This week in June

The week at work was intense as I tried to wrap up 4 weeks of projects and tried to sort my thoughts out for the upcoming project in España. On Wednesday, I spoke briefly with the finance manager in Madrid and I must say that I'm excited to be surrounded by the Castillian accent again!

After work, the week was very pleasant and relaxing. Chris and I caught the sunsets on Tuesday and Thursday evening. This is probably one of the best features of living at The Palacio, to be sitting on the balcony in the summertime, with a bottle of beer in hand, just watching the sun go down and talking about the various experiences life has brought our way.

On Wednesday evening I went to dinner with a long-time friend Carrie. We met back in Granada, España, and have each gone on to use our Spanish language skills in interesting ways. She has followed her heart and passion and worked with children of all sorts in some very admirable ways. It's always inspiring to see a friend following her passions.

A Day Off in the Life
In gratitude for some long and intense days in México two weeks ago, my boss gave me a free day off on Friday. As I planned for the day, I got a little carried away with the itinerary, but I think I followed in the spirit of Daniel Burnham, Chicago's famous architect and urban planner, who once said, "Make no little plans, they have no magic to stir men's blood ... make big plans, aim high in hope and work." Even for a day of fun, those words rang true for myself and my friend Natalie.

We awoke early to observe the sunrise over Lake Michigan at 5:15. We then marveled at the quietude of Chicago's early morning, before we rode bicycles up to Ann Sather's for some great Swedish pancakes, meatballs and waffles (not to mention her famous cinnamon rolls!) By 9:00 AM, we were on MJ (one of Chicago Sailing Club's boats) on our way out of Belmont Harbor.

We sailed for three hours through steady winds on Lake Michigan, enjoying the stillness and silence of the morning. While we were sailing, it was easy to forget the hustle and bustle that must have been occurring only a few miles away among the landed folk. Indeed, sailing was the perfect way to get away from it all for a moment and rejuvenate myself for another two weeks of working abroad!

After sailing, Natalie and I rode our bikes south from Belmont all the way to 31st Street beach. It should surprise no one familiar with Chicago that the color of the skin on these beaches changed drastically between Ohio Street Beach and 31st Street Beach. As we lay on the 31st Street Beach, it was hard to imagine that we were in the same Chicago that also is home to Ann Sather's and Belmont Harbor up on the North Side. Besides the skin-color, the language, behavior and the apparent income level were also markedly different.

It is amazing how persistent Chicago's color and economic divide has been. Nonetheless, I hope for a day when the colors are more intermixed, whether on the beaches, in the neighborhoods, or even in sports and in the working world. Perhaps in a humble way, Natalie and my afternoon on the 31st Street Beach, chipped a little piece off of the dividing line.

After the beach I came back to The Palacio, showered and took a 20 minute siesta until Chris came home from work. He and I then met Mark and Tracy out for Happy Hour at Rivers in the Loop. By the time I got back to my bed on Friday night, I fell fast asleep.

That's all I have for the week. Now I've got to put my luggage together and head to my favorite country outside the United States. I won't complain!