Chicago #2 for US Destinations

 Just last week, TripAdvisor users ranked Chicago as #2 for top U.S. destinations! The ranking places Chicago just before San Francisco, CA, and behind New York, NY. For our readers who are not familiar with the Windy City, there are endless opportunities to get the full Chicago immersion experience, but I'll fill you in on some of my favorite places in this beautiful city.
     Chicago is the third most populated city in the U.S.  It is renowned for its culture in the performing arts, its cultivation of classical music, and its popular culinary dishes such as the Chicago-style hot dog and deep-dish pizza.  Chicago attracts more than 40 million visitors annually. With endless sites to see and activities to do, this beautiful city is a tourist hub. The perfect time of the year to visit Chicago is the summertime when the weather is warm and sunny, which we will hopefully be seeing soon! Whether travelling alone, with the family, a group of friends, or significant other, visitors are guaranteed to have a memorable vacation. There are a number of hotels in the city, but the prime location to stay for a three- or four-day planned weekend trip would be somewhere along the Magnificent Mile. It is adjacent to downtown and is located one block east of Rush Street, which is infamous for its nightlife scene. When visiting Chicago, shopping along the mile-long strip of various mid-range and high-end retail shops, restaurants, and museums is a must-do. One can view some of the tallest buildings in the U.S. with gorgeous architecture, when walking from store to store, such as the John Hancock Center and the Trump International Hotel and Tower.
     After a long day of shopping, the next destination to go to is Navy Pier. The 3,300-foot long pier along the shoreline of Lake Michigan offers numerous activities such as riding the 150-foot Ferris wheel, playing 18 holes of mini-golf, seeing a Shakespeare play, and sharing a bag of cinnamon almonds with friends while viewing a fireworks show. Visiting Navy Pier would be the best way to end a night out in Chicago.
     The next day calls for a trip to the beloved Shedd Aquarium which is also located along the Lake Michigan shoreline. The Shedd is the largest indoor aquarium in the world and is home to more than 8,000 aquatic animals and 1,500 different species consisting of fish, marine mammals, birds, snakes, amphibians, and insects from across the globe. The aquarium offers several different exhibits and presentations to its visitors.  Some of the permanent exhibits include the Waters of the World, which features exhibits on oceans, rivers, islands and lakes, and the species they are home to, as well as the Caribbean Reef exhibit which features a diver that interacts with the animals in a circular tank while talking to the aquarium’s visitors. One of the current special exhibits is the Jellies exhibit. The Jellies is extremely popular because it features the many different species of jelly fish from around the world.
     After visiting the Shedd, a stroll through Millennium Park would be another fun activity to enjoy the summer sun. Millennium Park is a public park that is located in the heart of the city. It features a variety of gardens and public art which includes the infamous “Bean”, also known as Cloud Gate. The Bean is a three-story reflective, steel sculpture in the shape of a legume that was created by world-renowned artist, Anish Kapoor, and was inspired by liquid mercury. Its mirror-like surface reflects and distorts the vast skyline of Chicago as well as the numerous visitors it attracts. Taking a “selfie” of yourself with the Bean is definitely required to commemorate your trip.
     After a long day at the Shedd Aquarium and Millennium Park, a visit to the Willis Tower Skydeck is a must. Willis Tower, formerly known as the Sears Tower and one of the tallest buildings in the world, is a 108-story, 1451-foot skyscraper. On the 103rd floor of the building is the Skydeck, an observation deck which features The Ledge, a glass balcony that extends four feet outside the floor that towers over the scenic city. It is most beautiful at night, when looking out at all of the luminescent buildings that stretch for miles and miles. It would be the perfect end to a vacation in Chicago to reminisce over the lasting memories made. Those are just some of the many attractions that Chicago has to offer, so multiple trips back would be the best way to carry on the fun that the cultural traditions of the city provides its visitors.

