Falling into a funk,"Don't try this at home."

As I settled into my newlywed bliss,I noticed something that I am er, not exactly proud of.  

I can only speak for myself,but I have gotten too "dependent" on my husband. Now that I have a constant man in my life,I have sort of slipped on things that I was so used to doing on my own. There are certain things of course that I will always seek help for,like parallel parking the car for instance,a challenge here in Chicago although I do know how to definitely do it,my husband can just do it better.  

There was a stereotype that men from the Balkans don't really allow their women to have a separate identity and let them really to have friends and spend time with girlfriends. However,the post-communist generation has definitely become more open-minded, when it comes to these things,it really comes down to trusting your partner and we have that. In fact I encourage my husband to do the same and he also has a separate set of friends that he hangs out with. It's healthy for couples to have a healthy relationship with the outside world.

I fell into this funk where I really lost touch with the outside world,it just seemed easier to just plop on the couch after a 40-hour work week and have a glass of wine.  The thought of using public transportation sounded like such a hassle and it was just so much easier to just talk my husband into dropping me off wherever I wanted to go. I felt that calling up old friends seemed like a hassle too and in fact wondered why they were not calling me to go out instead.

So I had made some adjustments. I started attending yoga classes downtown on the weekends at Lululemon Athletics,which is great because they offer complimentary classes on the weekends. It is refreshing to wake up early with the rest of Chicago and do good for your body at the same time. Since I live on the North Side and parking is a pain downtown,I take the bus which is literally two feet away from my place and a straight shot 20 minutes to downtown. I find it so much easier and less of a hassle to use then the El. Not as bad as I thought. I have also reconnected with friends at the same time.

I will be attending a few events this month both during work hours and outside of work which I am excited for. And I am psyched to learn that my favorite house dj Collette will be here for a concert at Metro this month so I will be aiming to go to that as well.  In June,look for my blog that talks about my recent joining of the  Kidney Walk.

Chicago,I am back in full force.
 

Macedonia featured in April's issue of "State"

The US Department of State is featuring "Macedonia" on their monthly magazine,named "State" along with a featured article on Macedonia on page 20. Check it out,gives you some insight of where my background is from. This is also where I had my destination wedding.

Great minds think alike,I myself wrote an article for Gal About the Globe around the same time featuring Macedonia not too long ago.

View April's issue of "State" by clicking here: State

Also check out my blog post about Macedonia on Gal about the Globe

Please,we are in church,aren't we?

So Easter has gone and past,including my one week vacation. The weather in Chicago was fabulous, with several days getting up to the 80's. I did some killer shopping on the Magnificent Mile,walked along Lake Michigan,and rounded the week up by attending Church and visiting family in Indiana for some Easter Lamb.

I by no means am a bible thumper,but I do have a connection with the Eastern Orthodox Church. Before I start my rant I do have to say that not all Orthodox Churches are like this.But there is a time and place for everything.

Service started at 10:00 am and I unexpectingly arrived about half hour early. I walked in with my husband and did our rounds as we lit candles and did our cross and proceeded to sit down.  A bunch of old school ladies in their 60s and 70s sat down near me as well as people started pouring into the church. The next thing you know I couldn't help eavesdrop a rather annoying conversation and it went something like this:

Old lady No.1: "(insert name here)" now lives downtown,but ah,let them study downtown"(this church was in a Chicago suburb by the way as if it was so me far magical place,it's actually only a half hour away)

Old lady No.2 "(insert name here) is now the boss at the hospital,the problem is she cannot find a husband,but she doesn't need a man if she is the head of the hospital"

Old lady No.3" That's good,she will find someone one day.


If I was this girl they were talking about,I would be SO mad,and it is so SAD that such gossiping occurs when you are in the House of God.

In the meantime,my Husband had some old 80 year old guy nudging him constantly,asking him where he is from,what does he do,etc. My goodness,the priest is talking,why are you!? Gee,I didn't know church is used as a social hot spot.

 Then of course you got the late comers who pour in about half hour before the service ends,and of course no one is coming in quiet,as I strained to hear the priest continue with his sermon. Again,hello,you are in church.  

The service ended with communion services,which of course people were cutting in line,as if we were in some lunch line at an elementary school,how old are we now?

I try not to rant about things on my blog but this one I just had to. When you are in church,please do not do the following:

-Do not speak while the priest is speaking,it's rude.
-Do not gossip,you are in church,not at some coffee shop.
-Do not cut in line,push,or shove,we are not in kindergarten.

If you cannot follow these simple rules then I suggest you don't bother coming to church at all. End rant.


















 

Lent/Holy Week

Happy Sunday everyone...


I will be sacrificing many things and fasting for Lent/Holy Week starting tomorrow. This includes no internet,no alcohol,no sex,no dairy,meat,or any other animal products. This is so I can cleanse my mind and spirit as much as I can and just mediate on the simple things that we take granted for as we head into a new season,a season of renewal,Spring. See you soon,and have a great Easter for those who celebrate.

