It's My Life: My First Time (a short novel)

Sydney's 18th birthday she received a trip with with her mom to Chicago. What she didn't know was that Randi and I would be waiting in baggage claim, at the bottom of the escalator, inside Midway airport when she arrived. Since Jen was our chauffeur we treated her to her first time at our favorite restaurant, Melting Pot.

Our reservations were for 11:30 PM. We ate, talked, laughed and enjoyed our time together. At 35, this exciting trip to the big city was a "first".

# 1.

First time in a skyscraper

In the John Hancock building we were able to take the elevator up 94 stories in just 40 seconds to the observation deck. With sweeping views spanning 4 states - Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin and Illinois - there's a whole lot to see! Unless it it super cloudy and you just try to catch a glimpse of the people way down below.

In Sears Tower (now known as Willis Tower) we took the elevator up 103 floors in 60 seconds. Here we were able to stepoutside the tallest building in the western hemisphere and the third tallest in the world. At 1,353 feet in the air, the Ledge’s glass boxes extend out 4.3 feet from Sky deck. It was a little bit scary, but we all did it and we were all proud!

#2.

First time riding the "El" train

Now this was an adventure! We just wanted to ride the EL so we could say we did it. We got a schedule and planned out our route to Sears Tower. We walked to the station, fumbled with self service ticket machine, while the rude workers watched & laughed, and proceeded to the train. Once on board we realized we were not going in the right direction. So, we got off to find the right train.

Unfortunately, you have to go up the stairs, outside the station, across the street and up the stairs to the above ground portion of the train. While we all discussed the interesting set-up, we noticed this famous Chicago sign. We were excited and wanted to get pictures, until it started to rain. We hurried and got our pictures and ran for cover.

We made it to our destination, but did not find the train to be all that.

The next time we rode the train was even more eventful. Robyn & Syd flew out very early Monday morning from Midway, while Randi & I were leaving in the evening from O'hare. They arrived home before we were even awake. When we did awake, we were presented with what to do for the 4 hours we had until we needed to be at the airport. Luckily, Jen called & offered to take us to the airport, if we rode the train out to her house. We thought that would be fabulous!

We asked at the hotel desk which train we should take. We were told the entrance was 3 blocks up and 1 block over. We considered taking a cab, but the traffic was horrible and the staff suggested we just walk cause it wasn't too far. Well, we had walked at least 100 miles already this trip so what was the difference? Off we went, pulling our luggage through down town Chicago!

That was a big time first & a big time last! I hope I will never have to pull 50lb luggage in 100% humidity, up and down lots of stairs. On our way to Jen's we did get to pass Wrigley Field. That is one place we didn't have time to visit and with all of our luggage, we didn't dare get off the train to do it on the way out to Jen's. At least I got to see it...another first.

#3.
First time walking the Magnificent Mile

Of course we spent time shopping on Magnificent Mile. I bought a few things, but this was Sydney's trip and she tore it up! She was the "Pretty Woman" with shopping bags from the American Girl store, Tiffany's, Disney, H&M, Filene's Basement and many more.

It was fun to go into a small store front and see that there were 5 floors of merchandise waiting to be discovered. Malls that were many levels on the corner block of a downtown street. And more Coach stores than any one area should allow.

While we were walking we saw so many interesting people from all over world. But the group of people that were out in force were the Blackhawk Fans! They had just won the Stanley Cup the day before we flew in and they were celebrating all weekend long. They were true fans that had been waiting for a big win for their city for decades! They showed their support with banners, signs, clothing and flags galore!

#4
First automatic toilet seat covers

Randi says lots of places have these, but when I got off the plane and walked into the bathroom at O'Hare airport, I closed the stall door and just stared at the toilet. I wasn't sure what the heck was on the toilet seat, if it was clean, or how to get it off. After careful stall observation, I noticed a black button with picture instructions. I pushed the button and the seat cover rotated. Phew, I didn't break it. I am still not sure if you are supposed to push the button before you sit for yourself or after for the next person...I just did both.

First time eating authentic Chicago food

Where to begin, we ate so much good food.

I ate at the Grand Lux Cafe (twice) and enjoyed Beneighs.

I actually ate my own order for breakfast on our second visit. They are definitely a little puff heaven with a bit of vanilla sauce mixed with a dollop of raspberry sauce! YUM!!!

We were lucky enough to sit by the window over looking Magnificent Mile. Watching the hustle and bustle while we ate, laughed and planned our day together.

We also ate at Gino's East, where I ate my first deep dish Chicago style pizza.

We also ate at Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinders. This place was a 90 minute wait, across form the site of the St. Valentines Day Massacre with Al Capone. The host does not take names, he just looks at your eyes and remembers you. He comes out to get you when your table is ready. It was almost spooky. He remembered everyone (and there were a lot of people) by simply looking at their eyes. This was a first for all of us, but he said he'd been doing it that way for nearly 20 years. We ate a pizza pot pie that was delicious. The bread and herbs that they bring before dinner was super amazing too!

We also made a lunch stop at Portillos for Chicago Dogs. They were small, but delicious!

One of our favorite snacks was Garrett's popcorn. Jen told us we had to try it and she was right! Cheese popcorn tossed with Carmel popcorn! This was the first time I mixed those flavors, but it was amazing. We found some at Navy Pier and couldn't have loved it more!

First time to visit the Fa'anunu's House

Jen was the sweetest! She picked Randi & me up from O'Hare airport early Thursday afternoon, in the middle of Blackhawk celebration traffic. We were able to go back to her very cute house, visit & eat dinner until we had to head across town to Midway Airport to pick up the Hawkins. I enjoyed being with her and her girls so much.

First visit to the The Field Museum

We went to the Museum of Natural History, which wasn't exactly like the movie "Night at the Museum" (part one or two), but it is the home to Sue.

Sue is the largest, most complete, and best preserved Tyrannosaurus rex ever discovered. She was our favorite part, except the cat lovers cave. Home to every type of cat in the world! Robyn loved it!

#8
First visit to Shedd Aquarium

After being to Sea World, other aquariums just aren't the same. There were some very beautiful fish, reptiles and other sea creatures.

There was a tank of stingrays in the floor that we talked Sydney into walking on. Okay...forced Sydney to walk on. She was frightened, but she did it.

#9
First time watching Fireworks at Navy Pier

We visited Navy Pier several times for rides & shopping, but my favorite time was for the fireworks! They were set to fun, hip music and they were beautiful.

The weather was cool and breezy while we sat with our Pepsi's. Before & after the show there was a live band that we danced in our seats to. The weather was windy and cool. There were dozens of boats stopped nearby with families waiting to see the fireworks too. I wish AZ had a fun, free weekend hangout like that!

#10

First Time on a Water Taxi

The Field Museum was a long way from Navy Pier so we decided it would be fun to take a water taxi. I thought I might get motion sick, but I didn't.

#11

First time on an architectural river tour

We bought these awesome "Go Chicago" cards where everything we wanted to do was included. One of our activities was an architectural tour and history of Chicago while boating up the different branches of the river.

We all enjoyed sitting down and learning about the city.

#12

First visit to a Park without my kids

The first park we walked to was Millenium Park .

Of course we did the touristy bean thing.

but I was more interested in this water fountain. A person's face appears. He/she blinks and smiles for about 5 minutes. No one is sure when it will happen...

Then all of a sudden, she spits water all over the kids below.