Crossroads...

Busy, busy, busy!!! Lots going on lately so I will try to update everyone.

In the beginning of June, Dear Friends from Cali Amber and Mary stopped by Boston on their way down to Maryland. 'Twas a pleasant visit- my apartment was transformed into a bouncy castle with two air mattresses just about covering every square inch of the floor :) We did the anti-tourist thing, going to the Senator's office and Orchard House instead of a duck boat tour. We also worked on our valuable watching skills, going through almost the full 3rd season of "The Office" as well as an episode of "Friday Night Lights" (which I am now hooked on!!) Sam Adams was drunk, hilarity ensued.

On the Sad Tuesday I bid my dear friends farewell, I caught a jetplane down to Chicago for a few days of sightseeing and visiting with Jess before the NYLI conference. I had such a great time!! Jess looks great. She has a gorgeous apartment right around the corner from North Park, so she can walk to work. Shortly after I arrived at O'Hare, so did she- flying in from a visit home. *Of course* (this being Jessie and all) her bags got misplaced but fortunately they made it through the flight intact. And I got to meet the famous Bobbie- though we've been friends for many moons, it was still good to have an in-the-flesh meeting.

By the time we got it all together, it was 12:30 and we were starving- but did we get crappy airport food? No! Because Chicago is one of those rare places that identifies the hot dog as a staple food and will provide it's citizens with the product at all hours. At least, they will at the Wiener's Circle, which is where we went. Their hotdogs are made with the usual 100% beef, relish, ketchup, onions... but what makes their dogs different is their special secret ingredient: hate. Yes, these dogs will burn your stomach as much as the derogatory slurs hurled at you alongside of your order. Mmm! Just like mom used to make. ;)

The next day, Jess had to work ('The Man' needed her to set out grapes for the summer school students) so she dropped me off at the brown line and I headed into the vortex that is the Chicago loop. Never have I gotten so turned around in a city as I did in Chicago. I would blame it on my poor directional skills, but it has affected the birds to- they appear to have no control over their flight paths. One even flew into my head at Millennium park. I'm sorry, that is just not normal bird behavior!! And My Head Is Not Big.

Anyways, I got of at Quincy and just started wandering, going in the opposite direction of where I wanted to go. As serendipity would have it, I stumbled upon Lou Mitchell's, which I knew was a good place when they offered me a donut hole at the door. It turned out friendly and the food was good- but it was ridiculously expensive! A fruit cup, side of toast and 1 cup of coffee cost $10. And they only took cash. Too bad.

Later sites were the waterfront, the 'bean', Intelligencia cafe (YUM!), Garrett's popcorn and Sandmeyer's Bookstore. Later, met Jess and... friend for Dinner and fireworks at Navy Pier. Logged 32,000 steps.

The next day, after handling an oversleeping issue, I took the train to Paulina (a neighborhood north of downtown... NOT pronounced like the girls name!!) and had breakfast at Wishbone, which was SO good! I want to go back! And then I walked around a bit in a daze (the weather was weird! Dry, hot and SUPER windy- like a desert) and went next to Belmont stop, where there was a really cool little shopping district. Enjoyed myself thoroughly.

Later I met Jess and... friend and drove up to Schaumburg for the conference. We wanted to get something to eat, so we were driving around a mall near by the Mariott. Driving, looking, driving... P.F. Changs? California Pizza Kitchen? Let's go with the Cheesecake Factory, it's a safe bet. As soon as we walk in, who should be waiting for a table but the entire NYLI gang!!! It was cosmic, I tell ya!

After dinner I said a sad goodbye to Jess :~( And checked into my room at the Mariott (after finding out that Shelly was my roomie!!) I took all my clothes, Ironed them and put them in the closet. I realized that I didn't bring any PJ bottoms, but I thought, Oh, Shelly doesn't care! Hahah! So I take off my pants and am climbing into bed... and who should walk through the door at that moment by Shelly and Josh! I jumped into bed very quickly, but it was still funny. We hung out in Cecilio's room for a while.

