Laura's Graduation!

I traveled to Chicago last weekend for my sister's college graduation from the Illinois Institute of Technology. I got there Friday morning and took the train into downtown where I met my Mom at the hotel. Dad was dropping their car off by Laura's apartment since the parking was free... So I grabbed a bite to eat and then we headed over to Laura's apartment. She has a great location fairly near the train and school, in a quiet neighborhood with a biscotti shop just down the street. We hung out for a bit and went to her sorority senior picnic/gathering. We had some mediocre hamburgers, and pretty tasty sides, then rode the train back to the hotel where we met Greg and Sarah for dessert (ice creams from the corner store) and graduation presents. 

 

Saturday morning Mom, Dad, and I were up early to get over to IIT for Laura's commencement. I was going to get Laura's keys and go chill at her place with the Architecture graduation tix and get in line early for good seats. Laura forgot her tassel, however, so Mom and I rushed over to her place (just in time to get the call that she had gotten a replacement). It all worked out well. I got to rest a bit, then got pretty good seats at the architecture building. 

Laura was one of 5 students chosen to give the undergraduate speech - they were the finalists, and asked to be able to give a group speech rather than have a vote off. It was fantastic! They all did a superb job, you could tell it was well rehearsed, and they obviously had fun with it. It made the complete incompetence of the professor reading their names even more pronounced...

...raise your liquid container for a toast!!!

(not an actual part of the speech...)

Afterwards we did the usual cookies and punch, hugs, and meeting Laura's friends and associates. Then we went out for Chinese Dim-Sum. It was pretty good, I thought!

 

Sunday we took a brief tour of architecture, and said our good-byes. Mom, Dad, Laura, and I went back to Laura's where we cooked up some ravioli from the biscotti shop (mmmmm) for lunch, and relaxed a bit after all our adventures. Finally I took the trains back to O'hare and came home (where I had missed more severe weather fun). 

down by the river

 

at the old Chicago Public Library