Randi with an i

My pre-Peace Corps departure Amazon wish list

July 13, 2019 Randi

Hi, so, lemme go ahead and preface this real quick.

I am NOT good at accepting help or gifts. I’m also not super great at being the center of attention.

Ironic, yeah? Cause this blog is all about me.

Hoooowever. I’ve had lots of you reach out to ask “omg this is so cool HOW CAN I SUPPORT YOU?!” after I mentioned I’m quitting my full-time job, ditching my 401(k), bailing on my student loans and uprooting my life to move overseas and serve as a Peace Corps Volunteer for two years.

Enter… my Amazon wish list!

So… why am I quitting my full-time dream job to join the Peace Corps? Am I crazy?

July 7, 2019 Randi

So, it has inadvertently* become Peace Corps Month over here on Randi with an i.

*Just kidding, I’ve been scheming and planning these posts since JANUARY.

Late last month, I announced that I’m quitting my full time job to move overseas and volunteer for two-plus years starting this August.

Then I talked a little bit more about what I’ll be doing in the Peace Corps — where I’ll be serving, what my job responsibilities will be, more about my family’s connection to my country of service, etc.

Today’s post is really personal. It’s a huge rambling diatribe filled with missives, laments and really deep reflections. I’m kinda putting a lot out there, guys. A lot of fears, insecurities, mistakes, thoughts and regrets. Go easy on me.

Couchsurfing Chicago’s Beach Crash weekend

July 2, 2019 Randi

You guys. I am TIRED.

Don’t get me wrong! I’m good tired. I’ve been so busy lately trying to make the most of my last few weeks left here in Chicago.

But still? I. am. TIRED.

Anyway. This past weekend was Chicago’s couch crash weekend, and it was a toooonnnn of fun!

Life Lately

June 30, 2019 Randi

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!

My Peace Corps adventure: Where am I serving? What am I doing?

June 29, 2019 Randi

Guys guys guys guys guys if you missed yesterday’s post, I’m quitting my job, leaving Chicago, moving overseas and joining the Peace Corps!

Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa.

I’m still in shock and I’ve known about this for months now.

Anywho. This is the second post in a series of posts to come in the next few weeks about this little adventure of mine. This is something that’s been in the works for more than a year now, and since I had to keep it under wraps for so long, I have so much to update you guys on.

I wanted to elaborate a little bit more on yesterday’s post and give you the details on where I’ll be serving and what I’ll be doing.

My biggest adventure yet…

June 28, 2019 Randi

“Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.”
Helen Keller

I’ve had this quote by Helen Keller — written on a sticky note and fixed to one of my four monitors — posted at my work desk since mid-January.

There’s a reason for it.

I’m not even sure how to start or where to begin, so here we go…

A weekend in Washington, D.C. + the Newseum

June 24, 2019 Randi

Hiii! I’ve had Schoolhouse Rock’s “I’m Just a Bill” stuck in my head for like, four days now.

I’m back from a quick weekend trip to Washington, D.C.!

Earlier this year, The Freedom Forum announced that the Newseum — a D.C. museum based on news, the media and the First Amendment — would be closing its current location at the end of the year.

I’ve always wanted to visit the Newseum. I mean, cmon. I’m a full-time journalist. So, when the announcement was made at the beginning of the year, I knew it was a now-or-never situation.

I chose now.

So, a few weeks ago, I booked myself a cheap Spirit flight (you know me), packed my single backpack and headed to D.C. for a three-day weekend.

How to fill out your Couchsurfing profile, and how to send a good request to stay

June 9, 2019 Randi2 comments

I hooopeee you guys are ready for today’s post, because it’s a topic I’m really excited about:

Couchsurfing!

The things I always do before I travel

June 6, 2019 Randi

Preparing for a trip is always one of the most stressful things on my to do list. Most of the trips I take are incredibly short (thanks to America’s shitty paid leave policies) so I never take additional time off of work before or after trips in order to prepare or recover.

No joke. Half the time I travel, I leave straight from work for the airport, and on more than one occasion, I’ve gone straight from O’Hare to my office in order to make it to my shift on time.

So, doing everything I can ahead of time in order to fully prepare not only for my trip, but also for my return, is absolutely crucial.

Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood guide

June 3, 2019 Randi

Hi, friends. If you didn’t know, I live in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood.

If you’re not familiar with where that is, it’s on the North Side, about halfway between downtown and the northern-most point of the city, right along the lakeshore.

It’s something I tried to downplay for the longest time, because Uptown isn’t really “trendy” or “cute.” It’s got a little bit of a bad rap for being unsafe (there’s a bit of a gang problem here) and it’s not really as hip of a place to live as… like, Lakeview or Old Town or Lincoln Park or… whatever.

But, after more than four years living in my little Uptown apartment (where has the time gone?) I’ve really come to love this neighborhood. I have a 25-minute door-to-door commute to my newsroom, I live mere blocks from Lake Michigan, there’s amazing Vietnamese food practically right outside my door, my yoga studio is just down the street, I am three skips away from some of the best live music venues in the city. It’s not uncommon to go for a 20-minute walk and hear at least six different languages and see a smattering of new street art. Uptown is really great.