End of Beginning

And when I'm back in Chicago, I feel it

Another version of me, I was in it

I wave goodbye to the end of beginning

(Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye, goodbye)

You take the man out of the city, not the city out the man...

Have you heard this song from Djo (aka Joe Keery, "Steve" from Stranger Things)? It's a super catchy tune that went viral on TikTok last year. Although our "end of beginning" in Chicago was almost *25* years ago, we've tried to come back at least once a year ever since. With so many family and friends still here, that line from the bridge of the song rings true - you can take us out of the city but not the city out of us... 

As I wrote in my previous post from early February, the reason for this trip was to attend R's cousin's wedding, and then after R goes home next Thursday, I'll stay almost another week longer for a conference. In between, the original plan was for another check-in on my parents, but they're actually with my brother in California at the moment, so R and I will get to check out a new locale instead! 

Normally we travel pretty light, but this time we had to bring dress clothes for the wedding, business casual attire for me to attend the 4-day conference, plus our usual everyday stuff. Considering that it's April in Chicago, we also had to pack for all kinds of weather. So, that meant checking *three* suitcases - ugh! 🙄 At least I can expense my bag both ways!

On our way to LAX early this morning, we decided to stop at Randy's Donuts. We literally drive past the iconic rooftop donut every time we fly out and have never tried one. What we got was just okay, but really, how can a donut ever be bad?

Recognize it from Iron Man 2?

After arriving in Chicago, we picked up the rental car and headed over to R's aunties' place to drop off our *three* suitcases (cough!). Then we drove up to Old Orchard to shop at Macy's for Frango mints for the boys, a tie for R, and a denim jacket for me. 

The aunties picked up dinner for us from Renga Tei Tenjin in Lincolnwood (now under new ownership). Until we've had a chance to dine in the restaurant, I'll just say that the take out was decent, not rave-worthy. But we'd give it another chance.

The wedding is tomorrow...