Chicago weekend recap
The main reason for this particular weekend trip to Chicago is that I am in the middle of a process of applying for a scholarship to The Academy of Urban School Leadership, a new organization focused on developing educators for Chicago Public Schools. AUSL's program consists of full tuition to obtain a Masters of Arts in Education at National-Lewis University, health insurance, a $30K/year living stipend and a master teacher serving as a mentor for the teacher candidate.
San Diego, on the afternoon of Friday, January 17, was a balmy 75 degrees. Chicago, on the same day, was a bone-chilling eight. That's 8 degrees. What a difference a few thousand miles can make.
My Southwest flight arrived into Chicago Midway from San Diego at 10:30 P.M., that's when I picked-up my Kia Spectra from Budget Rent-A-Car.
Since Ms. Daisy, Mr. Mark Birbeck's significant other, was returning to Hong Kong the following Saturday morning, and I was scheduled to take a test that same morning, I decided to drop-in on Daisy for a late-night last goodbye, roast beef and potatos.
The test, The Illinois Basic Skills Test, a test required for all those wanting to teach in Illinois, was administered at McCormick Place starting at 7:30 A.M. My morning pre-test preparation took place at Steak 'n Egger, a Southside-of-Chicago jewel of all-night diners located at 1174 Cermak Road, with a ribeye steak, two eggs over-hard, hash browns, white toast and coffee.
After an hour of review from the study guide, I departed from Steak 'N Egger for McCormick Place, where there were at least a thousand people testing that morning. The test was scheduled to take as long as five hours; I used all five hours to complete the 145 multiple-choice questions and a 2-1/2-page essay on the subject of credit card marketing to college students. (I took the position that credit cards should NOT be marketed to college students.)
The test was very intense, dealing with three main topics: reading comprehension, language arts and math. My feeling regarding my performace is one of optimism and yet the test was overwhelming as well.
After the test, I met up with Caroline and we drove to The Riverview, the pub where she works. I met her co-worker, Carolyn, an artist from Iowa. Carolyn, after her and I conversed, agreed to trade places with Caroline, to be the first waitress to leave the restaurant, so that Caroline can attend a party I was going to later. (Thank you sweet Carolyn.)
After Riverview, I had a dinner engagement at Sanko, a Wrigleyville sushi restaurant, with seven other friends, which included: Mike Nissley, Tracey Schumacher, Ben, Dave and Caroline, Deb Strzok and Kath Cantillion. We ate copious amounts of sushi and had friendly conversations on a number of topics.
After Sushi, it was back to Pilsen for the party at Geoff and Todd's South Peoria Street flat. The band Tijuana Hercules performed their brand of Crampish/Blues Explosion rock, which was later silenced by Chicago's finest. That was a fun party. Thanks Geoff and Todd.
That's the recap.
