chicago loves

my little sister, an 18-year-old avid blog follower and philosophy student studying in nova scotia, sent me this link today, listing cute places to go in chicago. i've already tried molly's and can't wait to go on another wicker park adventure!

other things making me happy lately have included...:

throwback to me and my beloved roommate andy's first trip to the chicago lyric opera.

- the lyric opera of chicago's season announcement for next year! i have been waiting for what feels like years to see clemenza di tito live (saw it in met HD this year) and joyce didonato and matthew polenzani will be singing no less!! not to mention otello, rusalka and more! alek shrader, ana maria martinez, isabel leonard... can't wait!

- the lincoln park zoo. free, adorable and full of amazing animals! these two gorillas were in a valentine's day mood...

- my book club. we read pale fire by nabokov (oy gevalt) first and last time tennessee williams' cat on a hot tin roof. the couple that hosted formerly lived in new orleans and made black eyed peas, hurricanes and screened the movie after our discussion! i'm curious about how scarlett johansen is doing on broadway...

- my first foray into steak-cooking tonight. i've been feeling a little anemic lately and this gnocchi, steak and spinach meal saved me :) 

- my new cute audition dress i picked up. i have a lot of competitions and gigs coming up which is exciting and it's always important to look the part. plus i love french repertoire. here was my first try at comme autrefois from the pearl fishers by bizet (my pianist and i had some issues in the B section)

all is looking good :)

                                                    

 

(me and my roomie on our first trip to the lyric opera)