Day 162: Up North

 I went up to Lincolnwood today for a wine fest.  There were several wineries and distributors set up with over 100 wines to taste.  I think I tasted around 30, that was enough.  They also had some wonderful cheeses, bread, and meat skewers.  


One of my favorite booths had a guy selling Spanish wines.  We started talking about traveling and he talked so highly of Spain.  The wine, the jamon, and the scenery.  It sounds like a wonderful place to go.  He also talked about how this Muga wine used egg whites as part of the wine-making process.  I had never heard of this before.  I think I will have to check it out.  All in all, I tasted some great wines, hand some conversations with people, and discovered some new wineries I want to visit.


I was so close to Evanston that I decided to stop by.  I was going to walk on the beach, but apparently it isn't free.  It is in the winter, I don't see the difference...  Here you can see a man laying out in the grass while reading a book.  A lot of people were relaxed on this warm Sunday.

Day 71: Sping Forward

Today has been the most beautiful day of 2012 so far.  With the temperature in the mid 60s and the sun shining, it was a great day to get out.  I ventured up to Evanston and made my way down to Chicago.  I walked on the beach and watched the dogs play.  I think this could be used as therapy.  It is so lifting to see dogs so free and having fun playing with their friends.  I do not know how anyone can stay stressed for long with such happiness around.  
 
It seemed like everyone was out today.  Along the lake you could see many families and people running.  I walked a mile or two along the path and just took in the warm air and sights.  I feel so much more alive in the spring when the weather improves.  I needed to be outside.

I took a few minutes to find a rock and plant myself.  I want to make sure I take more time to sit, take in, and reflect like this more often.  For some reason, reflection comes a lot easier around a lively, beautiful place.  I reflect about work about 20 times a day, but I need to take more time to reflect about other ideas.  Part of me feels almost guilty about not making teaching my life because so many great teachers I know do this, but I truly feel that if I am happier, then my teaching will be better.  Life really is all about balance, especially for me.  

As I was walking back to my car, I saw benches with dedications.  I've seen this before, but I found the plaques to be more personal than what I'd seen before.  One was about a woman and it said she loved walking and talking with you.  It made me wish I could have walked and talked with her.  Another was about a man that was a windsurfer and a harley man on his last ride.  How wonderful to think about death as another adventure.  I'm not there yet, but I hope as I age and my time comes, I will be up for the challenge.

It also made me wonder what someone would put on my plaque.  Last night I couldn't help but realize that I am getting older.  Now, I'm not saying old, just older.  In my mind I still perceive myself as young.  There is still so much I have not figured out and still so much that I need to do.  Right now I feel like I'm in the more selfish part of my life, but I know that this will change eventually.  I hope that it does before I'm old, wrinkly, and nobody wants me anymore.  As I look in the mirror I see an aging face with dark circles.  I hope I can always hold onto my youth.

Day 28: Enjoying the Unexpected

I woke up this morning and decided that I would take a drive up to Evanston.  I've been thinking that if I cannot get a job in Indy, then maybe I can try in Evanston.  There is so much to do in the area and it is beautiful up there.  As I almost reach my destination, I get a call.  One of my favorite people in the world is in the area: Aunt Linda!  She asked if I wanted to meet up, and of course the answer was yes.  
 
We met in Des Plaines and had lunch at this nice little Italian cafe.  We each ordered a glass of wine and talked while we enjoyed our meal.  I think she is my wine soul mate because she is one of the few people that enjoys wine at anytime.  I love talking to her because she sparks my interest in so many topics.  I think she really tries to experience life in many different facets.  For awhile I felt like I was on one of our fabulous trips.  It was a nice getaway.

After we had lunch I decided to return to my original mission and visit Evanston.  I drove to the arts center and thought it was beautiful.  The remaining pictures are from that area.  I kept thinking about what it would be like to be able to walk to the beach in the summer.  I have been talking lately about how I'd like to live by a beach someday.  Lake Michigan isn't exactly the same as what I intended, but it would be a start.  I hope to go back up to the area when I can dedicate a day to exploring.

Although Indy is my number one choice right now, I think I mostly just want a change, and one that impacts a few aspects of my life.  Most people don't like change very much, but I think the possibilities is what makes it so exciting.  It could end up being a disaster, but I have to try to find out.  Somehow I doubt a disaster will occur.