Wandering through Costa Rica
What I would GIVE to jump on a plane and head somewhere this weekend, but I’m not sure when we will feel comfortable getting on a plane again. Traveling always puts life into perspective for me—even my biggest problems seem minuscule when I can evaluate them from a distance. The last place that I visited was Costa Rica. In fact, I returned only 9 days before Chicago shut down the city…
Yearning to board a plane and whisk away this weekend consumes my thoughts, yet the uncertainty of when air travel will regain its allure looms large. Traveling, for me, acts as a lens through which life's challenges shrink to insignificance when viewed from a distance. My most recent escapade took me to the captivating lands of Costa Rica, a mere nine days before the pandemic forced Chicago to shutter its doors.
The atmosphere at the airport during that early March week was palpably tense; masks, a novelty to Americans then, adorned many faces. Security measures, including the meticulous screening of incoming flights, aimed to trace any potential carriers of the virus. Despite the apprehension, my sojourn in Costa Rica was nothing short of enchanting, leaving me eager for a chance to return.
Costa Ricans' deep connection with nature, embodied in their mantra "Pura Vida" or "Pure Life," struck a chord within me. Amidst the frenzy of daily life, it's easy to lose sight of the essence of living. However, the pandemic has underscored the importance of taking time to rejuvenate and rediscover inspiration.
My fiancé and I are diligent researchers when it comes to travel, preferring to leave ample room for spontaneity and local recommendations. One memorable evening in San Jose, my fiancé surprised me with dinner reservations at Mirador Tiquicia. The journey to the restaurant, perched atop a winding gravel road, was an adventure in itself. Yet, the breathtaking vista of the Central Valley from our candlelit table made it all worthwhile.
The following day, we embarked on a journey to our lodging at the Treehouse Hotel near La Fortuna. Nestled amidst the rainforest, the accommodations offered a unique blend of luxury and immersion in nature. Our encounters with wildlife during hikes, from howler monkeys to sloths, added a touch of magic to each day. And waking up to coffee accompanied by curious animals on our deck became a cherished ritual.
But it was the warmth and hospitality of the Costa Rican people that truly left an indelible mark on me. Their eagerness to enrich our experience and share their knowledge was evident at every turn. A highlight was our encounter with Juan Carlos, our guide to the Arenal Volcano. Despite the torrential rain, his enthusiasm for the region's flora and its medicinal properties was infectious.
From natural anesthetics to remedies for common ailments, each plant he introduced us to revealed a rich tapestry of traditional knowledge. Our hike culminated in a tranquil retreat at The Springs, where the symphony of waterfalls and birdsong cast a spell of serenity.
Costa Rica's beauty extends beyond its landscapes; it lies in the genuine connections forged with its people. As I reflect on my adventures, I'm reminded that travel is not just about the destinations but also the souls we encounter along the way. While the prospect of travel may seem distant, I'm determined to seek inspiration in the here and now.
Chicken Tortilla Soup
As the calendar flips to April, the view from my living room paints a sunny picture, yet stepping outside reveals a chilly reality of 30-degree weather. Despite this, I've been mustering the courage to venture out for my daily run, layering up against the cold. The initial moments feel bearable, buoyed by upbeat music and the partial shield provided by the city's buildings. However, Chicago's weather has a trick up its sleeve; once out of the sun's direct warmth, the chill sets in, seemingly amplifying by ten degrees. With the first icy gust hitting my lungs, I find myself instinctively retreating homeward, a routine repeated day after day.
I know I'm not alone in this struggle; every Chicagoan is feeling the bite of the lingering cold. So, until warmer days arrive, I'll be seeking solace in my kitchen, preparing a comforting pot of Chicken Tortilla Soup.
Chicken Tortilla Soup
6-8 servings
Ingredients:
3 chicken breasts (boiled and pulled ahead of time)
4 diced tomatoes
1/2 can Chipotle in Adobo
1 can tomato paste
10 oz frozen corn
32 oz chicken broth
Some carrots cut into matchsticks 1 cup Masa Harina*
4 garlic cloves
1 onion diced
1 tbsp chili powder
2 tbsp cumin
Garnish:
Avocado
Cilantro
Green onion
Corn Tortilla Strips
Cheddar Cheese
Instant Pot Directions**: Cut chicken breast into large chunks and throw into the instant pot along with all other ingredients. Pressure cook on high for 15 minutes. You can quick release the steam and the chicken should pull apart with two forks before serving.
Crock Pot Directions: Boil the chicken and pull ahead of time. Add all other ingredients to a large crock pot and turn crockpot to high. Stir in the pulled chicken and leave for one hour or until the vegetables are softened.
* This was the secret ingredient that had been missing in my tortilla soup for years. It gives the tortilla flavor while also thickening the broth.
** This is the Instapot that I purchased and it’s currently on sale! It is the ideal size for two people if you love leftovers like we do. Thanks to Amy and Angela for your encouragement on the purchase—it’s the only kitchen appliance that I’ve used in weeks!
Photog after dark
The world looks different after the sun goes down. I became interested in night photography while studying undergrad at Illinois State. Likely, because it was less intimidating to walk around campus with my Cannon A1 35 mm camera due to the fact that there were less students on the streets. Balancing all of my photography equipment in one hand, while shooting every tree and rock I passed on the quad only added to my nerd appeal….
