If you know anything about me, you know I lived in Chicago for a couple of years in my early 20's. I love to talk about it. I can't shut up about the place. So when January and I were discussing what we should do to celebrate our second wedding anniversary and she suggested we spend a weekend in the city, I jumped at the chance. We've spent time up there together before, but almost always for a very short period of time when we had obligations we had to see to, like celebrating Mark's 30th birthday or visiting with some of her friends who were in town. We were both looking forward to a full weekend without any specific plans, so we could just be in Chicago and play it by ear.

We've got a lot of money-intensive projects going on at home this time of year, so we decided to try to do the trip "on the cheap. We found a pretty good price on a hotel out by O'Hare, so rolled into town late last Friday and immediately crashed. The next morning, we took the train into the city and made a beeline for the Bongo Room. I'm ordering you, the next time you're in Chicago and in need of breakfast, go to either one of their locations -- Wicker Park or downtown -- and eat up. It's on the pricey side, but absolutely worth it.They change up their menu seasonally, but if in doubt try the breakfast burrito. If I haven't sold you yet, maybe this picture will.

After breakfast we spent most of the day walking around the Wicker Park neighborhood, just checking out whatever shops looked interesting. There were a lot of really cool shops to check out, but it was somewhat dampered by the hoard of twenty-something women walking around, trying to shove TJ Maxx handbills in my face. I'm usually pretty good at ignoring people on the street who try to hand me things, but this was pushing my patience. I was getting pretty annoyed by it, but I apparently wasn't nearly as annoyed as the gentleman behind me shouting "Fuck you and your TJ Maxx!" which was immediately followed up with "TJ Maxx?? TJ nothing!" Chicago really is the cultural hub of the midwest.

Sunday we grabbed a quick breakfast at The Golden Apple in Lincoln Park and then took a quick bus down to the Lincoln Park Zoo. I'm pretty sure I hadn't been to a zoo since a grade school field trip, so it was exciting to get caught up to speed on what evolution has been doing the past couple of years. Did you guys know about sea lions?? Amazing.

We ended our trip, in complete tourist-style, with a downtown carriage ride and a visit to the Hershey store. Because nothing says "happy anniversary" like a two pound chocolate bar. Happy Anniversary, darling... best two years ever!