Saturday is for Swimming, Even in January

As most of you may know, school has been very busy this quarter. Just take a look at the number of posts I have been writing here... not many lately. This also due to the fact that for one of my classes, we have been working on and just last week finally launched two hyperlocal news blogs for the Gold Coast and Old Town Chicago neighborhoods.

These blogs are part of the ChicagoNow network (operated by the Chicago Tribune Media Company). The process has been a huge challenge and a LOT of work, but I know in the end it will make me better at what I do and better prepared for the new journalism market. Media is heading in the direction of hyperlocal and community-based news and these neighborhood blogs are a real life experiment by the Tribune.

As a member of the Gold Coast Now news blog team, I set off to cover my first event on Saturday-- the Polar Plunge. Hundreds of people took a dip in Lake Michigan for charity in below freezing weather.

Check out my article and photo gallery on the Polar Plunge along with the rest of the website: Click here to view the action on Gold Coast Now.

Happy reading!!

P.S... If you have more time, browse the site... I've written other stories and posted other photo galleries on the site as well!

Mind on the Run

I feel like I have officially been inducted into the unofficial running club of Chicago.

I went for a run to clear my frustrated head on Saturday afternoon, hoping to come back with a positive mental attitude (PMA) and the mindset to tackle some more schoolwork. While running on Clark through Wrigleyville, I found what I was looking for: a fellow runner hi-fived me as we passed each other.

The grumpy, agitated feelings fell off my being as soon as our hands hit. A smile crossed my face as I began to feel the surge of positive energy seep through my pores. I ran by the shoppers and hungover brunch seekers with purpose. I had been acknowledged for my commitment to running and couldn't fail my new reputation.

OK, maybe I'm being a little dramatic about the unofficial running club thing... but I suddenly felt like I was a part of an unspoken kinship. Kind of like when fellow Jeep owners beep at each other as they pass. I get bored when I run, and thinking of this in my head helped push me to keep running (I stopped for a walking break a few blocks later).

If anything, my fellow runner's kindness made my day. That is until I got home. But we'll save that for another post.

No More Panic At the Disco

A lot can happen in a year. Last night, while getting ready to go out with my roommate Elli in Chicago, I realized that exactly one year ago to the day I was suffering my first major panic attack in a Foxwoods hotel room.

The combination of a brutal New England winter and the congestion of unhappiness from my job, living situation and relationships with certain friends caused my mind to simply break down in the form of panic and anxiety. The ensuing months were the worst I can ever remember living in my entire life.

I couldn't drive without being on edge and if I ran into traffic, forget it. I shed extra calories from taking the stairs in lieu of the elevator because I developed claustrophobia. I was afraid to sleep at night and couldn't be alone in the dark.

I managed to make it through after a lot of hard work and determination to change what I hated about my life. My sanity depended on it. Thanks to the support of family and friends, one year later I am in a completely different--and better--place.

Now, in January 2010, I just passed the five-month mark living in Chicago and am in the middle of earning a Master's in Journalism from DePaul. I have two great roommates and live in a great apartment in a great city. While I miss my family and friends and go through stages where I want to jump off a cliff thanks to school, I am completely happy. I haven't had a panic attack in months.

What a difference a year makes.

While I still have some hard days where I can feel the onset of an attack, I think of where I am compared to where I was a year ago and take a deep breath. When I open my eyes, I remember where I am and can't help but smile.

Indeed, what a difference a year makes. But I still take the stairs... I guess some things don't change.

Big Mac, Little Deed

In my last post, I wrote that because the Bulls scored 100+ points at the game on Monday, everyone in attendance went home with a coupon for a free Big Mac. The catch: redeemable with a ticket stub and it must be within 48 hours.

Still on my "I'm being good to my body" healthy resolution kick (I even went running today for the first time in months), I decided eating a Big Mac would not be a wise decision. However, I was raised to never waste food and wise enough to never turn down anything free. I thought the good thing to do would be to give the signature burger to someone less fortunate.

Tonight before class, I hit up the McD's near my school as I have never been there without witnessing panhandling or people asking for food. Usually, that makes me annoyed and sometimes sad, but today I figured I would be able to oblige a request.

Well, like most things in life, Murphy's Law kicked in and it didn't go according to plan. Upon arrival, I saw just one person asking for help outside and there was no one looking for a handout inside. When I offered the burger to the old woman standing on the street, she turned it down and wanted money instead.

