New City, New Style

For the last ten years, I have sported essentially the same hair cut. Sure, I may have worn it long and short and every length in between, but it’s been the same concept: bob, some layers, no bangs and split down the middle.

Now that I’m starting a new life in a new city with a new career, I thought I should try a new, updated style. Choosing a stylist in Chicago is both better and worse than choosing a stylist in Brookings, S.D., for the same reason: many more stylists at many more price ranges work in Chicago. How do you choose one? How do you choose the right one?

At my aunt’s brilliant suggestion, I read reviews that Chicago magazine wrote on many different types of stylists, including the best stylist in the city for curly hair. The short description sold me; I quickly made an appointment with Brad Hough at Sine Que Non immediately.

After making the appointment, I felt kind of silly for choosing a stylist in Albertville as it’s not near work or near home. It’s the same feeling I have whenever I ask a new salon for a stylist that specializes in curly hair. But once I met Brad, I knew the trip would be worth it.

Immediately I could tell Brad was better than other stylists I had visited in the past. He spent lots of time asking me questions to figure out what I wanted, which proved to be quite difficult since I wasn’t sure. This challenge didn’t seem to bother him and he offered many suggestions before we agreed on a style. When he started cutting, he had a sense of accuracy I hadn’t experienced before. And while he cut, he was very friendly – both asking me about my life and telling me about his. He also had lots of advice for me: different products I could use in my hair, different ways I could style it and tips on how to care for my curls.

The finished product made me very happy because it met all of my requirements: a new trendy style, short for the summer and easy to manage. And it seems that every time I see a friend or family member they compliment my hair. Tree months into the style, I continue to receive compliments on my hair. Fellow curly hair girls living in Chicago, I highly recommend checking out Brad. You won’t be disappointed.

That's me just days after Brad cut my hair.

Saying Good-Bye

Any of my regular readers will have noticed that I haven’t posted to this blog for quite some time. It’s not because I’ve given up on blogging, but rather because I had a huge personal situation to handle. This situation took up so much of my time that I didn’t watch television, work out or correspond with friends for nearly six weeks. I had something much more important to do – say goodbye to Grandpa.

As I grow older and meet new people, I realize how lucky I am. I was blessed with not one, but two, very close extended families. My dad is one of eight children and I’m one of 19 Muzzy grandchildren. My mom’s family is even larger; she’s one of 12 children and I’m one of 22 Pelowski grandchildren. What makes this family remarkable is not the size, but the close relationships we all share. I see everyone in my family at least once a year and many of them I see much more often than that. I credit both sets of grandparents for developing such strong family ties.

I loved all four of my grandparents equally, but was always a little closer to Grandma and Grandpa Muzzy. I think this is because they were both retired most of my life, visited us often and called often. They loved it when I decided to attend Northwestern University. I’m not sure if they were happier that I was going to be in the Chicago area or that I was accepted into a competitive program. I saw them regularly during my NU career, either traveling to see them in Flossmoor or them traveling to Evanston to visit me.

They were so proud when I graduated with a degree in broadcast journalism and thought Tom Brokaw was retiring so I could take his place as the main anchor on “NBC Nightly News.” I was more realistic and happily accepted a job in Sioux Falls, S.D., instead.

I lived in South Dakota for four years and I know my grandparents, especially Grandpa, missed me dearly. Every time I spoke to him, he’d ask when I was moving back. When I accepted an internship in Chicago, I couldn’t wait to call and tell him the good news.

I moved back in April 2009 and made the goal to see my grandparents at least once a week. This wasn’t easy, as I commute an hour each way, spend lots of evenings at networking events in the city and much of my weekend catching up with old and new friends. But Grandpa was 91 years old and I knew he wouldn’t be around forever. I enjoyed having one-on-one time with him and Grandma, something you don’t often have when you have a family as large as ours. I’ll always cherish those dinners and conversations we shared.

The week before Mother’s Day, Grandma became extremely concerned with Grandpa’s health. He was changing quickly and not doing well. She wanted to check him into the hospital soon so that he could heal and attend my cousin’s graduation ceremony that weekend. Unfortunately, it was more serious than anyone realized.

My Aunt Mary and Grandma checked Grandpa into the hospital later that week. There we discovered that he had mini-strokes which affected his speech and his ability to swallow. He spent a week in the hospital and then the time came to make a big decision: should he go home or go to a nursing home for rehabilitation. Grandma and her children discussed it and thought about it and discussed it some more. Finally the decision was made to start hospice care and bring Grandpa home.

