What a Difference a {Year} Makes.

Wow, this blog certainly got away from me... It's been far too long since I've gotten around to posting something, and clearly things have changed drastically.

I didn't finish my NM Bucket List, which I'm okay with. The last few months of my time there got hectic and it just didn't happen. But I got quite a bit done, and I look forward to finishing some of the other goals when I go home for visits!

The big change of course has been living in Chicago. The move was simultaneously a piece of cake, and insanely difficult. Saying good bye wasn't easy, especially to a few specific people, and there are still times when I can't help but feel I'm missing out on some amazing things by having left them. I still don't know too many people here, and certainly don't have a core group of friends yet that I am as close to as the closest of my NM friends. Makes for a few lonely moments here and there. That's part of it though. I'll make friends, and will still get to see my old ones occasionally too.

The actual physical relocation was pretty darn easy. I found a great apartment a few blocks away from where my sister lives. It's in a great neighborhood a little further from downtown than I'd like, but it's a quick bus ride to get to anywhere you'd like to go! I'll post pictures on Facebook eventually.

So far the only area I'm really struggling with is the job situation. Working for Starbucks has actually been a lot of fun, but the pay is far from adequate... Surprise! And job hunting feels like a constant lesson in how inadequate you are as a person. I've one more full week at Starbucks left before I switch over to temping in the hopes of landing a permanent job... UNLESS. I did have an interview this past Friday for a job I really hope I get. Logistically the pay would be enough for me to finally live comfortably, something I've been aching to have for a long time. But beyond that, the job is something I feel I'd be well suited for, and would have a strong passion for. I won't go into detail here, as I'm doing my best to not get my hopes up. The interview went well, and I think I have a decent shot at getting the job, but thinking about it gets me really excited and I'm trying to not set myself up for major disappointment. I find out this week if I get the job. If I do I'll post a blog about it.



The move has led to a lot of great moments, and a handful of really hard ones. It has led me to reflect quite a bit on how different my life looks from just a year ago. It was basically one year ago today that my life changed in almost every way imaginable. I can't help but feel amazing about what I've done in response to that. P90X, a new found focus on my voice, the move to Chicago... all of these things have led me to a place that I wouldn't have ever seen myself in a year ago. And I'm happy for that. Hopefully this upcoming week will yield amazing news on the job front. If it does my life in Chicago can finally take root.