This past Tuesday after work, I went to get a haircut. While I was waiting, I made an adorable new four-legged friend named Shady:
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| Best greeter, ever! |
2. Rooftop Decks
On Wednesday night, I attended a Windy City Bloggers event at Public Chicago. Their rooftop deck affords a stunning view of the Chicago skyline:
Can you just imagine how nice it would be to curl up with a good book and a beverage against a backdrop like that?!?
Unfortunately, it was unseasonably chilly that night and I wasn't dressed warmly enough. This meant that I didn't spend as much time on the deck as I would have liked. Sigh.
Thankfully, though, the food was all inside! What's cooking, good-looking?
3. Journalists
Yesterday, I volunteered at the Ascend Midwest Conference. Ascend is a Pan-Asian organization for business professionals in North America.
Over the years, I've attended a lot of conferences and heard many speakers share their advice on professional development, leadership, etc. Admittedly I wasn't expecting this conference to stand out - but it did! I found the content very interesting and engaging.
The biggest highlight was the keynote speaker: Linda Yu, an ABC television news anchor in Chicago.
It was incredible to see Linda speak in person. She shared riveting details about the challenges of working in broadcast journalism, some of her most grueling assignments in Chicago (most notably the Great Chicago Loop Flood in 1992), and what she has learned and experienced over the years. Fascinating!
I was at home later that night when the local news came on. Based on Linda's insight, I started noticing more of the intricacies involved in live reporting, e.g. facial expressions, enunciation, tone. I will never watch television news broadcasts the same way, ever again.
4. Bellissimo
When Adam and I went on our honeymoon, we took a Mediterranean cruise. The final port of call on the itinerary was Venice. We were on deck watching when the ship sailed into Venice's harbor, with some of the most spectacular scenery I've ever seen. To further add to the atmosphere, the cruise director was playing Andrea Bocelli's rendition of Con Te Partiro:
To this day, I associate Andrea Bocelli with the magic of Venice. I am sure Adam does, as well.
Tonight - Andrea Bocelli has a concert in town, and Adam and I have tickets!
Bocelli's vocals are reputed to be even more mindblowing in person than in his recordings. Given how mystical he already sounds on tape, this seems like it would be an impossible feat. But I look forward to finding out for myself tonight!
5. Viva Las Vegas
The Rock N Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon has been on my radar screen and running bucket list for a very long time. I have always had schedule conflicts which prevented me from going... until this year.
It is now official for 2016. Vegas, here I come!
Thanks to Eric for tipping me off on good airfares this week!
I am already starting to think about what I want to wear. What woman wouldn't, right?! I usually don't get too crazy with my race attire - but if there was ever a time to let loose, this would certainly be it!
I'm also starting to look at some of the weekend's other travel details. Some folks have advised staying at a hotel near the finish line. Based on the course map, the Mirage looks like it is the closest. Adam has stayed there before and likes it, so I went ahead and booked a room there.
Beyond that, I have a lot of work to do on figuring out all the other plans for the weekend. It's been several years since I was last in Vegas, so I need to get myself back up to speed. Vegas aficionados, what tips do you have? Any other must-dos or must-don'ts? All suggestions are welcomed!
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I enjoy the dry heat, especially compared to all the humidity in Chicago! I once saw a license plate in Arizona that said "DRY HEAT" =D. Glad to hear you enjoyed your stay at the Mirage, too! It's one of the classic hotels on the Strip, yes?
ReplyDeleteSo cool that you get to interact with so many animals, including therapy dog trainers. It must keep your days really different from day to day! Much more interesting than just sitting at a computer every day, which is what I do, hehe.
Yes, Bocelli is a true Italian masterpiece!!!
Oh wow!! You have had an awesome week !! I hope you enjoy the Andrea Bocelli concert, it sounds amazing !!
ReplyDeleteThat is so cool you get to go to RnR Las Vegas! It sounds amazing!! Can't wait for that recap in the future! It's been a long time since I was in LV, and I was pregnant, so the most extinguishing thing that I did was shopping.
Thank you so much, Ana! I am looking forward to hearing about your NY travels and concert, too! Your pictures looked awesome.
DeleteShopping in Vegas is no joke! Until I went there, I had no idea how glamorous the Strip is - and how super expensive some of the stores can be! Vegas truly has something for everyone at ALL price ranges, which is awesome!
I'd like to do the Vegas 10k one year. My parents and I stayed at the Mirage when I was a kid, and I loved it. We even had a room overlooking the volcano.
ReplyDeleteThink about running the Vegas 10K this year! It would be awesome to meet up there! That is super cool you had a room at the Mirage overlooking the volcano. Talk about quintessential Vegas experiences! Glad to hear the good review of the Mirage. =D
DeleteViva Las Vegas! You need to run as Elvis, of course. https://www.etsy.com/listing/130025265/elvis-inspired-running-top
ReplyDeleteRock on (literally)! I KNEW you would come through for me with great outfit resources, Natalie! =D
DeleteCan't wait to see what you end up wearing!
DeleteLOL, now the pressure is on! ;-)
DeleteYears ago, my husband was building townhomes on North Pier and he raved about the rooftop decks he got to work on. We thought the prices of those townhomes were outrageous (and now we look back and kick ourselves for even thinking that)
ReplyDeleteI wish I could run RnR LV this year with you!
I totally hear you on those crazy real estate prices just rising and rising! The scary thing is that Chicago just keeps building more, too. Where is all the demand coming from???
DeleteI wish you could run RnR LV, too!!! But we'll definitely find another race to run together very soon. It has been way too long!
Wow on that view. I used to be part of Windy City Bloggers but not no more. Maybe I should sign up again.
ReplyDeleteI have not made airfare or hotel reservations for RnR Las Vegas. What dates will you be there? I'll look into the Mirage as well. The last time I was there I made the mistake of staying close to the start line (which I loved) but it was too far from the finish line (which sucked).
I really enjoy the WCBC events and I think my membership is worth every penny! Do let me know if you end up rejoining!
DeleteI'm flying into Vegas late on Friday, November 11 (last flight out on Southwest), and leaving the afternoon of Monday, November 14 (I think my flight is around 3:30). The Sunday early evening race timing is kind of weird, right? Let me know if you end up booking at the Mirage, too - that would be awesome! It'd be like the Disney Wine and Dine travels all over again. =D