Northwestern University is a private institution with its main campus of 240 acres on the shore of Lake Michigan in Evanston, about 12 miles north of downtown Chicago, and a 25-acre campus in Chicago. It has about 7,800 undergraduate and 6,200 graduate and professional program students. A member of the Big Ten conference, its athletic teams are called the Wildcats.
Evanston Campus
North Avenue Beach
Chicago at night 
Serene campus view
Chicago campus
My nephew and his wife both graduated from Northwestern University, and now their daughter begins her first year there, starting what may be a tradition. As I write this, she sits at JFK, waiting for her plane to Chicago.
It's quite an adventure, leaving home in Maine, and traveling across the country.
She is a beautiful young lady, with long blonde hair, and a sparkling personality.
In high school, she excelled at just about everything, as did her parents before her.
I was born and raised in Chicago, as was my nephew, his wife being from New Jersey. Their daughter is the first of the children to leave home and start her new life in a world of academia. I wish her well.
Campus Tour
Jiva
Every year in September, I stop buying perishable foods. I have canned goods, boxed goods, and anything I can make with water. Bottled water is a necessity.
I also have V8 Fusion, a drink made from half vegetable juice and half fruit juice. It has a long shelf life, over six months. Tastes great too. I like the pomegranite/blueberry and the peach/mango. And if you want a cocktail, drop in a little gin or vodka.
The freezer is empty except for butter and bread. No meat, no fish, ~ when the power goes off, those items are the first to defrost and spoil. The butter and bread are usually still edible when defrosted. Some people put a bag of ice in the freezer when they know the loss of power is imminent. That's how the old "Ice Box" was kept cold before electrical refrigeration! That's how we do it here in Florida. Years and years of experience dealing with storms. Tropical Storms, Tornadoes, Floods, Storm Surges, Lightning, you name it, we've got it.
Jiva
Hurricanes and Tornadoes... A Montage
Hurricane Ike video taken by Brave Soul... !
In high school, they called her Sarah Barracuda, because of her intense sports play.
I have this feeling that the Obama/Biden team has met its match. Look out Democrats, the Republicans had an ACE up their sleeve! Polls today are showing 63% for McCain and 37% for Obama. How do you like them apples, you Hillary-rejecting Democrats? Serves you right for treating Hillary that way. Hope she laughs all the way to her limo.
Jiva
I like the Clinton's, all three of them. I wanted Hillary to win the nomination, because I felt that would secure the election for the Democrats. But now, it's a dead heat, and no one knows who will win. There are a lot of people for Obama, and most likely the same people who voted for Bush twice will vote for McCain. I think the election will be determined by the voting machines, and who controls them. What do you think?
Jiva
The amazing Jimmy Plant showed up much too briefly, and a quick look at David Beckham, as the Olympic future unfolded bringing the 2012 Games to London.
I loved watching our young girl gymnasts as they worked so hard! Such brave girls.
And of course, eight gold medals to the record breaking Michael Phelps.
Jiva
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