My opinions, updates on my life, all sorts of "randomness"...

Since Sunday I've been in the Hudson Valley in NY, for the national 'Young Judaea Staff & Volunteer Conference'. It's been pretty interesting--I definitely have lots to write about. But seeing as our final session starts in 4 minutes, I don't have time now. I get back to Chicago tonight (ah, to have cell reception again...) so look for a post soon.

So after a long 9 hour work day getting ready for a convention this weekend, I drove home and attempted to find a place to park despite the Cubs game going on. After 20 minutes I just gave up and went out for dinner with a friend. So afterwards, I tried again. Right. After 40 minutes of driving around in the rain, I finally found a spot at a meter a 10 minute walk from my apartment (in the rain, mind you), which means besides getting soaking wet tonight, I have to wake up early tomorrow and attempt to find a spot to move it to. Blah. Remind me again why I thought living in a city was a good plan?

Came home and found a letter from Uncle Tommy waiting for me. He sent me a pin that says "Climb" on it, along with a sheet of definitions of the word. I love it. :)

The plan was to spend tonight setting up my kitchen before I leave for my convention and the Staff Conference, but so far that hasn't happened. I'm going to live surrounded by boxes forever, aren't I?

I just got back last night from a few days in Michigan. It was sooo nice to be "home". Spent Sunday night at 517, and got to see all of the Ann Arbor crew. Even got to introduce Joshy to some of them at the Ominyan barbecue, and see his pimped-out dorm room. Awesome.

Then I spent a night in the WB and got to go to dinner with Kimmie & Shira Chaya. She is seriously the cutest kid ever. You should have heard her order her own dinner, and then talk about going to shul to daven. Sooo cute.

And now I'm back in Chicago, dealing with my ridiculous parking situation, and trying to deal with the fact that I live in a city now.

So crazy news of the day? Stefan is leaving:

"I am writing this email to inform you that I have tendered my resignation as the director of Camp Young Judaea Midwest and the Merchav Manager for Greater Midwest Young Judaea. I have accepted the job as director of B'nai Brith Beber Camp and will be starting in my new role in the next few weeks."

Just found out this morning. I know everything will work out, but it's a bit of a shock to start a new job and then have the director leave right away...

Thoughts on Chicago so far? It's kinda boring. Seriously. I mean, granted I probably really haven't given it a chance yet, but I'm a little bored, slash lonely. Seriously, how do people make friends in new cities, post-college? Am I supposed go to a bar by myself and walk up to someone and ask, "Will you be my friend?" Right... And the whole parking situation kinda sucks. I've already gotten one parking ticket and had to wake up early a few times to move my car, and that's besides the spilling my entire cup of Starbucks all over myself as I pulled the parking ticket off the window of my car right before my first day of work... Good times, good times.

So on a positive note, work's going well. Similar stuff to what I've been doing, just now I have an office and a salary, both of which are wonderful new developments.

I'm going to be in Michigan Sunday 'till Tuesday for some meetings slash jury duty, so all you Michiganders, give me a call and we'll play. I'm gonna go back to watching fuzzy television. Peace, kids.

Well, I did it. Moved to Chicago. Right now I'm sitting in my awesome new apartment in Lakeview, using one of my neighbors' wireless connection 'till I figure out my own deal. Move-in went pretty smoothly... I drove the truck with all my stuff in it (not so much fun, let me tell you), and Mom & Marla Gorosh followed in my car (which I still don't know where to park...ideas, anyone?). My cousin Mike & my friend Rob met us at the apartment and really were the ones who carried most of my stuff up to my apartment.

Mike just took Mom & Marla to the airport, so I'm now officially alone here. Kinda crazy. It's been good so far, but to be honest I'm overwhelmed. It's so tempting to just sit here on my computer, or playing guitar, when really there's so much I need to do, whether it's unpacking or grocery shopping or buying stuff for my apartment... I start work tomorrow, which is exciting, but also (like everything else) overwhelming.

Missing Michigan already, even though I know I'm going to like it here once I get settled in. And as soon as I buy a couch/futon-ish deal, y'all have a place to stay whenever you're in Chicago! (or before then, if you don't mind the floor... :) )