Chiang Mai!

I went to Chiang Mai, and it was as cool as the name sounds. The old city is basically a giant square, surrounded by a moat. The walls are still up and all, but the new city has grown around it. Not going to lie- one of the highlights was eating a burrito. I haven't had real non-Thai food in over two months and it was a hell of a good first, second, and twentieth bite. The margaritas were great too. The downside: They couldn't understand my Thai (I know I have a thick accent, but I'm trying like crazy!), they couldn't understand my English (figures), but the worst part was, they could not understand my Spanish Slang (what gives?!) I'm still confused as to how these people communicate in the kitchens.

The best part though (and it's going to be stereotypical so I warned you): riding elephants! BUT this was not stereotypical tourist riding. We rode the elephants bareback. No wooden chairs/ saddles like those other farangs (foreigners in Thai.) It was ecotourism at its best. But, hey, it was exciting and beautiful. We went through jungles, viewing the rice fields on the mountain side, seeing the river run below our feet. It started to pour, and I was in complete aw at it all. Amazing creatures, amazing experience. 

The twelve hour bus ride was worth it.... but only once. Hey, a girl needs to sleep, and not in a upright position with a Thai soap opera blasting the bus speakers at two in the morning. Until next time! Sah-wah-dee-ka! (c-ya!)

Fall is here!

Let's see! What have a managed to accomplish over the past few weeks? Anita and Bob Satti from Connecticut came to Chicago for a Bears game and they took me out to dinner at this amazing steak house. I ate a lot. They also invited me to go to the Willis Tower which is the tallest building in Chicago. Here I am looking very dashing if I do say so myself. It is in a glass box window that sticks out of the building. It's like you're standing on air! Very cool.

I've also managed to ACE my intro to audio theory midterm. Soon I will be attending a music business conference in chicago and producers will be there (Usher's will be too!)  as well as a surprise guest performance. I am very excited. Lately the weather is either pouring rain or sunning and 65 degrees. My friends and I went down to the lake the other day and enjoyed the weather. I tried to get my tan on but it didn't work out too well.

This coming weekend I am visiting VERMONT! I am very excited. I will also be taking a trip to Connecticut for a football game and NYC for a concert. Very packed weekend but hopefully I'll catch some foliage. 

More soon, 

Jess