On to the cream: My week in Chicago was beyond awesome. I spent every weekday pounding the pavement from 8am - 6pm, commuting in from Lake Forest in my little suit. I averaged about 8 meetings/interviews a day and they were all glorious. I met with the Mayor's office, the state commissioner for Dept. of Children and Families, and tons of consulting firms and foundations. And the coolest part is almost everyone was ridiculously nice. Cab drivers - nice. The gals who work at Nine West - Nice (unlike the little whores at Copley). The folks at bars - nice and friendly. Chicago definitely lived up to what I have imagined it to be. The weekends were spent partying with good folks and new friends. The week nights were spent with Amber's wonderful, delightfully eccentric family, who truly treated me like one of their own. I saw my cousin Laura, who I haven't seen in 8 years, and we have the most awesome time salsa dancing with her friends and making up for lost time. I've never lived anywhere as an adult where I have family close by (this is largely because I have a pretty small family to begin with...) and I guess I never understood the townie mentality of staying in the same place you grew up. I also saw it, based upon those I grew up with in Texas, as ridiculously simple - a way of shirking adventure, opportunity, and independence in life. BUT, it was beyond nice to have someone I could rely on in Chicago - both with Amber and her fam there and my own Argentinian cousin. While I love my own family and parents, I've spent a lot of time relying on friends or myself. Both of which are great, but this is an added element of comfort that I wasn't expecting, but will truly come to appreciate.
*OH WAIT. The Scorpion's "No One Like You" is on VH1 classic and holy smokes do I love this song. I have always loved this song (and the Scorpions, come on...), but really, you haven't lived until you've seen Brian Peterik kill this on Guitar Hero.*
So yeah, I was perma-grin girl the whole time I was there. And the boys. Let's not even talk about that. Let's just leave it at they're cute and mannerly. Hurrah! And the job hunt. It was good. Hectic, but almost...enjoyable. Every interview was like having a pleasant conversation with someone. None of this insane New England reserve permeating every inch of conversation. I accepted an offer from a boutique government consulting firm, located right across city hall. To be honest, I think I can do a great job at it, but I have no idea what I'm in for. Travel 50% of the time, participating in business development, managing other consultants' projects. I'm admittedly a little nervous, but I think it will be a good challenge. And it exceeded my hopes - more money than I make now in Boston, which is a much more expensive city, the opportunity to travel and get exposure, a more varied work day, and the opportunity to get bonuses. Wow. It'll be pretty interesting to go from state gov to private sector consultant.
So, I have a few weeks to make this happen and, because I love my current boss, I'm working up to the very last day when I load up the truck. I'm selling most of my furniture via CL, which has been interesting, because my apartment, as of recent has become like a brothel, with people floating in and out, giving me money, slinging a coffee table over their shoulder. Perhaps the last part is unlike a brothel, but I digress... It's really very liberating to get rid of stuff that weighs you down. And just when I thought I'd be driving cross country alone, enter Haley Glover, who will be driving with me. I'm very excited to have a companion - and to see how well we can maneuver a moving truck. Rest assured, there will be lots of Morrissey, Depeche Mode, and New Order serenading our journey.
As with most things like this, the uncertainty is killer. Had I read this entry back in August, all of the weekend nights I stayed in working on applications, cold calls I made, frustrations I had over petty things, and sleepless nights spent wondering if this is a completely ridiculous move would've likely never happened. While most peeps make a move like this because of a significant other or a transfer from work, I put a pin on the map, based on a few fun visits I'd had there, and hoped that if I did my part, the universe would take care of the rest. And though I'm not a Chicago resident just yet, I feel so grateful that things have fallen into place and that what has been an idea for a year or so, is quickly becoming a reality. Folks at work come up to me and say, "why are you moving?" and I tell them that I've always felt like Chicago was a good fit, they say, "gosh, that's brave." I don't really feel scared, so perhaps that why I don't feel particularly brave. But yeah, I'll take it. All I know is that I feel very excited for what's to come and have been heartily rockin' out to Irene Cara's "What a Feeling" and The New Radicals "You Get What You Give" with a fervor I never had before. Thanks for all of your support, friend-os. I can't wait for you guys to come visit! Love love love. SWAK!
