"The Bean"

....not a coffee bean, nor the beans in your chili, not even Mr. Bean :-)..... I want to talk about OUR Bean in Chicago - one of the major attractions of Millennium Park. It is simply known as "the Bean", officially named Cloud Gate, and you have probably seen it -somewhere- before.

This sculpture was inspired by a drop of mercury, and created by Indian born British artist Anish Kapoor. The cost of creating and transporting it went from $6 million to $23 million. It is made from 168 stainless steel plates welded together and polished.

People have lots of fun taking picture of it or themselves with it, reflected in it...you name it. I think it is unique and fun!

 

 

Millennium Park

Millennium Park is one of my favourite places in Chicago, and is 10 years old this month.

 

It was open on July 16, 2004, and replaced Illinois Central Railroad tracks. It is basically a huge rooftop garden built over an underground parking garage, covering nearly 25 acres!

Today it is the second-most-visited tourist spot. There are many attractions, and I will go through them all in my next posts.

  BEFORE...

AFTER...

Teavana

I was doing some shopping at Westfield Mall yesterday, and was passing a tea shop where I sometimes buy my tea.
They had some samples at the door, and after tasting, this time, iced tea I decided to purchase both. Unfortunately, they usually put sugar in their tasting samples, but I am aware of that, so I buy only a small amount at first to be sure that I really like it.
I got Youthberry which is flavored white tea, and Wild Orange Blossom herbal tea. They taste both great, but also smell amazing.

They also sell beautiful tea gifts and accessories.

The name of the store is Teavana - www.teavana.com. I have also been to the one in Oakbrook Center and Naperville.

I have just learnt that Teavana was acquired by Starbucks in 2012. What a story... "coffee people" purchased "tea people".

Biking accessories

I have purchased a new bike saddle and gloves.
Finally, my husband decided to get a new bike, so we are ready to do some biking again. I got a new saddle because I was looking for something more comfortable, and my cycling gloves are really old.

"Under the Skin"

Hmmm, try to watch "Under the Skin" movie and tell me what you think?!?!

I have just finished watching and still confused what to think of this one!

"The Story: A mysterious woman — who is apparently an alien — prowls the Glasgow area in a white van to seduce and dispatch men. The Lowdown: Highly acclaimed as fresh and original, Under the Skin is also slow-moving and on the deliberately impenetrable side. Yes, it's the critical sci-fi sensation of the moment, but it's not going to suit everyone's tastes."

-Reviewed by Ken Hanke on April 15, 2014April 18, 2014

RA Sushi

I was introduced to a new sushi restaurant. It is called RA Sushi, and this one is in Lombard. I since discovered that there are other locations in my area, but also across the USA. You can find details here www.rasushi.com

 

It is a Japanese fusion cuisine, and I really enjoyed the food as well as an eye-pleasing and modern interior. I have visited once for lunch, once for dinner, and will be going back. It was a very nice experience not too far from us.

 

 

 



http://www.rasushi.com/locations

 

 

 

 

Still to do....

It has been overwhelming at times, but we have managed to do so much around the house since we purchased it last year!!! The list is still long though...we are very ambitions about what we want to achieve:-) 
I just had to slow down as I had too much on my plate (put it there myself ), and developed several unpleasant -aches and pains- which I am still dealing with, but slowly getting there.


Here is the current TO-DO LIST:

1. Finish hardwood on the steps
2. Tile entrance and kitchen floor
3. Paint the walls downstairs

Still undecided....

4. Paint the shutters
5. Finish the garden - as for this year..... We have so far planted 69 trees and shrubs!

Privacy hedge in the front

After some time

So, here I am again. I haven't been blogging for a while as I have been dealing with some issues, and it was difficult for me to focus on much else.
It is the first of July today, the new month and hope everything will just get better and better....