So I did it. One year since I started my blog.
It seemed like yesterday I was writing up about New Year happenings in Chicago. A lot has happened this year,I had my wedding finally in Macedonia,where my roots are from,and it was a great experience. I turned 30 this year,I huge milestone as I now step into a new decade with great new experiences and new challenges. I have to say,I had it pretty good during my 20s and am proud where I am today,but it doesn't stop here.
I have to definitely thank God for getting me through this year and that I still have my job and most importantly my health,that alone is wealth right there.
One of my New Year's resolution is to promote my blog more out there and take great care of my health,including going to the doctor's and exercising and eat healthy,I know so cliche but I really do mean it(I promise).
To everyone,have a great Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Thursday, December 3, 2009
My Birthday!
Yesterday,December 2nd,marked my 30th birthday. The big 3-0. Wow. I still can't believe it and it has not hit me yet. I feel that my 20 something years have just gotten lost in the blackhole,nowhere to be found again.
First off,I celebrated pre-birthday over the past weekend at Cuvee lounge. It was really classy,but expensive. It was free for ladies but for guys it was 20 dollars cover. Then to top it off, 12 dollars was the cheapest drink there. I had a great drink called the Kir Royal,which is Chambord and Champagne,that was served in this pretty purple color in a elongated tube-like glass. The music was great. The thing with this place is, if you don't have reservations for one of the booths that are located smack in the middle of the lounge,then you are pretty much standing around the whole time.
Yesterday I went to Pancho Pistolas with my husband in the great neighborhood of Bridgeport. I work in the Northwest suburbs and if I didn't I would be definitely living on the southside. Home of the Sox, this is the first neighborhood that me and my now husband spent frequently since he used to live out there. It's a place where hard-working blue collar families live and it is the neighborhood where Mayor Daley grew up in.
Sure,I love to glam up, and go to shi-shi places,but Pancho Pistolas was a great atmosphere that was relaxing,fun,with great food. I have been to many restaurants,including high-end ones that you can find on Rush St.,but the best places for me are those with a fun atmosphere where you can still get great food without all the pretentious attitude in the air.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Desperate Housewives?
Well,not exactly but...
I am sure many women can relate to this topic-I was talking to a particular woman one day who recently had a baby. She is a young career woman as well as a mother,two roles that are hard to balance,as most of you women with careers know.
As women get married,have babies,get careers,etc,they tend to lose themselves-their social circles become limited since their lives get so busy that they don't have time for the outside world. Things come up where you have other responsibilities and you may have to decline those invitations.
This women that I talked to recently got facebook and although it's got its cons she definitely enjoys it because she was able to reconnect with a lot of her friends and is now able to keep up with the latest events outside her bubble that she had created over the past year or so.
I feel the same way,with facebook and twitter,and even this blog,it is a great way for me to connect with other women and gives me an outlet to the outside world. I also do not want to give up writing as it is one of my favorite activities. I recently got married so with that comes a lot of responsibilities also-saving money,household duties,a career outside the home,etc.
I hope that although I have entered a new lifestyle now that I will still be able to retain my extracurricular activities. Living in Chicago has allowed me to have great opportunities through social networking events and also the fact that there is so many things you can do out here to keep your interests alive. I know many women who after they have gotten married just stopped doing everything altogether and have lost their identity over the years.
For those of you who live in the Chi,search for networking events in your area-and if you are worried about costs have no fear-may of them feature free cocktails and appetizers. Also,many of these events take place usually during after work hours and end pretty early,convenient for those who work 9-5 everyday. Have fun ladies!
I am sure many women can relate to this topic-I was talking to a particular woman one day who recently had a baby. She is a young career woman as well as a mother,two roles that are hard to balance,as most of you women with careers know.
As women get married,have babies,get careers,etc,they tend to lose themselves-their social circles become limited since their lives get so busy that they don't have time for the outside world. Things come up where you have other responsibilities and you may have to decline those invitations.
This women that I talked to recently got facebook and although it's got its cons she definitely enjoys it because she was able to reconnect with a lot of her friends and is now able to keep up with the latest events outside her bubble that she had created over the past year or so.
I feel the same way,with facebook and twitter,and even this blog,it is a great way for me to connect with other women and gives me an outlet to the outside world. I also do not want to give up writing as it is one of my favorite activities. I recently got married so with that comes a lot of responsibilities also-saving money,household duties,a career outside the home,etc.
I hope that although I have entered a new lifestyle now that I will still be able to retain my extracurricular activities. Living in Chicago has allowed me to have great opportunities through social networking events and also the fact that there is so many things you can do out here to keep your interests alive. I know many women who after they have gotten married just stopped doing everything altogether and have lost their identity over the years.
For those of you who live in the Chi,search for networking events in your area-and if you are worried about costs have no fear-may of them feature free cocktails and appetizers. Also,many of these events take place usually during after work hours and end pretty early,convenient for those who work 9-5 everyday. Have fun ladies!
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Europe vs the US
It's been a few weeks now since I have returned from Europe,Macedonia. It took getting used to as far as readjusting to American life and getting back to the grind of things. As I hopped on the bus coming back from Michigan Ave shopping this past Saturday(and getting a fab pair of Kenneth Cole boots),a stranger had asked my husband what language we were speaking. Russian? He asked which is common in this city since it does sound similar...Of course we told him it was Macedonian,and the conversation then went into America vs Europe,since he has been to Europe himself. Some of the points he made were so true and I knew all along,which have impelled me to finally write this post that I have been putting off for so long. Actually I initially had wanted to write about the country I had visited but I am more interested in this conversation that I had recently and had also wanted to blog about this for quite some time.
