Happy 6 month anniversary to Chicago and I!

SIX MONTHS!

Well, technically, it’s been six months and two days since I moved to Chicago. I finally know my way around the city pretty well, I don’t run on and off the train in fear of being crushed by the doors, I have a few bars I frequent, I keep my apartment clean and I have a job. Yup, feels like the Big Kid World to me!

Things here are going very well. I think I’ve hit a pretty good stride, and I’m really looking forward to the next few months.

As I walked home from the el last night, I thought back to when I moved here. Everything was new and exciting, and of course I was scared shitless. But the city doesn’t seem scary anymore. My breath still catches when I see the skyline glittering late at night, though, and I can’t get enough of wandering up and down the streets in Lakeview.

I’m looking forward to getting downtown soon to see the lights, then celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by watching them dye the river green. There is so much still for me to do and experience...luckily for me, my lease isn’t up for 9 more months!

I’ve been contacted by a couple of papers for reporting jobs…isn’t that always how it goes? I was frantically searching for months, and once I got a job, I get contacted for more! Go figure. Lake Placid was more alluring than this one…a daily in rural Northern Idaho. No thanks on the potato front. However, if any of my writing friends are interested, I’ll gladly send you the editor’s name!

As I mentioned in my last post, my new job keeps me insanely busy. However, if you want to plan a trip to the Windy City, there is always a place for you to stay!

The Big-Girl Job falls into place.

To say my life has been busy as of late would be an understatement. But I have a few minutes of downtime at work, so I thought I would post a quick update about life here in the Windy City.

For those of you who read the first paragraph carefully, you probably realize that I am employed! Finally! The hours are brutal, but nothing worse than I endured working for the baseball team, and I don’t have to wear a chicken costume.

Actually, I am working 7 days a week now, about 12-15 hours each day. But there is hardly any down time, so I’m constantly on an adrenaline high. Already, I’ve learned so much and gotten to take on some cool projects, so I’m a pretty happy camper.

Of course, 2 days after getting this job, I got a call from a paper out in Lake Placid, New York interested in interviewing me for an adventure-writing job. It sounds like it’d be right up my alley, but I have to say I’m content with where I’m at.

I’m also getting to write quite a bit, which makes me very happy.

Chicago still is treating me well. This is not where I’d like to stay forever, though. It’s become clear that I prefer being a big fish in a small pond, or a big fish in a big pond (haha), rather than kind of lost in the stream. It’s strange to walk down the street and pass 100 people who don’t make eye contact, smile, nod or say ‘hello.’ For anyone who used to chat with me on the phone while I trotted across CMU’s campus, greeting every person I came across, you know that this is odd for me.

For now, though, I still enjoy taking the train and watching the skyline flicker at night. There is something really beautiful about Chicago, and I am thrilled to make this my first home in the Big Kid World.

I’ve been doing some dating here and there, of course. I met a dude on a train…who’s shocked? Haha…didn’t work out. I went out with another guy who proceeded to be nothing but be rude to our cab driver. It was totally awkward, and I’m not quite sure what he was trying to prove…hm. That didn’t go anywhere either, clearly. There’s no need to be mean to cabbies!

I also learned a valuable lesson along the lines of not shitting where I eat. That’s another story that’s not suitable for the blogosphere, though, because I’m not the asshole in the situation. Too much? Oh well, recent events make me think I’m justified.

I’m really looking forward to Thanksgiving, although my vacation home will be cut short because of work. It will be nice to have a little break, and get my car back! Jerry the Jeep and I reunited once again! My office is in the suburbs, and it’s nearly impossible to get to by public transit. So the lady in the purple Jeep cruising around Illinois…yup, that’s me. Well, will be in 2 weeks.

I think that’s about it for now! Of course, I’m probably leaving things out, but I need to get back to work. Gosh, I’m so official.

And reality sets in...

The novelty of being in a new place is wearing off. I’m not a tourist anymore, but I still haven’t found my niche yet. It’s been a frustrating couple of weeks, and I need to make some changes.

