Chicago, my kind of town!

Welp, it's Wednesday again.  I finished my one-on-one discipleship class at church last night; 10 weeks actually went very fast.  I truly enjoyed the class - it was exactly what I hoped it would be- a renewing of my spirit (wo)man.  I feel different (in a good way) even though so much is still in disarray around these parts and I have so much yet to do.  I have a move coming up next week and it's shaping up quite differently than it was initially supposed to.  Not sure how I feel about that.  All that change I talked about?  Coming at me fast...

 

Anyhoo, today I figured I would write the post I was supposed to do on Friday.  About Chicago, my hometown.  I love Chicago (even though technically I've been a suburbanite for more than a decade now).  I first fell in love with Chicago and its rich history back in the 6th grade in my Options for Knowledge class at Kellogg Elementary School.  Each quarter our teacher, Mrs. Scannell, would pick a new topic for us to research and study and then we'd pick our individual topics from there, put on a teach-in for the whole school (in costume) and go around to the different classrooms to "teach" our subject.  It was the best experience of my life and I'm so glad I got the chance to experience it.  Anyway, our last topic that year was Chicago.  I studied George Pullman and the Pullman Porters, go figure.  Sidenote, in college I did a research paper on the history of blacks in Morgan Park/Beverly, so my love of Chicago lived on... Anyway, our teach-ins for the school took the form of a play with teaching built in.  It was actually ingenious, I must say, in looking back.  For the Chicago teach-in, we learned a number of songs that I still remember to this day. 

 

"If someone ever asked me what Chicago is, it might take me an hour, two or three.  'Cuz I'd take time to tell them what Chicago is, and all the things Chicago means to me.  My kind of town, Chicago is, my kind of town, Chicago is, One town that won't let you down, it's my kind of town... Each time I roam, Chicago is, calling me home, Chicago is, One town that won't let you down, it's my kind of town... Each time I leave, Chicago is, tugging my sleeve, Chicago is... the Wrigley Building, Chicago is, the Union Stockyards, Chicago is, Comiskey Ballpark (at least it was in 1982), Chicago is, one town that won't let you down, it's My Kind of Town!!!!"  (Ad libbed from what I remember of one of our teach-in songs)

 

Then there's Chicago that toddlin' town and just plain Chicago.  There's also the group Chicago (who I LOVE, by the way)... But I digress so very much...

 

Last Thursday I had the opportunity to check out the "Open Air" exhibit at the Field Museum (the last day was Monday).  I loved it!  It was a great day, although it was very hot out.  The exhibit was a free, outdoor exhibit featuring the photography of Walter Iooss, Jr., the "poet laureate of sports," and his subject?  His Airness, himself - Michael Jordan!  What a great, great collection and it was so peaceful to explore!  It made me smile all day.  I thank the Field Museum, Mr. Ioos and the Jordan Brand for bringing it to Chicago!  Did I take pictures?  But of course... Without further ado, Open Air!!! *Be forewarned, there are 31 photos...*

 

Ok, for real, wasn't that something to see????  I truly loved this exhibit (I'm an exhibit-kinda girl, but I really did love this one).  The last photo features a life size photo of his hand - I put my hand in it and it was just swallowed up!  I hope you enjoyed this slice of Chicago; there's more, I took more photos that day that I love, but for today, sharing "Open Air" with you is enough to make my day brighter.  I forgot to tie it all back to the post- this is just one reason that Chicago is my kind of town - free exhibits for the public to enjoy!

So what's special about your hometown (or your current town if you have relocated)?  Share it with me, would love to know!  Holla @ Darvi.  Have a wonderful Wednesday and Be Blessed!