Well, it has been a while since we experienced a good Autumn season. In China, its mostly just hot then turns immediately bitter cold. There weren’t many changing leaves in Huaqiao and the leaves that fell were swept up almost as soon as they fell. Needless to say it has been lovely drinking spiced cider and seeing trees drop their shimmering red, orange and yellow skirts. … Continue reading I Love Autumn
Each weekday, to help us combat unemployment, Nick and I have been studying Mark. Last week a book arrived for me as an early anniversary present. It is The Ancient Christian Commentary on Scritpture: Mark (vol 2). I was super excited to crack the spine on this book. So basically, this commentary is the collected works of a ton of early christian fathers’ writings and preachings on … Continue reading Coins
I have some exciting news. Something has happened that has never happened before. Back up a little. Last spring when we were still in China, we started hearing rumors of something strange happening in America. A loud, crass man with an incredible combover was running for the Republican party. “What is a TV personality doing in politics?” We asked ourselves. To our foreign friends we … Continue reading We Can Do it!
Well friends, we were deported. Almost. We left China on Sunday. We had a one way ticket to Vietnam and, shoot, we were excited! Our flights went smoothly and we found ourselves on the long decent into Hanoi. We had all of our documents ready just in case something went wrong. We had a driver that would be waiting for us. We had an apartment … Continue reading Deportation
Ten years ago, my life was changed forever. It seems like any milestone, there is always some struggle approaching it. I have talked about my recent situation as being one of the Israelites out in the desert, wandering for forty years. The past six months or so have been quite challenging. I have suffered anxiety, depression, and hopelessness of never getting out of the desert. … Continue reading 10 Years A Slave
I remember this moment like it was yesterday. I had been told I was pregnant, that I may or many not miscarry. I remember getting off a shift at Nixon’s Coffee House and walking up the stairs to our apartment. I remember moving slowly, as if every movement could break the precious life I prayed for. I remember laying on our bed and watching the … Continue reading Anniversary
I went to the Art Institute of Chicago this past Wednesday. What an incredible museum. I started off in European art and was sitting in front of Monet’s haystacks when the two female security guards looked up at each other and loudly exclaimed, “No WAY!” At first thought these two women, who were clearly friends were sharing an intimate piece of gossip. As I walked … Continue reading Jumper
There’s always something happening on the L. That was this morning’s lesson. First off, I want to applaud Chicago’s transit system. I have been so thankful for the fast, reliable and constant trains that ferry me throughout the city. This has been key to my survival here. If you’re going to visit Chicago, spring for the unlimited pass. It’s totally worth it. So, last week, … Continue reading On the L
Today I sit at what is supposed to be Chicago’s premier coffee shop. Intelligentsia. Sure when I got my Americano, I was excited to drink it. But then I noticed that there was no crema. Who stole my crema!?!? Nick asked me, “Aren’t you being a little harsh?” No. We see this happen all the time. When you’re supposed to be the best, what is … Continue reading Standards
This year starts a whole new adventure for the Denenbergs. What a crazy year we are looking forward to. When we ended last year, I had finished taking the CELTA and it was Nick’s turn to choose what he wanted. So he applied to the same program… in Chicago… in January… Hey what a crazy idea. So fast forward several months to December, I had … Continue reading Chicago:Land of the Blue Burqua?
The Denenbergs 