Balkan Spring Festival-get your dance on!

My love for Eastern European/Balkan dancing started as soon as I started to walk and was taken to dance parties featuring Macedonian and Serbian folklore music. Next thing you know,I joined a dance ensemble and performed in front of hundreds of people from elementary school into high school.


I took a break when I went away for college pursuing my Bachelor's,but once I moved to Chicago and started Grad school,I reconnected with my love for Eastern European dancing when I joined The Chicago Balkan Dance Ensemble.


Every year, the Chicago Balkan Dance Ensemble features a Balkan Spring Festival which hosts a series of workshops from various Balkan dance artists and musicians,followed by a concert from various Eastern European Groups and a dance party afterwards. It takes place March 19-21 at International House,1414 E 59th St in Chicago,located on University of Chicago's campus. The cost varies,but if you want to make it to the concert and dance party,the admission cost is between 20-30 dollars,depending if you wanted to attend the concert.


I have performed and volunteered at this event,and it is definitely worth checking out! Come learn something new and be immersed Eastern European culture.

H&M: A great shopping destination.

It was when I first moved to Chicago for graduate school is when I discovered H&M-a fashion retail store that hails from Sweden. This store has locations all over the world and features fashion that has a global sense to them as well. I went to school just right across the street from this store and usually after class I would just step on over and shop for outfits that I would plan out for the weekends in the city. As I said before,I was a grad student so that meant I couldn't exactly shop at its fellow neighbor Chanel or Gucci or any of those high end stores you would find on Michigan Ave.

H&M always rotates their storefronts and their layouts of the store as well,giving it a fresh new look each time. Some designers even have sold some of their items here such as Roberto Cavalli,Madonna,and now Parisian Sonia Rykiel,which just started featuring her clothing line today. The store on Michigan Ave. here in Chicago is three stories high,and has clothes for Men,Women,and children as well. Accessories can be found here ranging from costume jewlry to scarves to purses. I especially love their "Divided" line which provides comfortable,affordable,and stylish items.  And yes, the clothes are of good quality and last.

One thing I should forewarn people should they ever decide to come to this store:Saturdays are crazy busy because of all the tourists that come for the shopping on Michigan Ave. The best time to come here to shop is on a Sunday or even during the week. I don't know about you but I hate crowds when I go shopping. I like to take my time and stroll through,looking at different pieces in a relaxed atmosphere without being bumped into or wait in long lines at the fitting rooms.

I have to say ever since I moved to Chicago I also gained a great interest and appreciation for fashion. Where I come from,people don't dress as individuals but more like cookie cutter so they can blend in. No one takes risks and if you did it would just be thought of as odd or off the wall. But here,I noticed that fashion is taken on another level-it may not be Paris or NYC but Chicago definitely has style here. The numerous boutiques that are available at your fingertips is great and the shopping is extraordinary. Another reason why I love living here.

Sick of Starbucks? Try Bridgeport Coffeehouse.

 

 This past weekend,Tim and I headed out for my early Valentine's Day gift in Lincoln Park. Afterwards,we then gave a buddy a lift to the West Loop. Of course,my husband,being the spontaneous one as all Europeans are,decided to take a trip down memory lane as we head on over to Bridgeport Coffeehouse for a cup of java on the southside.As we gave our friend a tour of the first neighborhood he lived in when he moved from Jersey, Bridgeport, which is the home of the White Sox,we finally arrived and instantly the coffee-bartender(slightly pictured), Mike, greeted us with open arms as if it was yesterday. When Tim and I first started dating, he lived in Bridgeport and I read one day in Chicago Magazine that this was a pretty neat place to go for coffee,hangout,etc. Tim did not even know this place existed and it was right in his backyard. Instantly,we became a regular and after awhile all the employees there got to know us.

Bridgeport Coffeehouse was created when the owner saw an empty storefront one day and thought since the neighborhood didn't have really anywhere to go as far as coffee,it would be an ideal spot. And he was right. Everything on the menu is pretty good,but I have to say their coffee of the day is always a hit no matter what. Coffees from South America can be found here. They also blend and roast their own coffees daily.You can take some home to brew for your liking. 

The ambiance has that homey,cozy feeling where everyone knows your name. Free Wifi is a plus as regulars come and surf the net or  or type that 10 page college paper. Pictures and paintings of local artists are also featured on the walls. On Sundays,different musicians come and entertain the coffee dwellers. We have also come here in the middle of the week where musicians held small venues as well. 

I now live on the Northside,but no matter what we will never forget Bridgeport Coffeehouse,it's definitely worth the trip. Why go to corporate chain owned Starbucks when you got great local coffeeshops in your own backyard? Those are the best places to hit up in my opinion because they are unique and have that great neighborhood feel to them. And that's what makes them so special. 

Bridgeport Coffehouse is located at  3101 S Morgan St in Chicago.