The End of an Era

Today marked the end of the repressive policy of Don't Ask, Don't Tell which was a compromise that left no one happy. By chance today, I visited the Hull House which was the headquarters for Jane Addams's groundbreaking work for social justice, immigrant rights, and the improvement of communities. In the mock-up of her former bedroom, there was a poem that she had written to her female companion of over thirty years. It was so beautiful, I thought maybe I should share it!

The “mine” and “thine” of wedded folk
Is often quite confusing
And sometimes when they use the “ours”
It sounds almost amusing.

But – You and I, may well defy
Both married folk and single
To do as well as we have done
The “mine” and “thine” to mingle
(Jane Addams Papers, reel 113.45.1572)

Also, I thought I would share my latest obsession, the Beyonce song "Countdown": 

Maxwell Street Market

On this rainy Sunday morning, I decided that I would head up to the Maxwell Street outdoor market (pictured above) to do walk around, and enjoy the city that I just moved to.  As per usual, it was an adventure not parallel to anything that I would do in Ripon.

I got on the train, and today I decided that I was going to listen to the Sufjan Stevens album "Bring on the Illinoise," I was jamming out and really enjoying the new perspective I have gotten out of one of my favorite albums since moving here.  When I got on to the train car, it smelled of cigarette smoke and once the train started moving I found out why.  There was a man in the back of the train, opening the emergency exit doors who was smoking and drinking.  I was not surprised that someone was smoking, just that they were doing so with the door to the train open while we were travelling!

Then, I got off the train at Roosevelt to take the bus to the market when a man pulled out my headphone from my ear (note how I am already annoyed).  He then starts asking me where I'm from, and then for my number.  This made me wonder how many women actually give men their number this way, because it has to work sometimes otherwise men wouldn't do it.

Then, I made my way to the market and miraculously avoided spending money because the market had everything that you could ever want - from nuts and bolts to bras and panties.  The one thing I spent money on was a taco from a stand which blew my mind.  It was delicious, with homemade tortillas (being made in front of me) and deliciously marinated pork (al pastor).  Great!  I'm going to have to make a trip there again soon to enjoy some more tacos al pastor! 

Multiple Personality Version

if I was crying,
in the van with my friend,
it was for freedom
from myself and from the land
I made a lot of mistakes

you came to take us,
all things go, all things go
to recreate us
all things grow, all things grow

The Windy City : A Photographic Introduction

I know, it's the second day in a row that I've had two blog posts.  These pictures come from my roommate Kiran, and her lovely camera.  She's been taking such great pictures, and since I don't have a camera (lame, I know!!!) I am using some of her pictures to document my trip so far.  You can catch Kiran at her blog, Shutter Sights.

"Government isn't a business, it should be run for the people!"

Well, today was awesome.  Earlier this week, while in class we were told that the Alderman from the 49th ward of Chicago (Rogers Park) was going to be giving us a tour of City Hall.  I was pretty excited, and thought that it was a good opportunity to further understand the way that the city government works here.  We've heard countless stories, and people all talk about city government and so far we've heard the same thing (not that its bad), "There was a Mayor named Daley for five thousand years and that just changed, and we once had an African American mayor named Harold Washington who was a reformer and broke the Democratic machine after battling the Council Wars."  But today was a different piece of the city of Chicago's story.

Yesterday, one of our professors told us that Alderman Moore had called her earlier in the day, and that it made her nervous.  Then she told us that we were going to have a change of plans.  Well, the change of plans seemed pretty damn good to me - it was going to a Rahm Emanuel press conference in Alderman Joe Moore's ward.  

When we arrived there this morning, Alderman Moore had more to say than Emanuel whose press conference was rather short but, I did get to shake Mayor Emanuel's hand! It might have even been the hand with a partially missing finger!  I was pretty star struck, in the same way that other girls might have been star struck by Justin Timberlake.  I got really embarrassed, my heart fluttered, and I'm pretty sure I blushed.  My hand even tingled for a good fifteen minutes afterward.  I would have to say that this was a good way to start my morning! 

xo

Farming

Today's been an inspirational day, so it's time for the second blog post of the day!  I have decided that I might want to pursue urban farming as a possible profession once I graduate in May.  I am thinking that I want to buy a lot of land somewhere in South Seattle which I will build an eco-friendly cottage home on, and also open up my own urban farm.  This urban farm wouldn't just be for myself, but would also (hopefully) be a center for education on growing organic vegetables.

I would want this place to be a safe space, in which people paid for their classes (and vegetables) on a sliding scale that would reflect their income level.  This farming space would eventually teach members of the community how to grow their own vegetables, as a sustainable way to live while also making food more affordable and tasty! 

I am pretty lucky that this semester I am taking a class in food justice, which will examine parts of my plan...and I am hopefully doing my independent study project on a way to make this dream feasible.  Wish me luck!