was 2 months old so it was so fun to get to hold her, play with her and give her some lovins.

I love having a bunch of us in one house: playing games, running around, cooking, visiting, and just hanging out. Family time, much needed.

Thanksgiving Weekend a little different than planned

With plans of going back to Scobey to spend the weekend with my parents, sister and her family, and brother, Levi, and his family, I woke up at 3:30a.m. Thanksgiving morning to hop a plan to Billings, Montana. The plan was to have a 45 minute layover in Denver and make it to Billings by 9:30am. Upon arrival my other brother, Zach, and his family were going to drive over from Bozeman just to see me and have brunch before I drove 5 hours up to Scobey. Little did I know that this was not the way it would go. It all started when we were on the plane in time to take off at 6:00 am only to find out that there was little mechanical error that took an hour and half to get situated. By the time we finally took off, I knew that I was going to miss my connecting flight. Knowing that there was nothing I could do and holding back my emotions, I awaiting landing before I tried to figure out what I was going to do. It may not normally be as big of a deal to miss a flight like this but we are talking “flying to MONTANA” where only a couple flights go out a day, not to mention it was Thanksgiving day and all flights were pretty much full. When I landed, I found out Levi and his family weren’t going to make the trek to Scobey because all the roads were closed around them due to a big snow storm. Zach then informed me that they wouldn’t make it over to Billings either. He suggested that I maybe just see if they would reroute me to Bozeman and I could just stay with them just in case I couldn’t make it up to Scobey. What to do, what to do. Plans of seeing all my family were tossed to the way side. Still undecided, I waited in the customer service line for a half hour in order to get my new flight info. When I got up to the desk, they had already booked me a flight to Billings but it didn’t leave until 6:00pm. The girl next to me was going to Billings too but it was her final destination for the weekend; They didn’t pre-book her and there were no flights left, so they were going to send her to Bozeman. Well, my decision was made. I told them to give her my ticket and I would go to Bozeman. After all the paperwork was completed, I made my choked up phone calls to everyone to tell them the change in plans.
I arrived in Bozeman around 3:15, in time to go to my sister-in-law’s parents house for Thanksgiving dinner. Although I was very sad I wasn’t going to get home, I was very glad to still be able to spend the weekend with some family. The hardest part of it all is that I usually only make it home once a year and when I do I need to see as many people as possible. So this trip didn’t quite work out that way and I wasn’t sure when the next time would be. Despite all of that, I had a good time with Zach and his family, got to see my sister and her family on their drive through Bozeman, back to Boise, and got to spend an evening with my bestest buds from high school. It was just the beginning of the trip and the end that made it a little dramatic and unpleasant. I had the joy of getting the flu yesterday morning before getting on the plane back to Chicago. Puking on an airplane is one of the worst travel experiences you can have. I had a 3 hour layover in Denver so I was at least able to rest up on the airport floor in between flights of sitting up straight, through stomach cramps and nausea. It took quite a bit for me to make it through the day and 10 hours later, I stumbled through my front door, dropped my bags and crawled in to bed. I needed some rest since I had to work at 11 the next day. Hmmmmm…..maybe this trip just wasn’t quite meant to be ;)

