Chicago

Last week we went to Chicago so I could take the clinical skills portion of my boards. As far as the test goes, all I can say is someone is making a bundle of money off of all the medical students and foreign medical grads in the country. I think the test went fine.
We originally planned to go a few days early and stay with one of Candace's cousins so we could get the real Chicago experience. Neither Candace nor I had ever been to Chicago, and Jack was very excited to go to "the Big City."
But a few days before we were to leave, my eyes started feeling a little itchy, and they looked awful. I seriously looked like I had been awake for a week doing nothing but smoking weed. I've been told to not get in a habit of diagnosing myself, so I went to the opthalmologist who confirmed what I suspected. I had viral conjunctivitis - cursed Adenovirus!!! The good news was that my eyes didn't bother me too much. The bad news is that I was very contagious. In fact, the opthalmologist restricted me from having any patient contact until after my test. I didn't protest. Unfortunately, it also meant we wouldn't be able to stay with Candace's cousin and his family. We figured giving them all red eyes would not be a great way to thank them for their hospitality.
To make a short story long, we left for Chicago the day before my test and got there with enough time to go downtown a see a few things. Jack was absolutely thrilled to take the train into the city from our hotel. We went to Memorial Park and walked around a little and took in the skyline. We didn't have a whole lot of time, but we enjoyed the time we had.

We knew that we had to have deep-dish pizza for dinner, and we went to Giordano's for that. I have to say I was a little nervous that I would be disappointed. Everyone says how incredible deep-dish pizza is, and well...THEY'RE RIGHT! Absolutely unbelievable! My mouth waters just thinking about it.

The next day I took my test, and Candace decided to venture out on her own with Jack and Macie. I had tried telling her that no one would think any less of her if she just hung out around our hotel until I got finished. Anyone who's tried to talk Candace out of something when she's already made up her mind can likely guess how that conversation went. She was determined to make the most of this Chicago visit, and I can't really blame her for that since it was my fault we had to cut it short. Anyway, they rode the train for about an hour back into town, had some difficulty with the stroller at their stop, which didn't have an elevator, and headed for the Lincoln Park Zoo. They weren't able to stay for very long before they had to make the journey back to meet me so we could get on our way back home. Jack and Macie were very pleasant and just seemed to enjoy being out and seeing some new things. I know it was not easy for Candace, but I have to hand it to her - she's a lot tougher than I am. Macie was exhausted when they all finally met up with me, and I was just glad they all made it back safe. I'm kind of a worrier like that (thanks, Mom).
Unfortunately, that's all we had time for because I had to get back for work the next morning. There are probably at least a hundred things we didn't do in Chicago. So we decided we have to go back someday and spend some more time - and get more pizza! Hopefully I won't spoil that trip with some infectious disease.