Greetings from Chi-Town!

Greetings, Readers!

Well, at 7:00 AM this morning I boarded a plane in Atlanta, GA. I have been in Atlanta this week for RUF Staff Training. I expected to have a short layover in Chicago, and then be in Oklahoma City by lunch time. Hardly! I am writing to you from the Barnes and Noble of DePaul University in downtown Chicago. I will hopefully be on my way back to the Sooner State tonight (in time for RUF Large Group) but while I am stuck here, I am making the most of it! Here are some things that have happened so far:

- Got asked for directions 2 seconds after getting off the L Train in downtown. I am not sure what made me look like an all-knowing native. I think it was the large embroidered Vera Bradley duffle bag that I am lugging around.

- Heard a jogger talk about the lack of highly enriched uranium. I would have liked to hear the rest of that conversation!

- Saw a man yell obscenities in the middle of a busy street, and then raise his cane and shake it at the offender.

- And, finally...I am off to complete the one thing I have always wanted to come to Chicago for: the Original American Girl Store. Laugh if you want, but it is my childhood dream and I will accomplish it!!!!

Adios from the Windy City!

Goosebumps!!!

Does anyone remember the Goosebumps book series from the 90's? That is not what this blogpost is about. It is about the physical reaction one (one being me) gets when one (again, me) watches another 1990's icon: The West Wing. You can read about this experience from another perspective here: Sally's take on four months of our life.

The president knocking on his desk and asking "What's next?" Charlie, the personal aid to the President, fearlessly pursuing the woman he loves. Josh Lyman, deputy Chief of Staff, standing up for what he believes in. Senior staff advocating for tax deductible college tuition for wages under $150,00, because everyone should have a chance to go to the school they want. Toby Zeigler, White House Communications Director, trying to solve Social Security in one night. The President invoking the 25th Amendment while his daughter is missing. Sesame Street's Big Bird making an appearance next to the tall CJ Craig...for these reasons and oh-so-many more, is why I get goosebumps when I watch the West Wing. The dry humor gets me every time.

I want to post some of my favorite dialogue, but as I read through it I giggle at everything. It is too hard to choose something that resembles the show perfectly. I think you should watch it. If you can't watch it all, watch my favorite 5 episodes:

5. "Shutdown": Season 5. The President refuses to be manipulated by the Republican Congress. Sally says I was "one big goosebump" during this episode.

4. "Game On": Season 4. The President debates his opponent during his reelection campaign. Brilliant.

3. "Institutional Memory": Season 7. Second to last episode. I bawled. Best friends make plans for their new lives.

2. "Twenty Five": Season 4. The President's youngest daughter is kidnapped.

1. "Noel": Season 2. Josh Lyman is suffering from PTSD. My favorite dialogue of the entire show is delivered :

"This guy's walking down the street when he falls in a hole. The walls are so steep he can't get out.A doctor passes by and the guy shouts up, 'Hey you. Can you help me out?' The doctor writes a prescription, throws it down in the hole and moves on. Then a priest comes along and the guy shouts up, 'Father, I'm down in this hole can you help me out?' The priest writes out a prayer, throws it down in the hole and moves on. Then a friend walks by, 'Hey, Joe, it's me can you help me out?' And the friend jumps in the hole. Our guy says, 'Are you stupid? Now we're both down here.' The friend says, 'Yeah, but I've been down here before and I know the way out.'"

Ultimate Banana, Pineapple, Gourd, Tomato etc.

Ultimate Frisbee, anyone? Well, ok...the rules of ultimate with a twist. Instead of throwing a aerodynamic disc around, why don't we lob fruit into the air that may or may not be conducive to flying? That is exactly what RUF did this weekend! We tossed everything from bananas to cabbage. The gourd was much more sturdy than you would think, and the cabbage began to unravel almost immediately! I feared the pineapple, but it wasn't too bad. The stalk came off mid-throw and sprayed pineapple juice over everyone!

We played on the north end of campus, right across from campus corner. What would you think if you saw people playing frisbee, but with a tomato?!?
The girls- going after a banana!
Anna Serven and me. Ultimate Banana was a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon!