Last weekend (Feb.1-Feb.3), the school district sent me to Chicago to attend an educational conference. I was pretty excited to go since I had never been to the city and also because I have a friend who lives their. The conference was a complete waste of time and money, maybe I will write a post later about the conference. However, I did have a great time meeting up with my old friend Greg and his family as well as seeing a little bit of Chicago.
I met Greg more than 21 years ago while I was a sophmore at Highlands high school. We were taking a first year Spanish class together. Over the next few years, Greg and I became good friends even though I alternated time in high school between Sacramento and Hawaii. We grew up together in a sense. I can't say how many times Greg's mom gave me a ride home in her old blue pick-up truck or how many times the family had me over for dinner. Greg's dad and I spent hundreds of hours together talking and watching boxing, we even went to a boxing match together at ARCO arena many years ago. Greg and his family were always great to me so it was really nice to see all of them after not seeing them for 14 years.
On my way to Chicago, I was afraid that after 14 years, Greg and his family as well as myself, might have all changed and that maybe we wouldnt really have anything to say to each other. It was just the opposite, everything and everyone was just as I remembered them. It was as if the last 14 years never happened. There I was, in Greg's parents house eating his mom's Tamales and talking boxing with his dad. It could have been high school all over again. Also at the house were Victor, Mauricio (skippy), Greg's wife Christina, Carmen (counselor from Grant), Greg's two kids, and Melissa (who was a baby when I last saw her).
It seems like Greg has made a nice life for himself in Chicago. He is married with two kids. His wife Christina is very nice and it is obvious that she loves Greg very much. His two kids are really well behaved and pleasant. Greg has a job at a college and is also working towards his degree. It's kind strange when I think about that 14 year old kid sitting next to me in class now in his mid-thirties with a grown up job, a wife, and two kids.
On our last night in Chicago, Greg, Mauricio, and Victor took Carmen and I out to downtown. The sky scrappers were impressive. Michigan avenue reminded me of New York. They took us up to the top of the Hancock building (96 stories high, I think) for great views of the city. After that, we went to a pizza restaurant and had authentic Chicago style pizza. WOW!!! It was great pizza!!!!! Too bad we don't have that kind of pizza out here in California.
I met Greg more than 21 years ago while I was a sophmore at Highlands high school. We were taking a first year Spanish class together. Over the next few years, Greg and I became good friends even though I alternated time in high school between Sacramento and Hawaii. We grew up together in a sense. I can't say how many times Greg's mom gave me a ride home in her old blue pick-up truck or how many times the family had me over for dinner. Greg's dad and I spent hundreds of hours together talking and watching boxing, we even went to a boxing match together at ARCO arena many years ago. Greg and his family were always great to me so it was really nice to see all of them after not seeing them for 14 years.
On my way to Chicago, I was afraid that after 14 years, Greg and his family as well as myself, might have all changed and that maybe we wouldnt really have anything to say to each other. It was just the opposite, everything and everyone was just as I remembered them. It was as if the last 14 years never happened. There I was, in Greg's parents house eating his mom's Tamales and talking boxing with his dad. It could have been high school all over again. Also at the house were Victor, Mauricio (skippy), Greg's wife Christina, Carmen (counselor from Grant), Greg's two kids, and Melissa (who was a baby when I last saw her).
It seems like Greg has made a nice life for himself in Chicago. He is married with two kids. His wife Christina is very nice and it is obvious that she loves Greg very much. His two kids are really well behaved and pleasant. Greg has a job at a college and is also working towards his degree. It's kind strange when I think about that 14 year old kid sitting next to me in class now in his mid-thirties with a grown up job, a wife, and two kids.
On our last night in Chicago, Greg, Mauricio, and Victor took Carmen and I out to downtown. The sky scrappers were impressive. Michigan avenue reminded me of New York. They took us up to the top of the Hancock building (96 stories high, I think) for great views of the city. After that, we went to a pizza restaurant and had authentic Chicago style pizza. WOW!!! It was great pizza!!!!! Too bad we don't have that kind of pizza out here in California.
Greg and I on top of the Hancock building
View from atop the Hancock building
Greg and I on Michigan avenue
Raquel and Maya welcoming me home
1 comment:
Wow, a trip to Chicago. I spent a day in downtown about 3 years ago it is a pretty cool city. I would love to go back. I am sure I will someday Maria grew up about 2 hours away. I hate O’Hare airport though I have flown through Chicago three times and have spent about 36 hours in that stupid airport. It sounds like you had a great time with Greg it is always good to reunite with old friends. I am wondering though if you have an affinity towrds short people. PS> I am looking forward to the next blog about this lame conference.
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