Walked to the lake with Frank today and we realized how much we missed Hunter.

I know these photographs are similar, but I couldn't decide which one I liked best.

nothing special . . .

Today was uneventful, nothing worth mentioning

Oh, Monday

Today, for the most part, was a typical monday.

Went to class until 3:20.

Hungout with Frank

Had dinner down by Angela's

Cubs game, again!

Woke up early today because James, Ethan and I wanted to go see Mr. Allen play in his alumni soccer game. He didn't show up. Later on today I called him and he explained how he had a late night at a wedding. That's understandable, I guess, since we had a pretty late night too (haha).

James and Ethan left, and were soon replaced by my dad, Zack, and my uncle Kevin. We were heading to the cubs game (second time this week for me). The cubs played brilliantly (they won 8-0) and we have extended our first place lead to three games now! My dad bought me a sweet new cubs hat (considering my old was was purchased in 2001), and then treated all of us to dinner.

After they all left, I did a bit of homework and watched Sixteen Candles with Victoria.

I love Sixteen Candles (and anything else John Hughes). I really wish that teenage culture today was as it is portrayed in his movies. there is always this sense of comedy and light-heartedness that always makes them seem so much fun.

Back to School

Went to South's soccer game today, which was suprisingly entertaining. I got acquianted with the "Soccer Hooligans" and they showed me a good time.

A bit later I rode the train back to school with Frank and Martyna. I got settled back in (which takes all of 30 seconds) and before I knew it James and Ethan had come down to spend the night.

I showed those boys a pretty damn good time, if I do say so myself. It's pretty funny the people you meet and the places you end up on a Saturday night in the city.

Remember . . .

There will be no photograph today out of rememberance for Mr. Carlsen.

I miss you, Big Guy.

Oh man . . .

Today was really good.

I only had class until 12:10pm today, so I had a great deal of time to relax today.

I spent alot of time with Meghan and Jamie today (Megan is pictured above) and a few friends on my floor. After a while Frank came up (like always) and we grabbed some food before going out.

After waiting around for a good while we went with Martyna and Victoria to T.J. and Nick's apartment for a party. it was a damn good party, and I am really thankful that there are so many awesome people here at Depaul.

Cubs Win!

Classes were alright today; my spanish professor always makes me laugh. The other day he asked me how I felt about babies and I told him that I thought they were boring; so today he comes up to me and says "I'm sorry Kyle, you can not meet my baby" and I was like "que?" and he said "you think babies are boring, so you can't meet my baby". It's the little things he does like that, plus his awesome chilean accent that always puts me in the best mood. We spent the rest of the class talking about how men can not be pregnant.

After classes I met Will for some lunch and we attempted to find some time where we could actually hangout.

A little later I got a phone call from my good friend Mr. Allen. It was good catching up with him, he is an awesome guy. I'm really excited because he is playing at the alumni soccer game here at DePaul on Sunday.

The rest of the day was me waiting for my Uncle Kevin to come over so we could go to the cubs game. We had a good time at the game (because the cubs won of course), and decided to walk home (I only like about 15 minutes from wrigley). On the walk home we had a nice long talk about how some people can not hold their alcohol and shouldn't drink.

I'm bored now because it is only 12 and I don't have class tomorrow until 10:10. I really want to go out but everyone is a party pooper. . .

Chicago Fire

Went on a field trip to the Chicago History Meuseum today, it was extremely interesting.

I really do love Chicago.

Angela is Blonde!

Hungout with Angela today, she helped me get my mind off of things.

Today a very close family friend died, so I just wanted to say this:

Anthony, Nicole, and Mrs. Carlson, you are great people and I regard you as my family. I will do whatever needs to be done to help you guys through this difficult time.

RIP Anthony Carlson, you will be missed beyond measure.

Today we actually celebrated James' birthday.

We went to VA to play a soccer game, which was pretty intense.

Later we watch Kaya (Martyna's Dog) fight Toby (Lauren's Turtle), that was actually more amusing than it should have been. (mind you they didn't actually fight, merely checked eachother out).

Later we all came back to the city to take James to his first Hookah bar.

Good Day.

Went home today for James' birthday. I think Crystal Lake is on speed . . . or else everyone was just really enthusiastic that day.

