July 31, 1997: Lilly Martinez Dunson/Bruce Willis

A new girl at work, Lilly Martinez and I went through the Metra station to the Amtrak station to get a ticket for my return trip to Kalamazoo on Sunday.    I happened to listen to the radio station, 100.3 that said Bruce Willis was filming his next movie, 'Simon' on the corner of Wacker and Wabash so I told everyone at work.   Josh Bulak said he liked Demi Moore.  Dave said he was going to check it out.    I called my friend, Shawn Young, who said she would roller blade down there and meet me at 5:30.  I was able to see Bruce Willis very well.   He was only about 50 ft. away from me.   The scene he was taping showed him in a brown leather jacket walking with a young boy in the movie.   

July 26, 1997: Venetian Festival

I went to the Venetian Festival downtown Chicago.    On my way there, it started to storm.  I had to wait under an awning on Michigan Ave.   I saw the boat parade.  All of the boats were decorated and got voted on.   They also did some fantastic fireworks, that echoed off the buildings.  It was great for people watching.  

July 25, 1997: Peter Schumacher

I met Peter Schumacher through Kim and Owen.  Peter and I walked down the aisle at Kim and Owen's wedding.      Anyway, last night, Peter came over for help on typing up a paper for school.  He came around 10:30 p.m.    We finally finished it in the early morning. He took me to breakfast in Greektown before work.      My supervisor, Yolanda Thomas, couldn't believe that I hadn't fallen asleep at my desk, as I hadn't slept since Wednesday night.     Also,  I went to the eye doctor today and had my eyes dilated and then went home.    I was exhausted.    I went to sleep at 6:30 p.m. and slept for 12 hours.   This was the first time I ever stayed awake for 24 hours straight and hopefully it would be the last time.

July 18-20, 1997: Mom and Charlene's Visit to Chicago

At Information Resources, we had flex time where we could work an extra hour Mon-Thurs each week and get every other Friday off, which was fantastic for when I had visitors and went back to Michigan.     

Today, I had a half day of work, as my Mom and Aunt Charlene were coming to visit me.    When I got home, I came to this beautiful plant sitting on my table from Grandpa, Grandma, and Charlene.   Mom brought me some magazines to read.    

We took the 'El' to Marshall Fields because I had a haircut appointment.   My mom bought a Coach purse.   It was raining and thundering outside.  I showed them around the Merchandise Mart.    Charlene was quite impressed with how well I was getting around the city in just the short time I had lived there.     We had dinner at the Thai restaurant on Huron and State.    I showed them the Cathedral on State St and around my neighborhood. 

On Saturday,  Charlene, Mom, and I walked down to Lake Michigan via the Division Street pedestrian way and walked around North Beach.

We walked around the Drake Hotel.   Then, we took the brown line up to the Armitage stop to the Sheffield Garden Walk.   We saw Charlene's brother-in-law, Eric; nephew, Brandon; and Eric's wife, Jenny.   We got to see Eric's first apartment building he owned.    Met Jenny's friend, Carol, who had been an extra in many films such as 'My Best Friend's Wedding".    They used to pay extras $100/day, but then when they started getting too many people, they paid only $45/day.    We got our faces painted.   

Took the 'El' back downtown and ran into a movie being made, starring Tommy Lee Jones and Robert Downey Jr.  They changed the license plates on the cars in the background to New York City.    They changed the Chicago Board of Trade to the New York Board of Trade.    It was so cool seeing the extras dressed in suits and beginning to walk in the background.  They kept doing this scene over and over.  I stood right next to Tommy Lee Jones and tried to get an autograph.  A lady gave him a dollar to get his autograph and his response was that he doesn't take US currency.   I didn't think he was very friendly at all.    Charlene managed to get a good close up picture of Tommy Lee Jones, though.         We had dinner at Portillos.   

On Sunday, Mom, Charlene, and I went to church at Park Community Church in Lincoln Park.    The pastor said that you have to have a little conflict in any kind of relationship in order for it to strengthen.   He said not to stand alone and that often in our society, we are taught to be individuals, but each of us needs someone to help us out.    God is our #1 friend.  

Charlene and my mom really liked my church.  They said it was so fun to see so many young people going to church.    

We had breakfast at West Egg Omelette on State Street, near my apartment.  We had lunch at Maggianos restaurant on Clark Street.

Charlene's  nephew, Brandon, and his mom, Liz, came to my apartment for a visit.  It was sad to see my mom and aunt go back to Michigan, as I had such a fun time with them this weekend.