Ok, So I know it's been a LONG time since I have last written! Not only that, but a lot has happened in the past 4 months. So, in order to get everyone caught up, I've created the TOP 13 EVENTS in the last 4 months.
1. Early March brought a fun trip to The Art Institute with my bestie Sarah O, and the opportunity to reconnect with a college buddy, KD Blackburn. It was so great to see her and hear all about her life and projects! So fun!
2. Ruben's Mom and Nephew Joshua came to visit for a few days. The two drove to Chicago over Josh's spring break in mid March. We hand a great time hanging out together.
Cooking together...
And hearing Ruben perform! It was a great week!!
3. Speaking of Performing, this past March Ruben performed electric bass for a classical Disney concert withe the New Philharmonic. It was the first time I've ever seen him perform on electric, and I thought he was so cute!!
4. In late April I flew to Texas to be the Matron of Honor for my best friend, Ashley's wedding! It was an awesome weekend in Horseshoe Bay celebrating Ashley & Chris! These awesome photo's of the wedding are by Twinty Photography. You can see more images of the wedding at http://www.twintyphotography.com/blog/?p=5666.
It was an amazing time!!!
For my toast, I sang "Never Tear Us Apart" by INXS. Ashley loved it and was so surprised.
5. In May our good buddy and jazz bassist, Max, played his Senior Bass Recital. He did such a great job! We are so proud of him!
6. In late May, my boss at Lyric Opera tells me that the Technical department is being reconfigured and that "unfortunately you're position is being eliminated." He gave me until the end of June to collect my salary and to look for work. This was quite a heart breaking shock. To help me get over it, Ruben and I
7. Traveled to Puerto Rico and stayed on the amazing island for a week! The Gonzalez Family had a family reunion, and we had an absolute blast!! So much fun that it's too much to post here. I will post the details of our trip soon! Until then, take a look at this stunning beach, and out lovely hotel just over our shoulders! Ahhh.....my life is good!!!
8. The day after we arrive home to Chicago, our buddy Alejos show's up for a week long Chi-town visit. Our friends, Tina Lousie and Mike Happ, love Alejos and came over to join us for a home cooked meal that he prepared. We had a great time hanging with Alejos!!
But he wasn't here just for fun, Alejos and Ruben both taught at a summer orchestra camp for beginners. Alejos taught for the first week, and Ruben taught his 8 new bassists for 2.5 weeks.
This is a great shot of the group working together!
9. The last week of June was my final week at Lyric. I have to admit I was so over whelmed with love by my friends and co-workers! They threw me a surprise send off party, with at least 20 guests (from departments all over the company) there signing a big poster and wearing masks of my face! All to let me know that I am loved, appreciated, and will be missed! It was amazing!!!
10. Writers' Theatre is performing an amazing rendition of "A Little Night Music" and they needed an ASM to cover for a few weeks in July, and LUCKY ME, I got the gig! It's a great show and I'm so excited to be a part of it for a while. (A great distraction from un-employment!!)
11. The first few days of July brought 35th Jenson Family Reunion. It has been an amazing month of reconnecting with family and figuring out what to do next in life. One thing is very clear, our family loves us very much, and they are ready for us to live closer to them. Hmmm...we'll see what happens.
This weekend, was so awesome it's worth its own post, too. Stay tuned!
12. On top of this all I have coordinated 2 weddings with Five Grain Events at the Adler Planetarium, and had a wonderful time! Running events is just like running live theater, and I'm finding I'm pretty good at it! This is a pic I took of the table decor of Brooke & John's wedding on May 26.
I have more weddings planned through out the wedding season, one a month for the next 3 months. :) Thank God my free lance work is keeping me busy and tying me over until I'm able to attain full time work.
13. On July 3, Ruben and I celebrated our 2nd Anniversary! I feel so blessed to married to such a lovely man, who so obviously loves me too!!
As you can see it's been a full and eventful few months. I'm not sure where we will go from here, but I have hope in the possibilities, and am grateful and feel blessed!!
