Fernando's Adventures

These past couple of weeks have been a lot of fun for me and the family. We have spent time a lot of time with friends and exploring Chicago. This city without a doubt is one of the best cities in the country if not the world. I know we will miss it when we relocate to Houston this August. Chicago has been a great adventure for me and the family.

Attempting an early summer picnic at Lincoln Park. Unfortunately the weather did not cooperate with us.

Valentina enjoying the day in Skokie and the festival of cultures.

Tanya feeding Daniel at the festival.

Valentina playing around the flags

Enjoying the summer day

Various country representative raising their flags

Tanya and family

Valentina watching the parade of cultures

Valentina playing in Skokie's musical playground

Valentina's first 3-D movie-Sue

Tanya and Valentina leaving one of the exhibits at the Field Museum

Valentina following the light while Tanya is figuring out how to work the computer

Valentina beginning to learn how to shop...YIKES

Daniel looking up at me while we are at lunch

Valentina and Daniel enjoying each other's company

Valentina showing she is a great sister

I love my kids!

Valentina helping her brother out with his pacifier

Valentina showing off the King Kone that was sent by her grandparents

King Kone from Trujillo, Peru...so good

This is a morning shot of the Argyle red line stop. This was my metro stop that began my commute to the Chicago plant.

Daniel and I at the Art Institute

Daniel and I at the Art Institute's main hall

Daniel and I at the Art Institute's main hall #2

Van Gogh, Daniel and I

Tanya posing with a Marc Chagall

Another photo of the stain glass window

These are crab meat filled wontons-so delicious

Nice asian soup for lunch

Coline enjoying our lunch

Some potstickers make a nice appetizer

Sweet and Sour Chicken

Taking out Tanya and the family for Mexico's Mother's Day, May 10. This place was an interesting Mexican restaurant as it served Mexican tapa dishes. I had never seen this concept before but we both found the food amazing.

Tanya enjoying her ceviche.

Some pork ribs for us to enjoy. They were very good.

Tanya relaxing after a big meal

A GE community service event. We installed a wall, flooring and painted a new orchestra room for one of Chicago's charter schools.

Valentina learning about Dinosaurs at the Field Museum

Valentina inside a dinosaur footprint

Tanya with Daniel at her Mother's Day lunch at the Himalayan.

Emilio-Chicago's best bartender

Happy Hour group

Friends from New Orleans

Tequila shots-a great way to end a work day

Daniel watching us have lunch at Sweet Tomoatoes

Getting ideas for the next TV

Valentina and I at the Cubs game

Tanya's gift for Mother's Day

I started Friday morning by going to teach a Junior Achievement economics class. The students at this school were made up of 99% Hispanics. I really enjoyed teaching these kids and felt a common bond with them. We are both first generation here in the USA and trying to make the most of our opportunities. I hope to continue this type of service as I move on to the next city.

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.