The world transforms completely once the sun sets. My fascination with night photography began during my undergrad years at Illinois State University. There was something about the stillness of campus after dark that drew me in, giving me the courage to wander the quiet streets with my Canon A1 35 mm camera in hand. I’d roam the quad, channeling my inner nerd, capturing every tree, shadow or rock that caught my eye.
I became obsessed with playing with color sensitivity, discovering how long exposures could pull out rich, vibrant hues that the naked eye couldn’t perceive in the dark. Reflections in puddles, the interplay of light and shadow from streetlamps, and the ghostly illusions in storefront windows became my obsession. A visit to Chicago for a friend’s 21st birthday sealed the deal—the city’s glowing skyline left me completely mesmerized.
What I love most about night photography is how it defies the typical idea of photography as capturing fleeting moments. It’s not about snapping spontaneous scenes but instead requires careful thought and precision. Every shot demands a meticulous setup: positioning the tripod, framing the scene, calculating exposure times, and waiting patiently for just the right moment to press the shutter.
This month, I’ve made it my mission to dive back into photography, especially at night. There’s something so exhilarating about picking up my camera again and rediscovering the beauty of the world cloaked in darkness.
Existential Design Thoughts
I am a designer and constantly reevaluating what my niche is. Maybe it is the naive child in me, but I still believe that one can design their own career based on the crossover between their passions. I had a realization that designing for pharmaceutical companies isn't exactly why I went to art school. But, when I am designing something that I love, my life is a little closer to perfect…
As a designer, I'm constantly reflecting on where my true passions lie. Perhaps it's the idealistic child within me, but I firmly believe in shaping one's career around the intersection of their deepest interests. Designing for pharmaceutical companies, while lucrative, doesn't quite align with the artistic aspirations that led me to art school. It's when I'm immersed in projects that resonate with my soul that life feels a little closer to perfect.
This notion of intertwining passions led me to embark on a side project inspired by a simple Venn Diagram. Picture each circle representing a different aspect of your life, with one circle symbolizing your career and the others representing your various interests. Now, imagine all these circles intersecting in real life. For me, it meant melding my love for craft beer, typography, and games into a creative endeavor.
Starting with pairing favorite beers with fitting quotes, I honed my typography skills while contemplating what brew the author of each quote might enjoy. Crafting coasters for Chicago-based breweries presented an intriguing challenge—how to capture the essence of each brand while ensuring recognition?
Beyond beer, my passions extend to volleyball, blueberries, and connecting with new people. As a bartender, I discovered the art of finding common ground with every patron, illustrating the natural overlap between design and social interaction. Could this synergy pave the way for a backup career? It's a possibility, especially considering the proliferation of platforms designed to facilitate connections.
“The future belongs to those who learn more skills and combine them in creative ways.”
The OG Bad Santa
Christmas reminds me of my grandpa, everyone that knew him loved him. But he was a matter-of-fact kinda guy—if he wasn't interested in what I was doing he certainly didn't pretend to be. And because he was a farmer, I never found it out of the ordinary if he asked me how much rain we got last night, before he asked how kindergarten was going…
Christmas always takes me back to memories of my grandparents—and Grandpa was a no-nonsense kind of man who despite his straightforward demeanor, was beloved by everyone who knew him. If something didn’t interest him, he made no effort to fake it. A farmer through and through, his first question to me often wasn’t about how school was going but about our rain gauge: “How much rain did you get last night?”
Grandma, on the other hand, was warm and curious. She loved hearing every detail of my day, especially about the boys in my class, and happily kicked off games of pickup sticks and paper dolls. She even crafted an incredibly detailed dollhouse for us, complete with tiny handmade curtains and miniature furniture. But my favorite memories are of us gathered around the old dial TV, laughing at I Love Lucy and indulging in malted milk balls.
One Christmas stands out as the most ridiculous and unforgettable. That year, my grandparents promised to take us to see Santa at the mall. Thrilled, I threw on my Christmas dress and pulled my sister Meredith along to the kitchen, excited to announce we were ready. My Christmas wish list was burning a hole in my pocket!
Grandma piled the two of us into Grandpa’s truck, ready for the adventure, when less than a mile down the road he suddenly exclaimed, “Well, I’ll be darned. We don’t have to go all the way to town—Santa came to us!” Confused, I looked out the window to see a scrawny figure in a red suit lounging in a lawn chair. “That’s not Santa!” I blurted.
But Grandpa was already pulling Meredith from the truck and plopping her onto the imposter’s lap. Reluctantly, I followed, muttering how Grandma had promised the real Santa would be at the mall. Grandpa was unfazed. He whipped out a camera and proudly declared he could take our picture with Santa right then and there.
As Meredith awkwardly posed, I couldn’t resist the temptation. I reached out and yanked the elastic beard right off the "Santa’s" face. “I’m telling Grandma!” I warned, but Grandpa just laughed, his eyes twinkling with pride for his conquest.
It wasn’t until weeks later, when I saw my mom’s reaction to the photo, that I fully appreciated the hilarity of that day.
Merry Christmas and to all, and to all a good night.