Here in the US, people work to live. In Europe,people live to work. I am sure you have heard this many times. Here,especially in Chicago,we are bounded by bills,mortgages,and work in order to have a decent life. We want the best cars,the best house,etc. In Macedonia for instance,things are a little more laid back. People invite each other over for coffee. People are more friendly. They may not have all the money in the world but they will offer everything and anything they have on them. You don't need one week advanced notice just to stop by your friend's place. There is no planning and things are done spontaneously.
Also,in the US, we don't talk to strangers because we were taught that they can possibly be some freak,or someone that may harm us. It is all about "me" in the US and the people here are definitely for themselves for the most part. We are an individualistic society.
Fortunately for us here in Chicago,there are many different ethnic neighborhoods and restaurants where we can relive and reminisce the countries we have visited and experienced. Perhaps though,we can learn a little bit from the Europeans and be a little more friendly to our neighbors,maybe invite them over for coffee from time to time,call that friend you have not talked to in awhile,or perhaps spending tons of money on a luxury car or home may not be necessary but rather enjoy the simple pleasures of life instead.
Maybe major corporations and firms can be more flexible and offer women longer maternity leaves and give us more vacation time so that we can come back to them refreshed, less stressful,and be even more efficient. This may in turn increase productivity and everyone is now happy.
Maybe one day,we will have that same lifestyle that the Europeans have. With the turn of the way the economy is going,maybe people will think twice about what is really important and what is not. That is a great thought.
Here in the US, people work to live. In Europe,people live to work. I am sure you have heard this many times. Here,especially in Chicago,we are bounded by bills,mortgages,and work in order to have a decent life. We want the best cars,the best house,etc. In Macedonia for instance,things are a little more laid back. People invite each other over for coffee. People are more friendly. They may not have all the money in the world but they will offer everything and anything they have on them. You don't need one week advanced notice just to stop by your friend's place. There is no planning and things are done spontaneously.
Also,in the US, we don't talk to strangers because we were taught that they can possibly be some freak,or someone that may harm us. It is all about "me" in the US and the people here are definitely for themselves for the most part. We are an individualistic society.
Fortunately for us here in Chicago,there are many different ethnic neighborhoods and restaurants where we can relive and reminisce the countries we have visited and experienced. Perhaps though,we can learn a little bit from the Europeans and be a little more friendly to our neighbors,maybe invite them over for coffee from time to time,call that friend you have not talked to in awhile,or perhaps spending tons of money on a luxury car or home may not be necessary but rather enjoy the simple pleasures of life instead.
Maybe major corporations and firms can be more flexible and offer women longer maternity leaves and give us more vacation time so that we can come back to them refreshed, less stressful,and be even more efficient. This may in turn increase productivity and everyone is now happy.
Maybe one day,we will have that same lifestyle that the Europeans have. With the turn of the way the economy is going,maybe people will think twice about what is really important and what is not. That is a great thought.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Macedonia
Greetings from Macedonia!
I am currently in a city in itself called Strumica wedding planning and visiting the motherland.
Although not Chicago,Strumica is hailed as one of the best cities in Macedonia and known for their cafe-bars and nightlife.
Stay tuned as I blog about the differences between the two countries when I return. Also,I will be doing an extensive article on Gal About the Globe which you can click on the link in the lower right side of my page.
Prijatno i cao! (Farewell!)
Dijana
I am currently in a city in itself called Strumica wedding planning and visiting the motherland.
Although not Chicago,Strumica is hailed as one of the best cities in Macedonia and known for their cafe-bars and nightlife.
Stay tuned as I blog about the differences between the two countries when I return. Also,I will be doing an extensive article on Gal About the Globe which you can click on the link in the lower right side of my page.
Prijatno i cao! (Farewell!)
Dijana
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Shoutcast radio-don't stay home without it.
Saturday morning in Chicago. So far,the sun has been shining and I couldn't sleep in any longer. It is now 9:58 am as I write this,summertime in Chicago does not allow you to sleep in,since there is so much going on here. I am sipping on green tea and eating toast and marmalade as I write this. I am also listening to one of Shoutcast radio's house stations. What is Shoutcast you ask?
Shoutcast radio is a website that provides online radio stations 24/7-you can download the toolbar and in an instant you can type in any type of genre of music you want to listen to-ranging from Rock to Pop to Dance to Hip Hop. I love the afternoon mix that features live deep House and soulful music and my other favorite one is Deepvibes that also features House music.
If you got other things going on,just let the radio play behind you,it seems for me that getting tasks/chores done is so much easier when you got some great music playing.
Shoutcast radio is a website that provides online radio stations 24/7-you can download the toolbar and in an instant you can type in any type of genre of music you want to listen to-ranging from Rock to Pop to Dance to Hip Hop. I love the afternoon mix that features live deep House and soulful music and my other favorite one is Deepvibes that also features House music.
If you got other things going on,just let the radio play behind you,it seems for me that getting tasks/chores done is so much easier when you got some great music playing.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Summertime in Chicago
I just took a picture of this when I was in the south loop area last Friday. For those who haven't been to Chicago, Millenium Park is a must see should you ever visit here. Visit the "Bean", pictured here, for some fun pics and nice memories to take back home. We took a few friends out here to check it out and it was a great day for it. What I love about taking out friends and family from out of town in this city is that I am able to relive the moment when I first came to Millenium Park and in Chicago through the eyes of others. We ended the night with cappucinos at Whisper's Cafe, an outdoor cafe in Mariano Plaza off of Rush St, a great hang out for people and car watching.
For any tips on Chicago and ideas,let me know, I'd be happy to be help!
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