One good-bye means another hello...

Well, today was the final step of my move to Illinois.  Granted I have only been here now for almost 4 months.  Yesterday I went and got my license making me a resident.  Today I registered and titled my car here.  So, it is official... I live in and am a resident of the most corrupt state in the nation.  I feel so privileged.  I just hope it doesn't rub off on me.

As you can see I was quite excited to get rid of my Utah plates and no longer be classified as a Utah driver.  Oh it feels so good!!  Good-bye plates!

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These are the four pictures that will soon adorn the walls of my little apartment. I like the black and white theme as you can see, and I really think that these are good expressions of my style of life and photography.

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Apartment update

Well, I've been in Chicago now for 3 and a half months and things are starting to come along in my apartment.  It is starting to turn into a place I live now, at least looks wise.  So, I thought I would give you an update of what it looks like (well, just the living room).  I am still in the process of getting things on the walls and such.  I actually decided to print out 4 of my pictures that I took and like for the wall.  That will be the next post.  For now, here is what it looks like as of today.

Since there weren't any doors on this closet I made it the spot for my TV.  The big wall next to my TV is where the 4 pictures will go.

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My world travels

Well, I have added another stamp to my passport this past week.  Granted it was for business purposes, and it wasn't too far... but international travel is international travel.

I was in Canada, a city called Kitchener.  It is about an hour or so outside Toronto, Ontario.  It was a great trip, although really only work related.  The people were great, I learned some new pronunciations of words that make me laugh, and ate at one of the best restaurants I've ever eaten at (4 times in 5 days isn't bad).

On the way home I sat next to a girl who was flying to Chicago to see her boyfriend.  I asked about how they met and such, and she said it was online.  In fact, she said she knows a number of people who are meeting people online and dating them seriously.  I must be missing out on something then.  She recommended a few sites to me that she hears are popular in Chicago, but I don't think I will actually look into it.  Anyway, as we got onto better topics I found out that she is starting her own jewelry line that should be launching soon.  In listening to her describe it it sounds pretty cool.  It is crazy the people you meet and the things you learn on a plane.  And to think, usually I just listen to my iPod.  Maybe I should be talking more and making more connections.

Back to the note of world travel, I have a new trip that I am starting to plan.  A very good friend of mine from my college years called to tell me that her parents are doing some missionary service in Israel and told her that I need to go visit.  So, she called to tell me all about it and let me know that they really want me to go out and visit them.  Yes, I do know them quite well and was basically a son they never had.  Anyway, so I am starting to plan for this spring/summer.  Does anyone have any suggestions as to good times to go, or good things to see?

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First Thanksgiving at home in 8 years!

I wanted to share a brief part of my Thanksgiving weekend with you.  I haven't been home for Thanksgiving in 8 years.  It just never worked out, and the last 2 years I haven't been home for that or for Christmas.  So, this year is quite the joyous occasion as I get to go home for both!  As a result I wanted to share some of my mini vacation with you.  First, because of commitments to work I wasn't able to leave for home until the day before--which is usually the way it is in the working world, so no big deal.  But, what I wasn't ready for was the traffic.  Normally my drive home is about 5 hours because of traffic in Chicago.  Not this time.  I drove 7 hours because of traffic in Chicago.  So, to give you an idea, see the picture below.

In the red circle on the bottom, that is total time in hours. Notice: 1 hr and 4 min.  In the red circle at top, that is total distance to destination, and then right below total travelled distance.  Notice: 10.32 miles.  Translation, it took me just over an hour to travel 10 miles from my house... ouch!  (side note: that max speed was not my driving, that was with someone else.)

On a brighter note, this is a photo of my neice, Megan.  It took her almost the whole time I was there to lighten up to me, and finally when she did she would whimper some when I wasn't around.  We'll see if she remembers me the next time I see her.  But isn't she cute?!

All in all the holiday time with my family was fantastic (outside of the drive out there).  It was great to see my parents, my sister and her daughter (her husband was away at training for his new job), and my dog.  There is so much to be grateful for in my life, and, even though I complain at times and wonder why things aren't going the way I would like them too--I wouldn't have it any other way.  I have grown in ways I never imagined, learned things that have changed my life, and been a part of things I never thought possible.  What a wonderful life it has been thus far, and I look forward to everything coming in the near and distant future!

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This is by no means all of the pictures that I took while on my trip to Costa Rica, but these are pictures that I think will give you an accurate idea of what I did and saw while on my trip. All in all, it was amazing and I hope to go back. The sights, sounds, tastes and smells were incredible. Definitely an experience I will never forget.

Also, the pictures are in no particular order, so I hope you enjoy them as they show up.

Some of the coolest sunsets I've seen

Jungle river hiking

You gotta love the monkies!

You can't go to Costa Rica without doing some surfing!

P.S. I touched this thing... 17 feet long, and what you see is only the head. According to National Geographic, he is the largest crocodile in Central America.

This was from some exploring on the beach among the rock formations.

You want an adrenaline rush? Trying riding zip lines at 30 mph hanging upside down 200 feet from the ground... call me crazy if you want!

Drinking from the local fruits.

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Tico-land photos and stories are coming...

I just got home from Costa Rica... and what a trip. I need to get my photos up. It wont be all of them because I took 200+, but I will get my favorites up for sure. So look for those in the next few days. Due to needing to catch up with work I can't do it right now. I will get it up though, promise. I just wanted to make the note that they are coming.

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