The transition to Chicago was shockingly easy. I think it was a combination of excitement and anticipation. But after being here for three months, the frustration of starting life in a new place is sinking in.

I’m lucky that I have a few good friends from home here, but making new friends is harder than I thought it would be. It doesn’t help that my job is hanging out with a baby, not working with people my age. I think work makes meeting people easy…and I don’t have that luxury right now.

The nannying is still going well, but the baby is teething, so she’s not happy most of the time. I feel badly for her because I know she’s in pain, I just miss the days when she would nap and I could get things done! It’s selfish to say it, I know, but at this point it’s just adding to my frustration.

The most frustrating part is my inability to job search. Her parents told me to feel free to look for something permanent, which is really generous, but I can’t do at the expense of Emily. So when she’s awake, I’m not looking. Which means I’m hardly looking right now. I’m totally hustling on the job front, trying to sift through the thousands of bullshit postings on Web sites and find legitimate offers. I’m looking at almost all entry-level positions…but it turns out, entry level really means with 5 years of experience. Hm…interesting. And annoying.

I keep signing myself up for events and workshops, but this weekend will be the first time I can make one. It’s a weekend-long workshop on political campaigning. It looks like they have some sessions on social media and political marketing/communications, so I think it will be really interesting. At least, I hope it will be!

I also joined a new choir at St. Clement Church. It’s finally getting me back to sacred/Latin/classical music, and I couldn’t be happier about it. Rehearsals are on Wednesday nights, then we perform at the late Sunday morning mass. I’m really looking forward to this and think it will be a good outlet for me.

So, that’s it. Maybe my work schedule will level out a bit so I can make some of the other things I’ve signed up for. I guess we’ll have to see. Either way, I’ll keep you posted!

Tossing 'Hail Marys'

I never thought I would join the workforce ranks as a nanny, but it is the situation I currently find myself in.

Luckily for me, the family I work for is incredible. Both parents are really great, and the baby, 6-month-old Emily, is adorable. She’s so cute I can hardly stand it, and I’ve become mildly obsessed with her.

Don’t worry, this is not a permanent job by any means. For now, though, it’s allowing me to stay in Chicago while I job search, as well as maintain a social life and even save some money.

What’s been interesting about this job are the people I have met. It seems like most affluent families in Chicago have full-time nannies, and believe it or not, I am in the minority of that group. I’m white, I’ve gone to college and I’m an American citizen. Weird, right?

I’ve met nannies from all over the world…Mexico, Barbados, Ireland and Poland. Actually, I have met at least a dozen nannies from Poland. Most are older than my parents and have been in the United States for about 20 years.

I got to chatting with one the other day about how we both ended up nannying in the city. It was an interesting conversation, and we covered a lot of ground. I mentioned that I used to sing classical music. The Polish nanny put her hand to her chest and asked if I knew Schubert’s Ave Maria. Of course, I do. Then she asked if I knew the legend of what inspired the Austrian composer to write one of the most beautiful and enduring pieces of religious music.

I must have sung the Ave Maria a million times, but I didn’t know the story, so she told me.

Franz Schubert was traveling through the Austrian Alps during a very cold winter. On a very dark and frigid night, he wandered from the path and got lost on the mountain, disoriented and freezing, his energy was depleting and he desperately sought cover from the harsh conditions. Unable to find shelter, death seemed imminent, so Schubert started praying for relief. Suddenly, an angel appeared. She reached down and enveloped him in her warmth before carrying him to shelter. As he drifted with the angel, she sung to him a sweet melody…which he later transcribed into the Ave Maria.

I don’t know if the legend the old Polish lady told me is true or not, but I like the story.

There’s more to this job than I realized, and some of those unexpected aspects are very pleasant surprises.

This story won't surprise anyone who knows me.

Some people have talents or aptitudes that make them better than others at certain things. I have a couple of those, but more honed, is my knack of attracting weird and sketchy men.

