Opa!

I can’t believe I just saw some guy riding his bike with shorts on! It is so bitterly cold out that simply to look at him was painful. As much as I wanted to join some fellow CSers for ice skating at Millennium Park tonight, I simply couldn’t be outside all night. Brrrr..

Chicago Semester is coming to an end and its closing curtain is marked by numerous activities, events, and projects. I have a lot of work to complete this weekend, including two five page papers. The only reason I feel overwhelmed is because I’ve been working on grad school applications at the same time, the first of which I submitted (for UChicago) tonight. It makes me so nervous! Everyone should sympathize with CS students who are interning and taking courses while simultaneously pumping out personal statements and securing letters of recommendation.

This week we presented our art projects for Arts in the City. I decided to stem my project on a relationship I established with a panhandler on the Madison Street Bridge. On Monday night I found him and told him I was taking him to dinner as my date. We spoke for almost two hours about stories of his life and advice I’m seeking for mine. I compiled many of his tales into a collection of comical short stories and attempted to present one as a “one-woman show.” It was a good time and a supportive environment even though we were all a little awkward. But who are we kidding? College students are awkward!

The best event of week was our Final Celebration Dinner last Wednesday. It was held at the Parthenon in Greektown where we were treated to a host of courses including delicious appetizers, fresh salad, countless main dishes and sides, and tantalizing desserts! It was so much

more fun than I could have ever expected and I left completely satisfied! I was amazed that Chicago Semester put so much effort into organizing such an outstanding event (thanks guys!). I had a blast taking pictures of my friend Joel as he ate everything on the menu. He likes to takes pictures when he is eating… strange kid.

My internship is busy as usual and I’m preparing for my final evaluation on Thursday. These last several weeks I’ve had the opportunity to work with some very diverse clients. One day I serviced a Spanish-speaking couple and cringed that after 4 ½ years of Spanish I can still hardly communicate! I also serviced a few deaf clients. That was especially meaningful because I am in a club at Hope called Silent Praise that performs ASL to worship songs. I surprisingly knew enough to effectively communicate them…go figure.

Back to work!