Hi hey hello! Quarterly check-in time!
I’m admittedly at a little bit of a rut with these. I feel like one post every other month is too much, but one every three months is not enough?
However, I suppose all that’s gonna change real soon, when I flip my life completely on its head come August!
・・・
LIFE
So, uh, if you missed it, some major news.
I’m leaving Chicago and moving overseas to serve in the Peace Corps!
In the meantime, I’m still working at the Trib, teaching English at Heartland, instructing yoga at North Loft, hosting Couchsurfers every weekend and doing the normal day-to-day stuff out here in Chicago.
I recently made a trip home to the village I grew up in, in order to clean out my childhood bedroom to prepare for my “move” back home.
Yep, that’s right. At the very adult age of 29, I’m preparing to move alllll my worldly possessions back into my dad’s basement. Cool.
Here’s a little Twitter thread recapping that fun afternoon.
FRIENDS + FAMILY
Let’s seeee.
My sister got a doggo!
This is Duchess the golden retriever, and she is PERFECT. I have yet to meet her, but I’m already so in love!
FOOD + DINING
I haven’t been out and about eating a lot lately since I’ve been trying to save my money. Yunno. For that whole moving overseas thing. (It’s kind of a big deal.)
However, here are a feewwww new-to-me places I’ve checked out.
- Fish tacos and hibiscus margaritas at Flo for a dinner that benefitted Connections for Abused Women and their Children
- A gluten-free breakfast at Wheat’s End Cafe for my friend Angela’s birthday
- Pad Thai at Big Bowl
- Lunch at Uptown’s 3 Squares Diner in the Lawrence House
- Wine at LG’s in Old Town.
- Beer at Old Irving Brewing
- Beer at Empirical Brewery
- Tacos at Edgewater Tacos
- Cocktails at City Social
- Pierogies and potato vegetable pancakes at Tryzub Ukrainian Kitchen
- Potato piroshkies and stuffed peppers at Russian Tea Time
…Can you tell my list started to take a bit of an “I’m moving to Eastern Europe” theme at the end? Yeah? OK, cool. Cause, uh, I’m moving to Eastern Europe.
WORK
I recently submitted a column to our travel editor (eep!) that I’m incredibly excited about, but until it’s published, the only update I have is about ranch dressing.
I also submitted my notice of resignation with my bosses a few weeks ago, which was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do! Working at the Tribune has been a dream come true, since day one.
Opting to leave was an incredibly hard decision to make, and one that wasn’t made lightly. The last month or so of my time here is incredibly bittersweet.
TRAVEL
So, not too much traveling since March. I made it out to Washington, D.C. a few weeks ago to see the Newseum, but that’s about it. I know, it’s been an unusually still few months for me, but I’ve got a massive, massive trip (hah!) in the works, so it feels nice to stay put for a while.
(…Did I mention I’m moving to Eastern Europe?)
SHOPPING (PST! AFFILIATE LINKS!)
I am a bum. I finally realized earlier this year that I really, truly hate fashion, clothing and dressing myself. It’s annoying and time-consuming, and most clothes are downright uncomfortable.
WITH THAT SAID. I’ve been avoiding shopping for the most part because anything I can’t take with me to Ukraine is essentially useless.
I’ve pretty much been living in my favorite leggings and sports bras on the days I’m not in the newsroom.
For the days I am in the newsroom, I’ve been wearing either skinny jeans or palazzo pants and t-shirts. It’s been so unseasonably cool in Chicago so far this summer that I haven’t really needed to break out the tank tops yet.
And, my favorite denim jacket, leather backpack, Birkenstocks and black wide-brim fedora have been making their usual rotations in my closet.
In terms of the things on my wish list… it’s mostly all stuff I can bring with me to Ukraine! I’ve really been loving Prana lately, and am planning to snag some of these tees, these tank tops and a pair of these travel pants before I move to Ukraine.
Other that that, I really need to sit down and make a comprehensive list of all the stuff I’ll need for my move.
・・・
So, that’s it!
It’s absolutely insane to think I’m heading into my last month in Chicago.
It seriously feels like just yesterday I packed up a UHaul and relocated here for what was supposed to be a six-month contract position at the Tribune.
But, somehow, it’s already been more than four years.
Anyway, before I get tooooo emotional, I’m gonna sign off for now. Next time I write one of these posts — if I’m still in the habit, that is! — I’ll be writing from Eastern Europe.
Catch ya later!
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