Category: Chicago Livin’

Such a ‘Bler: My Second Lunar New Year in Chicago

Such a ‘Bler: My Second Lunar New Year in Chicago

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It was a day in my Vietnamese áo dài (our traditional costume), Vietnamese food and non-Vietnamese friends!

I am an international student. I was born and raised in Vietnam and have been in Chicago for almost two years for university. In Vietnam, we celebrate Lunar New Year, which tends to come around early to mid-February – whenever the moon decides to finish its cycle haha. It’s a tradition in countries that celebrate Lunar New Year to gather with their family and friends for food and celebrations.

Noon on Monday, February 4th was when the clock hit midnight signifying the walk into the new Lunar New Year 2019 in Vietnam. I, as usual, was in class. Last year, I was able to wish my parents and brother on Facebook under the table (shhh) but this year, noon on a Monday meant THTR 266 – Acting I and so, my found sat on silent in my bag as the fireworks crackled back home.

Right after class ended at 12:10pm, I had a 25 minute break before my next class THTR 352 – Design II and so I quickly called my parents. I was running from Mundelein in my áo dài, wrapped in my winter coat and holding a Starbucks. I felt very cultured. It was nice to hear their stories about celebrations back home, though things were a little quieter with me being in Chicago, and with my dad being under the weather this year. Seeing them smile upon my call home from class in my traditional costume, made me even more homesick.

Later that day, my friends and I took the L to Argyle and had Vietnamese food at Nhà Hàng Việt Nam. I let them choose their order though they insisted on my recommendations. To my surprise they all chose VERY special and authentic dishes – it was a proud moment for me. They their first shared reactions to the food whilst I shared stories of traditions back home. Chicago was still chilly that day but my heart was warm. 

Here’s a throwback of my áo dài from last year on the beautiful steps of Mertz Hall: 

I made sure and will continue to wear my culture with pride each year. Don’t forget traditions even when you’re half way around the world from where you learnt them. Besides, it’s always fun to answer the questions that people ask when they pass by. Happy Lunar New Year everyone!

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Such a ‘Bler: Greetings Polar Vortex, and We at Loyola Stayed Warm

Such a ‘Bler: Greetings Polar Vortex, and We at Loyola Stayed Warm

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And so, Chicago welcomed the almighty Polar Vortex.

Temperatures drops to scary levels and (blessing us all) Loyola along with other academic institutions cancelled school for two days. It was genuinely unsafe to go outside.

Frankly, I did not do much, but the “break” really helped put my work flow back on track (but more on that in a separate winy blog post haha.) A lot of professors tried to carry class through via Zoom or creative assignments such as to film (however we could) the storm with our phones in the case of my COMM 135 – Video Production class. I was really grateful for their efforts to not put a dent in our academic schedules.

However, what warmed me the most was the thoughts of my friends here. There were Instagram stories floating all over with information about shelters for the homeless and charity runs prior the full hits of the storm. Students of Loyola were purchasing supplies to hand out and raising funds through Venmo for those who wished to help without having to or were honestly unable to physically deliver donations. It was incredible.

A part of me still wishes I had gone outside to great the blizzardly beast. It was truly beautiful if not terrifying – as seen in the above photo of which I took (from a brave friend’s Instagram story). Stay warm!

 

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Cold Weather Hits Chicago

Cold Weather Hits Chicago

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As many of you may know, Loyola never cancels classes. At least for the 4 years I have been here, not once did any amount of snow or low temperature stop Loyola from holding classes. However, one of the coldest air masses will hit the Midwest this week. The temperature in Chicago is predicted to fall to record and dangerous lows on Wednesday. After seeing a high of about 34 degrees today (Monday), it will shortly drop to zero and Wednesday is expected to drop to -23 degrees, this is a record compared to the year 1985, dropping to a low of -27.

The lows Tuesday and Wednesday could break records set in 1966. They’ll also feel much worse with wind gusts up to 30 mph, which will make it feel as low as negative 50 degrees, according to the weather service. But there could be as much as a 30-degree disparity from the north to the south end of the state, while lakefront communities could get a small reprieve, but that largely depends on how much ice cover there is on Lake Michigan.

