To-do list

As I had stated in my previous blog, I'd rather visit "my list" of cities in the US before I venture off to Europe. So here are some of the places I've been:
Los Angelos-Hollywood sign/Playboy Mansion/Santa Monica Pier/Venice Beach/Disneyland
Boston- Fenway Park
Tempe AZ- ASU and plenty of mountain climbing/river floating
Las Vegas- The strip (very blurry however) and Palms
New York- Time Square, Ground Zero, Statue of Liberty, NYU, I drank a $23 mojito at the W Hotel and spent most my $ in cabs (so expensive)
Florida- everywhere but Miami/did it all and I'm over Florida
Charleston, NC- played in a softball tournament/can't remember many sights
Overland Park, KS- Softball again, met Dorthy and Toto
Louisville, KY- Softball and love southern hospitality
Chicago- I love driving past HARPO (guilty pleasure)
San Fran- Alcatrez and the bridge
Wash D.C.-all the monuments
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To Do:
Anywhere Hawaii- San Diego -Santa Fe
Miami Beach- New Orleans- Denver
Anywhere Alaska -Houston -Utah (I <3 Big Love)
Nashville- Atlanta (to see Chipper Jones)

Proud to be an American!

Since 9/11 immigration has become a huge issue in the United States. Have we gone too far as a free nation? We as Americans are entitled the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. But are we sacrificing our own safety in our own country? Chicago has been faced with many different stands on immigration. For example, in "Big Cities Balk Over Illegal Migrants" Judy Keen writes: "Despite a federal effort to enlist help from local police to catch illegal immigrants, some of the USA's biggest cities are declining to enforce immigration laws." Some cities are cracking down on the loopholes in regards to immigration and some cities are simply avoiding the controversey. How will the problem of immigration ever be fixed? Are we as American citizens in danger?

I do not follow up on such events quite frequently; however I am aware of the huge marches held downtown in reference to the immigration reforms. As a second generation American I can understand both sides of the argument to a certain extent. However, I want to feel safe in my country PERIOD! I just feel it is a privilege to be an American and immigrants need to follow the rules properly just as my relatives did. Learn OUR language, work hard and pay your end to the government and honor the best country in the world! God Bless America!

Is it the sex, or the city?

I am a late bloomer when it comes to the Sex and the City phenomenon. I love the show! I think it is brilliantly entertaining. The plot, comedy and drama swallows me whole. I can sit on my white leather couch, hours on end, watching four women BS about their lives and love every minute of it. In turn, I can call my girlfriends and hear the same BS in a non-fictional dramatic manner and be annoyed? In typical Carrie Bradshaw fashion, "I got to thinking", is it the sex, or the city? Why are we as living beings so enthralled with this fictional show about a journalist and her sex-life in the big city? Why are our own lives so draining and tedious? Anywho, enough role playing. All I need is a pack of Marbrolo Lights and my body weight divided by two and I would be Carrie Bradshaw.

I am fascinated by New York. New York has it's own style, pace and reputation of dominating cities around the world. Likewise, Chicago holds it's own as well. Whenever I run into old classmates or catch up with family members I often find myself idolized for living in the city at the age of 23? "That's so great you're living in the city!" "You're so lucky, do you love it?" People are just mesmerized with the idea of a young single gal cutting bread and the rug in the big city. The bottom line is many people are and always will be obsessed with big cities. I guess it is the city in The Sex and City that makes people yearn for more. The sex part probably helps, but I won't get into that (my grandpa knows how to use the computer)!

1076 W. Gentrification

Gentrification is my current address. I currently live in the Little Italy neighborhood and love every minute of it. I had moved into an apartment with a co-worker and planned to eventually move in with a good friend from high school. However, I still live with my co-worker because Laura's (friend from high school) parents were not thrilled with their daughter living in the UIC area. Laura's parents both attended St. Ignatious high school, (many moons ago) and did not feel comfortable with the surrounding "slums." I could understand their point initially since the projects on Taylor and Ada were less than reassuring; however gentrification has begun in this area.

I have noticed dramatic changes in the Little Italy neighborhood. The best change has been the destruction of projects previously located in the center of a fantastic city attraction. When I first moved down to the city I was slightly hesitant when walking west down Taylor St. However, some pepper spray and a brief street education from some of the neighborhood natives helped me feel better about roaming the streets.

Ironically, Laura has moved to Lincoln Park despite all of the crime that has gone on this summer. Crime can happen any where. I tried to convice her to move in the neighborhood; however her parents just won't let it go. Maybe her parents need to read my blog!

from Charleston, IL to DIVA

I began my college career at Eastern Illinois University back in 2003. The itzy bitzy town of Charleston was fine, nothing to blog (haha brag) about. It was tiny and rather dirty- I felt deprivedl; I wanted more. I was desperate for new adventures. I left EIU- moved home for an incredibly long year with a roomie (my father), saved some money, traveled and finally made it to the big city I was lusting for!

In that year I was traveling nearly every other month- thanks to my awesome job at Tufano's (located on campus)and the flexibility of community college. In one year I went to Los Angelos, New York, Boston, Vegas and ASU (can't think of the town T?????). I had so much fun in each city. I am actually LOL thinking of the times I had.

Believe it or not, Los Angelos is my overall favorite city. I have been going there since I was a young pup and I feel loyal to the city of angels. I love the ocean- I love the mountains- the carefree attitude of the wacky people down on Venice beach is amazing. My 2nd favorite trip was ASU- I had never laughed so hard in my life. I went there on Spring Break and eleven of my friends and I stayed in a one bedroom apt! I wouldn't have done it any other way! We climbed mountains- drank plenty of just about everything and floated down a beautiful river thingy! It was just gorgeous.

I would rather visit every major city in the USA before I go to Europe!!!

Tract This!

It seemed appropriate to stay organized and efficient considering school has only just begun. Therefore, I wanted to talk about my census tract. I live considerably close to Liz, "Little Italy" therefore the example shown in class was fantastic for me.

It is just amazing how much research must go into one single census. Personally, I would never graze the census site in my spare time; however I was fairly amused in class today. I know censuses are significantly important since it serves a greater purpose other than UPP 202 entertainment,obviously! However, all that work had to be a pain in the (beep)without technology way back in the day.

Overall, the census is out of date. The projects have been torn down and relocation probably would alter the demographics dramatically. I believe the University brings huge diversity to the area compared to other parts of the city. However many of the native residents still reside in the neighborhood. I work at one of the oldest family owned restaurants in the area; therefore I am familiar with many of the families that reside in this neighborhood. I have to disagree with the majority of "types" of households in the area. I think the majority of households would be families living around the neighborhood in comparison to college students.