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I seem to have a minute to catch my breath, so that calls for an update!
We had a lovely time at our conference out east in New Jersey, the weather was beautiful -- once the storms on opening day passed -- and it was quite a restful time. We sat around too much and ate too much, for which we are now paying, but no matter.
We got home from our travels on Friday afternoon, about 4 pm, after leaving New Jersey at about 8:30 am. First we had to drive to Philly airport, drop someone off so they could fly standby, then return the rental car. The car people's shuttle took us to the right terminal, so that made it nice and easy.
We had good weather and an okay flight, though it was longer than it was supposed to be. We boarded at Philadelphia airport and the plane exited the gate perfectly on time, then sat on the runway in line for take off for an hour. Then, when we arrived in Chicago, we had to sit on the plane, waiting for them to first guide us into the gate, and second, waiting for them to bring a thingy over so we could disembark. The luggage got off before the people did! But we weren't in a hurry, so we just relaxed and waited. Our train from the airport stopped briefly for some technical issue, but we were able to keep going. Then we took two different buses and got home. Nice thing about the bus that goes our way is that it stops right at our street, and we just have to walk a short block to our place.
Life back in Chicago began in earnest almost immediately, as the Center where we are working was running a block party on Saturday, coinciding with India's Independence Day celebration, and we were involved. We were not sure what our role was going to be, so it was kind of like being thrown in to swim or drown, but it turned out to be fun -- though also very tiring! There was a big parade for India Day, but we didn't get to see it, we were too busy setting up for the block party. However, we could hear all the bands and such because we were just one street down, so that was good enough.
I spent a lot of time tying off balloons other people were blowing up, after which I ended up at the food tent pouring lemonade and water. I did that for about 4 hours, and let me tell you, that gets to your back and feet! I had to fetch more water and make lemonade numerous times, so that provided some variety. It was a great way to meet people, though, because everyone was thirsty and came to me!
Sunday was the Pakistan Independence Day celebration, so they had a parade followed by a gathering in a big park not far from here. It was a decent enough day, though it had its drawbacks. It was a lot hotter than on Saturday, so being out and about for a number of hours ended up getting me a bit dehydrated. We got to the parade, which was pretty mediocre, I must say, lol! But I had heard that it often isn't very good. They do it up big in Pakistan, but don't seem to have the funds or the cooperation on the committee to make it go well here. But even so, they had a nice drum and bagpipe band, dressed in typical Pakistani fashion (not in kilts!). The floats were nice, and at least they didn't have one of their nuclear missile like they usually do.
After the parade we went to the park where everyone was gathering. I wandered around a bit to look at the booths they had set up there, and ate some tasty Pakistani snacks, then went home. It was a walk of quite a few blocks, but still very doable, and it was good to walk, even though my feet hurt.
My feet are really bothering me as a result of the flying on Friday (my feet always swell when I fly) and mostly standing all day on Saturday and Sunday. They are fairly painful and keep swelling up, ugh! So I'm trying all the methods for dealing with swollen ankles and feet, and hopefully they'll right themselves soon. I'm glad it's not hotter around here or it would be worse!
Hope that was enough chota mota to sustain you for the day, hehe!
We had a lovely time at our conference out east in New Jersey, the weather was beautiful -- once the storms on opening day passed -- and it was quite a restful time. We sat around too much and ate too much, for which we are now paying, but no matter.
We got home from our travels on Friday afternoon, about 4 pm, after leaving New Jersey at about 8:30 am. First we had to drive to Philly airport, drop someone off so they could fly standby, then return the rental car. The car people's shuttle took us to the right terminal, so that made it nice and easy.
