Late Update, Late Night, Late Period

I'm listening to Katy Perry's debut album and my one descriptive word for it is, "fabulous!"

My time in Chicago has honestly been spent wasted. I'm not going to sugar coat this situation in the slightest. I spend almost every day playing World of Warcraft and while it is fun and I enjoy the people that I play with, it sucks from a social standpoint.

I'm in a fucking stagnant social state. I can't make friends because I'm not in situations that open the door for friendships. I don't have a job, I don't have class right now, and honestly, I don't think the Chicago Crew from FO have any desire to hang out with me outside of pity. Kat is so busy and now on the move that seeing her ever is a lost cause. I don't blame her at all but the situation still blows for me. I essentially have no active friends. None. That's a rare situation for me and it's one I'm having an odd time adjusting to.

I miss interaction. I miss having someone to walk the streets, to people watch, to have a quick dinner and catch a late show. I need that, I really do.

I'm an introvert in a lot of ways but at the same time I have a huge problem that relies on extroversion to fuel my life-energy. If I dont interact with people, I get really lazy and boring. I actually stop wanting to see people at a certain point. It's a vicious twisted circle.

I do have a roommate now which came about quite suddenly. His name is Dominic and he is actually a pretty cool guy. We don't really hang out but when we do talk he is laid back and fun so I'm totally cool with living with him.

One of my friends from FO, Brien(Mook), is flying in to Chicago later this week to spend 5 nights with me and visit Chicago so I guess I'm looking forward to that. However, at the same time I am kind of worried about how I am going to keep him entertained for that long and if I will be socially up to it. I'm so afraid I've become some creepy shut-in that hates being around people. I know he wanting to go clubbing and stuff but without a girl beside me, I'm going to have major comfort issues. It's going to take either a miracle or a ton of heavy liquor to put me in a clubbing mood. The biggest issue is that Brien is attractive, plain and simple. He is attractive and I'm less than. He will be getting attentino and talking to people while I shrink further back from the crowds because the less I am around friends, the more self-concious and down on myself I become. It blows.

I feel so fragile right now and I hate it.

I like being strong, it's what I'm good at.

I just can't seem to be strong without the foundation I'm used to having.

Eh, it was going to happen eventually.

So I'm kind of down right now. Big surprise I know!
It's all sort of hitting me, it's all kind of looking at me now. All the friends I've left, the home I've had for so many years. It's actually a lot harder than I thought it was going to be.

I haven't really left my apartment since Sunday except to go to a job interview today and grocery shopping two days ago. I know that this does not help my mood but I really don't have any reason to leave my apartment. It's pathetic, hah.

My new friend Kat keeps getting promotions at work(which is terrific!) but these promotions keep increasing the hours she has to work. I believe it is now at the point where I can see her on Sundays and that is all. One a week, wow. I am totally happy for her but god damn it sucks for any social interaction between the two of us.

Speaking of the interview, I think it went quite well. The manager told me that I would be getting a call next week for a second interview and that I'm not in the system to be hired at any of the downtown stores. I do not actually remember if I've written about my perspective job but I think it will be good if I get it. It's Argo Tea(http://www.argotea.com/) a totally cute Chicago-based tea/coffee/cafe thing. It's like a Starbucks but local and more focused on fresh brewed teas instead of espresso. It's totally fabulous and I am kind of banking on it for an increased social circle.

Speaking of a circle of society, I fucking need one now. If I sit at home and watch another episode of Sex and the City I will pull my hair out. I love the show but god damn I need a life! I'm in fucking Chicago and I'm at home more than I was in Tennessee. I'll be eloquent and say that it fucking sucks.

Tune in later for more, hopefully uplifting updates!

Kat

So I've met an amazing girl! I've been bitching every day about how I need a girl by my side because I was losing my mind not having a girl. Well, Greg's friend Kat moved to Chicago a few days ago and we met.

She is freaking amazing and we hit it off instantly. We have hung out every day and tonight we are seeing a movie and then she is sleeping over.

God, I'm so happy in Chicago!

Now I must go do dishes and get ready.

My first post from Chicago

I have now settled in to Chicago and I absolutely love it so far! My actual bedroom is kind of small but the whole apartment is quite large. My room has a big window that has a view of Lake Michigan and a lot of pretty buildings so it really opens up my room to help with the cramp feeling.

I'm learning the city rather quickly and even gave some tourists directions yesterday. With the help of Google Maps(thank you CTA-integration!) navigating most areas has been a breeze. I do need to find a job though!

The biggest change has been the absence of 24-hour businesses. I am so used to being able to drive to Walmart at 3 am for something. Now there is no walmart, no 24 hour story, and the only decent grocery places I can locate are about 15 minute train rides away.

Yesterday I went out with Chris and Jamie(two people I know from forums). We had lunch and saw Avenue Q which was hilarious, a great musical for sure.

I'll post more later but I'm having a great time!

A few more days...

It is Wednesday night as I type this little entry. I began packing stuff into boxes and created my first "Miscellaneous Box" because I fail at organization and packing. My preferred method is dump it all in boxes, tape it up, and haul it away!

I'll be leaving Cookeville this Saturday when my parents arrive to assist me in moving. I will then be leaving Chattanooga early next week for my first trip to my residency.

I'm scared, I'm anxious, and I'm fucking excited.

Not much left!

I wanted to give a quick update on my status because frankly I'm bored.

I graduated Saturday with my BS in Psychology so woot woot, go me! The ceremony was long, hot, and dull like every graduation that has taken place.

My birthday is May 9th, not many days until I turn 22!

I move from Cookeville on May 17th and then leave Chattanooga for Chicago on May 21st. My mother, sister, and I are driving to assist me in moving in so that's going to be an interesting car ride. I believe we are leaving at 2 am, driving through, and moving me in when we get there around 1 pm.

While typing this I realized that I've only lived in cities that begin with a C. Chattanooga, Cookeville, Chicago.

This is madness!

Welcome to my adventure, please pull on the bar to ensure it's secure.

Hello my readers, I'll be honest, all two of you. I decided to create this sister blog to my writing blog to log my move to Chicago and the life that I will live while there. The biggest reason for this blog is so my friends from Tennessee can stay up to date on the goings-on in my life.

Moving to Chicago is probably the hardest and most exciting thing I have ever done. I am leaving behind a truck-load of friends; actually I am leaving behind every close friend I have had. I was born and reared in Tennessee and this will be the first time I have lived outside of the state.

I was born in Chattanooga, TN and lived there until it was time for college when I moved about 90 miles north to Cookeville, TN. Four years later I am faced with my biggest jump in life. I am moving to Chicago to pursue my career dreams of becoming a clinical psychologist. I got accepted into Roosevelt University's professional clinical counseling masters program which I plan to complete in preparation of a Doctorate of Psychology(PsyD) program which is my final education goal.

I do know a few people in Chicago from an online forum I am active on but I have no close friends in the city so my anxiety is ridiculously high.

I move from Cookeville on the 17th of May and I move to Chicago from Chattanooga on the 22nd of May.

Stay tuned for more, hopefully it's a mostly happy experience!