I was there the first night Grandpa spent at home. I didn’t know what “hospice” meant, but I received a crash course on everything when the nurse stopped in to explain everything that first night. I learned that Grandpa wasn’t going to get better; hospice was to keep him comfortable not to heal him. I learned about the medications we had to keep Grandpa comfortable and when to use them. I learned that he could no longer drink liquids without a thickening agent. And I learned that I had to say good-bye.

I spent the next month visiting Grandma and Grandpa as often as possible. I’d go after work and often stay until 10:30 or 11 p.m. (only to get up around 6:30 a.m. to catch my train the next day). I’d spend most of my weekend there. And I was rewarded for my dedication by seeing Grandpa on his good days. He was able to tell me that he loved me and I was able to tell him that I loved him. A few times he was even able to joke with me. I won’t ever forget the day he asked me for a hug. He gave me the biggest smile. I was able to feed him his favorites: ice cream and Pepsi. I was able to enjoy baseball games with him, as he was a huge Cubs and White Sox fan. And I was able to help support the rest of my family as we all attempted to come to terms with what was happening.

We were lucky that Grandpa never lost his wits. Up until the end, he was aware of us and of what was happening around him. Even if he couldn’t tell us what he was thinking or feeling, we knew. In the end, he went peacefully after nearly every family member was able to say their own version of good-bye. And as much as we all miss him, I know we’re also happy that he’s no longer suffering.

I’ve never lived in Flossmoor before this spring/summer, but I couldn’t think of a better time to be here. No matter what happens next in my life, I know I was supposed to be here and I’ll always be grateful for that time I had with Grandpa and our family. I’ll also be grateful for hospice care, giving us the opportunity to take care of him and allowing him to spend his last weeks in his own home, surrounded by people who love him.

I Heart Chicago

Now that I spend the bulk of my time in downtown Chicago I find myself falling in love with the city all over again. This relationship between the city and me started more than a decade ago, when I first spent time here, escaping from my hometown of Marshall, Minn.

I spent a summer month with family in the Chicago suburbs during my junior high years. It was amazing. I went to museums, spent time with my cousins, attended a play at the Goodman Theatre, visited Six Flags Great America and (thanks to my cousin Kristen) overcame my fear of rollercoasters. Over the span of that trip I started to develop a crush on the city of Chicago. I decided then I would someday live in this great city.

In high school, I decided I wanted to be a television news reporter and discovered that the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University ranked very high on the list of best journalism schools in the country. I visited the campus during the winter of my junior year of high school and knew without a doubt that I had found my university. One of the big factors that played into that decision was NU’s proximity to Chicago.

Later that year, I was fortunate enough to attend prom in the city. The night ended with a cruise on Lake Michigan on the Odyssey, gazing at the stars and the beautiful night skyline. That’s when I knew I had fallen head over heels in love with this city. I would return one day as a Chicagoan.

After graduation, my life took me away from the Windy City to the windy prairie and I thought I lost my connection to the city. But I only needed to stroll down Michigan Avenue to know that the connection was not only still there, but stronger than ever.

I’m so grateful to be back here again and really savor each moment. I love taking the Metra into the city every morning, I love watching the buildings grow closer together and taller as the train creeps towards the city. I love walking from the station to the Merchandise Mart each day, even in the cold and the rain. I appreciate the sights, the sounds and even the smells of the city. I watch people rush by me and I think, “I’m so lucky that I know to appreciate this beauty and this energy that surrounds us.”

Each day I walk past some pretty amazing sights: Millennium Park, the Theatre District, the Chicago River, Michigan Avenue bridge, the Tribune tower, the Trump tower, City Hall and sometimes Macy’s on State (formally Marshall Field’s). I like to take different routes to and from work each day to see what else is out there. I can’t wait to take some time one weekend to visit the parks, the museums and the Lincoln Park Zoo.

Chicago and I have quite the history together and because of that connection I feel at home. I hope the city becomes my permanent home very soon!

Sweet Home Chicago

I kind of hate the question, "Where are you from?" because I don't really know how to answer it. For the last four years I've lived in South Dakota, but I'm not a South Dakotan. I was born on the Grand Forks Air Force Base, but I never lived in North Dakota. I spent most of my childhood in Marshall, Minn., but my parents no longer live there and I don't really have any ties to the community anymore. My parents now live in Rochester, Minn., but I never lived there, so that's not my "home" either. It wasn't until my mom called Chicago my home that I realized that city is probably the closest thing I have to a "home." I visit the city regularly, lots of my family live in the area and I lived in the area for four years while studying at Northwestern University. That's why I'm so excited to "return home" in April.

