First Two Days in Chicago

Today is Friday, August 26, 4:30 pm Chicago time. Rebecca and I are sitting on my back porch, watching and listening to kids play on the playset in my courtyard (named "Creation" because of a mural that is painted on the fence hiding the trash cans). Oh, and watching someone dumpster dive. My first two days here have been good. I've had some stressful moments, but overall, it has been wonderful. We got here at about 2:30 on Wednesday. I stopped by my apartment first. My two roommates were here and we met them and brought my bike inside. Went over to the main building and got my keys and signed my lease. Paul, the groundsperson, gave us a quick tour. I learned where the mailroom is, where laundry room is (the machines do not take quarters...they are run with cards that you put money on....) and where the underground bike storage is. Then we moved my stuff in.

Wednesday night we had dinner with a couple that Rebecca knows here in Chicago at Leona's - it was about three blocks away and had a large assortment of foods. If you come visit me, that just might be where I take you to eat! (no...that doesn't mean I will pay for your food...sorry...seminary student on a tight budget here!) Anyway. I have leftovers. I love leftovers.

Thursday we started the day by getting my ID made. Met one of my fellow first-year classmates. He and his partner have been here for a few weeks and live a few buildings down. We then spent the rest of the day walking...walking...walking. We found Subway, CVS, Walgreens. Also found some local grocery stores. Where I had my first stressful moment. We went to a store called Treasure Island. All the produce was very reasonably priced (not that I eat much produce, but anyway..) And then we found the cheese. Kraft American singles. That I can get at Kroger for about $3.00. Yeah....$5.29!! Heart attack!! And THEN...I found frozen Michelina's meals...that are quite often on sale for less than $1.00. $3.85!!! I about passed out right there in the store. Yeah...budget just got tighter.

But on Thursday we also took a very long walk down to the lake, passing the Museum of Science and Industry. I knew there was a beach at the lake. I just wasn't expecting it to show up when it did. So, had I remembered to bring a beach towel or a swimsuit, I could totally go lay out on the beach. At least for a few weeks until it gets cold. But I didn't bring either of those things. So we kept walking and you can basically follow the shore. So..needless to say, I saw some really beautiful views. Found lots of places where I can bring a blanket and do homework on the lake. At least until it gets cold. ;)

Thursday evening I cooked Velveeta Shells and Cheese for dinner. My first ever attempt at cooking with a gas stove. I am pleased to say that the building did not catch on fire nor explode. After dinner, we walked some more and found the used book store.

Thursday night I had another money panic attack (surprise!) After seeing food prices and learning that parking is NOT $60/semester as I had been told last year, but rather $$225/year (plus $35 deposit). But we talked and I was better by bedtime.

Friday morning I went and bought a parking pass for the McCormick garage. I do not parallel park. I have horrendous depth perception when trying and it is better for all involved if I just avoid it. Plus I don't want my car to be buried in snow when the snowplows come through.

We then got in Rebecca's Explorer and explored while driving. We found the closest Target, about 4 miles away. To my great, great, great relief....Kraft cheese was on sale for $2.99 (for a large package and a deal with a free loaf of bread). Michelina's frozen meals were the normal Louisville price of $1.02. Rebecca said I looked much less like I'd seen a ghost after I saw the normal prices. So we bought some groceries and now I have (non-Ramen Noodle) food to eat.

This afternoon we hung up my pictures. And my St. John 'check' - that I am more grateful for than you can probably know. Tonight Rebecca is going to cook some steaks for dinner and apparently there's a potluck type gathering in my courtyard. So maybe I'll meet more of my neighbors. I know that another INKY Synod Candidate that I met at the retreat earlier in August lives here, as does the couple Rebecca and I met when we visited a year and a half ago. So I know I'm surrounded by good people!

Which reminds me. I don't think I ever blogged about the Candidacy Retreat that was held the first weekend in August at Waycross Conference Center in Morgantown, IN (just past Lutheran Hills Camp). It was two days of worshipping with, talking with, and hearing from other candidates, the Candidacy Committee, Bishop Gafkjen and Synod Staff. I met two other beginning LSTC students, a few who are upperclassmen and a few people who I met at Trinity Seminary when I visited there last year. It was a good weekend :)

So..that's my first two days in a nutshell. I think I am going to like Chicago, especially walking and sitting along the lake. At least until it gets cold. I don't like cold. I like snow even less. But I like the environment. I like the people I've met. I like that I don't have to parallel park to get a spot on campus.

Checck back soon for more updates. The "Transition to LSTC Retreat" starts this Sunday afternoon.