Millenium Park Field Trip

My Birthday

Today was my 19th birthday and also my first birthday while not living at home. For the most part it felt like any other day here at school, up until classes were done. My mom and grandma came up to take me out for an early dinner at one of my favorite restaurants (Flat Top Grill) and we spent some good quality time together. After dinner my friends took me out for hookah and some fantastic Indian cuisine.

It was kind of hard being separated from so many of my friends for my birthday, but all of the calls, texts, and messages (especially Sam's) made me realize that no matter how far apart, my friends are the greatest.

Thanks everyone for a great birthday!

Crystal Lake meets DePaul

I rode the train back down to the city today with James, Ethan, Caleb, and Margie and I was so excited the whole time to show them (besides Margie who actually attends DePaul as well) where I live. I took them to lunch at Planet Sub (best sub restaurant ever, by the way, even though I've already said that), introduced them to friends, and attempted to show Caleb that giraffes really exist.

Here is the Giraffe story (it's actually pretty short): Caleb does not believe that giraffes actually exist. We were taking him to the zoo today so we could show him that they were not cardboard cut-outs or animatronic robo-mammals, but the zoo was closed early because of a private event. This experience has just (in Caleb's mind) proved further that giraffes do not exist.

Caleb, they exist. The truth is out there (insert X-files theme music).

P.S. Tomorrow is my 19th birthday!

Headed home . . .

Woke up at Angela's (despite the ridiculous hour we retired the night before) relatively early and headed back up to DePaul to get some of my things together for the train ride home. Although not homesick, it was nice to see my family after a week. My reason for coming back home was my Grandpa's Birthday, so I spent most of the day mingling with family and tormenting (and being tormented) by younger cousins.

Later on that night I met up with Margie, Ethan, Caleb, James, Jeff, and Zack for some enjoyable hangout time. It was great seeing all of those guys since they haven't come visit me yet.

David Bazan

Today I had the luxury of seeing Mr. David Bazan play at The Beat Kitchen. I am a very happy boy.

FOAM PARTY!!!

Martyna and I went down to visit Frank and Liz at UIC today, and it turned out to be quite an experience.

UIC was holding a "foam party" in their quad, and once I saw it there was no turning back! I was neck deep in a sea of foam, frolicking like the little boy that I truly am at heart! Martyna, Liz and Margie literally had to drag Frank and me away from the foam pit because we were soaking wet and they were sick of us bear-hugging them with billows of foam.

Despite the location of UIC, I think I like it there (if they constantly have foam parties)

Norman Finklestein Debate

Today was my first day of classes, and it was a pretty unique day.

The day commenced with with me getting a police escort into my first class because of a protest that was being held outside of my building (990 W. fullerton).

This is a short summary of why exactly all of this was going on: You see, there is (well was at this point) a teacher here on campus by the name of Norman Finklestein who is/was a political science teacher here at DePaul and he was denied tenure supposedly because of his political views. After being denied tenure he was promptly fired from DePaul University.

Students, jewish organizations, and people from the general public came to DePaul on the first day of classes to protest this and to hear Norman speak in the quad. Norman claimed that he would come to classes on the first day of school and, if denied access to his classes, would attempt to give a speech/class in the quad. Well, Norman Finklestein was denied access to his room and because of all of the press coverage and activism, he was not arrested and was allowed to make a speech in the quad (with police securing the area and film crews rolling vigorously). I was lucky enough to attend his speech and was very glad that I did. Now I do not know Mr. Finklestein's political viewpoints but I do know that they are liberal and not remotely radical at all. I am not going to make a big speech here about academic freedom or freedom of speech, but I will say this: College is an excelent time for students to be introduced to different viewpoints of all types. There is a fine line between radical and civil, and that is a line I do not think Mr. Finklestein crossed, therefore I feel as though we are being censored and treated like children here at DePaul if we can not be exposed to opposing viewpoints.

Anyway, classes were good.

city perspective . . .

Planet Sub

If you are ever in the Lincoln Park area go to Planet Sub (Fullerton and Halsted) . . . You will not be dissapointed.

Jazzfest 2007

Today Will and I jumped down to Millenium Park to catch the tail-end of the last day of Jazzfest. It's so nice to literally be 10 minutes away from everything. I can get all over the city and not have a one hour train ride home hanging over my head. Anyway, Frank and Korea met us down there for a while and later came back up to DePaul with us so they could check out my part of town.

Here we go!

Well, here it is: my dorm. I have succesfully condensed my life into this one little room . . .

I'm actually very happy with it, and it feels great to finally be living in the city!