The World through Kids' Eyes

Luggage room was at a premium when I went home for winter break from school so I couldn't bring back good kid gifts.  Instead, I took my friend Kandy and her boys, Brandon and Dillon, to the Science Center of Iowa. 

Kandy, Brandon, Dillon

We did all sorts of exploring - watching a ball roll along roller coaster tracks

 

Tugging a rope strung through pulleys to lift a large tire

Watching balls travel through a maze of fans and obstacles

There was a small replica of a cave in the Iowa nature room.  The boys were a little scared to go into the dark cave and they really didn't want anything to do with this (fake) bat!  I told them it wasn't real, but Brandon informed me that since it was making noise, it had to be real.  I didn't bother to point out the speakers playing the noise.  Later Brandon said the cave was his favorite part of the trip.  :)

 

Kandy's favorite part was the (real) snapping turtle!  He's friendly and comes up to greet you through the glass hoping for treats.

Watching the pendulum.  Due to the Earth's magnetic force, it naturally swings to one side enough to knock over a peg every five minutes.

 

The staff at the center were great with the kids.  It helped that we went during a blizzard so there was a lot of individual attention!  Brandon got to pet a box turtle and when Dillon touched a wet salamander, he said it felt like soap!

Oh those dimples!

Lunchtime!

 

This is always one of my favorite parts.

The bubble area was fun.  Color inspiration for a pastel line in the near future...

Self portraits on my iPhone.

We went to Under the Sea, an IMAX movie, while we were at the Science Center.  Kandy wasn't sure how the boys would do since they haven't really done movies in theaters.  This was a short documentary film with beautiful cinematography of underwater life narrated by Jim Carrey.  The theater surrounds you like a dome so it feels like you are really IN the movie.  I told Brandon and Dillon that there would be loud noises, but they don't have to be scared.  Well... as soon as the movie started with the loud music and overwhelming visuals, Brandon said (loud enough for most people there to hear), "I never even wanted to come here!"  Oh, I about died.  Great, my gift will be remembered as that scary place that Bree took us.  Ha!  Dillon was quiet, but he had a death grip on his chair because he felt like he was falling out since the action felt like real movement!  Brandon thought the titles were coming straight at him too.  We got through the initial fears though, and surprisingly, when scary sharks and fish snapped up others as a quick meal, the boys jumped but didn't seem too scared.  I was impressed.  Brandon asked a couple times when we could go home, but amazingly they made it through the movie!

Overall it was a really fun day and pretty exhausting for someone not used to full kid-speed!  The boys discussed the good stuff on the way home (maybe they'll block the bad memories of the scary movie!)  I was glad to spend some time with them.

Wicked Beauty

Conjure an image of a beautiful but wicked ice queen and you'll be on the right track to imagining winter in Iowa.  In December of 2009, Iowa got more snow than they had seen since the 1800s.  Rough start.  While I was home there was a blizzard, an ice storm and more snow. 

 

Pine trees in the back yard after a melt-fog-frost combo froze.  It wreaked havoc on power lines causing major power outages around the state.

 

Storm likes eating the snow while she's outside.  Keep going girl, maybe we won't have to shovel.

 

 

The smiling rock in my parents' landscaping was peeking out of the snow suspiciously. 

After the ice storm.  Limbs break under the weight, power lines and poles fall, and vehicles slide, but there is an eerie beauty about everything outside.

Merry Christmas!

 

Coming home to dogs is the most joyful experience.  Storm didn't disappoint.  She wagged until she was close enough to smell and realize it was me - then she was excited and kept jumping up to "nose-bump" me (her version of kisses).  So sweet! 

  

Where does a poor, time-crunched college student shop?  At the school bookstore!

  

Mom and Dad wore their new FIT parent shirts with pride.

  

Me and my girl.  And a snowman.

  

Brian (bro-in-law) was super excited to receive an Ohio State light-up sign for his man cave.  Go Hawks!  Just have to throw that in to balance things out a bit.

 It's pretty clear my family loves our pups!  Carissa (sista) showing off a new calendar and socks.

Christmas went by quickly but we were able to spend it together which is the best part. 

Culture Shock

I'm an Iowa girl and until I moved away, I didn't realize the pride that I have about my roots.  It was great to get home for an extended break from school but it was also like culture shock returning to the Midwest.

The good kind of culture shock - homemade Christmas cookies.  Hoo boy.  Feel the love.

The bad kind of culture shock.  Fashion at the local Fareway.  Can you read her hat?  It says "Flirt."

Video games with shotguns - haven't seen that in NY yet.  Playing Buck Hunter at the small town Collins bar with Chuck.  Love the price of drinks (free that night!) 

I was startled by clucking noise in the dark as I walked into my Great Aunt Betty's house.  Her rooster was sitting on the porch hanging out.  Betty told us he has walked into the house before to get out of the cold.  Smart bird.  But the dogs weren't happy about it and Betty had to rescue him from the dogs!  I petted the rooster and was surprised at how soft the feathers were.  Perhaps more feathers in my future designs...  Iowa inspiration.

It was good to be home again.  

 

Wheeling to Hyde Park

1/1/2010-1/2/2010
I had a fantastic deep tissue massage that really helped my sore neck.  I've had pain for months and the typical sewing posture certainly didn't help!  I felt relaxed and stretched out after the massage. 

I also tried out a facial and learned I don't like them.  I knew to expect stuff on my face of course, but there was a humidifier that blew steam right at me and that made me feel like I was suffocating.  Then every time the girl smeared creams and gels on my face, when she ran her hand under my nose I felt like I was going to drown in the stuff.  Not that she was getting it up my nose or anything, but it was still uncomfortable for me.  Another step was when she massaged lotion into my hands, covered them with plastic bags and heated mitts, and then left aloe serum on my face for 15 minutes of relaxation time.  So, I'm covered with stuff, feel like I'm suffocating, my eyes are covered, and my hands are bound.  Umm... I'm sure it's supposed to feel great, but obviously not my thing! 

Friday night was great - completely opposite of the Alinea meal.  We walked around downtown to get supper. 

Chicago dogs hit the spot after all the intense flavors the night before.  Then we had hot chocolate drinks at the Ghiradelli store that faces the giant HERSHEY store across the street.  Prime chocolate real estate apparently!

 

Outside the pub next to the hot dog shop.  No one wastes a beer like that - you can tell it's frozen in place!

Saturday we met my sister Carissa and bro in law Brian in Wheeling for lunch.  It was fun to see them and see the northern part of Chicago on our way although we did take the scenic route accidentally.

The lake from Lake Shore Drive.  I was surprised the ice chunks were moving so much - strong winds made for waves and white caps.  The view was so icy cold, it made me shiver just looking at it.

Then we headed to Chinatown to pick up some fresh crab and lobster to take home.  They had to chill in the hotel tub for a while.  I feel for the cleaning staff that probably got quite a shock when they entered the bathroom!

Saturday night we got to enjoy Mediterranean food at Cedars restaurant in Hyde Park with our friend Amir.  His parents own the place so we got to sample all the best.  It was great to catch up with him and he even drove us by Obama's house which was a couple blocks away.  There was a For Sale sign in the lot so I asked why - Amir said the next door neighbor thinks he can get a great price now since it's next to the Obamas!