Some pics to accompany Genevieve's post

Chicago by Genevieve Clarke

Jodi had come to me and asked if I would like to go to Chicago for a week for a conference , Just me , NO kids , Babies or Terry. I was all over that & it sounded to good to be true. First I had to get a Pass Port, Never had one before so that in it self was exciting. After all the " yes you can go , No you can't go to finally yes you can go (because of the Ministry of Children and Families changing their minds about care of my twin granddaughters who are in my care)" Jodi , Beth , Michelle & I left on September 5th , 2010 , Michelle left before us & Jodi drove us to Seattle & we stayed in this off the side Motel. We go to park Jodi's put put & Beth is holding on for dear life cause Jodi parks on a hill and she was afraid we were going to tip over , That was cute . We get checked in and get to our room & Jodi decides to "check" out the bed & the bouncing begins . If Beth was NOT on the bed at the time Jodi would of bounced right out the window into ??? That was funny :) We had to then get up at like 4 in the morning to go catch the plane (freaking out) , Airports are like tiny cities. I LOVE THE MOVING WALKS , again that was funny , Just how they SHOOT YOU OFF the other side :) I would diffidently make that a field trip . Getting on the first plane will forever be etched in my head. I can honestly say I FACED A FEAR & BOARDED THAT PLANE :) A huge THANKS TO BETH FOR THAT , I was freaking out yelling at GOD & there was Beth asking him to help me & be with me :) I don't remember much after that. Then we had to get off that plane & wait in the airport in Detroit ,we played cards to pass some time & AGAIN I KICKED SOME JODI BUTT :).. Getting on that second plane was/is kind of a blur thanks for gravol . We get to CHICAGO & the first thing was to find "THE PRETZEL" . Hands down best one yet :) Now we are at the train station trying to load the transit cards , weird system down there , same price , I still have my pass & it dose not expire till 2012 with like 2-3$ left :) Well we finally get to our hotel & Michele is there YEAH. We were on the 15th floor & we faced this river that ran through most of the city , If it was not for my fear of heights I would of just sat by the window the whole time :) And again Jodi had to test the bounce in the beds , LMAO. We were there to attend these workshops they had going on & I attended 3 of them , the first one sucked , the other two were awesome. They were lead by the only other 3 Aboriginal people I saw there LOL. I don't wan to talk alot about the workshops I want to focus on the FUN that was had by all. I was amazed by the Beauty I saw in the African America Black People , Men , Women , Children WOW. after we half settled in I went outside & while I was outside waiting for Jodi , Beth & Michelle , there was this bus loading people up to go ??? & this lady kept asking me to board the bus , I was LIKE UH NO thank you :) We ate at different places for lunch and dinner my favorites were the Japanese place ( I think ) & the Pizza place , U need to eat the DEEP DISH PIZZA with a fork & knife .

Another moment for my book is I was outside the hotel waiting to go for lunch ?? & the Bell Hop , an older man , was helping this group of older women into this cab , OMG , this one lady was having a hard time getting up & in so buddy goes and gives her a push up & says to the others waiting to get in " JUST PUSH THE TUSH ". Everyone's mouth drop , including mine & I LAUGHED SO HARD OMG . I still laugh :)

& they have a rat problem as well HOLY . I was again outside smoking and I went & sat across the street at this cement park thing & it was dark out & I was reading my book i brought with me & all of a sudden this "FAMILY OF RATS " came right out from under my feet , HOLLY !!!! Then again the next night I went & sat on the other side were u can see what is coming and going ( so I thought ) & from OUT OF NOWHERE A RAT!!! They also had posters of BED BUGS on the "skytrains" . We got to pick one day a choice of a bunch of tours they had set up at different churches & centers around the area . Jodi & I went on this tour of Lawn dale Community Church & all the different centers & health clinic they have going on. At this old run down fire station they have this whole HIP HOP thing happening .

Our trip home was an adventure in itself too. We are almost home after the ONE flight to Seattle YEAH , we run out of gas , LMAO. So again we play cards waiting for HELP :) JODI ALWAYS SAYS " IT IS NOT AN ADVENTURE TILL IT IS A MISS ADVENTURE" Well I think that is all I have to say about that :) I had an AMAZING TIME , If time could be stopped for awhile that would be one time in my life that I could do again. & Jodi says ( well not just Jodi ) " you always leave something undone when u travel so then u have a reason to come back ) & we / I left at least 3 things , First would be a boat tour of the river , Going to the Black Hawks sports store & to find the start of the river :) Jodi & I walked to the pier & It was amazing how big that lake is (lake Michigan).

Again I want to THANK GOD for that wonderful gift of going. I also need to THANK JODI for thinking of me when planning for this trip , A BIG ,OK the BIGGEST THANK YOU TO BETH for NOT HAVING ME TRAVEL ALONE WITH JODI. She tends to be ALOT of WORK when traveling / camping !!! LOL. Then there is my girl Michelle , I have expressed my Love & gratitude for Beth & Jodi over & over & I know we both shared in this experience together But I am just wanting to say the YOU R THE BEST TRAVEL BUDDY/ ROOMMATE ANYONE COULD ASK FOR :) I had a great time with you & can't wait for the next trip :)

In a small nut shell these are my thoughts on "MY TRIP TO CHICAGOOOO!!!!"

gg