2011 was another eventful year for us...though not quite as busy at 2010. We rang in the New Year with friends we hadn’t seen in awhile...and hoped for a Rose Bowl win for the Badgers. Maybe we’ll have better luck in this year’s Rose Bowl! Continuing the trend of seeing old friends, I traveled to Colorado to spend the weekend with my mom and our former exchange students, Ale and Laura. I had seen Laura in July 2010 when we traveled to Costa Rica but I hadn’t seen Ale since the summer of 2004. It was crazy how we were able to pick up right where we had left off almost 7 years before. My relationship with those two girls is just so special!
In early April, John successfully completed his thesis defense. We celebrated with champagne in his advisor’s office. He graduated with his PhD on May 15, 2011. I was (and am) such a proud wife! We had a great (though chilly) day with both of our families. John’s family drove down very early on Sunday morning so Natalie could attend her junior prom on Saturday night. Early last spring, John accepted a job as a research assistant professor at the University of Illinois-Chicago (UIC). The Friday before graduation, we signed the lease on our new home in Chicago. Finding an apartment was a stressful experience but we ended up with a great place! After much drama (lots of interviews, starting a job and quitting it two weeks later), I found a job that I absolutely love. I am the academic success coach at Chamberlain College of Nursing.
At the end of May, we headed down to Disney World with the Lenz Family. The weather was nice and hot...and it only rained once! Once again, Le Cellier Steakhouse in Canada (Epcot) was our favorite meal. We’re already looking forward to next time.
We moved to Chicago on June 22nd. Thanks to my parents who helped us pack up the old apartment and to John’s parents who helped us unpack the new apartment. The moving in part was the easiest ever! We’ve explored a little since moving in...went to Taste of Chicago twice, saw the Broadway productions of Beauty and the Beast and Peter Pan, experienced Taste of Greece in Greektown, went to Jazzin’ at the Shedd, ate at Girl and the Goat after a two month wait, and checked out the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival Parade. I’ve also done yoga at Millennium Park and thoroughly enjoyed having the Lakeshore Path for my running route.
This year I ran my first and second half marathons, the Illinois Marathon Half Marathon in Urbana and the Monster Dash in Chicago. Next up: the Crazylegs Classic 8K in Madison in April and the Hot Chocolate 5K/15K in Chicago in November. My mom and I also completed the Challenge Walk MS in Door County in September. Thanks again to all who donated!
We’ve had quite a few visitors since moving to the big city as well. We love visitors! John’s sister Annie and a friend came in September to go to the Wisconsin vs. NIU game at Soldier Field. It was so good to be at a Badger game again! We also thoroughly enjoyed watching the Brewers in the playoffs this year. We were able to go to a game at Miller Park with John’s dad and Natalie and another one at Wrigley Field during the last week of the season.
We hope this letter finds you all well and that 2012 will bring much happiness to you and your families. Our 2012 plans: skiing in Idaho in January, Tampa in March, celebrating the marriage of Annie and Ben in October, and hopefully lots of great other memories too. Go Badgers!
In early April, John successfully completed his thesis defense. We celebrated with champagne in his advisor’s office. He graduated with his PhD on May 15, 2011. I was (and am) such a proud wife! We had a great (though chilly) day with both of our families. John’s family drove down very early on Sunday morning so Natalie could attend her junior prom on Saturday night. Early last spring, John accepted a job as a research assistant professor at the University of Illinois-Chicago (UIC). The Friday before graduation, we signed the lease on our new home in Chicago. Finding an apartment was a stressful experience but we ended up with a great place! After much drama (lots of interviews, starting a job and quitting it two weeks later), I found a job that I absolutely love. I am the academic success coach at Chamberlain College of Nursing.
At the end of May, we headed down to Disney World with the Lenz Family. The weather was nice and hot...and it only rained once! Once again, Le Cellier Steakhouse in Canada (Epcot) was our favorite meal. We’re already looking forward to next time.
We moved to Chicago on June 22nd. Thanks to my parents who helped us pack up the old apartment and to John’s parents who helped us unpack the new apartment. The moving in part was the easiest ever! We’ve explored a little since moving in...went to Taste of Chicago twice, saw the Broadway productions of Beauty and the Beast and Peter Pan, experienced Taste of Greece in Greektown, went to Jazzin’ at the Shedd, ate at Girl and the Goat after a two month wait, and checked out the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival Parade. I’ve also done yoga at Millennium Park and thoroughly enjoyed having the Lakeshore Path for my running route.
This year I ran my first and second half marathons, the Illinois Marathon Half Marathon in Urbana and the Monster Dash in Chicago. Next up: the Crazylegs Classic 8K in Madison in April and the Hot Chocolate 5K/15K in Chicago in November. My mom and I also completed the Challenge Walk MS in Door County in September. Thanks again to all who donated!
We’ve had quite a few visitors since moving to the big city as well. We love visitors! John’s sister Annie and a friend came in September to go to the Wisconsin vs. NIU game at Soldier Field. It was so good to be at a Badger game again! We also thoroughly enjoyed watching the Brewers in the playoffs this year. We were able to go to a game at Miller Park with John’s dad and Natalie and another one at Wrigley Field during the last week of the season.
We hope this letter finds you all well and that 2012 will bring much happiness to you and your families. Our 2012 plans: skiing in Idaho in January, Tampa in March, celebrating the marriage of Annie and Ben in October, and hopefully lots of great other memories too. Go Badgers!
Sounds like you had a wonderful year! Happy Holidays!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jen! :)
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