I was beginning to think the sun was a myth or urban legend.
You know how parents always refer to the "good ol' days"? People have a tendency to talk about grass being greener on the other side. As someone constantly trying to be realistic and grounded, I've been sharpening this mental filter for years to try to sort through the BS from the real. Was last year really better than this year? So when people here told me that this was the "longest winter" for Chicago, and that "there's usually sun out by now", I've been dismissing it. Sun, in Chicago? Pah! Chicago's probably always like htis. Makes sense that I would think that way, seeing as ever since I moved to Chicago it's been the same weather--bitter, dark, cold. The kind of cold that gives everything an indigo shadow except for our pink chapped lips and noses.
That is, until last weekend. When suddenly Chicago remembered what Spring is, or maybe Spring just remembered about Chicago, because it started getting lighter in the mornings when I woke up, and squirrels squabbled on my way to the bus stop, and I finally,
finally, ditched my winter coat.
There are some things that only happen in good weather.
For me, ice cream is one of those things.
Another is exploring the parks. First stop was the classic: Millenium Park. It's touristy, which usually makes me turn my nose up in disdain. But it's also perfect for strolling, and only a block from ACM classes--I just can't help it! These days, I don't even care if the Bean is cliché. Did you know it's real name is Cloud Gate? Isn't that so much more accurate of a name, not to mention poetic? When I think of it as Cloud Gate, it's no longer the joke of the city. It's a work of art that bends the chicago skyline so we can see it in a new and interesting way. It's a gigantic mirror that makes the grandiose city skyline seem smaller and the people in it a little bigger.
Second park stop was on Sunday. I took the bus to Lakeview and wandered around. Then I walked to Lincoln Park. Brooke and I stopped in the zoo. Here's us at the entrance.
But then I remembered that I don't really like zoos, they make me sad, so we left. It was crowded with loud children in strollers anyway.
We ran into this huge stone building that looked pretty important. It said it was the national headquarters for veteran... elks. Elks!? Then we looked around and realized there were statues of elks EVERYWHERE. What the heck? We thought it was kindof funny. We took some pics.
After climbing on statue elks, stalking some golfers to find out where the golf course nearby was (just for kicks), and admiring the beautiful people who ended their hibernation like us, we headed back to the loop.
On. Foot.
We walked about 30 blocks, from Lincoln Park to River North area. That's what happens when the sun comes out. We walk.
I also have found that people are nicer in the weather. A stranger offered to watch my laptop for me at a coffee shop, my manager at the bakery gave me an extra free meal, and a contact through Extra got me free tickets to see their play.
The sun came out and the city transformed this weekend. I ate ice cream and walked and wandered.
And then yesterday night, it rained.
But it was a clear, warm rain. The rain of Spring. It cleaned out the last of the muck of winter. Mother nature getting her spring cleaning underway.
Now even the lake shore outside my window in Hyde Park looks different. It laps playfully at the shore and it sparkles like it's winking at me.
This summer I'll be staying in Chicago. This is my new home in Logan Square, and I can't wait to live in this new Chicago, sunny side up.
