Finally Back in Chicago

It has been exactly nine months since I last posted. During that time, a lot has happened. Most importantly, I moved back to Chicago a few weeks ago. Since I originally started this blog the first time I moved to Chicago, I decided that I should take up the blog again, now that I’ve moved back.

2012 New Year’s Resolutions

I didn’t do so well with resolutions in 2011 — I made lots of them, and for many of them, it was rather hard to determine whether or not I actually fulfilled them. I’m hoping that by making this year’s resolutions more concrete, less abstract, and fewer in number, I’ll do better this year.

Feeling Better About Minnesota

Despite my apprehension about my new job, I have begun to feel progressively better about being in Minnesota. Or rather, as I began and ended this week (Monday and now today), I was — and currently am — feeling positive.

Monday:

For all that visiting Chicago has made me desperately miss it and wish I were still/already living there, my brief time back has also, perhaps counterintuitively, made me feel better about spending the next year in Minnesota. Let me be clear: I miss Chicago; I miss my friends; I wish more than I can articulate that I were living there now. And yet, the fear that I’m going to be forgotten if I stay away is slowly ebbing. That fear was really fueling the need to get back now — the feeling that not only do I not want to wait, I can’t wait, or else I’ll lose everything and everyone I miss so much. It’s a stupid, irrational fear, but it was strong.

Anticipating My Five Year High School Reunion

I graduated from high school five years ago, and since I currently live in the Twin Cities, I’m going to the five-year reunion, which is in less than a month. To be honest, I’m not quite sure how I feel about this reunion — I’m really not who I was five years ago, even though I sometimes revert back to that when I’m around high school people. The reunion will certainly be interesting. At least parts of it will undoubtedly be awkward. But I don’t think it will be bad: the people with whom I graduated were nice people. I may not have much in common with many of them now, but they’re good people, and the reunion might be fun.

New Haircut and Passing at Aveda

I got a fresh haircut today, just in time for my first visit back to Chicago (tomorrow!) since I left in April. Also, I was called “he” at a haircut for the first time without needing to correct anyone or specifically tell someone that I prefer masculine pronouns. I’m still not quite sure what to make of it. 

My Newest Discovery: I Want To Write A Book

I have recently come to the conclusion that I want to write a book. I was flipping through a library book on the 7th of August, M. J. Ryan’s This Year I Will, and it suggested that I quickly write down every goal I have for the next twenty years. Wow. I do not generally think that far ahead — five years is pretty much the maximum for right now (I’m currently working with more of a one year/18-months plan). The one surprise was that I want to write a book.

Have My First Four Months In Minnesota Gone According To Plan?

Almost exactly four months ago (four months ago yesterday), I wrote up tentative four-month, one-year, and two-year plans for my life. I just rediscovered them, was very surprised to remember that I’d made a four-month plan (and one that ended yesterday), and decided to see how my life currently measures up to those plans. 

Haiku Regarding Medical Appointments For Monitoring T

Med’cal gatekeepers
I don’t need regulation
So much frustration

Why require letter?
Been on T for near three months
I am “competent”

This Will Be A Good Weekend

I’m spending this weekend up north, at the cabin of a family friend. They moved to the West coast years ago, and we rarely see them, so I’m excited to spend time with them. I walked in the door tonight and was greeted by old friends, enthusiastic puppies, an excellent Cosmo, and warm chocolate chip cookies. Clearly, this heralds the start of an amazing weekend. 

I Found A Job!

After applying for jobs in Minnesota for the past four months, I have finally been offered a (non-temporary) job! I heard yesterday that I’ve passed my background check and fingerprints test, so I should be all set. I’m really relieved to hear about the job, especially since it means that I can now start making plans for the next year, given that I’ll know where I will be living.