- Affirmation: Life can be amazing, just inhale :)
- Mood/Music: Can you feel it?
- Food/Drink: Tuna sandwich
- Energy level: High octane!
How lucky I am. July began with Bob and I flying to Chicago for the Lions International Convention (90th for Lions; 50th for Leos; 20th for Women members) - first time for me visiting Chicago. We both loved the city and how easy it was to get around using the public transportation system. There were over 15,000 Lions and a couple hundred Leos present at the convention.
It was great for me to connect with a few New Zealanders, attend the Leos sessions and be a part of this huge celebration of Lionism. Bob thoroughly enjoyed the experience and resolved to join when he returned to Austin.
Highlights of our trip was the romantic cruise on Lake Michigan on 4th of July - Bob ordered a surprise "Sweetheart" Package so we had champagne and roses to enjoy seated waterside with fantastic views of Chicago city and the fireworks from Navy Pier. The night before, we had viewed the fireworks spectacular from the Sears Towers, another awesome experience and a very different perspective - away from the million plus crowd below in the park.
We only were lost once, and that was due to the bus services being reduced on the 4th of July holiday. At all times, the people of Chicago were so generous, friendly and helpful to us. One man accompanied us six blocks to make sure that we got back to the trains when we were lost. Another lady, showed us where the Sears Tower was and used her employee card to get us discounts. The Marriot Hotel in the Medical District was a perfect place to stay, as they had a free shuttle service within a mile radius of the hotel and we were within easy walking distance of Little Italy for great dining out.
Bob and I finally got our house plans to the blueprint stage and they look great (so far), we just have to work out how the roof will be done and we'll be able to go ahead to final blueprint to tender out to builders to quote to build our lakehouse. We've also started compiling a book of house appliances and fittings that will go into the house.
Student finance has been applied for Anthony and I and Richard's will be finished tomorrow.
I finally met up with Jodie and Linda - Bob came with us to Linda's where we studied and ate lunch.
Great progress with tiling the townhouse - it has a border running around the living and dining area. The living has a customised diamond insert with the patio tile we're using for the back patio. Anthony helped grouting and the project is now about three quarters complete. Bob has been chief tile cutter and mortar mixer, while I have been tile layer and Anthony the grouter.
The most perturbing event was returning from Chicago to find I had gained six pounds in five days! That has brought about a renewed resolve that I must get serious about getting in shape, eathing healthy and exercising way more than I have. The wet rainy summer has done nothing to help me out on that front, but finally, in the past week the sun has peaked its head out and I have been more active walking outdoors and swimming. At last I have a walking partner/exercise partner too. Maria has re-emerged into my life again. She's still a little blue after the loss of her son (who wouldn't be) and she is now living only a couple of streets away from me, so it will be easy to exercise together.
Progress: Since returning from Chicago I have lost the six pounds I had gained there and am now almost minus one pound....another 24lbs to go!
I was glad to hear from a couple of my students over the holidays. One had graduated in Alaska (bravo!). However the second was sad news that one of my students has passed away from illness. My thoughts are with him and his family.
Anthony has been doing great working at Starbucks for the past six months and I'm extremely proud of him for keeping his job through the summertime. Not many teenagers do that! In a couple of weeks he will be off to Austin...and I will be the only one in the family still here 
Richard has taught physics to high schoolers over the summer. He seems to enjoy teaching 
(hahaha, it's not such a bad profession you know!) Rich and Divina will be moving into their own place next month. Uh, my oldest is a young man with a bright future ahead of him. It's very heartwarming to see my sons moving into manhood and maturing into caring and productive citizens.
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