It's the end of the year!

It’s the end of the year and I have sucked at updating my blog. But I set a deadline for my Chicago wrap-up post and that day is today. So let’s look at a lot of pictures… and go!

(I’ll be posting another post later today or tomorrow reflecting on the year and posting goals, hopes, and dreams for 2013.)

I learned to tie scarves into my hair. Valuable life skill!

I drank Arabic coffee. A lot. (Not pictured: also outrageous amounts of falafel and hummus.)

Saw this gorgeous New Testament in the stacks.

Visited a little Native American village. Just kidding. This is at the Field Museum. It’s a diorama.

Saw a room full of the biggest totem poles I’ve ever laid my eyes on. Was flabbergasted.

Made friends with this super cool Indian dude…

… and two super hot mummies.

Snuck a picture in the Field Museum’s Maharaja exhibit. I couldn’t resist this dress!

Also befriended this dinosaur. But it looks like she’s trying to run away from me…

Two cool Roman dudes at the Art Institute.

Tile mosaic camel. Need I say more?

Beautiful Christian art from Africa. Such vibrant colors!

Another cool dude from the Africa wing of the Art Institute.

Chinese vase. Just one of probably 20 I took pictures of.

Duck! It’s pretty.

Buddhas are sort of the best statues. This was one of four huge ones in one room all chilling together.

Museum of Science and Industry Christmas tree. So big, so beautiful.

Density stuff. It’s cool AND pretty.

Charlie Brown exhibit at MoSaI. Not gonna lie, this one made me tear up a bit.

New friend the Fish at Shedd’s Aquarium.

More fish! So many colors!

Newberry Library’s beautiful Christmas tree.

Emily’s birthday surprise at Blue Agave!

Lights at the North/Clybourn station at night.

Finally got the necessary Chinatown shot!

Lovely farewell card from the General Reading Room staff at the Newberry.

Chicago from 96 floors up in the Hancock Building.

Last day, last run.

Can’t pass up a picture like this, even if it’s mid-run.

And then I came home… and BLIZZARD! Resulting in snow and many fallen tree branches.

Christmas presents!

And unwrapped!

New running shoes