"But It's My Heart I'll Follow This Time."

I remember watching the CMAs and hearing this song performed, but never remembered to download it.  I finally remembered and am now flat out addicted to it.  It's on repeat in my car, iPod and everything else.  I <3 it.  For some reason, it just speaks to me.  Probably because I just left Tennessee to follow my heart.  At any rate, check it out.  (And Daughtry too...that guy can SING.)

Things I Miss

In no particular order:

These girls.  I barely have a college memory without these two.  I miss them.

These two - The Midnight Homework Club.  I miss laughing with them.

Memories like these at bars like those  Also, being blonde and skinny without trying.  I really miss that.

This place.  Where some of my best memories were made.  I miss it.

These cousins (plus the five not pictured).  I miss them a lot.

This place.  My lake, my calm, my happiness.  I miss it.

This vacation.  One of the best of my life.  I miss it and want to go back.

This Babykins. He's cute and I miss him like crazy. 

These people.  They make me happy.  I miss them.

That's all I got.

So...I'm Not Twenty-One Anymore?? Crap.

Last night was my first offical night out in Chicago.  This morning all I could think was "ouch."  Seriously...I'm getting too old for this...but I doubt it'll stop me!  I packed up Lex and headed back down to Lincoln Park to stay with Ann and Harper.  We went out for her friend, Tarrah's, birthday celebration at McGee's.  Turns out, $25 for all you can drink is a great deal...until you wake up.  At any rate, after a wardrobe crisis Ann declared it was time to "drink till we feel better about ourselves."  Awesome.  Goal semi- accomplished...until we woke up.

I will say that for only being in the city a little over a week, I ran into someone I've known since high school.  Jeremy, one of Chris' best friends, was out at the same bar.  For being such a big town, it's really not.  The icing on the cake was that KK (Caitlin) showed up too!!  We literally grew up across the street from each other and on a street full of boys, we were the only girls.  We were some fierce roller hockey players though.  Seriously, the best time ever growing up with her.  She's three years younger than me and just started a job in the city as well!  I hadn't seen her in probably 3-4 years and it was SUCH a blast to catch up last night!  We're now going to wait for her little brother, Adam, to turn 21 in May and get him and Landon up here to party...sure to be an epic night.

Moral of the story:  Drinking is fun.  Catching up with old friends is fun.  Staying out till 3:30am is even fun.  Getting older and not being able to tolerate all that in one night is the bummer of it all.


PS.  Got more than one comment on my southern accent...apparently it comes out when I drink.  Thanks Nashville.

My Brain Hurts.

First weeks at new jobs are exhausting.  There are millions of people to meet, thousands of terms to learn and hundreds of questions to ask.  Makes me want a few drinks.  I started my new job as Director of Sales on Monday.  Monday night, everyone was calling and asking me how it went (naturally).  By the time I talked to everyone and explained, my uncle got home and asked "how was it!?"  My response was "my brain hurts."  And it did.  It continued to hurt all week.  There's just so much to learn! 

Coming from one of the largest hotels/convention centers in the world to a smaller property has been hilarious.  People keep making coments:

- "Oh, you'll be lost for a few months...don't worry!" Um nope...can already tell you where all the meeting rooms are and how to get there in the back halls.  Thanks though.

- "Things are really complex at this property...there's always a lot going on."  You know nothing of busy.  Trust me.

- "There's just SO much space!"  Right...all of the space in your hotel could fit into 6 meeting rooms of my old one. 

- "This is a really big producation/group."  Really?  It's 250 people for lunch?  I could do that in my sleep.

Obviously, I'm not saying this to people, but it's quite funny.  They think that just because I came from Nashville that I was at a small hotel.  Totally false.  There is probably going to be a large adjustment period for me, which is totally to be expected.  The hardest thing for me so far has been letting go of CS/Catering and focusing on AV.  Before, I'd be in a ballroom throwing tables/chairs and focusing on banquets while the AV Techs took care of everything else.  Now...I AM one of the AV people.  It's so funny how perceptions change.

Also, I went from working with 95% women to working with 100% men.  Talk about a change of pace.  For the first few days, they didn't really know how to take me because I'd help where I could and ask questions, but wouldn't really say anything else.  For some reason, it seemed like they were afraid of me.  I evenutally told them to quit treating me like a china doll and get over it.  After that, things were much better.  It's been fun getting to know them and all of their personalities.  Other than all of that, I really like the job.  I learned in my last few months in Nashville to start a new job with a huge dose of humility...and I'm doing just that.

Personally, I love living in Chicago.  It's perfect.  Last weekend, I packed up Lexie and took her to Ann's place to have a sleepover.  The dogs played while we watched Ally McBeal on DVD and drank wine.  It was wonderful to catch up with her without having to fly 600 miles with a dog. 

Before my mom left, we got to check out the Wicker Park area.  I was dead set against living there because it's supposed to be super artzy...and well, I'm not.  But after getting yelled at by my brother to check it out, we did.  Of course, I fell in love.  It's SUCH a great area!  Plus, the Blue Line goes directly to Rosemont...two blocks from my hotel.  Perfection.  I drove down there Wednesday night to have dinner with Jason - a great friend from college.  We ate some fantastic Italian food and had a great time catching up.  We got to hang out again last night to watch the Boilers lose to Duke.  He loves Wicker Park and takes the El into the city for work. 

It's funny how things change over the years.  In the past five years, I've literally see Jason do a 180 degree turn.  He just graduated with his MBA last year and now works for United Airlines.  He's insanely smart and kicking ass/taking names at his job.  He even ate couscous for dinner last night.  I was in shock.  It's always great to have a connection to someone who knew you in the past.  Both of us have changed so much, but we always have a great time laughing and talking. 

At any rate, that's all that's going on for now!  I've got to go pack up Lex and I for another sleepover with Ann.  We're going out in Lincoln Park to celebrate Tarrah's birthday.  Hopefully, I'll get to meet up with KK as well!  I <3 this city!!

...Still Alive...

Stop worrying Stacia...I'm still alive and I haven't forgotten about you! 

I got home Thursday (the afternoonof the 11th) to my parents new house in Carmel.  I ended up not going to Chile because of work and the move...so sad, but Sarah's married and the pictures are BEAUTIFUL!!

Since I got home, Mom & I have been on the couch...neither of us have felt good at all.  Things started turning around last night and Mom went back to work and I made it out of bed before 11am.  A HUGE feat if you have no job and no real reason to get out of bed. 

We were supposed to haul all my crap to Chicago this evening, but Mom has to work a little so I'm going to go love on some more of my cousins!  Can't wait to see them.

I'm fully aware that I'm not going back to Nashville, but I don't really know it yet.  I'm sure I'll have a breakdown eventually.  I miss my friends like crazy, but know that I'll see them in less than a month for Babykins First Birthday!!

Any any rate, that's all that going on and I was threatened within an inch of my life to update this because apparently SOMEONE reads it :)  (MUAH!!!  Love you Stacia!  - Please post the pictures of the other night on Facebook...you have nothing better to do!)