Madeline Mehall
Loyola University Chicago

The Spirit of Christmas

Christmas is right around the corner! How do you intend to celebrate the Christmas season? This is my favorite time of the year. As Frank Sinatra sings Christmas Carols, "It's the most wonderful time of the year" the truth rings in my ears. The smells of the Christmas trees and the lightings of candles are so magical…

One of my favorite things to do when I was in Chicago was to walk down to the Christmas lights at the Lincoln Park Zoo. It is giant production of putting all these lights in a beautiful kaleidoscope of colors and the zoo synchronizes all of the lights to Christmas tunes. The best thing about it when I was on a college budget was, it is FREE! There is a lot of people who need a push to enjoy the Christmas season. 

http://www.chicagonow.com/show-me-chicago/2013/11/chicago-holiday-events-2013-the-top-ten-things-to-do-in-chicago-this-holiday-season/

This is a special Link for all the events in Chicago for the season. I also think it is important to remember everything you are thankful for, spread the good news by smiles, opening doors for people, asking an old friend or a new friend for coffee or hot chocolate, and spending time with the family and being encouraging. Also it's nice to get outside and do some exercise and refresh for the upcoming new year, read a good book and dink egg nog. This week’s reflection on the readings is important because it helps put the Christmas spirit in perspective. Paul greets the Romans as "slave of Christ," which I think is because Christ saved him, he decided to give everything over to Christ. The term itself has a lot of negative connotation. It sounds different when it is replaced with servant and Jesus teaches us that a servant is greater than the master and it is better to serve than to be served. These are what the saints, apostles and true followers of Christ do and this is how they live their lives. Let your light shine this Christmas season. The gospel is about Joseph who found out Mary was pregnant and decided to divorce her. However, an angel came in a dream and told him not to be afraid but to take her into his home and that this is the savior of the world who was conceived by the Holy Spirit. 

Isaiah's words many years prior are fulfilled that Emmanuel, "God with us," has come. The patience has paid off, 

and Joseph was obedient. This is a reminder to stay faithful.

From Sam Bostrom,

DePaul University

Wade in the Water Children

Wade in the Water Children

In Northwestern Bangladesh, there is a boat floating down the river alongside rural villages and bathing bodies. On this boat, one of 20, what once was stopped has continued, education. Annual flooding in Bangladesh keeps hundreds of thousands of student out of school, interrupting the education they need for a better life. However, thanks to Shidhulai Swanirvar Sangstha, thousands of children have the chance to continue their education all school year long. This non-profit organization recognizes how important education is and looks at the rivers that run alongside Bangladeshi banks as an opportunity. If children cannot reach the school and then the school will come to the children.

As I start my second week here at Femi Memorial Outreach Fund, I cannot help to find the similarities between these floating schools in Northwestern Bangladesh and our organization. We both strive to help children achieve academic success in environments that aren’t exactly conducive to learning. Whether it is 12 feet of water or the risk of being caught in the crossfire of gang violence, nothing should keep a child from the education that they so desperately want and need.

"We Kane, We Shaw, We Crawford"

How ‘bout those Chicago Blackhawks last night! *Cheering* Don’t mind the title, I was on twitter the night the Chicago Blackhawks claimed the title, Stanley Cup Champions, and saw someone posted a tweet as in the title. I thought it was the perfect phrase for this blog, if you’re out there reading this and you came up with that phrase, I give you credit. I mean, it is the best phrase I’ve seen yet. “We Kane, We Shaw, We Crawford”, talk about creative. I hope they make t-shirts out of these.

Anyway, let’s start talking about how proud we are of our Chicago Blackhawks. After three long years of hard-work and drive, the Blackhawks takes the Stanley Cup again. That’s right, I said it, again! I mean the Boston Bruins have done a tremendous job last night and let me tell you, they are not sore losers, that’s for sure. Even though they did not take home the cup last night, let us take a moment of silence and honor them because it was a great game and they did not go without a fight. Now, let us take a moment of silence and honor the Chicago Blackhawks. Who am I kidding, cheer on my friends, cheer on! The Blackhawks really did their thing last night. They made us all proud and I am sure they are overly excited right now. I’m most definitely sure that they couldn’t have done it without their drive and ambition, their awesome coach, and let’s not forget the amazing fans. I mean Chicago has the best supporters in North America, do you not agree?

