I can’t believe I waited all this time to post a blog…but there it is. What finally pushed me to write one? Harry Potter! The first part of the final movie is being released today. I have been waiting for this since I read the last book like three years 3 years ago. I am such a huge fan, so it was decided that as an introduction to one of American’s favorite pass times, we’d (My awesome partner and myself) take our family, just one guy, really, to see the movie with us. Our family, at least the immediate family, is made up of the father, mother, and their 18-year old son. The guy that’s living with them is their youngest son but they do have two older children as well: A daughter that is married and living in a separate apartment in the same building and a son (the eldest) who is still in Nepal. Anyway, the guy that’ll be going with us to the movies is their youngest son, Amar. He has a pretty good command of the English language so I think he’ll understand the movie and hopefully like it, too. Can’t for 6:15 to get here!

Alas, winter is upon us friends. But no fear, winter coats are here. Well, for some of us, there are winter coats (and hats, gloves, boots, and earmuffs) to save the day. But many, such as our refugee friends, only have a limited amount, if any, winter clothing and accessories at all to keep them defrosted during the freezing Chicago winters.

Last week, a few of us with Dr. Amick visited Audubon Elementary School to discuss our winter coat drive as well as took the time to reach out to the class about refugees and why it is such a good cause that they are in partnership with us and donating all the winter coats they receive to us. We brought along some photos we had of our family so that the girls could see a more personal side to this project. They were able to know more than just that their winter coats are going to refugee families, but they also now have an idea of what the families look like. It was an amazing opportunity that presented to us to further the awareness about refugees, that they are living among us here in Rogers Park and that they arrived with nothing, so anything we can provide for them will be appreciated and will go to good use.

Also some other good news: I was given word today from one of my professors that I am to expect a large bag of donations from her within the next couple weeks and that she has also announced our winter clothing drive to all of her classes.

Well, it seems like we will receive a good amount of winter coats this year with the combination of donations from Audubon Elementary School and donations from our campus.