eight

So I just realized that my anniversary of moving to Chicago kinda passed me by! Ooops! I think it's because I've been living (and working) here for so long I tend to forget I'm not a native. With that said, this past August 9 was exactly 8 years ago that I moved to Chicago! Wow! I can't believe it's been 8 years already. I can truly say that this city has made me feel at home the entire time I've lived here. Just think of all the wonderful people I've befriended since living here. Not to mention the obvious :)

Leaving...

So it is official, we are moving! Now's the fun part...finding a place. I am not going to limit myself to just our current neighborhood. There are a few others I might check out as well. Researching and visiting prospective apartments can be taxing, but I think things happen for a reason. Anyhoo wish us luck in finding something both safe and affordable. But above everything, dog friendly is #1 on my list :)

Chicago Speak

I've lived in Chicago for about 7.5 years. It amazes me that only having grown up one state over (Wisconsin) the local slang can be so different. This post is about the Chicago terms I've learned over the years (and the Milwaukee counterparts I know):

• Brazer: I know this term is so un-PC but I can't help but notice how much it's used amongst Mexican-Americans here in Chicago. It's the basterdized English version of the word bracero that is used to refer to [illegal] Mexican immigrants. A "bracero" is a worker, I believe. In Milwaukee I guess we were much more direct and would just say mojados (wetbacks...I know so wrong). It wasn't until I moved here that I noticed how everyone and their mother uses this word. Personally I think it's a pretty offensive word, what's so wrong w/ immigrants?

• Cotillon: When I planned my 30th Quinceañera theme some of my coworkers kept calling it my Cotillon. I have never ever in my life heard this term before moving to Chicago. I asked my cousins from Milwaukee and we all agreed it must be a Chicago thing. What's so hard about saying Quiceañera???

• ATM: It took me about a year of living her to stop referring to the ATM machine as the Tyme machine or my ATM card as a Tyme card. You see in Milwaukee the company that runs them is called Tyme, hence why the name has stuck w/ so many mootowners.

Those are all I can think of right now. Any others?

Edit

How could I forgot one of the most obvious?? As my Sista M already pointed out...

• Water/Drinking fountain: So drinking fountain or a water fountain isn't necesarrily slang...but in Milwaukee we call them bubblers. Why? It was invented in Kohler, WI by Kohler Water Works and was originally dubbed "bubbler". As years went by the more popular water fountain became the norm.