I was a little disappointed with her response but decided to press on and continued to walk around the long block to find someone to help. I finally stumbled upon a woman outside the 7-Eleven mumbling for help, so I asked her if she would like something to eat and she nodded. I took the burger out and started to walk away. Instead of hearing a "thank you," she said: "Excuse me, do you need that bag?" I took out my snack wrap and handed it over.

Instead of walking away feeling great about myself and like I helped someone, I felt strange. Had I picked the right person to give it to (was there someone who needed it more or appreciated it more)? Did I even do a good thing? Maybe I expected too much out of a such a small deed. Or maybe the whole point of selfless acts is that they often happen unplanned or on the spot.

Either way, I finally decided that my actions didn't cause any harm and because I didn't let the free burger go to waste, in the end I made the best decision. And I stuck to my resolution at the same time, even though I pictured myself taking a bite out of that Big Mac many times. I can only hope that the woman found it as enjoyable as I imagined it to be.

Going Bull-istic

Tonight was a milestone evening for me. I attended my first NBA game in which there were no green and white colors on the court. Actually, now that I think about it, it was the first any game I've been to without green and white involved... those were my high school colors and the only Clark games I ever really attended were when my cousin's team came to town: the green and white clad Babson Beavers.

I felt dirty. Like a cheater. A sneak. I spent the evening with the Chicago Bulls and the Detroit Pistons. And missed my beloved Boston Celtics very, very much.

Photo: Elli, Laura and me hanging out with Joakim Noah after the game.

-There was no one to laugh at me when I yelled "It's working!!" as the noise meter started to gradually increase. Well, Elli did but it just wasn't the same as when Lissa would roll her eyes and crumble in her seat from laughter. Every time. It never got old!

-I couldn't make fun of the dancers because they never really danced, and when they did, they weren't half bad. Although my roommates and I will never forgive them for the fishnet shirts they donned in the first quarter.

-I couldn't fully enjoy the home team's 120-87 rout of the visitor because it wasn't my team draining three's and nailing jumpers out there. I can't fully cheer yet for a team that nearly beat us in the playoffs last year. They are still the enemy even though I now share their zip code.

Despite these few things, there were some very enjoyable parts of the night (other than the fabulous company I was with). I will enjoy the free Big Mac I won because the Bulls scored 100+ points, as well as the free gallon of water from some Springs company, Dunkin' Donuts bagel, free breadsticks from some pizza joint and 25% off an accessory at Verizon because I had a lucky booklet and my cards all matched the winners of the jumbotron challenges during the breaks (when you walk in, you get a little booklet so you can follow the promotional games during the break, and if you're card wins like when Big Bagel beats out the Donut and Cuppy Coffee in a foot race, you can redeem the cards for prizes at the respective stores).

I also enjoyed "The Matadors," a group of 300-400 lb. men dancing along to songs like "I'm Too Sexy" and other provocative tunes during a break in the third quarter.

I looked on the Bulls schedule and squealed to myself because they tip off in Boston on Thursday... then pouted because I realized I will miss the match up because I have class. I might just wear my Rondo jersey, even though Chicagoans are convinced Rondo is a "punk" because he "punched Brad Miller" and "elbowed Kirk Hinrich into the scorer's table" during the playoffs last year. The dirty looks will make up for the game I'm missing. Green and White forever baby!

Why God Invented Alcohol

I might be crediting the wrong person with this controversial invention, but there are reasons why alcohol exists for our oftentimes gluttonous consumption. After a weekend of mayhem which resulted in a full day of "rest" on Sunday, I was left pondering and questioning (slash regretting) why I ever decided to drink that third beer or even go out in the first place. Here are my top five reasons as to why we like to party and consume adult beverages on a weekly basis, even when we know what's coming the day after:

1. You can handle the truth... after a couple shots. For some odd reason, we are always inclined to speak the truth once under the influence of the Captain or Jack (pick your poison). Sometimes it doesn't take much, sometimes it does. There are both good truths and bad secrets revealed once one has drank enough of the kool-aid, like when you can admit to someone openly that you like them (something for some reason is very hard to do sober), or accidentally reveal slightly stalkerish tendencies to a crush. You just turn that finger right around, we've all done it! Liquid confidence is a real thing and thank God for it!

2. Strangers become drinking buddies and friends can become closer. Of course, that usually includes a drunken hug in the middle of the bar in which you profess your love for each other and how happy you are to be friends. Which is usually always true, it just takes alcohol for us to openly admit and realize feelings. This also includes the next morning, when two friends sit (usually girls) and rehash the night, comparing and competing for the worst drunken night stories and behaviors in order to make each other feel better. That's true friendship.

