Memorial Day 2010 was full of adventure and so much fun! I visited my Cal Poly friend Emily in Chicago! She is just finishing up a year of service as an Amate House volunteer. She works full-time at a Catholic school where she shares her vast knowledge of science with the students. On Friday I was able to visit her school, volunteer in a kindergarten classroom, and watch her in action as she worked with the students. We spent Saturday with her Amate volunteer friends on the shore of Lake Michigan, at a barbecue, at a happy hour, and strolling along the waterfront. We began Sunday with Mass at a predominantly African American church. It was fantastic! I very much enjoyed the gospel-style music and enthusiastic "peace be with you" at the beginning of Mass. After that, we pounded the pavement in Downtown Chicago and soaked in the sights. Navy Pier, Magnificent Mile, and a Chicago-style hot dog were only a few of the day's highlights. A thunderstorm set in on Sunday night, which we wandered around in on Monday while visiting Millennium Park, Grant Park, beautiful fountains, and enjoying deep-dish Chicago pizza. I bid farewell on Tuesday morning, boarded the El to Ohare, and flew back to CA with wonderful memories of Chicago and valuable time spent catching up with Emily. Enjoy the pics from this once-in-a-lifetime weekend :-)!
