Andersonville

I try to insert some planned fun in my schedule each week in Chicago. This past week, I managed to go out with Mary to Millennium Park to catch a film on the great lawn. I also had a wonderful evening with another former poetry student of Diane Wakoski. Robert is a poet, writer, and all-around extraordinary person. He works at a bookstore where he has what might be my dream-job--buying the books for the children's department and organizing readings/events with youth/YA authors. What's great about his job is that he not only arranges events for the bookstore, but he also does outreach with local schools and libraries. That means that authors/illustrators get to connect with their audience on a wider scale. So, not only do they give a reading at the bookstore, but they are also giving readings/signings at local schools and libraries. I asked him about Oliver Jeffers, my most favorite children's book author/illustrator, and of course he had met him. So freakin' jealous! 

After trying two other restaurants in Andersonville and not being able to get a table due to it being Thursday night right before a holiday weekend, we managed to get right in at Summerdale. It was the perfect choice. We both had one of their excellent cocktails and shared an appetizer of fried zucchini. Robert had the pork shoulder and I opted for the beef stroganoff. I was pretty hungry, but the portion was huge and I didn't manage to finish. I'm sorry I didn't, because it was really delicious. 

Andersonville is definitely more gentrified/trendy/hip than the mostly immigrant neighborhood where I am staying. It's not far from my neighborhood, though, and I'll definitely plan to explore that area a little more while I'm in Chicago. Robert is great fun, and I plan to spend more time with him in July. 

On the whole, I'm feeling much, much better about being in Chicago this summer. I'm making new friends, learning a ton at class, and I know that these experiences will benefit me in the long-run. I'm also planning on coming home every two weeks for the weekend. That will help me recharge and get my doggie cuddle-fix. I've really missed my dogs (and husband). :)