3. There is a reason liquor sales are recession proof... it makes us feel better when we're wound tighter than a guitar string (alright, probably a bad analogy). All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. You all remember what happened in The Shining.

4. We are addicted to love/hate relationships. Alcohol helps start off the night right by helping induce smiles and laughter and lending the courage to belt out some off-key notes or unleash some smooth dance moves. However, by the end of the night it can also help you unleash some unattractive bodily fluids like tears and, well, puke.

5. We all need a scapegoat to excuse uncharacteristic and perhaps inappropriate behavior. Alcohol never fails to let one down in this category... if you can remember the behavior you need to excuse, that is.

BONUS: We have to learn from our mistakes somehow...

And that's why on the Eighth Day, God invented hops, so man could then later make beer (they just don't tell that story in school). The jury is still out as to why he lets some bars in Chicago stay open til 5 a.m., allowing an extra three hours for bad decision making and judgements. Here's to hoping next weekend is as forgettable as this one!

S'now Big Deal

Chicago just had a snowstorm. Local news dubbed it the first big one of 2010. About six inches fell in a 24 hour period in the city, according to my trained eye. While I am no meteorologist, I consider myself a good judge of snowfall--I grew up in the Snowbelt called Worcester, or "The North Pole" as my dad fondly calls it.

(Photo: View out my front window)

This storm would be a breeze for a New Englander. I endured about four of these spells over a period of three and a half weeks while I was home and all of them were significantly messier and more cumulative than this current weather system.

Yesterday I was walking around in a fleece and a scarf while I passed people bundled up to their eyeballs. I think I'll be able to handle the "awful" Chicago winter just fine (knock on wood). I'm New England tough! Some people here are preparing themselves for this weekend, in which the cold weather will be arriving. I heard it will be about 5 degrees. I braved -12 degree weather the last week in Massachusetts. I am wondering what all the hype is about and why everyone in the world thinks Chicago has the worst winters. Perhaps they have never been through a New England winter, those are pretty tough.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not asking for a bad, cold winter just to prove Massachusetts weather sucks more. I'm just curious to see if my New Jersey-born-and-bred friend who now lives here and his theory that Chicago cold is less bitter and easier to stand than that back home is right (not sure why but I will explain when I figure it out). I guess we shall see soon enough. Let's hope I don't regret this post. I kept the word count low, just in case I have to eat my words.

Food for Thought

I love my apartment. It's spacious and centrally located, and just far enough away from DePaul's Lincoln Park campus that it's also quiet. However, the one problem me and my roommates have--and the most hated chore of all--is trekking to the grocery store. There's not an easy one to get to that's close or convenient, so it's always an extra chore to go food shopping.

When I first moved here, I discovered that the closest grocery store is Dominik's (a grocery store chain here--they don't have Shaw's or Stop& Shop or Price Chopper or Big Y), which is about a half mile away and at the foot of the Fullerton El stop. In my research, I stumbled across reviews of the store on yelp.com and have been scared to go there ever since. Well, with a giant snowstorm coming tonight and no food to be found in the fridge or my side of the pantry, I decided it was time to suck it up and pay the store a visit.

With coupons clutched in hand (mom, you taught me well!), I made my way straight to the customer service counter to sign up for a saver card (they actually have some surprisingly good deals if you are a card carrying member). I approached the desk prepared to be met with a scowl, but the woman manning the station was extremely pleasant. She had a tin filled with homemade flower pens and we soon became engaged in crafty (pun intended) conversation. She even told me she would bring me some beads she had when she found out I made jewelry.

I walked away with a smile, now faced with navigating the maze without a grocery list (sorry, mom, you did teach me better than that). Every corner I turned, someone greeted me and asked if I needed any help. In the chicken aisle, a female employee asked "what's for dinner tonight?" and proceeded to introduce me to just marked down roasting chickens at the bargain price of $3.49. She told me how she cooks hers, and convinced me into buying one.

Next step, finding the items I had coupons for from their flier. I asked where the milk was, and upon learning there was a second floor to the store, was also offered an escort upstairs to "Aisle 6" where it was located. I declined the help, but appreciated the kindness.

