The word "Chicago" is apparently the French version of a Miami-Illinois word "shikaakwa" meaning "Stinky Onion" (this has to be true, because Wikipedia says so). Since I live in the Chicagoland area, I figured this is an appropriate blog title. My life over the last decade or so has involved peeling away layers, trying to get rid of the excess. Sometimes life is a bit stinky and makes me cry, but I'm determined to peel away what's rotten to find what's sweet. Here's a glimpse of my journey.