Chicago: From 2-star to 4-star

It is crazy to think that we have been going to Chicago every weekend for more than two years now. Well, Richard had 2 months last summer off, which was nice. And the 10 weeks in Europe---those were awesome.

When we first started going to Chicago on the weekends Richard's brother Danny and his wife Leah lived in Schaumburg.  We would arrive late Friday night, stay in their guest room, and travel into the city Saturday morning. After Danny took a job in Detroit, we found out just how close to heaven the arrangement had been.  We scrambled for the cheapest hotel we could find in the suburbs after driving all evening.  We would arrive after the 5 hour trip around midnight to our budget 2-star, which was kind of good because we were too exhausted to look at anything too closely, and drive into the city in the morning again. This method saved a lot of money, because we could get a hotel for about $40 after tax, and not pay any downtown overnight parking fees ($20-30).

However, with the demise of Dimples, we have been taking the train this term. And the weekends in Chicago are definitely less grueling when I don’t have to drive the 300 miles both ways. The train is less comfortable than being a passenger in a car, and much, much more comfortable (and productive) than being a driver in a car.  But the best thing of all, is that without a car to park, we have to stay downtown by the school out of necessity, usually at my new favorite hotel, The Hyatt.

 The 4.5 star Hyatt is worlds beyond more comfortable than a budget 2 star.  I think I have a shameful hunger for luxury down deep in my innards. But I tell myself that as long as I can still hack a 2-star with ripped carpets and iffy stains on the bedspreads when necessity dictates, I can continue reveling in the fluffy comforter and eight-pillow fabulousness that Priceline achieves. (For the same basic price as its lesser companions in downtown Chicago!)  And keep reminding myself that we couldn’t stay at a tacky 2-star in the burbs if we wanted too. .

Our friend Han was in Chicago this weekend, so after class on Saturday we all went to eat dinner.  The following is a picture of Richard by the restaurant Han chose…Dao Thai Restaurant. For those who need to have why this is so hilarious explained: Richard’s older brother John is married to Dou (pronounced Dao) who is Thai.  They live in DC and have two adorable little rascals, the only nephews in Richard’s family until Kendra had her 4^th child, little Ivan.  All with a strong...mischievous...bent. Hanging out with their cousins will definitely make our kids tough.

Anyway, as we head into our 3rd year of travel to Chicago, we are finally discovering cool restaurants close to the school!  We still desperately miss how fabulous it was to stay with family (I could make muffins for breakfast to take on the road) but I, personally, love having a hotel across the street from the school. 

Anyway, the point of this blog entry is that although the weekends are still exhausting, they are a bit less so now. It's even kind of exciting heading out on Friday to see all of our Chicago friends. Of course, having church at 1 pm on Sundays helps. Being a primary teacher helps. And not having ward council meetings that start at 7:30 am after arriving home at 1 am really, really helps.

Oh but Monday. Monday is always a struggle. This video is conveys the point quite nicely.