A plan.

I think at some point I have had a conversation with every single one of my friends about traveling overseas together. Plans were half made and fantasies sparked but nothing ever happened. All the while, I have kept my hopes high that someday I will make it to Europe with at least one of them. Now, one by one, they're marrying off and my list of possible travel buddies is getting shorter and shorter. After all guys, I mean no offense, but I'd rather not travel with you and your husband. Talk about awkward. Now that I find myself in a position to budget setting a little something aside for a trip, I am becoming more sure by the day that I will be taking this trip on my own. Bring it on. Next summer, after the marathon of weddings, I am going somewhere. Anywhere. Just for myself.

Gifts Galore

It's interesting how a tv show can offer validation in a world that favors the married folks. They get married, we get them gifts for their new life together, new house together, new... yeah... together together. Nowadays we even help pay for the wedding and the honeymoon with cash bars, dollar dances and checks inside congrats cards! Next comes a baby and you get gifts for the kid you've yet to meet (who knows if they'll turn out to be a brat or not?!) and for the parents (getaways, free babysitting, a night out) and in the end we end up broke with our single incomes and rent for the apartment and the 10 bridesmaids dresses we bought and altered and the gifts... oh so many gifts. Why can't single girls register when moving in to their first apartment? How about a party in congratulations for not ending up with that guy who turned out to be gay? In all honesty, I could use some pots and pans, maybe a blender, and quarters for the laundry. I won't turn down a new pair of shoes either, because let's be honest, you try to buy me some lingerie and I won't have any use for it. Us single girls need to step up our expectations. If we all go out and register for ourselves, who knows, maybe we could start a revolution.

All sorts of goings on

We found an apartment! Erin and I just signed a lease for an apartment closer to downtown that should be perfect for us! It's a three bedroom with a newly redone kitchen and it's got TWO living areas, so we may turn one into a bit of an all purpose room. Jules should be moving in shortly after we do, once she's finished up her job in Cincy, and then Manny will have a new kitty friend. Also, there are a number of contests I think I am going to enter and of course Hannah's wedding is this weekend so I shall be the photog for that as well. I am starting to become a very busy person.

Booyah.

I love getting all calm and condescending on people's asses. It's empowering.

Career Drama

I like my job. I really do. But I am worried about how long it will last. It has been 5 months and I am still a temp. What's worse is, there have been layoffs happening and rumors of them making visitor services only staffed with temps. On the one hand, it enables them to hire more people because they don't have to do paid time off or insurance. On the other hand, that means no paid time off or insurance. Granted, I do already have insurance. But I can't afford to take days off because A - I don't get paid much to begin with and B - I don't get paid for them. So now I need to start looking for a different job. Which I don't want to do because I like my job. But I have to do because I can't survive on this job for much longer. I'm getting burnt out.

Ridiculously Tepid

Well, life has been pretty boring here in Chicago, now that I'm "enjoying" my first days off with no roommate. I get to sleep late, hang out with my cat, watch as much NCIS as I want and slowly but surely turn myself into a social hermit. I haven't left my building in the last two days. I really have no desire to. Next week I'm going home and bringing Manny with me, so we'll see how that goes. Also going to see some doctors and get a haircut. Woot. I feel so very dull.

Sigh

I am only few days away from having no more roommate. It's a bit of a weird feeling. I'm not sure I'll know what to do with myself. I kinda already don't. Still trying to find a new apartment with Erin and her friend Jules and I think we're getting closer to actually finding something. We'll see what happens.