I don’t know what it is about me that says: home wrecker, voyeur, counselor, etc., but it must be a vibe I emit. I just can’t come up with any other logical explanation as to why I attract the real winners.

I thought perhaps spending the last five years going to college on an Indian reservation in the middle of nowhere had something to do with my luck, and that once I made my big move to the big city, the tides would turn.

I’ve been proved wrong a few times already, but an instance on the Addison bus not too long ago really solidifies that I need a new vibe.

As I stood under the Red Line waiting for my bus, I watched people stream out of the train stop as I sipped an espresso and paged through my Red Eye. I wear massive, black sunglasses, ideal for people watching without getting caught. What I did catch, though, was a very good looking man emerging from the station and waiting not far from where I stood.

No matter where I am, I always check ring fingers. It’s the second thing I notice about a man, after his ass…ets. Well, this handsome man was wearing more than a crisp, blue shirt to show off his tan, a platinum ring glistened in the sun, projecting the word “UNAVAILABLE.”

I did an about face and turned toward the street to wait for the bus, when out of nowhere, I felt someone standing a little too close to me. Out of the corner of my eye, I see it’s married man. Luckily the bus pulled up and the line to get on formed. Married guy waited coolly, letting people go in front of him, including myself, before cutting off the rest of the line to stand behind me.

I board quickly and swipe my card. The bus is mostly empty, so I find a spot toward the middle and put my bag on the seat between me and the aisle. Married man settles onto the aisle seat directly across from me.

He has positioned himself awkwardly, sitting sideways in the seat with his legs in the aisle and his left hand dangling over the seat in front of him. He clears his throat in that “I want your attention” kind of way, so I turn and look at him and notice something odd.

There is no ring on his finger.

I raise an eyebrow…which is imperceptible under my shades, and then an interesting conversation takes place:

"Hi, I'm (insert generic, cheater-guy name here)."

"Hi, I'm Candi," I reply, of course, tossing out the fake name I keep on hand.

"Cool. Well, it's turning out to be a pretty nice day,"

"Yeah, finally nice weather."

"Do you have any plans this weekend?" Ah...here it is!

"Uh, not really," Now, as annoying as this guy has become, it's quickly apparent that he is leaving himself open to be called out. "Do you?"

"Ha, no. I was kind of hoping that maybe you and I could do something, though," he looked at me with a smile.

I removed my sunglasses and smiled back. "Oh yeah? Do you think the woman whose ring you were wearing would appreciate us hanging out?"

SILENCE. Then..."Uhh...huh?"

"Am I mistaken or did I not see you get off the L with a ring on your finger?"

I got a cough in response before he tugged the cord signaling it was his stop. As soon as the bus had slowed he was at the door, pushing them open and scurrying the opposite way down Addison.

Oh...my life.

Well, folks...looks like I'm here to stay!

What a crazy few days it’s been!

The most exciting part is FINALLY being in my new apartment! It’s shaping up really well, and I love getting everything settled and where I want it to be. The move-in process, though, was not so easy. Apparently the unmarked apartment I signed a lease for was apartment 31. Too bad I thought apartment 31 is actually apartment 29. It wouldn’t have been such a big deal…except apartment 31 is in the basement, a place I will not go. Anyways, it took three hours and a dozen phone calls to resolve. If you want the whole story, call me…otherwise I think I’ll lose most of my readers in the 3000 words it would take to recount it.

Still, it all worked out, and I love my place! I’m always open to guests, so let me know if you’ll ever be in the area.

I started nannying Monday, and so far—so good! Emily is adorable and I’m totally into her. Not to mention I dress her head-to-toe in Ralph Lauren and make her wear sunglasses. It’s too cute!

What I’m really looking forward to is tonight (should the weather clear up)…Cubs game! I’m finally going to Wrigley for a game, and I cannot wait. Thank you, Kraft, for the fabulous seats…Kait, Jay, Ryan and I are going to have a blast. I’ll make sure to update you on what it’s actually like inside the ivy walls.

