I woke up earlier this morning than usual for a very special reason....the family was going to arrive soon! No sooner do I get out of the shower and am ready to wash my hair I get a phone call from Sachi saying they're about a half hour away from the city and would call again to clarify directions as they needed them. I quickly dried my hair, got dressed in my brand new UChicago shirt and after informing Bonnie and Jeffrey to expect my fam, I skipped down the steps to wait outside. Fortunately, it was a glorious day. Now the definition of "glorious' weather obviously varies from person to person, but I feel few could have argued with my definition today. Fluffy, sculpted clouds drifted lazily across and otherwise perfectly empty azure sky; a gentle breeze stirred the leaves whose whispers were frequently interrupted by chirps from robins to cardinals and other species I couldn't recognize. The temperature was perfect in the lower 70s F. In short, it was truly a glorious day and quite a pleasant change from the 90+ temps they were leaving back in Cary, NC.
I scan the streets in all cardinal directions for our gray Odyssey and after a few minutes spot one a block over heading too far north. I'm sure it's them and laugh because they clearly missed their turn but will realize it soon. Sure enough, a few seconds later I get a call from Sachi informing me they went a little far and am heading back down to me. Finally, the van cruises down Greenwood Ave and grinning from ear to ear I guide them to a good parking spot. Reunited at last!! I'm engulfed in a succession of bear hugs from everyone and then it's time to unload and head upstairs. So much stuff! It feels like I'm moving in all over again. B&J give my folks a warm welcome and while they all chat, I drag the goodies into my room to start unpacking. Chuckrie, shrikhand, kofta, paneer, nuts of all kinds, my Indiana Jones hat!, the treats just keep coming...
After driving so long, I knew they wouldn't mind some exercise so I take them on a jaunt around campus and my lab (the one I was officially leaving but still had a key, and permission, to give a tour). I forgot this was also graduation weekend and so the quad was filled with students in black gowns, parents in their Sunday best, and lots of food and drinks under tents. Thinking that usually big crowds = full restaurants I hurry us over to Noodles, Etc to beat the people I'm sure would be hot on our heels. Fortunately, the place was only half full and we get a nice spot by the window. Sure enough, no sooner do we get our orders then the place starts filling up with all the grads and their families. Whew! That was a close call. After eating, I thought walking down to the lake might be nice so we take a nice stroll along 57th street until we cross over to the greenbelt.
We relax on the rocks for a bit and then head back home along 53rd this time so they could see one of the other major commercial streets in Hyde Park. It's tea (and nap for Mom) time at home so we brew up some refreshments and sit around chatting for a bit. At the same time, my neighbor (and professor) Marcus Peter was having a celebration downstairs to mark his son's graduation, daughter's birthday, and his and his wife Andy's new US citizenship. After everyone was rested, we head downstairs for a little while so that Marcus could meet my folks. I see a couple other professors (including one of my favorites, Kay MacLeod) there and introduce them to my folks. It's nice to see them in a completely non-academic context.
After hanging out at the party for a bit it's time to pack my things and head into town before going to our hotel (six people in a two-bedroom, 3 person place for a week would have been a bit much, and it will give B&J some time alone that they haven't really had since I moved in). Sachi found a placed called The Italian Village in downtown Chicago that was a bigger deal than I think any of us realized until we got there. The layout was spectacular: lots of little booths and alcoves that both created a sense of space and made the restaurant feel more intimate...rather paradoxical but it worked. We are promptly led to a little alcove and enjoy a fine meal without the crowd and noise one is used to in restaurants. This place takes the idea that ambience and decor can make or break a dining experience seriously and to wonderful effect.
Dinner over, we drive out to our hotel which is about 30-40 minutes from the city. We're pretty beat from a long day so tuck in early and call it a night.
I scan the streets in all cardinal directions for our gray Odyssey and after a few minutes spot one a block over heading too far north. I'm sure it's them and laugh because they clearly missed their turn but will realize it soon. Sure enough, a few seconds later I get a call from Sachi informing me they went a little far and am heading back down to me. Finally, the van cruises down Greenwood Ave and grinning from ear to ear I guide them to a good parking spot. Reunited at last!! I'm engulfed in a succession of bear hugs from everyone and then it's time to unload and head upstairs. So much stuff! It feels like I'm moving in all over again. B&J give my folks a warm welcome and while they all chat, I drag the goodies into my room to start unpacking. Chuckrie, shrikhand, kofta, paneer, nuts of all kinds, my Indiana Jones hat!, the treats just keep coming...
After driving so long, I knew they wouldn't mind some exercise so I take them on a jaunt around campus and my lab (the one I was officially leaving but still had a key, and permission, to give a tour). I forgot this was also graduation weekend and so the quad was filled with students in black gowns, parents in their Sunday best, and lots of food and drinks under tents. Thinking that usually big crowds = full restaurants I hurry us over to Noodles, Etc to beat the people I'm sure would be hot on our heels. Fortunately, the place was only half full and we get a nice spot by the window. Sure enough, no sooner do we get our orders then the place starts filling up with all the grads and their families. Whew! That was a close call. After eating, I thought walking down to the lake might be nice so we take a nice stroll along 57th street until we cross over to the greenbelt.
We relax on the rocks for a bit and then head back home along 53rd this time so they could see one of the other major commercial streets in Hyde Park. It's tea (and nap for Mom) time at home so we brew up some refreshments and sit around chatting for a bit. At the same time, my neighbor (and professor) Marcus Peter was having a celebration downstairs to mark his son's graduation, daughter's birthday, and his and his wife Andy's new US citizenship. After everyone was rested, we head downstairs for a little while so that Marcus could meet my folks. I see a couple other professors (including one of my favorites, Kay MacLeod) there and introduce them to my folks. It's nice to see them in a completely non-academic context.
After hanging out at the party for a bit it's time to pack my things and head into town before going to our hotel (six people in a two-bedroom, 3 person place for a week would have been a bit much, and it will give B&J some time alone that they haven't really had since I moved in). Sachi found a placed called The Italian Village in downtown Chicago that was a bigger deal than I think any of us realized until we got there. The layout was spectacular: lots of little booths and alcoves that both created a sense of space and made the restaurant feel more intimate...rather paradoxical but it worked. We are promptly led to a little alcove and enjoy a fine meal without the crowd and noise one is used to in restaurants. This place takes the idea that ambience and decor can make or break a dining experience seriously and to wonderful effect.
Dinner over, we drive out to our hotel which is about 30-40 minutes from the city. We're pretty beat from a long day so tuck in early and call it a night.
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1 comment:
Such a beautiful site to see you standing there and grinning with heartfelt joy at seeing us! Being a English Major shows in your description of "Perfect Day"
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