Back in Chicago!

So now we are back in Chicago and it is so cold here. I came from 90 F (30 C) to a 40 F (8 C). I need to get my winter coats out of the closet. It feels good to be home again. New Orleans was a lot of fun but there is no describing it. I don't think I want to go out and eat or go to a bar for a month now. It is Lindas last day today (no!!) so we are going to go shopping and run the last errands today.

Baby Gator!

We went on a swamp tour the last day in New Orleans. Apparently alligators love marshmallows, so if you are camping in the swamp make sure you have a bunch with you to divert any possible alligator attack. The tour was a lot of fun and we actually got to hold some baby gators. I was thinking of asking Matt if I could keep one. They are adorable!. I kind of feel bad since last night we had alligator at the restaurant.. and yes it tastes like chicken.

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Tired in New Orleans

I just woke up from a nap so I am tired. My conference is coming to an end today. It has too much work during the days and way to much fun on Bourbon street. New Orleans has been a lot of fun but it seems like the party is never stopping. Linda did have one too many hurricanes one night other than that we have been bar hopping a lot and I even sang some bad (isn't it always) karaoke one night. Last night we had a night in and just ordered a movie to watch. New Orleans is really a beautiful city. The French quarter and the Garden District is really nice. We took a cemetery tour today and got to learn a lot about why this is called "the city of the dead". Tomorrow we are heading out on a swamp tour and will hopefully not be fed to the alligators.

This is a photo of Bourbon street before the craziness starts, a photo of me and my alligator, and of me and Linda at the Cemetery tour.

The Big Easy

Linda and I arrived at New Orleans yesterday. I am here for a conference and Linda came with me for company. I don't really know at all how to even start describing this city for those that have not been here. The street outside is lined with palm trees and it is hot and humid. I somehow wasn't expecting it to be so tropical, but as was pointed out to me we are on the gulf of mexico.. Our hotel is right on one of the ends of bourbon street in the French Quarters. We went out last night and I never expected it to be such a party. The streets and bars are full of people drinking, partying and what-not.. Balconies are full of people throwing beads. It is a crazy party here. We were a bit overwhelmed and actually went back to the hotel early Saturday night. It was a bit too crazy for us. We are going to head out again tonight. Wish us luck and I will post photos soon.

Friday night Boating

So we got invited to go on a boat trip on one of my Swedish students boats. She and her husband had a gorgeous boat. She had 2 other couples from Sweden visiting so she wanted to show all the Swedes a good time. It was such a fun time and I have never seen Chicago this way before. We went up the river and also out on the lake and saw the fireworks off Navy Pier. It was such a good time and I am so happy she invited us to go. I posted some fun pictures from the Friday night adverture.

Shop-oholic

I took today and Friday off this week so that I could spend more time with Linda. We went downtown and went to the navy pier and shopping. I actually went on the Ferris Wheel, after years of years of living here I, it seems like the only time we do any Chicago stuff is when people are in town. After that we went shopping. I as always shop way too much.. why does a girl really need 50 pairs of shoes? The weather is so great still for October so I think that Linda and I will actually go to the beach tomorrow. I am really having a great time and I am so happy to have a visitor.

Back from Vegas

Here are some photos from Vegas. We stayed at a really nice hotel, unfortunatly I had to work a lot. The conference were over on Friday night and we went to a hotel on the strip and had a crazy night out...I lost about 27 dollars on slots. I don't gamble so I am blaming this bad decision on too many beers.




Saturday we flew home and got back to Chicago. We had dinner at our house that night. Linda made her famous Taco Pie and Jodie also came over. We were a bit tired and worn out after Las Vegas but we did play some fierce card games. Today is Monday again and I was at work, but I am only working until Wednesday this week since I want to spend sometime with Linda. So I am almost half way through the work week. Matt got a haircut today too. He looks less like a troll now and more like himself.