After completing the class Tanya picked me up and took us to a new Peruvian restaurant called D'candela. This place was a complete letdown. It was recently highlighted by the Chicago Tribune and thought it would be nice to try. I've should've noted more strongly the red flags and bailed out of this place ASAP. First flag-not a peruvian name for its restaurant, Second Flag-it was empty during the lunch hour rush Third Flag-their Chica morada drink was completely watered down. I felt ripped off and very sad when leaving this place.
We then went home and relaxed the rest of the afternoon.
On Saturday I took the family to the Brookfield Zoo. This is a zoo located in the suburbs of Chicago. I must say that this was a very nice zoo. The buildings that surround the zoo grounds are very plain and discreet. But once you enter a building you are amazed at the exhibits, surroundings and animals. I would very highly recommend this zoo to any residents or visitors.
On the way home we stopped to pick up some pasta at Pasta Fresh. This place is owned by a local family that makes their own pasta and sauces. We purchased the spinach and ricotta filled ravioli and the crab meat filled ravioli. This with a couple of their sauces and some wine makes for an amazing dinner.
Before getting home we rented The Iron Lady. This movie is about Margaret Thatcher's early life, rise to power and entering into old age. It is sad to see how old age can take an affect on great people. The movie shows that Thatcher still wants to work in the public sector but is very limited by her health and state of mind. I wonder how many people in the world feel the same way at this very moment? This is a feeling I'm sure to encounter as my life continues and just hope to handle it well when that time comes. It was a good movie but Tanya and I were amazed by Meryl Streep's performance. The Oscar she received for this role was completely justified.
On Sunday the family and I did our weekly grocery shopping. In the afternoon we had our friends, the Spamers, over for a late lunch. Tanya bought some Barbacoa from Lindo Michoacan for all of us. Lindo Michoacan is definitely the place to be on Sundays. Every time we go there to buy Barbacoa there is a line around the store. But needless to say it is worth the wait. Everyone enjoyed their meal and we all had a great time together.
It was a nice weekend and I now feel ready to conquer the week.
Entering the Brookfield Zoo
Valentina wanting to get on the Carousel
Taking Valentina on a ride
Valentina and her kangaroo parent
Valentina looking at the zoo animals
Tanya giving Valentina a lift so she can see better. Although it seems Valentina is intersted in other things.
This zoo had some really cool displays
Valentina and Giraffes
My new life
Tanya and Valentina at the Penguin exhibit
Polar bear enjoying his day
Tanya and Valentina watching the Polar bear do his thing
Walking across a bridge located in the primate exhibits
Pondering the meaning of life
Mother and daughter enjoying the day
This is the face I saw all day at the zoo
Tanya preparing the meal for our dinner with the Spamers
Valentina playing with her friends
Barbacoa....so good
Valentina running around the house
Valentina is really focused on her Ipad
Daniel sleeping through it all
Valentina trying to convince me to take her on the Carousel
Valentina anxiously waiting to get through the gate
Valentina on the carousel
Valentina crying because we took away the Ipad
Modeling Part 1
Modeling Part 2
Modeling Part 3