Loyola faculty is monitoring the forecast over the next 24 hours, and they plan to notify the campus community of any potential class schedule changes or cancellations by 2 p.m. on Tuesday. This is a big deal for Loyola students, as this never really happens. 

The weather on Wednesday will be very dangerous, and it is important that all individuals take caution. Be sure to wear layers of clothes, cover exposed skin, be outside as less as possible, stay dry, and avoid alcohol and caffeine. These beverages interfere with the normal physiological defense against cold and can actually increase heat loss.

With a wind chill of -18°F to -35°F, frostbite can occur in 10 to 30 minutes if skin is exposed. Please be safe and stay warm!

Such a ‘Bler: Sophomore Fall Reflection

Such a ‘Bler: Sophomore Fall Reflection

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Look alive ramblers, SPRING 2019 IS UPON US.

With a new year and 14-week adventure beginning, here are a few things this sophomore has taken away from a rollercoaster of a semester:

  1. Don’t trust your bi-weekly planning routine. There’s a reason the syllabus is prewritten and read through for specific queries on the first day of class – professors aren’t looking to let you have an easy start with the ‘tell us a fun fact about yourself’ ice breaker – THIS IS THE REAL EASY START. From this year onwards, I’m committing to jotting down ALL my quizzes, exams, assignments, presentations, extra sleep days – they type it, I write it – to make sure I have a clear vision of the semester and am able to preplan and reschedule more strategically.
  2. Be honest about your mistakes. Not only is it right, but the truth will always work in your favor one way or another. Frankly, professors are human – very intellectual and organized humans – but humans. They will listen to your concerns and fears if you let them. They want you to succeed, so be honest and let them help the way they can.
  3. Venture when you get the chance. This includes on-campus events, off-campus events, new study spots, odd hour adventures and things you want to go to but somehow landed in the situation of going alone. Doing this not only allows you to refresh your mind in order to tackle more words but always remember that you are here to experience. JUST GO! YOU. WILL. LOVE. IT.
  4. And well, take the chance! I’m essentially reiterating the last point because it is THAT important. Budging out of that burrito of comfort is so important because you’ll never know if you don’t try. That thing you’re so afraid of, may be the best thing ever. It may be the thing you’ve always been searching for. I took plenty of chances this semester and can’t even say that I regret the ones that ended less pleasant.

I’m ready for another ball game, are you?

 

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Finals Breakfast 2018!

Finals Breakfast 2018!

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Finals are approaching faster than it may seem, and as nerve wracking that sounds, the bright side is that winter break is almost here! You should be preparing for finals because you’re going to have a lot of reviewing to do, depending on how many exams you have, whether they’re cumulative or not, and the level of easiness or difficulty of the content.

You should also know when your finals are scheduled, and if you don’t, here is the link: http://www.luc.edu/academics/schedules/spring/exam_schedule.shtml

NOTE: Make sure this matches up to your syllabus, and if it does not, bring this up to your professor.

Now enough of the scary stuff, FINALS BREAKFAST IS ALMOST HERE.

Finals breakfast takes place at the end of each semester, the Tuesday of every finals week! The fun part of it is that its at 9PM instead of the morning, so take a break from the stress and get together with friends. Take advantage of the free food, after all, food makes everyone happy.

I wish everyone the best of luck on finals! Do the best you can, make sure you have tons of caffeine, and be optimistic. You won’t have to deal with this again until January 17th!