We had good weather and an okay flight, though it was longer than it was supposed to be. We boarded at Philadelphia airport and the plane exited the gate perfectly on time, then sat on the runway in line for take off for an hour. Then, when we arrived in Chicago, we had to sit on the plane, waiting for them to first guide us into the gate, and second, waiting for them to bring a thingy over so we could disembark. The luggage got off before the people did! But we weren't in a hurry, so we just relaxed and waited. Our train from the airport stopped briefly for some technical issue, but we were able to keep going. Then we took two different buses and got home. Nice thing about the bus that goes our way is that it stops right at our street, and we just have to walk a short block to our place.
Life back in Chicago began in earnest almost immediately, as the Center where we are working was running a block party on Saturday, coinciding with India's Independence Day celebration, and we were involved. We were not sure what our role was going to be, so it was kind of like being thrown in to swim or drown, but it turned out to be fun -- though also very tiring! There was a big parade for India Day, but we didn't get to see it, we were too busy setting up for the block party. However, we could hear all the bands and such because we were just one street down, so that was good enough.
I spent a lot of time tying off balloons other people were blowing up, after which I ended up at the food tent pouring lemonade and water. I did that for about 4 hours, and let me tell you, that gets to your back and feet! I had to fetch more water and make lemonade numerous times, so that provided some variety. It was a great way to meet people, though, because everyone was thirsty and came to me!
Sunday was the Pakistan Independence Day celebration, so they had a parade followed by a gathering in a big park not far from here. It was a decent enough day, though it had its drawbacks. It was a lot hotter than on Saturday, so being out and about for a number of hours ended up getting me a bit dehydrated. We got to the parade, which was pretty mediocre, I must say, lol! But I had heard that it often isn't very good. They do it up big in Pakistan, but don't seem to have the funds or the cooperation on the committee to make it go well here. But even so, they had a nice drum and bagpipe band, dressed in typical Pakistani fashion (not in kilts!). The floats were nice, and at least they didn't have one of their nuclear missile like they usually do.
After the parade we went to the park where everyone was gathering. I wandered around a bit to look at the booths they had set up there, and ate some tasty Pakistani snacks, then went home. It was a walk of quite a few blocks, but still very doable, and it was good to walk, even though my feet hurt.
My feet are really bothering me as a result of the flying on Friday (my feet always swell when I fly) and mostly standing all day on Saturday and Sunday. They are fairly painful and keep swelling up, ugh! So I'm trying all the methods for dealing with swollen ankles and feet, and hopefully they'll right themselves soon. I'm glad it's not hotter around here or it would be worse!
Hope that was enough chota mota to sustain you for the day, hehe!
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no subject
Date: 2008-08-20 04:44 pm (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2008-08-20 11:41 pm (UTC)From:We are enjoying very much being here and getting involved in this community!
no subject
Date: 2008-08-20 06:47 pm (UTC)From:Thanks for sharing your world.
All is good as can be here by the Sea in Dol Amroth.
BTW How is your dad and DS doing?
no subject
Date: 2008-08-20 11:39 pm (UTC)From:They are both doing well, I think. Dad was rather poorly last week, but is doing better this week. I'm going to stay with him a couple of nights at the end of the month, to give my brother a break. I'm going up to see DS tomorrow for part of the weekend, so that's exciting!
I neglected to mention Boromir in my update, but there's some progress in that corner, too.
no subject
Date: 2008-08-20 09:02 pm (UTC)From:I am glad you enjoyed your conference and returned safe and sound. Who cares if you indulged a bit, you can pay attention to points now you're at home, right?
The weekend activities for Indian and Pakistani Independence sound like a good opportunity to meet your neighbors. I am sorry your feet suffered for that and from flying, but I trust your care and attention will get you back in the pink soon.
Great to see an update! *hugs!*
no subject
Date: 2008-08-20 11:36 pm (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2008-08-21 05:33 pm (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2008-08-21 12:22 am (UTC)From:My brother's lived in New Jersey for about 20 years, and I think it's an interesting state.
no subject
Date: 2008-08-21 12:41 am (UTC)From:Hee! You should see Mardi Gras parades here, Lin. That wouldn't be mediocre. It sounds like you are having a good time in Chicago and also on your travels.