i finally made it to chicago - and what a time it's been!

okay, it's been almost two weeks since i last posted - there's some things to share!

so the trip from dc to columbus was uneventful for the most part. i got up at 8am, packed up the last few things into my car and off mopsy and i went. we had to make one little stop at my sister's house on the way because i'd left some things there after my farewell soiree. now mind you, my sister's place is not but 20 miles from my mom's, and just 2 miles outside of dc. so, i wasn't too far from home when, as i was flying 85 mph on i395, i saw a state trooper off to the side of the road just an exit away from my sister's exit. when i didn't see him immediately haul ass to chase after me, i figured i was home free. just when i was thinking, "whew! i outsmarted another copper," and ready to give myself a pat on the back, i saw the pretty flashing blue and white lights of virginia's finest. FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK!

i pulled over to the side of the road, maybe 500 ft. from my sister's exit, and rolled down my window. the trooper walked up and asked me what my hurry was. "none officer, i was just not paying attention - i was zoned out thinking but obviously not about the speed i was driving!" i gave a half hearted attempt at a laugh and gave the officer an "aw shucks, i messed up but have pity on me" type of look. he looked at me with his eyebrows raised and a slight note of sarcasm to his voice, "yeah, obvious-LEE." he then continued to explain exactly how fast his radar caught me, and i explained again how i was just thinking about all the things i needed to do, because i was on my way to chicago via columbus for my move. the nice officer then told me he was from chicago (go figure!), and asked me where i was going to live. i told him, he asked for my license and registration (all the while, mops is doing her best to protect me from the tall man in uniform with a weird looking thing on his head, barking at him in her meanest tone). i gave the officer my license, but unfortunately my registration was in the glove compartment. my small suitcase was tightly wedged between the passenger seat and compartment, requiring me to get out of the car, yank and yank at my suitcase until i could dislodge it and extract my registration. explaining that to the officer, he rolled his eyes, asking if the car was mine and upon my confirmation that yes, in fact, the car was mine, not to worry about the registration. what a smart cop - i guess he realized sooner than i did, that if i tried to get out, one of the other cars whizzing down shirley gate highway could kill me.

ends up, the cop gave me a break on my ticket - instead of charging me wreckless, which he most certainly could have, he gave me a regular speeding ticket. after my many thanks, he let me go on my way and off i went to pick up my belongings at my sister's. from there, the rest of the trip to columbus was extremely uneventful. i spent 3 nights in columbus, hanging out with my family there and off i went to chicago. again, nothing of note occurred on the drive...it was pretty smooth sailing.

i got to my apartment in chicago and fell in love with my temporary place. it's great - so much room, nice furnishings, great neighborhood. couldn't ask for more! well, actually i could, but not for much. except tv and internet...the place didn't come with those two most important ammenities, which i had to arrange for and live without until comcast could get here the following week. it was going to be a VERY long week without either of those things!

mops and i quickly settled in and went to bed. the next morning, i woke up with a major cold. it was horrible - sore throat, head congestion, chest congestion, achy, etc. however, i soldiered through that so i could get myself to go sign up at the gym that my friend and i decided to join. i also managed a target and grocery store run, which wiped me out! the rest of the weekend, i was sick in bed, which worked out because my chicago friends were out of town for the entire weekend.

this week i've been busy going to the gym (i'm bound and determined to get fit over the next several months), getting interviews scheduled and getting familiar with this great city that i'm now calling home!