Just keeps getting better.

Happy New Year!!! 2009 was an amazing year, and I have to say, I'm a little sad to see it go. Still, I can't help but keep the faith that 2010 will be even better, with fewer changes and a little more settling in.

It's been a crazy couple of months. Work keeps me insanely busy, and I've missed communing with my city as of late. However, thanks for a few good friends, I've managed to have a little fun.

A few weeks ago, I spent an evening in Capone's Chicago. The Green Mill Lounge looks like it hasn't been renovated since it opened in the 1920s. Art deco murals, life-sized statues, strong drinks and great jazz sent me time traveling back to a time of suicide doors, fedora hats and flapper dresses. The music was amazing. About a dozen men took turns playing, swapping combos and tapping out beats. They play until 5 a.m. at the Green Mill, and I could easily have sat listening until then, but a quick cab ride catapulted me back to this century and home.

I've finally made some headway decorating my apartment! I've rearranged my living and bed rooms, and emptied out my den for Ryan to move in with me! He found a job in the city, and needs a place to crash for a bit, and I couldn't be more excited for him to stay with me. It also was the perfect motivator to get everything settled that's fallen to the wayside.

Mostly, it'll be nice to have someone around when I get home from a crazy day at work. It gets a little lonely being by myself most of the time, but I'm getting pretty used to it.

Switching back to work...I had a great day today! I organized an event way north of the city, and we had a great turnout. I was really pleased with how everything unfolded, and am looking forward to seeing if we get any media coverage about it this week.

I just want to give a quick little shout out to Kim, Kath and Lola right now, because they got me the sweetest thing last week while on vacation (without me, might I add. Thanks, Big Kid World). It's a candle in a really pretty jar that has a great quote on it:

"She packed up her potential and all she had learned, grabbed a cute pair of shoes and headed out to change a few things."

I feel like it's pretty fitting for me...as did the fam. They know me so well. I've gotta say, that with as tough as things get being on my own and working a bazillion hours a week, I've made myself pretty proud getting my life started here.

Speaking of making me proud, can I just say how great this month is going to be for so many of my friends? Ryan starts his job, Elwood starts student teaching, AJ is movin' on up to NYC, Garret got great news about a fellowship at the Arizona Republic, and Brookie is heading to Denver tomorrow to start her Big Kid life! I'm so excited for everyone...and I have a good feeling 2010 is going to be a good year!

Well, it's been a while since I've updated, but it's a short post, I know. I don't do much besides work these days. Once February 3 rolls around, though, that'll all change. I'll get back to being Miss Social Butterfly, then will hopefully have many more experiences to share...so stay tuned!