It is amazing to have the help from a fellow Christian studying at UIC. He has been in Chicago for 9 years and knows it like the back of his palm. These friends would open share their feelings about the infrastructure, the 100-year buildings, seemingly rackety subway, closed expressways, snow lanes etc. They were also very welcoming to bring us around, for worship gatherings, parties or just sharing a few good Christian books or radio stations. As he drove along from O Hare airport and I munched on a burger, he regaled me with stories about the dangerous "south side", differentiating treatments of cars with plates from different states, pastimes of teens in public schools and his spartan, windowless campus which, according to him, could pass off as a concentration camp with a few dogs and wire barbs.
For the first few days of settling down, I have been busy with getting to know breakfast places. I tried as much as possible traveling on foot. It's good exercise, especially when the wind is brisk. I got a Chicago Tribune but only took the cover stack, much to the amusement of the Walgreen shop assistant. He kindly let me know ppl usually buy it for the coupons. As I read the local news, including a school girl being shot in Englewood neighborhood, I was once again reminded of the possibly hostile place I was in. I felt good to be alive, safe and sound. Nothing is to be taken for granted.
I walked north to Laselle and then took bus to the Moody church on Sunday. It is a grand building for a mega church. The combined worship is electrifying, with hymns and songs oldish and solemn, much to my liking. It's nothing like the mega churches in Singapore which feature more popular worship songs. The sermon is passionate. I took a few fliers and talked to a Sunday school teacher from Philippines who was very proud of being a "happy" Christian. She had a bit problem with hearing but I could hear her well.
The air and water show ended prematurely due to the foggy weather. It was cooling to walk along the Lake Shore with my future roommate. She is mature for her age and has a lot of hope for future. US for her is not a short stint only and she has been open minded enough to visit around, go for activities. Within 3 weekends of knowing about Christianity she told me that she has scheduled to be baptized.
She knows a lot about living in cold weather apparently. She thinks in winter the weather will be dry so an air moisturizer is needed. She also recommended a water filtration machine to make ready-to-drink pure water. She has been stocking up on skin products and heating pads as well. I really appreciate her help.
I could walk to and fro school quite easily on my own, without the need to take the bus. It's a pleasant walk along Chicago avenue, with nice shops, buildings (like old fire station, dental centre, Feinburg School of Medicine etc). I love the school from all sides. It has a very open concept, though due to renovation I could not access certain places. Seniors have donated books they no longer need to juniors. I managed to get something on securities regulation. I visited the 4-storey library one day. It is also called Pritzer Law Research Centre. The librarians are NW law students and they have been warm and helpful. Notamy seats were occupied, probably because it is still holiday. The lighting is not famtastic but the long opening hours kind of make up for it.
For the last two days I have been surviving on fruits, breads, muffins, salad dressing and luncheon meat. Not feeling like going out, I spend more time in my room with my loved ones and settling stuff like terminating my phone service back home, applying for ISO insurance plan and submitting my course list. I feel life is getting on well. I am not a tourist, so I have the luxury of time to know this place at my pace. I am blessed with this Gold Coast neighborhood, it's night life. I have not found it distracting yet. It's very suitable for longer-term stay.
I have tries to shop a bit. The shops are similar to what we have elsewhere, H&M, Forever 21, TopMan. I would try to find out more about it's consumer culture.
Arts-wise, there are many museums I want to go! I will apply for a library card once my student pass is ready, with which I can visit museums, aquarium and music halls at a better fare.
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