So that's about all that's new here. I'll post photos of my new place as soon as I get my camera back from Kaitlyn (on that note, pics from my weekend with AJ will have to be posted, too!), and remember, I'll be here until August 31, 2010. So, let me know if you're up for a visit!

I got lost yesterday...again.

As I mentioned, I am joining a gym that is a mere block away from my new apartment. I went there yesterday to check the place out and get a feel for it. I was running really behind schedule because I spent the morning with the family I will be nannying for. I ran home after I left their place and grabbed all my workout gear, then headed down Addison to Fitness Formula Club.

Thus begins my afternoon of ridiculous events that would only happen to me.

I hopped off the bus at Addison and Halsted, two hours late for my appointment with the membership coordinator, and headed south on Halsted. With my huge Vera Bradley bad in tow, I walked as fast as my freakishly short legs could carry me. I made it about 5 blocks before it hit me…I should have been there by now.

Now, let me give you some perspective. I live on Waveland Ave., about a mile and a half from my new apartment and gym…which both also are on Waveland. Waveland is north of Addison. I know this because I walk south to get to the Addison bus or L every day. So why, then, did I walk south on Addison to get to Waveland? I have no idea.

So, I turned around booked it the 7 blocks back up to Waveland. Not thinking, I took a left…again the wrong way. Good thing, I only made it one block this time before turning around.

By the time I made it to the gym, I was already sweating like a crazy person…and I was two-and-a-half hours late.

The guy I met with, Greg, was a good sport about it and showed me around the facility. As part of my trial, I got a free day at the club to test things out and see how everything felt. So, I left Greg and headed up to the locker room to get changed.

I made it into my sweats, t-shirt and socks before realizing…oops! I forgot my running shoes. My flip-flops were just not going to cut it, although now that I think about it, I ran about a mile in those puppies getting to the gym, so maybe I underestimated them.

Good thing I brought my swimsuit. Swimming happens to be one of my favorite activities anyway, so I wasn’t too upset to move it up in the itinerary. I got changed again, this time ready to hit the pool for some laps.

Well, laps are a lot easier with goggles. Which…shocker…I forgot.

I was already in my suit, so I headed to the pool any way. Luckily for me, no one was in there. I paddled around for about 30 minutes, looking like a total fool to whoever was watching the cameras aimed over the pool. I’m sure it was entertaining if nothing else. Then I spent a few minutes in the hot tub, thinking about how lame I can be when I forget things.

I was really hoping that after only 40 minutes of ‘working out,’ Greg wouldn’t be at the desk when I got down there. Then I would be the girl who was not only really late, but the girl who was given a whole free day to try things out and only used a kick board in the pool.

Well, he was down there. He looked a little surprised to see me so soon, but I just brushed it off and thanked him for his help.

As I headed out of the gym, I plugged my earbuds in and headed down Waveland toward home. The Cubs were playing, so the path took me through some crowds at the back of the stadium. About the time I hit Wrigley, my iPod died.

I rolled my eyes because it was kind of the perfect way to end my afternoon fiasco. In reality, though, it turned out to offer something a little better than a musical walk home.

Waveland is tree-lined from one end to the other, and yesterday happened to have a perfect summer evening. The sky was blue and twilight was just setting in. A light breeze, the baby brother of Chicago’s famous wind, rustled the leaves and set a pitch for the birds.

As the shouts from the stadium disappeared behind me, a different pair of hawkers offered lemonade for 25 cents a cup. My dad taught me always to carry extra quarters for situations like this, probably because he witnessed many successes and failures on his own street corner when my sister and I tried to pass our concoctions off on neighbors, as well.

I bought two cups…probably erasing all the paddling I’d done in the pool, but I figured it was only right since there were two kids. They poured my lemonade and sent me on my way, a cup in each hand.

I continued on my walk and sipped my lemonade, and again thought about how lucky I am to be in Chicago, making my next move. Making my own life. Isn’t that a great thing? I don’t mean just for me…but in general?

The baseball, the lemonade, a perfect summer night and starting a whole new life in one of the worlds’ greatest cities…pretty All American. And really, really great.