Shinkou

August 20

Chicago

Melissa and I got up early and walked to Starbuck's for Awake tea and then went to the neighborhood farmer's market. We bought oyster mushrooms, sunflowers, raspberries, blueberries, green onions, cheese. We went home and made spectacular omelets! And then the clouds opened up and it poured and poured!!! And then we all went shopping!

First stop was Water Tower Place. We were looking for a professional laptop messenger bag for Melissa to use when she had her business trip to meet Facebook and Google. We ended up at Banana Republic. Great messenger bag, great shirt for Melissa. Great slacks and sweater for Matt! We continued walking around, window shopping and people watching. Rain does not bother us - much to the surprise of those under umbrellas!

We ended up walking to Nui Sushi, a place that Matt and Melissa found when he visited in March. We had a light sushi lunch and then cabbed it back home. We had dinner reservations to get ready for!!!

Adam was working on a group project and couldn't go with us to Carnivale. It's a Latino fusion restaurant. This place is so colorful! You can't help but look at the walls and light fixtures - such vibrant colors! We had a family birthday celebration for Matt (okay - it was his second "early" family birthday dinner but who's counting???). Of course Matt ordered a marvelous seafood dish. I had a Peruvian chicken dish and Melissa had ceviche. Of course there were mojitos and skinny pirates! Then they brought out the birthday dessert and we added a fresh fruit tarte to share. Undoubtedly,that was the best best "free restaurant" dessert ever. It was cream cheese ice cream with a chocolate mousse cake. It sounds unusual and heavy, but it was the most delicate flavorful dessert ever! We were all amazed!!! And the fresh fruit tart had fruit from the local farmer's market.

Back at the apartment, Matt opened his birthday gift - 6 days early!! He got a new iPod, one that can handle his

20,000+ songs!