Hello from Illinois!

Hello from Illinois! It's about 8:15 pm here in the Central time zone, and I've been here in Illinois for a total of about 4 hours now.

I finished up finals just fine on Thursday, with my two hardest back to back, but done! I spent Thursday night having out with friends and playing the longest game of Apples to Apples I have EVER played, going on three hours! I got up early and left Friday morning to drive up to home in the Bay Area, usually a three and half hour drive. Well, everyone must have been going home, because it took me about 4.5 instead -- but it worked out, because it was a nice day out, so once it was stop and go I cranked up the music and down my windows, and enjoyed the sunshine.

This weekend is "rodeo weekend" in Livermore, which is a BIG deal. To some people. Like KK, who came home with Jason for our "almost annual" Rodeo party (we have breaks every few year due to the fact it's the same weekend as graduation). We had a bunch of fun, had a bunch of people over. Mom made homemade sangria, and there was soda, beer, and other drinks (I think there was some moonshine there, just saying), and lots of bbq.

Woke up this morning at 6 so that we could leave for the airport at 7, to make my flight at 9:30. Made through everything alright, and by the time I made it to my gate it was time to board, so all the waiting around in line worked out! I had gotten a direct flight to O'Hare, which was really nice.

Did you know that O'Hare airport is named after Butch O'Hare, a pilot in the Pacific during WWII? Well, his dad was the accountant for Al Capone during the prohibition years, and was the one who went to the FBI and IRS with his tax evasion -- some say so that his son, Butch, could get into the Naval Academy. Just before Al Capone was supposed to be released from prison, the elder O'Hare was gunned down -- most say by Capone's men. Fun fact for everyone!

Abbott is taking really good care of me -- they arranged for a car to pick me up from the airport and bring me to my hotel, and then there's a car to take me to work tomorrow morning as well. I am living about ten minutes from the airport -- there really isn't much here in my area of Des Plaines. From my window, I can see a construction site and the tollway -- super exciting.

But more about where I am staying! I get a whole room to myself!! How amazing is that? It's a "King Suite", so it's more than just a regular room. I walked in, and right in front of me is a living area with a couch, chairs, a table, desk, tv, and mini bar. There's a nice bathroom, and then a bedroom with a King bed, dresser, tv, and chair. It is so sweet! I've already started making it mine -- unpacking clothes, setting up my books along a desk, and all of that fun stuff.

Tomorrow morning I start bright and early at 7 am! I am going up to corporate headquarter in Lake County for orientation, and then I come back to Des Plaines in the afternoon to get oriented and all that fun stuff. I am really excited to start work!

Lesley