The greatest thing about Chicago is our pride. It’s times like these where we value life. As you can see, last night was a perfect time for everyone to come together and cheer for that one team. Many yells were yelled, many friends were made, but at the end of the day, Chicago came together for one night. We came together and supported our team. You see how support really has an effect on the game. I mean WOW! For a minute last night, I really did think that the Boston Bruins were going to be our Stanley Cup Champions, but my goodness did the Blackhawks work. At the end of the day, one player doesn’t make a team; it takes a team to play the game and a team to win. Chicago made one huge team last night and that included the fans, supporters, the coach and the actual Chicago Blackhawks team.

I remember watching the news last night and seeing a lot of fans who were very young. A lot of young boys were so proud to see their team win the championship. When you see that, you can tell how much support affects the young children. The Blackhawks gave it their all last night and they showed it to many young boys and girls. They made way for the younger generation. They show them that dreams do come true, but it takes time, dedication, effort and support.  I know the Blackhawks love the kids and want to set a great path for them. It really makes me proud to see how there are good people out there looking ahead for the future of the children. It’s not about Kane or Crawford or the Blackhawks team, it’s all about the future. If the Blackhawks keeps this up, the future is looking mighty nice right now.

As we honor the Chicago Blackhawks for a season’s worth of ambition and triumph, let us not forget the future. So celebrate and have fun at the Blackhawks parade on Friday, but remember your jobs, your family and your life because your decisions contribute to your future.

Congrats Chicago Blackhawks! We look forward to more Stanley Cup Championships!

What A Year...What A Year!

What a year this has been! From Femi Memorial Outreach Fund winning the 2011-2012 Ignation Spirit Team Award to partnering up with Loyola University Chicago, The University of Chicago and Dominican University, and at the same time gaining twelve host locations in various Chicago Public Schools and Chicago Park Districts to include our after-school homework assistance program, I start to think how blessed I was to watch the growth of this organization right before my eyes. I mean, I was actually a part of this whole growth experience for Femi Memorial Outreach Fund. From the many accomplishments of Femi Memorial Outreach Fund, I take the time to look back at my very own accomplishments.  As I take a look back from the past, I can’t say that I’ve done it all on my own. Yes, I’ve had a great support system from my family to my friends and I still do. However, one unique support system that I’ve gained these past four years and could never imagine gaining would be that of Femi Memorial Outreach Fund.

From being a little freshman tutor to Head Tutor all the way to becoming an Executive Intern for Femi Memorial Outreach Fund has been not one, but several accomplishments indeed. And if you’re asking, No…I am not tired working for the same organization! Looking back has knocked me over and made me realize that most of my proud accomplishments during my undergrad career come from my experience at Femi Memorial Outreach Fund. Recently, I graduated Loyola University Chicago…..Double Yayyyy! Now, I am not the only 2013 graduate who tutored for Femi Memorial Outreach Fund for their entire undergrad career. Let’s pause and take the time to loudly cheer and clap for our other two awesome graduates….Aubrey Carver and Courtney Neale!

Aubrey, Courtney and I have tutored for Femi Memorial Outreach Fund for four, full years during our undergrad career at Loyola University Chicago. Now even though we didn’t see each other all of the time, they are familiar faces and remain being friends to the organization. With me traveling to schools on the South Side to help out in-class and after-school and going to the Park District locations while they’re traveling to schools and Park District locations as well has caused us to not see each other often. Yet, I know that they’re hard-working and busy as much as I. Even though I can’t exactly speak for the both of them, I can try to speak on behalf of the both of them. I know that tutoring for these past four years during undergrad has been a tremendously amazing and life-changing experience with many ups and downs. The important thing is that during these ups and downs, the children were not alone; we’ve triumphed through it all together, like a family. Nonetheless, I repeat that it was an Ahhh-mazzzing and Life-changing experience!

