Millennium Park

This past Friday was the first time that I ventured my way through Millennium park - finally. It is a very nice park that I will definitely visit more often. The Chicago skyline looked amazing and the vivid colors and lights within the park accentuated everything nicely. Below are a few of these color photos.

© 2005 Araceli Arroyo Photograph

Night Skyline

Although this picture is part of the Chicago Millennium Park Photos series I couldn't bare post it as a mere thumbnail. I think the Skyline looks amazing, although a bit blurry and a tad over exposed. Anyway, it's worth a full size post.

© 2005 Araceli Arroyo Photograph

Enjoying The Scenery

Per request from a good friend here are a few pictures of Sir Charles my trusty photoblog companion. This was from last week's short trip to a beautiful park in Riverside, IL. The rain cut our visit short, but both Charlie and I enjoyed the view for at least a few short minutes.

© 2005 Araceli Arroyo Photographs

Flaming Sunset

I've never seen the sun setting this way, almost flame like. This was the view off the Western El stop. I thought it looked wickedly cool.

© 2005 Araceli Arroyo Photographs

Chicago Ave. & Sheridan Rd.

I came across this beautiful church right in the corner of Sheridan Avenue and Chicago, heading towards Lake Shore Drive. If anyone knows the name of this church please let me know.

© 2005 Araceli Arroyo Photograph | Chicago Photos

Too Cute Not To Post

Last weekend the water was too cold for my nephew, but that didn't stop him from enjoying the water :) The tub didn't last long a few hours later he enjoyed the swimming pool as well.
© 2005 Araceli Arroyo Photograph

Photo Entries to Mexico & Chicago Photos

I've made some entries finally to mexphotos.blogspot.com. I've yet to post many MANY more, but I figured I could start out slow. I always post more frequently to chicagophotos.blogspot.com but I couldn't resist posting this picture here.

Enjoy....

This marvelous fountain sits in the middle of Grant Park, adding to the wonderful view of the Chicago skyline.
© 2005 Araceli Arroyo photograph | Chicago

The Old Yard

Many preparations went under way the last few weeks. The chain link fence was pulled out, a new wooden fence was put in. The weeds were yanked out, sand was layed in it's place. All hard labor well worth the trouble. We now get to enjoy a swimming pool in it's place.
© 2005 Araceli Arroyo Photograph

Dog at Work

Charlie Dog supervising the work.
© 2005 Araceli Arroyo Photograph

Kid at Work

Don't worry we didn't use child-labor. My nephew was just playing with the yanked out weeds.
© 2005 Araceli Arroyo Photograph

Back-Yard Update

What could possible make my nephew this happy? A new big swimming pool :) Perfect timing now that summer is just around the corner.
© 2005 Araceli Arroyo Photograph

Pulling Fences

These past weeks have been incredibly busy at work and at home. We've made some renovations around the house... Removed old fence and put up a privacy wooden fence instead. Here's my brother in law striking a pose :)
© 2005 Araceli Arroyo Photograph

Sun Gazing

The advantage of hiding behind the lens of a camera is the ability to stare into the glaring rays of the sun. My eyes are very sensitive to the sun and I would normally look away, having my camera with me allows me to admire it's bright colors. As you can tell the light was intense creating glowing red orbs.
© 2005 Araceli Arroyo Photograph

Cigarette Sale

After last month's tax hike for cigarettes this is truly a sale. Personally I could careless, I'm not a smoker, but if you live in Chicago and are looking for a bargain head over to this gas station ;) Marquette Park & Kedzie
© 2005 Araceli Arroyo Photographs | Chicago

House Guests

There are two fury house guests that visit my family and I regularly - two rabbits. They've grown quite a bit since last year. During winter I think they had a nest under my deck. We give them carrots and now they don't run away as much as they use to. Today only one bunny stopped by and apparently likes being in the spotlight.