When I made my Coffee Cup list, I quickly added two related items: move to a city and find a new job. This is not because I dislike my current position or because I don't like living in Brookings. I just need a change and I really miss the energy of city life. So when I received a Facebook message titled "Looking for a Public Relations Intern ASAP!" through the Gamma Phi Beta Young Alumnae - Chicago group, I quickly responded to Laura, the poster.

The next day I interviewed with Laura and Laurent, two days later I visited Hill and Knowlton's Chicago office to take the writing test and just six days after I saw the initial post, Kimberly in HR offered me the position of Public Relations Intern with the Public Affairs team. What a whirlwind!

I don't really know what I'll be doing as the intern or if I'll have a fulltime job after the internship ends on June 12th, but it doesn't matter. I do know that I'll be paid, I will work in my favorite city and spend some quality time with family. It's scary and exciting all at the same time. Lucky for me, everything is moving so quickly I don't really have time to be afraid, I just have to act and move.

Find Your Inner Peace

When I go to the gym, I like to push my body to the limits. I like to run as fast and as far as I can. I like to lift weights and I love to go to my weekly kickboxing class. I like to sweat, make my heart race and my muscles ache. But this year I wanted to try something new and very different from my usual routine -- yoga.

I heard one of my friends from college rave about her yoga class and my gym offered weekly classes, so I thought I'd give yoga a try. I wasn't really sure what to expect with my first class; it was my very first experience with yoga. And, I found it a little strange.

The class started with everyone standing on their mats, just breathing, in and out, in and out, relaxing music playing in the background. We then proceeded to do a variety of stretches, all with different names that didn't really mean anything to me like like up dog, down dog and tree pose.

It wasn't the bizarre positions or names for the poses that struck me as strange. For me, it was the lack of sweat and racing heart. When I finished, I didn't have that normal feeling of exhaustion like I usually do after a good run or after a hard kickboxing class. Instead, I just felt peace. I mean, what else would you feel after meditating for five minutes in darkness, only aware of your breath, the soothing commands from your instructor and the soft music playing in the background.

Even though I didn't necessarily like my first yoga class, I decided that just trying something once wasn't enough to decide I didn't like it. Also, I kind of liked that feeling of peace at the end of class. After the first class I couldn't tell if it was really a workout or just something relaxing. It only took one more class for me to realize the physical benefits.

Yoga is about developing strength and flexibility. I noticed the strength development at my second class. During some of the poses I had a tough time keeping my balance because my muscles quivered, a good sign to me of an effective workout. We worked hard for most of the class and then spent the last few minutes meditating and relaxing every part of our body. It's just a great feeling of peace and I've found it addicting.

Now, after just a few months of practicing yoga I don't like to miss my weekly class and am thinking about attending more than one class a week. I've also purchased my own yoga mat so I can practice some of the poses at home. I prefer having the instructor for the extra motivation, the variety and the supervision (since I'm still new I don't always know if I'm in the correct position), but I think it will be nice to practice some of the poses on my own.

Trying yoga taught me to love the practice and also that I can't always quickly judge a new activity. Trying something once isn't enough to make a decision. I challenge you to try something new this year and give it a couple of chances before you decide you don't like it. You may find out that you love it.

Wine Country USA

"Wine makes daily living easier, less hurried, with fewer tensions and more tolerance." -- Benjamin Franklin

I agree with our founding father, wine makes life just a little bit better and for that reason, I wanted to visit Sonoma and Napa during my trip to San Francisco.

Phil, the phenomenal host, drove me across the Golden Gate bridge on that partly cloudy Sunday to take the trip to Wine Country. I couldn't believe how quickly the landscape changed from buildings to rolling hills filled with happy cows (because happy cows come from California).

Phil and I decided to be spontaneous that day and just pull into wineries that we found interesting. Of course we started with the first one that included the sign "Free Tastings." We tasted a mix of red and white wines at Roche Winery; I'd like to return to the beautiful estate someday, maybe take a horseback tour of the vineyards next time!

After Roche, Phil and I visited Viansa Winery, a gorgeous estate, fashioned in an Italian style. They didn't mark the front door very well, so Phil and I accidentally took a tour of the barrell room before finding the tasting room. Here we tried five white wines, including two Chardonnays and an Arneis. I had never heard of Arneis before. I learned that's because arneis grapes are only grown in Italy and at Viansa vineyards. I really enjoyed the crisp, fruity flavor so much that I bought a bottle of the wine to take back with me to South Dakota.


We decided to mix it up a little with the next stop and try some sparkling wine at Gloria Ferrer Winery. We each ordered a different variety of sparkling wine (not Champagne because Champagne is only found in Champagne, France) and shared our glasses while enjoying the lovely view of the Sonoma countryside. Gloria Ferrer serves amazing almonds with their sparkling wine. They coat the fresh almonds in olive oil and delicious spices. We finished the stop with wine-filled chocolates.

