Who says you can't go home?

A job interview brought me back to the Mitten for a couple of days. And you know what? It felt so good to be home.

As Kait and I drove under the Pure Michigan welcome banner, a smile tugged at my lips and it suddenly hit me that no matter where I go, Michigan always will be my home.

The day before my interview, I spent a few minutes sitting at U Cup reminiscing about the five crazy years I spent at Central. And you know what? There were a lot of really crummy days during that time, but in reality, the good times outweigh the bad 100 fold, so I can't complain.

Well, the interview was a success because yesterday morning, I was offered a reporting position at the Big Rapids Pioneer. Yup, I'm a reporter now...well, will be in 2 weeks anyway. I start on April 5 and am incredibly excited to dig into the city beat.

How am I going to go from living in fabulous Chicago (Boystown, no less) to Big Rapids? Well...I'll survive. The truth is, I want to report. I want to learn. I'm ready to start my career. I'm taking the advice of numerous veteran reporters who all told me to pick some small town and report there to build my resume and hone my experience...it's just a coincidence that the small town is the one I spent my childhood summers in and is a mere hour from Grand Rapids.

I'd be lying, though, if I said today's sunshine and 70 degree teaser didn't make me rethink my decision. As I laid on the grass in Lincoln Park, I found myself thinking 'Maybe I could spend just one more summer being irresponsible...'

The last 10 months have been incredible. My place is finally decorated and Chicago feels comfortable now. Maybe it's the breeze coming through the window as I type this, but I'm already feeling a little homesick for my vintage walk up. I also have some randoms on the way to pick up a good portion of my living room furniture just so I won't have to move it back to Michigan.

The next couple weeks will be crazy...I need to sublet my place, take a drug test, cancel my cable and find a new home. A new home.

It's clear that 2010 is intent on trumping 2009 as the most adventurous year of my life...and all I can say is: Bring it on.