So our third week at the DFC started off with a fun activity! We went out to a restaurant as a group tonight. Last Friday we met and went through a lecture on traditional restaurant foods and strategies for not overdoing it (removing the bread, etc.) We then chose a restaurant and looked through the menu, preselecting our dishes. It was fun because we got to plan in dessert and we don't really eat any dessert here.

We went out tonight and the food was great. I'm having a really good time with all of my new friends. Hopefully we'll be able to keep in touch after the program.

In other news...a true-blue celebrity showed up yesterday. Ask me in person because I feel awkward talking about it online (confidentiality.)

Hi everybody! I think the new setup of the website is fantastic - it's a great way for all of us to keep in touch. I hope to be using it to give you all updates on my life in Chicago and I encourage you to do the same (I want to live vicariously also).

I've already read all of Anne and Chuck's and Kara's blogs and I like being able to hear about you all from afar. The adventures ahead for Aunt Anne and Uncle Chuck sound exciting - have fun!

Right now I'm in the middle of midterms at the U. of C. since crazy midwesterners like to be on the trimester. It's officially the 5th week of the 2nd 10 week (plus a finals week) term of the year. It's a little misleading to be calling it midterm time because in courses such as Organic Chemistry where there are 2 exams during the quarter, as we call it, they are both called midterms, and I took the first this past Thursday and hope to hear about it soon. Thankfully, there is only one final. Similarly, for one of my courses I have 3 papers and just handed in the first earlier today.

Apple Pie Filling

Wash, peel and core at least 8 apples.  My favorite are Macintosh.   Slice into a large sauce pan and add a TBSP of butter, 3 TBSP flour, 1 tsp cinnamon and a cup or less of sugar or brown sugar or any blend, thereof.   I like to cook down the apples just a little because I like my apples more done.   Don't over do it or you will have apple sauce.  I still like it better than uncooked apples in an apple pie.  Do whatever is your preference.  Bake for 45 min. to an hour at 350 degrees.