Now, I know a lot of you are probably reading this and thinking… “You just tutored some kids for four years…Big Whoop!” However, those of you thinking like that won’t know what it’s like until you’ve actually experienced it. And for those of you, who think otherwise, knows what it’s like and actually experienced it. But these children weren’t just any children; these were children who came from underserved and multicultural communities. These were children who walk outside in their communities and see that there is no hope. These are children who haven’t had great role models in their lives and they are at-risk. When I started off my freshman year at Loyola University Chicago, I remember saying to myself that I need a work-study job. And being the fact that my family was against me working during school because they wanted my sole focus to be on my studies, my mother kept telling me that I need to get a work-study job in college. I have an older sister who is about fifteen years older than me and a younger sister who was in high school during the time I was entering college. So technically, I didn’t really know a lot about how to find a work-study job or even how all of this work-study stuff works. Let me tell you, as much as my mother and sister tried to help me out because they graduated college a long time ago, I still felt that finding a good work-study job was hard. So I said okay, I am going to search for a work-study job right now, when I did, I logged on to the Loyola’s Career Website and ding…I came across Femi Memorial Outreach Fund. It was like fate or something because I didn’t know they would call me back for an interview.

I was nervous because I’ve had experienced being a Caddy during the summer and I’ve had summer internships in high school, but I never had an actual job before. Applying to Femi Memorial Outreach Fund was the easy part, interviewing was nerve-wrecking and when I received that call back, it was life-changing.  Life-changing, how? Well, let’s just say that getting to know these children that I’ve tutored and seeing how their lives are different from that of mines has allowed me to grow up, so to speak. I used to be self-centered. I thought that I deserved every little thing in life and that it should be given to me not earned, if I didn’t get anything I viewed it as unfair. Now that I’m looking back at it, I seem pretty selfish. You know that phrase “sharing means caring”…well that wasn’t me! Yet, I met so many kids who are pretty content with every situation of their lives and they go by with very little, almost close to none, every day. I met kids in worse conditions possible. What really is an eye opener is to see that no matter what the situation is, they wanted to go to school and learn something. I changed because of that! I gained sympathy and empathy. It didn’t take one day or one year, but these past four years gave me enough time.

I learned from these children as much as they learned from me! As I move on with my life and continue on to work hard for my future, I will never regret and forget working for Femi Memorial Outreach Fund. Femi Outreach has believed in me from the very beginning and during these past four years it has put a lot of hope and trust in me and my hard work. I’ve gained something incredible and unexplainable from Femi Memorial Outreach Fund. I will always remember the best work-study job and internship experience I’ve had at Femi Memorial Outreach Fund!

In other good news, Femi Memorial Outreach Fund is working to keeping more of you in the loop of things. We have just created our 2013 Newsletter. The 2013 Newsletter talks about our recent accomplishments in the 2012-2013 Academic Year as well give tribute to our most generous and loyal donors. And we can’t forget, Femi Memorial Outreach Fund has dedicated a section to the recent graduates. I know that the organization is proud to see their tutors graduate each and every year. Although it’s always hard to lose a good one, it’s a more positive feeling to see their success, even after their experience with Femi Memorial Outreach Fund. We will miss our tutors, but they know that Femi Memorial Outreach Fund is home and they are welcome to come and help out anytime. Congrats to everyone graduating in the World, from the East Coast to the West Coast all the way down to the Midwest. Wherever you are on the map, whether it’s the United States of America, Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, and/or Europe…Congratulations on graduating! Femi Memorial Outreach Fund is proud of you!

Earth Day

April 22^nd is known as Earth Day. I celebrate Earth Day by making sure I turn off the lights I am not using, not letting the water run as I brush my teeth, and making as little trash as possible. But, what more can I do to properly celebrate Earth Day? As I looked into this question, I found a grand history and meaning behind this day. Earth Day was originally founded in 1970 as a day to promote education on environmental issues. Now, many schools have extended this educational holiday to celebrate Earth Week, an entire week dedicated to learning, understanding, and practicing ways to eliminate environmental issues. With a focus on students, April 22^nd was chosen specifically to reach out to students and allow them, and other participants, to get outside and truly enjoy the Earth on its’ very own day.