Remember: Finals Breakfast Fall 2018: Tuesday December 11, 2018 9-10:30PM in Gentile Arena

Christmas Markets in Winter

Christmas Markets in Winter

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After Thanksgiving, one of the most exciting things to look forward to is Christmas time. Although I personally do not celebrate Christmas, the atmosphere that Chicago brings during this holiday season is amazing and you should definitely take advantage of the many fun things to do in the city, especially the Christkindlmarket! This year will be the 23rd annual Christkindlmarket where each year, people from all over the world visit the Christkindlmarket. The outdoor market in the Chicago Loop has become so popular and loved that any Chicagoan will tell you that they could not imagine the city without it. The Christkindlmarket is no longer just a German tradition, it has become a Chicago institution. The unique shopping experience, typical German food and drinks, as well as diverse holiday entertainment make the Christkindlmarket Chicago a preferred and popular destination. In 2016 and 2017, the Christkindlmarket opened two other locations at Naper Settlement and Gallagher Way in Wrigleyville to rave reviews. 2018 marks the inaugural year of the Christkindlmarket Milwaukee at the entertainment plaza outside Fiserv Forum. Admission is always FREE! 

The Christkindlesmarkt is inspired by the Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg, Germany, which began in 1545, the Christkindlmarket Chicago brings a cherished German and European tradition with international flair and local charm to Chicago. Chicago’s largest open-air Christmas festival was first held on Pioneer Court in 1996. The Christkind, a fairy-like being dressed in gold and white robes with a crown upon her golden locks, is the namesake of the Christkindlmarket Chicago. Christkind folklore dates back to the 1500s and stems from traditional customs: Parades during the holiday season were guided by one “grand” angel, the Christkind. Since then, and still today, she is the bearer of gifts to most children in German speaking countries, much like Santa Claus is in the United States. Traditionally, gifts are exchanged December 24th and delivered by the Christkind, who leaves gifts under the Christmas tree and disappears before the children can catch a glimpse of her.

One of my favorite things to do here is to get the expensive $7 hot chocolate and take an insta with it. Also you get a cute annual mug with it, so I would say it is worth it 🙂

If you guys ever get a chance, you should definitely check it out. It will be open until December 24th.

 

Such a ‘Bler: Study Break?

Such a ‘Bler: Study Break?

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What do I love about studying at a university right near downtown Chicago? It only takes a quick hop on the L to get my head out of a creative block and/or (haha) fatigue.

With my 3 areas of study (Communication Studies, Theatre & English), I always end up moving into Loyola’s Art studios/shops towards the end of each semester. Then comes hours after hours of crafting or typing of new pieces. Eventually the brain calls for a different adventure.

BY THE WAY, I made a new video about what I’m studying at Loyola. Watch it here:

The ice rink at Millennium Park is always a fun place to chill (literally). The price is very college student budget friendly and it only takes a few rounds to forget all that stress and exhaustion (mainly cause you’ll be focused on new brusies from skating haha.) But you honestly cannot feel anything other than refreshed on an ice rink, because if you think too much, you’ll fall. And look how cute Cloud Grate (the bean haha) is all snowed up!

Take some time to cool off, and maybe even a stroll around Millennium Park itself afterwards! The rink is yours until 8:30pm!

 

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Such a ‘Bler: My Hiding Spot

Such a ‘Bler: My Hiding Spot

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The last of my Thanksgiving break actually ended today when my boyfriend waved see you later on O’haire International Airport. I’ll see him in a few weeks for winter break, but for now, it’s full force finals fun. Here’s one of my secrets to treating oneself whilst treating oneself.

The 8th floor of Loyola University Schreiber Center.

Disclaimer: I am not a business student, but my good friend Maddie who is, actually showed me this spot. It is welcome to all.

There are plenty of comfy singular sofas and low tables or higher long tables if that you’re your concentration. The floor is quiet and spacious and breathes an air of relaxed productivity. However, perhaps the best part, are the huge glass windows that wrap the city of Chicago around surround you. The sunlight shines through these giants, and if you’re extra lucky, casts onto the walls. My favourite time is 5pm, 4:30pm during day light savings. That’s when it is the prettiest.

I used to just study in my dorm, which has nice windows too, but I somehow always end up feeling like a hermit. Studying around others in an open space also makes homesickness more bearable. I guess the tip here is to hop around. Don’t be shy, there’s definitely more hiding spots out there. Free coffee is also right next door, but more on that later.