© 2005 Araceli Arroyo Photograph

Chicago Tribune Vending Box

The Chicago Tribune newspaper vending box can be found pretty much within every half a mile around the city. I suppose this is why it's the top selling local newspaper in Chicago.
© 2005 Araceli Arroyo Photograph | Chicago

Enjoying a Relaxing Day

The warm weather comes and goes here in Chicago. I crazy city marching to it's own beat, it doesn't surprise me. I've learned to take advantage of those days that are nice - 'nice to be outside'. That said, my dog reaps the benefits.
© 2005 Araceli Arroyo photograph

Redesign For The Travel Photoblogs

I'd like to welcome the newest addition to my travel photoblogs - mexphotos.blogspot.com!

It's been almost two months since I came back from my trip to Mexico, and during this time I've been procrastinating on posting those pictures. Well the excuse I had will no longer hold. I have launched a new design that will be carried over to all my other photoblogs. Chicago Photos has already been converted. Go ahead check them out and let me know your thoughts. Are they too much?

My New PDA

Always a techie, I am very excited about my recent purchase. I've upgraded my old palm V PDA to this new Palm Zire. Also my new mp3 player, the only thing it needs is a built in camera - maybe for my next upgrade :) Another strong plus is that I can put my own pictures as backgrounds.
© 2005 Araceli Arroyo photograph

Facets Cinema Theater

Facets Theater located on Fullerton Avenue near Ashland on the North side of the city, is and might well be a Chicago landmark. I always love going to Facets during the Chicago Latin Film Festival. Facets offers viewing of foreign films year round.
© 2005 Araceli Arroyo photograph

Neighborhood Visit

This weekend brought Chicago great warm weather. I stopped by my old neighborhood to pick up the mail and was glad to see the trees are almost full of leaves. Chicago is just wonderful in spring.
© 2005 Araceli Arroyo photograph

Basilica de la Virgen De Guadalupe

I have been procrastinating of posting pictures. The reason for this is primarily because I wanted to set up another photoblog section. I want to customize the entire album and have fun with those pictures. Below is a picture taken at the plaza of the Basilica of the Virgen De Guadalupe.
© 2005 Araceli Arroyo photograph
This is the edited picture from above with some effects, and cloud pattern background. I think I might use this as the entire background for the 'mexphotos' blog. What do you think?
© 2005 Araceli Arroyo photograph

Parting Clouds

You can never get tired of admiring the sky. Well at least I can't, especially when the clouds seem so like puffy cotton balls.
© 2005 Araceli Arroyo photograph

Reception Hall Lobby

The wedding hall has been selected for my sister's wedding this fall. I liked how the sun was glaring through the windows providing the only light in the lobbby.
© 2005 Araceli Arroyo photograph

Doctor's Office

I paid a visit to the Doctor's office this week. I was bored out of my mind waiting for the doctor to come in. You all know what happens! The nurse calls you in weighs you and takes your blood pressure. That is only a tease, for soon after you have to wait another ten hours in a small room, where the TV that was in the lobby is entertaining the other patients instead of you. If you can see the faces on the yellow sign, I am the one that is upset from for being there.
© 2005 Araceli Arroyo photograph

Parking Lot Lights

I have to admit that I've been extremely busy these past days and have also been a bit lazy as well. I have quite a few pictures I need to download from my camera and also have yet to post the pictures from Mexico. I thought I'd post a picture that I've had on my hard drive for a little while in the meantime.

I have a bit of a collection of light shots. I'm not sure why, but they fascinate me.
© 2005 Araceli Arroyo photograph

Sunny Cold Day

Today was a colder day in Chicago. It was nice to see that fashion was not forgotten when sporting the warmer attire. This older woman was well prepared with her leather gloves and all.
© 2005 Araceli Arroyo Photograph

Artificial Flower

I've been playing around with the settings of my new smaller digital camera. I'm still not used to it, this picture came out darker than I wanted The colors aren't as vivid, but I think the clarity & sharpness is pretty good. What do you think?
© 2005 Araceli Arroyo Photograph

The Sun in My Eyes

The clouds dispersed inviting the sunlight to brighten the sky and the hearts of it's admirers like myself.
© 2005 Araceli Arroyo photographs

Industrial Chicago

After walking towards one end of Maxwell Street Market we stopped to gaze at the railroad tracks overlooking the Chicago skyline. I like to call these set of pictures - Industrial Chicago. What do you think?© 2005 Araceli Arroyo Photographs | Chicago