1st Stop to Middle Earth

My first stop to China - Chicago IL

Arrival - 8am Friday Central time at Midway Airport

Treck on subway to Ryan's appartment - about half hour

Walking around confused with a poor sense of direction - unmeasured time

Chicago is not warm in August, it feels like fall in NC

It has a river that is an unnatural greenish/blue beautiful color

It has many tall buildings, but all in one spot (the "loop"), after that, the city spreads out like gridlock lights.

Not much traffic

Great to bike and run along the lake-front

Not great to swim in (we only made it up to our knees in the water - like ice)

the Art Institute is great

there is live music and concerts every night somewhere

It will not always be this wonderful here ... it will get cold ... very cold.

Pictures of Chicago:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/41754503@N05/sets/

I went to see OBAMA

Many people, a lot of time waiting in lines, a lot of hope! A great day. Our neighbor Neville, his parents, and I waited in line for about 1.5 hours, but it was worth it. We got to hear Obama talk - awesome.

Obama

Patrick and Graduation

I got to see Patrick, my new 2 week old nephew, for the first time this week. He is very cute with blond hair and blue eyes like his older brother. John Paul is really cute, he loves to run and dance and explore. He says "dis" (this) and "peas" (please) a lot. He was so much fun to play with and watch, he's so smart now! He can even type on my computer already! Here are the new pictures of the boys (and videos of John Paul dancing... very cute!)
Also, I checked my grades and paid my library late fees, I'm officially set to graduate on Sunday!

John Paul and Patrick

The Reptile Show

Today mom and I went to the reptile and exotic animals show. She was looking for some special lizards and crickets, which she didn't find, but we found lots of other cool animals... snakes, chameleons, elephants, horses, wallabies, and more! It was a really nice visit. And tomorrow dad and I leave to see Patrick McCune!

Reptile Show with Mom

Tomorrow is my last exam and then I graduate! Then Saturday is my end of year party, lots of cleaning to do before then. And Sunday I go to finally meet my new nephew! After tomorrow, things will be very good.

My resume

My online resume is at http://www.unc.edu/~ermatthe/, if you know of anyone to show it to, that would be great! I'm looking for a full-time position, either teaching, working with companies who have offices in Latin America, or doing non-profit work. Thanks for spreading the word!

My first 'blog' - Pilgrimage to the Basilica in DC

Hi, welcome to my 'blog'. Kate just started a blog, so I figured why not?
I got back last night at about 1:45am from a day-long pilgrimage to DC to visit the Basilica with the Raleigh Diocese. I traveled with the Newman Student Group from UNC. There were 11 of us (from UNC) and about 30 other students from all over: Duke, State, UNC-W, Elon. As I have been going to N.C. State for mass since it is closer than UNC, I saw the State students there, and my Alias was ruined - they finally know I'm a UNC, not State student.
We drove up to Henderson, NC on the VA border Fri. night and slept in a church there. We played a marathon game of apples-to-apples. We slept in the dark sanctuary ... kind of spooky. We got to DC at about 10am the next morning and made it just in time for the rosary, which the students led. Then we had a day focused on Mary, mass, benediction. It ended at 5:00 and then our bus driver took us to the city, near the Smithsonian. We walked all the way to Dupont Circle, a 45 minute walk at least. We had dinner at a nice restaurant, The Front Page, and I got french onion soup (my addiction). Then back to the bus to come home. The walk was beautiful, a perfect night for walking, we even got some running in. Here are my pictures, everything was really beautiful, it was hard to take a bad picture (although you can see I did managed a few time). Hope everyone had a great weekend!
Maybe I won't post again till after school ends, I should be doing other work as we speak (or I write). I have 4 papers and a project, and then I'm done! forever!!!! or for a while :) Only 2 weeks till classes end.

Pilgrimage to the Basilica