 

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Such a ‘Bler: Giving Thanks

Such a ‘Bler: Giving Thanks

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Last thanksgiving, my boyfriend Jacob visited, and we were invited over by a lovely family-friend Vietnamese couple for lunch. They made us a whole spread of Vietnamese delights and it felt like we were back home for a few hours.

He visited again this year, tagging his roommate Kent along as well, and we had our first Friendsgiving. One of my closest friends on campus Maddie and her boyfriend Nick cooked up a huge dinner, with an actually turkey and everything! We were also joined by my roommate Amanda, who though was up to her ears in finals revision was able to pass to watch me try cranberry sauce with mashed potatoes for the first time.

Jacob, Kent and I brought a bit of our own tradition by – spring rolls. Earlier that day, we went grocery shopping in Argyle – essentially the Vietnamese district of Chicago – and then spent the afternoon preparing. Our friends really enjoyed the treat!

I still can’t decide which part of this whole experience I love most. The incredible food, being surrounded by my favourite people, the warmth or how it all came together though we each came from such different parts of the world. Maddie is from California, Nick is from Ohio and Amanda is from Chicago. Jacob, Kent and I are all from Hanoi, Vietnam but very different districts. But for this special occasion, we were together, watching the boys play Overwatch on the TV and digging into another slice of pumpkin pie.

I am grateful.

 

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A Series of Firsts: My First Thanksgiving in the U.S.

A Series of Firsts: My First Thanksgiving in the U.S.

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After a couple of months of being away from home, having passed my first midterms season (successfully, thankfully), and wearing many, MANY layers to keep warm in the cold Chicago weather, my homesickness levels had hit an all-time high. I couldn’t concentrate in my school work, as I kept thinking in how much I missed the warmth of my city and seeing the sun everyday. My mood had started to change pretty easily, especially if there was bad weather. In However, missing my family was what affected me the most: I used to be really affected by not being able to see them everyday. The fact that many of the people I knew (who were domestic students, obviously) had gone home for Fall Break or had spent Family Weekend in late September with their family did not help: all I kept thinking was “that could be me, if only I weren’t in a different country.” Other international students like me had to plan other things so that we wouldn’t be overwhelmed by homesickness on days like these. Distance and had time had started to take a toll on me, physically and emotionally. Thankfully, my mom and my sister were on their way to Chicago bringing the cure for my low-motivation levels: love and a new pajama set.

It made my heart so happy to see my mom and my sister in flesh and bone after so long, hugging them felt like it was the very first time (that’s how long it had been). And it made me even happier that I would be spending my first Thanksgiving abroad with part of my family. Back in Guatemala, my family gets together every year to have a Thanksgiving dinner, but it was nothing like the Thanksgiving experience that I had learned about in movies or TV shows as I grew up. Thus, the moment my mom and my sister picked me up from Loyola the day before Thanksgiving, Operation Thanksgiving was on its way. My mom had planned most of the week for us, and to be honest, it really was going to be a break for me. We toured the city on Wednesday, paid the Bean a visit and wandered around for most of the day; I was just so happy that we were together again. On Thanksgiving day, we woke up early to go to the McDonald’s Thanksgiving Parade, (nothing like the Macy’s Parade that I’m going to attend this week, but that I’ll leave for another post) which was very fun to watch: I found interesting that marching bands from other States had come all the way to Chicago to play at the Parade, and wondered what it must be like coming to the Windy City to be in the Parade. Children were dancing, trumpets were sounded, and everybody around us seemed to be happy. After that, we headed to the Millenium Park Ice Skating Rink, where we danced on ice by Cloud Gate for a couple of hours. Dinner was not your typical Thanksgiving dinner: as we didn’t have in which to cook our meal, my mom made a reservation at (wait for it) a steakhouse. It was that night that I realized that it wasn’t really the dinner that made the holiday, but rather being able to spend such a holiday with my loved ones. That’s what I the most thankful that night: my family, and all the friends that I had made at Loyola. The rest of our weekend was uneventful, but I was happy to feel refreshed and feel the love once more.