A dream surrendered so easily would not be a dream worth dreaming

Yesterday, one door to an incredible dream, that has been open for the last 6 months, was closed. When the news came over a kind email and phone call, a feeling of shock and process engulfed my body. I was disappointed, yet not fully defeated. Something that took that long and got that far couldn’t possibly be over? I was a little angry, I was sad, I was confused, but yet a part of me was still calm, cool, and collected. Part of me felt a little stupid and naive for thinking it was really a possibility but another part still feels like it is possible and it isn’t over yet. I guess all of this is the part of the process I hate; explaining to people the let down. It's easier just not to tell anyone what you are pursuing so you don't have to tell them when you fail.
Ok, ok….some of you may be a little confused because this project has remained somewhat of a secret for the last 8 months, so I suppose it is time for me to reveal it. Here goes…the somewhat condensed version…. In April, I was seeking a little bit more creativity in my life. I was bored with my job, I wasn’t doing much cooking at home for fun and my travel was put on hold due to financial reasons and the fact that for the first time in 4 years I actually had a job that I had to punch in and out of and couldn’t just pick up and take off whenever I felt like it. I have a passion for travel, food and culture, and after watching the movie Julia and Julia, a (what I thought was brilliant) idea popped into my head. What if I did a blog on travel, food, and culture? I could go to all these countries in the world or the cultural communities in the States and write about all the different cultural foods and how to cook them. I told my brother of the idea and he suggested doing it but also filming it, sort of like a documentary. Hmmmmm……there was the spark. Well, it just so happens that my roommate is an editor for a large TV production company so I proposed the idea to her and asked if she wanted to be a part of it. She was all in and the ball was rolling. We wrote up a proposal in great detail and depth explaining the idea and formatted it for submission to a big TV Network. The idea is about travel, food, and culture and is written in extremely more detail and depth but I still can’t reveal that just yet ;) At the end of May, the proposal was submitted. Within a matter of two days, we received word that the submission was received and some legal documents needed to be signed in order to move forward. Also some film was requested so they could fully review the proposal, see what I looked like, and make sure I was able to talk on camera. There was a fair warning though, that other ideas of this nature had been submitted as well. With contacts being made and sample filming requested, Sari and I set out in Chinatown to do some raw footage and put something together. The next few months were the filming process but on November 3rd, we finally handed in some final footage. Then the waiting game began yet again. Without any contact received in almost 3 weeks, we were hoping that no news was good news. I guess it sort of was. We had already gotten this far and the lady on the development team was always quick to respond. So on Monday, we sent a follow up email requesting any feedback or thoughts. An interesting email came yesterday saying that our email had excellent timing and she was waiting until after a meeting “on new projects” was completed because our project was on the agenda. COOL!!!! They were talking about it in a meeting! She requested that Sari call her when she got a minute. Sort of a bit confusing….anyway….the first thing she said was “Becky is so cute!” I guess that’s a good sign ;) Then she reminded us that there were other submissions similar that they had “passed” on and after careful review they weren’t going to pursue further development on our idea at this time. BAM! There it was. Done. Weird…..such a long process and such a quick end. Still a little frazzled and confused by it all.
With all that said, I strangely don’t feel like it’s over. It just didn’t work out in what was seeming to be the easiest manner and now another route is going to have to be pursued. I’m not quite sure what that is yet but my eyes and ears are open. I can usually sort of tell when I need to let something go but for this, it’s not time yet. I’m not sure what it would look like but something is going to happen with all of this. I can’t close the book. I can’t surrender the dream. If it was surrendered so easily it would not have been worth dreaming. So for now one door was closed but thankfully it’s in a room full of doors. I just need to figure out which one will let me in.

Sneek Peek at 2011 Season of "Where in the world is Becky Bowler?"

I believe the game of “Where in the world is Becky Bowler?” is going to take another spin but to what degree? Come on people! You know me, I’m all over the place. I once told a dear friend that I think I have a problem that I don’t feel like I fit anywhere but she turned it around on me and it made perfect sense…I fit everywhere. BUT fitting everywhere doesn’t mean I’m happy everywhere. Chicago is another stone on my path and I have sort of known and most recently strongly realized it isn’t a place I want to be much longer. The somewhat dangerous part is that my trip back to Germany reconfirmed my love for the place and now my mind is wandering and plotting a possible return. My first hope is still to get mine and Sari’s project up and running but it is the waiting stage and I don’t want to put my life on hold for something that would be just short of a marvel if it occurred. SO…..a new focus has somewhat spontaneously but easily started to bloom. After returning from Germany and having a concern about how hard it was for me to leave again and to come back to a place I couldn’t even really call home, I started brainstorming. If I could make money I would move back to Heidelberg in a heart beat so how could I do that. Well, when I was there last, I sort of discounted the idea of teaching English because you needed a certificate and it takes a couple months to get. BUT I forgot that I didn’t discount it because I didn’t want to do it, I discounted it because I didn’t have that kind of time. I needed a job IMMEDIATELY! So now, I have time and I looked into it. A piddley idea that started Wednesday morning turned into “me signed up for a class that starts on Monday” by the end of the night on Wednesday. I was pretty sad and a little depressed the first day and half of my return but there was a night and day shift in my energy and attitude the moment I made the decision. And it fell into place so easily. Again, I would still LOVE for my project with Sari to work out but if not, I am on the road to a possible return to Germany early next spring. Only God knows…….Which is it gonna be and where will the next episode of “Where in the world is Becky Bowler?” take us? Stay tuned!

Back in Chicago

After a car ride, 4 flights (the last 2 delayed), 2 trains, a bus and 24 hours of door to door travel, I am back at the apartment in Chicago after a great trip in Germany. I best get some rest for a big day of work tomorrow. No time wasted, right? Guten Nacht!