The next day, we had breakfast, then a meeting with NYLI, then Lunch, then a BIG meeting with the NHF Board of Directors and all the chapter heads about what the minimum chapter standards should be. I thought it was really cool that we were allowed to be a part of this decision-making process.

That night, while the other shmucks were having a reception at the hotel, NYLI went to Medieval Times... as stupid as it sounds, I was expecting something a little more historically accurate lol. Alex N. said it looked like a Lego castle- it did! But it was Great. I ate half a chicken with my hands, and watched this huge jousting-fight thing. I screamed my head off. Awesome.

The next day was mostly a jazzy NYLI meeting, with the addition of a visit to the BOD meeting in which they were talking about our proposal to have a youth on the board. We OWNED that room. They ended up agreeing to have an appointed, non-voting member put on right away. I'n not going to lie, I really want that position. Reeeely. Heh.

Later on, Mary Beth and I decided to have a little 'girl's excursion' and stroll up to the Mall (currently the largest in the country, since they added the Nordstrom's) We shopped a bit and ended up eating at the Rainforest Cafe, with was a lot of fun. Then, thanks to Josh, we caught the last shuttle heading back to the Hotel and stopped by the final night gala- an awesome beach party put on by Baxter.

I thought the night was over after Shelly and I turned off "Richie Rich" at 12:30 and went to sleep... A silly thought, I know ;) At about 1, I'm awoken out of a dead sleep by someone saying my name... I look up, and I can faintly make out Josh's silhouette and hear him say, "Do you want to go shopping?" I can't remember what I said, but somehow the conversation turned to how Josh calls inanimate objects "Charlie", particularly a woodstove and a car. So I know what you're thinking... both great topics for innuendo. Which is why we spent the next hour saying things like,

"So, Josh, do you stick your wood in Charlie?"

or

"Josh, does Charlie get hot for you?"

Of course, about the woodstove. And of the car, we said,

"Does Charlie have junk in her trunk?"

and

"Is Charlie manual or automatic?"

I just thought of a new one!

"Do you like to stick your hot poker in Charlie?"

Wow. The possibilities truly are endless.

ANYways, the next day was sad and I got back to Boston grumpy (My answering machine wouldn't play my messages and I had letters from the insurance company and my curtain rod was busted by the landlord showing the house and my garbage stank) but I heard from my mom that my uncle has a friend going to Switzerland who needs an au pair for July and August! The deal is, her mother lives in Switzerland and is dying, and her husband can't take the time off of work to go to Switzerland, so their looking for someone to go be an extra set of hands for them. I told them I'd think about it and let them know in a week.

Then, today, the landlord showed my apartment, (giving me a half-hour notice, of course) but the girl he showed it to wanted to move in July 1 and buy all my furniture, which would be great if I wanted to take this job. But I'm leaning towards not taking it. Here's why:

Pros for taking the job:

1. Get to go to Switzerland and learn French
2. Get good experience with children
3. Help a family in a time of crisis
4. Get paid (not sure how much)
5. Experience I may never have again

Cons for taking the job:

1. Wouldn't be a vacation
2. Would have to be emotionally strong for family
3. Have never met family.
4. Would have to tell the Paulist Center I couldn't work there
5. Would miss NEHA family camp
6. Would have to move out of my apt. in 2 weeks and find somewhere to stash my stuff
7. Would have to put off applying for jobs
8. May not make it to the Cape this year

The cons just seem too big. But ultimately I want to be where God wants me to be, and if He wants me to be in Switzerland with this family, then I'll just have to make due. But I've decided I'll make my decision by next Sunday so I can let everyone know. So I told God that if he wants me to lean one way or the other, to give me a sign within the next week (yeah, right!!)

In the meantime... NoCal camp starts on Friday... tear! I'm sad to miss it! But I will write Leslie LOTS of letters so it will be like I'm there in spirit.

Anyways, hope everyone's having a great summer. Drop me a line! And I'd like y'all's input on the Switzerland thing.

TTYL,

Rachel