Le Grand Tour

Whew! I've finally moved in!

The past two days have just been a blur. Derek and I rented a zipcar (technically a zip-"truck") and set out to the two essential stores for everyone moving in: Walmart and IKEA. After 7 hours of shopping, I got pretty much everything I needed from these two superstores.  I ended up with two shopping carts full of stuff at Walmart, and FIVE shopping carts at IKEA (most of the IKEA stuff were delivered).  Best deal:  kitchen table and chairs set for $100 at Walmart.  By the time we got back and unloaded everything, it was 2am. 

Because there were so many things to do, Derek didn't even get to see much of Chicago :(  I don't know how I would've done all these without Derek's help, but I wish we could have done something fun together - it was his vacation after all.  He is the BEST friend EVER!

So anyways, yesterday Derek left Chicago to go back to Vancouver.  Now I'm all alone in the city (although not for long because Brodie is going to visit me next week and maybe my sister, too.  haha.  I'm so spoiled!).  After Derek left, I proceeded with assembling my IKEA furniture for 8 hours straight - it is VERY hard to assemble a queen size bed or hang a mirror straight by yourself; I now have a very sore body, but also a bed, a desk, a chair, a shelf, a dresser, a bedside table, and a coffee table. 

So here it is... the Grand Tour of my apartment.  I'm still missing a couch, and it's not really decorated.  But it's AWESOME!  :)

This is what I see when I walk in the door.  Immediately to the right is the largest closet ever.  It can almost count as a second bedroom!  In other words, lots of storage.  Note the hardwood floor at the entrance, this would be nice when I come home with wet boots in the winter because the carpet will stay clean.  Down the hallway, is the kitchen to the right and the bathroom to the left.

This unit is newly renovated, so all appliances and cabinets are brand spankin' new!  Granite counter top!  Dishwasher!  Garbarator!  This newly renovated unit is the same price as an un-renovated one.  I totally lucked out getting this one.  

Another view of the hallway from the other end.  I like that there is a window between the kitchen and the dining room. 

Dining room (well, it is one big room, but I call this portion the dining room).

Living Room.  The couch will go beside the lamp, right in front of the bookcase, facing the wall.

View from the corner of the dining room.

"Office"

Bedroom.

Bathroom.  

And that's it!  My new home.  I'm thinking of painting one or two of the walls (the one behind my bed and the one facing the couch?), and maybe getting some carpets to "define the space".  I might add another bookshelf and maybe a TV in the future?  But yes, that's pretty much it!  Tomorrow I'll take pictures of the lobby, the sundeck, and the fitness center (i.e. the space outside of my apartment) and post it later.  Tomorrow I will also get my electricity transferred, open a bank account, get a cell phone, internet, and possibly going to the Northwestern Evanston Campus to get my student ID, etc.