I shopped around the store with my New Year's resolution in the front of my mind. The pre-packaged sliced turkey is disgusting... the lowest one I could find packed 350 mg of sodium in ONE slice. The brand stamped with "healthy choice" and "natural" boasted 450 mg a slice!! That book will haunt me forever now... So, off to the Deli counter I went, where I encountered a woman who must be the most knowledgeable person about sliced turkey I have ever met.

And in the checkout line, the woman was friendly, asked how I was and when I picked the wrong carton of eggs for 99 cents, the bagging boy went upstairs and got me the right kind. After I paid and was geared to go, he asked if I needed help "getting these bags out to my car" and gently handed them over after I thanked him but was taking the El.

This was pretty much the most pleasant grocery shopping experience I have ever had, although there is not a wide variety or selection, it serves the purpose. And to think I was scared to go in because of what other people had said! I guess the moral of the story is... well, a whole collection of cliches: never judge something before you try it, things aren't always what they seem and you shouldn't always listen to what others have to say.

P.S... Mom, I saved $15 and spent $25! :)

No Substitution for a Good Resolution

Here it is, the first blog post of the new year. I apologize for the three and a half week layoff, which I spent enjoying the holiday season with my family and friends.

Now, I'm back in the saddle, back in the Windy City where there is barely any snow on the ground (a far cry from Worcester!) and it's a bit warmer than Massachusetts was in the last couple weeks... for now at least.

What kind of New Year's post would this be if I didn't share my Resolutions with you. For the most part, resolutions are useless commitments that last two weeks because we often set the bar way too high, i.e. losing all the cookie weight we gained over the last two months. Why are resolutions always about physical self improvement, like getting in shape or losing weight? Last year, I abandoned the traditional resolutions of physical improvement and resolved to aim for some real, life improvement. Last year, my friends toasted to me and hoped I'd get away from Cambridge College and land in Chicago. That was my goal, too, and here I am. It took eight months, but I did it. We often forget there are 12 months in a year and surrender our goals when nothing happens after Valentine's Day, if we even make it that far. We tire ourselves out from sprinting out of the gate instead of warming up first. At that point, we stuff our faces with juju hearts and Russell Stover chocolates because we haven't achieved the model body we wanted and for us single gals, the "no one will ever love me" depression.

This year, I have once again resolved to improve my life as a whole. While I haven't committed to losing weight by starving myself, I have decided to eat healthier in order to protect my well being and long term health. As a grad student, time and money to eat right has never been the easiest or most logical option. Even when I wasn't in grad school, I'd live off the "healthy" microwave dinners or makeshift meals for a number of reasons: 1. It's very hard to cook for one person, 2. I was too lazy to go to the grocery store or plan my meals ahead of time like my magazines always say to do, 3. After a full day of work and then the gym, cooking was the last thing on my mind, 4. It's sooo easy to open a box, press four buttons on the microwave and munch on a snack for three minutes as a gourmet meal heats up.

This was my justified thinking and way of life until this Christmas. As one of her gifts, I got my mom the "Eat This, Not That" Supermarket Survival Guide. My mom and I always try to exchange diet tips and healthy food tips that we may pick up, so I figured this would be a great tool for her while navigating the grocery store. A lover of the original "Eat This, Not That" guide, I thought this new book would be the ultimate tip-trading for my mom. I am ashamed to admit it, but I totally read the book the day it came before I wrapped it up. I was so surprised and disgusted at some of the things I found out and about foods I thought were healthy! There really are no words to explain this book, other than appalling and must-read. Food companies are great at making you believe something is healthy when it isn't. It was the best $11 I ever spent, and I think I will be ordering a copy for myself as well.

Here are a couple of examples: There is more fat than protein in chicken these days because of the way chickens are fed and cared for. And Ken's spray dressing is a "chemist's list of ingredients." Oh, and most Healthy Choice meals are the enemy because of all the added sugar. That was the big motivator for me.

Because of this book, I resolve to ween myself off convenience meals and to eat only one frozen meal a week, as sometimes you just need a cooking break. I am going to TRY to do all of my own homemade cooking, no matter how painful or annoying it might be. I know it will be healthier for my body in the long run. After being sick for all of November 2009, and the money I spent on medical bills, I realize my health is--and always should be--a #1 priority. This is one resolution I can't afford to break or give up on.

This book influenced my 2010 New Year's resolution. I hope this blog post has influenced yours as well and you will get this book in the best interest of your health, I promise you won't be disappointed. Just ask my mom, who might not be eating reduced-fat peanut butter ever again.