Snapshots of Chicago

Just a few snapshots of Chicago... (using the Polaroid Effects Action from The CoffeeShop Blog)

Chicago

It's hard to believe, but at this point last week, my parents and I were at Wrigley Field watching the Cubs beat the Phillies (and trying to stay cool — what a heat wave!). Our time in Chicago was wonderful but sadly way too short. Each day was jam-packed with activities as we visited the Field Museum, Millennium Park, Willis Tower, the Art Institute, Navy Pier, Shedd Aquarium, and many more.

What I want to remember from this trip:

• Walking and taking public transportation rather than relying on a car to go anywhere. This is one of the things I miss most about Boston.
• Exploring Millennium Park — from posing at The Bean to dipping our toes in the stream at the Lurie Garden, it was a wonderful public space within the city.
• Participating in a photo safari in Millennium Park — I learned so much about my camera. (Photos to come later.)
• Moving to the front of the line with the CityPass. (This came in handy at the aquarium and the Willis Tower.)
• Eating deep dish pizza at Gino's East. It tasted so good after a long, hot day.
• Begging one of the cashiers at the zoo for a rubber band so I could put my hair up. It was such a relief to have my hair off my neck. (This sounds silly, but it made a world of difference that day.)
• Finally finding the piece of the Alamo on the Chicago Tribune building.
• Working on my travel journal/scrapbook while I was on the trip.
• Sharing French toast with my mom for breakfast one morning.
• Indulging in Jelly Bellies just because it was vacation.
• Riding the huge Ferris Wheel at Navy Pier.
• Just putting my toes over the edge at the Willis Tower.

I'll post photos later. For now, you can check out some of the photos on my Flickr photostream on the right.

Pretty blue tables

I've been looking for a cute pair of bedside tables almost since I moved to Austin. This past weekend I found a nice set while shopping with my mom and Esther at Canton. I think they look really nice with my comforter.

Happy birthday, America!

Moments to remember from this past weekend:

* Picking up Chuy's chips and creamy jalapeno sauce on my way home (and eating a few too many chips along the way)

* Keeping Sammy occupied on the way home

* Spending the night in Paul and Esther's new spare bedroom

* Exploring Canton with Mom and Esther on a HOT Saturday morning

* Drinking a cherry limeade and eating a foot-long corn dog for lunch (with kettle corn for dessert)

* Finding new bedside tables and a neat frame to put over my bed while shopping at Canton

* Trying to keep Parker away from Sammy's canned food

* Enjoying pasta and dessert at the covered dish lunch at church

* Finishing two jigsaw puzzles at the farm

* Eating hamburgers and homemade ice cream with the family

* Watching the Boston Fourth of July fireworks on TV

* Practicing some new techniques with my camera

Sammy's ride

Colored glass

Pretty flowers

The sign says it all

Esther's super cool Polaroid camera

Mom's 4th of July tablescape

Reflection

Photography Lessons

Last Saturday I took a photography class from Chimpsy in East Austin. I had bought a Groupon for the class way back in January and was finally able to take the class this past weekend. The class was two hours long with one hour of instruction and one hour of picture-taking around the area. Even though I had learned about a few of the techniques in a previous class, once we made it to shutter speed, F-stops, and depths of field, I was a little out of my league. Luckily, we were able to practice at the end of the class (in the 100-degree heat!), and they e-mailed us a manual after the class was over. I will hopefully be able to practice some of these techniques before our trip to Chicago in July.

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the class: