Leaving Chicago

We've been gone from Chicago a week and a half now, but I wanted to make one last Chicago post before I close this blog and start my new private blog for the new chapter in our lives.

Packing and moving just 2 days after graduation was a little crazy and stressful, but since we had family in town for graduation we put them to work and they helped me finish packing and loaded up the moving truck in no time at all!! It was so wonderful!! (And as a side note, moving across states, nevertheless across the country with a car and a moving truck and a toddler is not fun at all. But luckily and SO gratefully, Josh's parents both drove with us (Jack in the truck with Josh and Cathy in the car with me) and made it so, so much more bearable. We owe them big time!

As we walked through our apartment one last time, out of our building for the last time, and away from Chicago for the last time, I couldn't help but be a little sad (no tears though). I guess I'm a little sentimental, but we had had such a great time and I felt our Chicago experience was pretty complete, thus I was satisfied. We had done/seen/experienced pretty much everything we had wanted to. We tried to take advantage of the things around us and I'm glad we did.

I wish I had written down all the funny/scary/interesting/sad/noteworthy stories of Hyde Park/Chicago. I know all my Chicago friends probably have lists of their own! But, I have made a list of some things we will and won't miss:

Things We Will Miss:

*Our friends. They helped make our Chicago experience what it is.
*Having so many friends in our same situation (poor, students, away from family)
*Lake Michigan and the bike/jogging path along the lakefront
*Driving down Lake Shore Drive. it was relaxing (if there was not traffic)
*The green trees and grass everywhere and flowers
*4 distinct seasons
*Downtown
*Christmas celebrations downtown
*Major sports teams
*The view of the skyline
*Taking public transportation
*Having so many conveniences within walking distance
*Being able to walk to church
*So many yummy, unique restaurants
*Chicago style pizza
*All the museums
*All the many parks
*Beautiful architecture
*The great diversity
*Hyde Park Produce
*Being able to do all my laundry at one time
*Knitting group (that one's for you LuAnn) :)
*Ultimate frisbee on Saturdays (well, at least Josh will)
*Hanging out with moms and kids at the Picadilly 2nd floor or Tot Lot on an almost daily basis
*Our date night babysitting swap (we'll have to find new people to swap with)
*Living the student life. (Student status can be rewarding, like discounts at the movies!)

Things We Won't Miss:

*The freezing cold winters
*The uncomfortable humidity
*Living in an apartment
*Unfriendly/cranky customer service
*Paying for parking
*Metered parking
*Bad traffic
*Some of the highest gas prices in the country
*The highest sales tax in the country
*High crime rates
*All the noise and congestion

I guess it's a good thing that my "miss" list is longer than my "won't miss" list.

Good-Bye Chicago, thanks for being so great to us!
We have indeed Enjoyed Our Journey.

We Will Miss You!!!