Sad trip back to Chicago

After trying unsuccessfully to get a few hours of sleep, the alarm went off and it was time to again pack up my things, leave another place I once called home and to sadly say goodbye to my closest friend once again. The trip to the airport was pretty quiet, driving through the dark and rain and we made it in plenty of time. After lots of hugs and tears streaming down my face, I did my last wave to Caro and made my way to the airport gate. It is all so familiar. It’s always so exciting to visit friends and family but it goes by way to fast and then comes the inevitable sad goodbyes. The not-so-nice lady at the ticket counter seemed very annoyed with my unorganized check-in but she toned down her inappropriate attitude a little bit after she saw that I couldn’t really talk nor hold back tears again after a couple minutes into the interaction. I should have taken advantage of the opportunity and tried to cry my way into getting bumped to first class. Dang! Why didn’t I think of that earlier? Before getting to my gate, I picked up a little german chocolate and a book to encourage me to keep up on my German learning and take a little bit of the country back with me. Eat Pray Love is one of my most favorite books and they just happened to have the German version available so I figured what a better book than this since I know the story so well and can sort of figure out what is being said while reading it in German. Just might take me a little longer :) Oh well, I’ve never been a very fast reader anyway. I wonder if they have Cliff-notes ;)
Thankfully, I slept on the first plane, not only because we were sitting on the plane on the ground for an hour and a half before taking off but I was exhausted and it also helped distract me from being so sad. On my second flight now, I have the pleasure of sitting next to Paul Bunyan who just recently finished his second tray of lunch and is now again sprawled out, sleeping with a few crumbs of food in his beard (perhaps for later), his huge legs cramped up to the seat in front of him, and a sock across his eyes held on by one of those sleeping eye covers that rubberband around your head. I’m anxious to see the marks it leaves on his face when he wakes up and takes it off. Awww…cheap entertainment.
I did sleep for an hour though and now I am reminded again that I am sadly going back across the ocean to the states and boy, do I look hot :) I just know I am gonna meet the man of my dreams in day old clothes, distorted sleep hair, swollen eyes, and no makeup. At least then he has something to look forward to, right? Oh well, I am at least able to sit here with sad and happy tears and write a review of the great time I had in Germany and look over the 300+ pictures I took. Lots of hugs, laughs, food, german learning, and memories; a little scar on my hand from my favorite crazy cat; and Sara Barielles will now be a little heart wrenching to listen to but for great reason. I still have another two flights until I reach my final destination, but 4 flights and 24 hours door to door travel back to Chicago is still absolutely worth the trip. A piece of my heart still sits in Heidelberg and always will.

(****Note to Caro**** Ich vermisse dich schon und Ich liebe dich sehr mit alle mein hertz! Danke fuer alles. Ich kann meine leben ohne dich nicht ausmalen. Tschussi aber nur vorerst. Bis drei monate!)

Back to a crazy work day tomorrow but very much looking forward to a trip back home to Scobey to spend time with my whole fam! I’m sure there will be lots of pictures and stories to come. Until next time….aufwiedersehen.

Last day in HD :( but in the moment

Post for NOVEMBER 14th:
Caro on our regular river run "I whip my hair back and forth, I whip my hair back and forth" :)

Awesome view of the Heidelberg Castle and Old Bridge as we run on the trail

Sunset from the Old Bridge Crossing and entering the main area of the city from the Old bridge

One of the busy downtown streets, good thing there was a Staff person there to manage the crowd ;)

From the Castle grounds at night, over looking the city

I

Heart

HD :)

Leave tossing on the castle grounds....me, nadine and caro

Caro and I on the castle night

The crew going to the castle on last night....me, nadine, michi, and caro

SchafsKaese cooking for dinner

Saturday night, We ended up staying at Suse and Christoff’s house in Karlsruhe, so had to get up and take the train back to Heidelberg. We actually dropped off in Leimen to pick up Caro’s mom’s car for our trip to the airport the next morning. When I say we dropped off, I mean we hopped off at the closest train station and made our 30 minute “walk of shame” in our (well me anyway) last night’s clothes, through the streets, a little mud, trails and drive ways to the house. At least the weather was AMAZING! The sun was shining and the climate was t-shirt and short weather. (Tight jeans, an accessory scarf, and calf-high boots wasn’t really what I planned enjoying the walk in but the company was good and the fresh air refreshing.) We made it in time for another one of my favorite most memorable German times. We sat at the table and visited with her parents over a breakfast of fruit, bread, jam, honey, egg, and tea. One tradition I love that will never die is actually sitting around the table with family and friends for meals. This time it reminded me of the many times that we did this same thing when I first moved to Heidelberg last year. After breakfast, we made our way back into Heidelberg and threw on our running clothes to enjoy the weather. We did a little run walk by the river and through the main street. I brought my camera this time so I could capture it all. If only pictures could capture ambiance, real views, and heartfelt feelings. Time in the moment……which again would not have been the same without stopping at Caro’s Gelato place for a scoop of ice cream. By the way she knows the entire staff and all there is to know of the place, you would think she knew them forever but NO, it just opened this last year and she just may have been there a few times ;) Great stuff! After our run/walk around the city, I made another batch of Caro’s fave pumpkin bars so she would have some after I left and we showered and got ready while waiting for Nadine to stop by. We had coffee and pumpkin bars before taking a night trip up to the Heidelberg castle. I hadn’t been up there on this trip yet so it had to be done. We picked up another friend, Michi, and drove up a familiar running hill to the side of the mountain where the castle stood. The International Film Festival was going on up there so we had some fun taking crazy pics in front of the lit up signs. The view of the city from up there is beautiful and it was a great time of pictures, walking around the castle grounds, and enjoying the warm fall evening. After the photo shoot, we made SchafsKaese (sheep cheese, another familiar food of mine there) and sat and visited over dinner. After dinner Caro and I spent one last moment chilling out, looking at pictures from all that we did in the last week, and visiting before we had to say goodbye in the morning. 4:30am was coming way too soon :(