Earth Day was founded after the inspiration of Senator Gaylord Nelson, who was determined to express the environmental risk of the planet to the government and the nation in 1962. His idea for creating an Earth Day came from his experience in viewing “teach-ins” where anti-Vietnam spokesmen came into classrooms to spread information and educate students about the issue. In 1969 Senator Nelson invited the world to celebrate Earth Day at a conference in Seattle and the people were excited about his proposition. On April 22^nd, supporters of Earth Day and environmental issue education rallied in all major cities in the nation. They made an impact on others and truly revealed the need to understand environmental issues. Now, 200 million people celebrate Earth Day, in one way or another, around the globe.

Some people celebrate by attending information sessions on environmental issues, signing up for cleaning projects or even refusing to use their car on the day. But, no matter how you decide to celebrate the day, the most important part of Earth Day is to become educated on environmental issues. The day was founded based on the need to inform and share environmental concerns with everyone so we can protect ourselves and our planet. So, get informed, spread the word, and enjoy our great planet on this gorgeous Earth Day.

How are you celebrating Earth Day?

Chicago Wonderland

 Last weekend, a few friends and I decided to hit the city and enjoy as many holiday festivities as we could in one. I had such a great time; I thought I would share it with our fellow readers so you could go out and enjoy your holiday break on the town.

Our adventure started at Millennium Park. We got hot chocolate and admired the lit up skyline reflection on The Bean. Now, I have seen The Bean many times before, but never in the evening. The darkness brought a whole new dimension to the skyline, which practically took my breath away.

 After taking many pictures with my friends, we decided to see what the ice skating was all about. The line wrapped around the outdoor rink but we stepped in line anyways. It was great to watch and interact with so many strangers. Behind us in line was a friendly middle-aged couple who gave us great advice on how to appreciate your blessings while you are away from home. In the rink, we saw a young lady fall and a complete stranger helped her back to her feet. It is experiences like this that make you realize how great people can be, and how the Holidays can really bring out the best in us. Unfortunately, after a half hour of waiting, we were told we would not be able to skate before the rink closed. Which leads me to my first piece of advice: If you are going to ice skate at Millennium Park, get in line before 8 p.m.. We did not let this be a setback for our festive evening, so we decided to go to Navy Pier. After much debate, we chose to walk there because of the great weather. So, the two mile walk began. Now this is where my second piece of advice comes in. The best way to make a two mile walk go by fast is to carol with your friends the whole time. We were able to get others to join along in our festive singing and even gained a small crew as we caroled down Michigan Avenue. I never knew that six silly people could bring together a large community in such a positive way. I am not sure if we can thank the Holiday atmosphere or the great people who we happened to be walking by that night. On our walk, we saw the grand Christmas tree standing in place of the famous Marilyn Monroe statue. The number of white lights on the tree gave a bright and joyful view and stood for a great place to take a break from walking. Of course, this is not the only Christmas Tree Chicago has put up. Another well-known Christmas tree viewing location is at the Daley Plaza. The remarkable tree is filled with colors and Holiday activities all day. Each tree really gets you in the Holiday spirit, and makes you wish you could fit a giant tree in your own living room. After admiring the tree, we booked it to our final destination, Navy Pier. Upon entering, the Pier is lit up vibrantly with snowflakes surrounding the entrance, but this is only the beginning.

You enter the boardwalk and can see the whole city lit up, with many buildings having messages in their windows! Once you reach the convention center, Navy Pier is transformed into a Winter WonderFest. The giant room is filled with blue carpets, lights, a giant (along with many smaller) Christmas tree, rides, attractions, great food, ice skating, and numerous chances for a good photo-shoot. We stayed at the Winter WonderFest until it closed so we could admire all of the festive decorations and activities. The families, teens, and adults enjoying the Winter WonderFest all had smiles on because of the wonderful atmosphere provided. Your children will be lit up with joy with the lights, decorations, and festive food and activities.

We had such a great time on our Holiday adventure. I would say that if you get a chance to go celebrate the season, I would recommend any and all of the events above. Some of the upcoming Holiday Events can be found HERE. Most of these events are family friendly, and the little kid inside of me was rekindled during my adventure. Also, it is a great break from school and work, so I encourage you to fill your yuletide season with as much joy as possible, because there truly is no time of the year quite like it.