At this point Phil and I realized we had spent our entire afternoon in Sonoma County and I really wanted to visit the famous Napa Valley. We decided not to stop again until we reached Napa. We drove until Phil spotted Robert Mondavi Winery: "A symbol of Napa Valley since 1966" and decided we had to stop. I mean, it is a symbol of Napa Valley. Unfortunately, by the time we arrived it was after five, so they weren't doing tastings anymore. But I still had the opportunity to visit the grounds and see the famous archway.

Disappointed that we missed the last tasting, Phil and I climbed back into the car and decided to dine in Napa, since it was likely that all the wineries were closed for the day. But our hearts rose and plans changed when we spotted the last stop on our winery tour: Peju.

Phil and I were first drawn to the winery because of its sign that said, "Hours: 10 - 6 daily." Once we turned in, the grand tower and garden took our breath away, even in the evening rain. Inside the building was even more stunning than the garden, with marble floors and gorgeous stained glass windows. But it wasn't the exquisiteness or the delicious wine that made this my favorite stop of the tour, it was the wine pourer who made all the difference. Not only did he pour wine, make jokes and give excellent restaurant recommendations, but he also yodels. Phil and I lucked out that day because Alan "The Yodelmeister" Arnopole poured our wine at Peju. Google him on YouTube. Of course I bought a bottle of delicious Zinfandel from Alan.

I highly enjoyed tasting the wines, seeing the scenery and spending some quality time with my good friend Phil. I also learned a lot on my tour. I learned about wine, California and how I much I truly love wine. I think I need to add "Drink more wine" to my Coffee Cup List. Because as Ernest Hemingway said, "Wine is the most civilized thing in the world."

A Saturday Night in San Fran

Phil, the amazing tour guide, taught me lots of useful knowledge about San Francisco and the Bay Area. For example, did you know there are sharks in the Bay? Or did you know that the country's smallest bar is located in San Francisco? My favorite piece of trivia was that San Francisco is the birthplace of the martini. Really, not New York City, but San Francisco! According to Phil, years ago a man living in Martinez (a community across the Bay) worked in San Francisco. He took the ferry to work every day but he hated the trip. One day he went into the bar and asked the bartender to make him something to get him across the Bay. The bartender made him the very first gin martini!

With a great story like that, I just had to enjoy a martini in its birthplace. Phil took me to Chinatown again, right before the parade to have a drink. He decided we should have lychee martinis, which were strong but delicious.

While in the bar, many people came in shouting "Gong hay fat choy!" (For those of you who don't speak Chinese, that means "Happy New Year!") They also gave out key chains and poppers -- the tiny firecrackers that you throw on the ground to pop. I enjoyed throwing those on the ground while walking down the street and watching the parade.


The New Years Parade was amazing. Dragons, oxen (2009 is the year of the ox), bands, people in beautiful costumes and children filled the street. I especially loved all the children and the dragons, which would explain why the photo to the right depicts one of my favorite acts: the adorable little children walking the beautiful yellow dragon down the street.


After the parade, Phil and I walked to dinner. We went to a little sushi restaurant that is more of a locals hangout than a tourist destination. We decided to sit at the sushi bar (as Phil put it, "You have a table at home. Do you have a sushi bar with a sushi chef at home?"). I enjoy watching the sushi chefs create the rolls. Sushi not only tastes delicious, but every roll is a work of art. Everything was delicious (a theme in San Francisco). I especially enjoyed the tuna (it melted in your mouth) and the 49ers roll (salmon with thinly sliced lemon on top). Just thinking about the meal makes my mouth water.


With my sushi appetite satisfied, I was ready to attend my first San Francisco party. Phil told me that theme parties are big and people go all out. That night we attended "Don & Betty Draper's Birthday Party," a theme right out of the early 60's and based on the movie Mad Men.


It didn't take me long to see that Phil wasn't kidding when he said people go all out at San Francisco theme parties. The costumes were amazing and even the apartment was decorated for the theme. I loved the dresses the women wore and the classy suits on the men. In California fashion, the hosts served imitation cigarettes, which are quite fun to puff. My favorite part was the photo slideshow from Mad Men playing on the TV, while normal party music from this decade played on the stereo.

Phil was the only familiar face at the party but everyone was so friendly, I quickly befriended many of the other partygoers. I enjoyed the company and the conversations. Overall, a wonderful night. I had mixed feelings: I couldn't wait for the next day in San Francisco but at the same time, I didn't want my trip to end. I fell asleep that night feeling conflicted, but very happy.