It’s weird to feel at home when you’re not.
This weekend, a whirlwind trip brought me through Chicago and I ached for everything I gave up.
Waiting on the weather-worn platform to metro into the city, I was transported back to so many summers before. Stifling heat accosted me every time I stepped outdoors, while inside, icy blasts of AC immediately dried sweat in salty, sticky patterns on the back of my neck. This is not just Chicago but it is Chicago and her hellishly hot summer days...
There is a sweet wholesomeness to the Midwest. Everyone talks about the friendly faces and slower pace, but it’s more than that.
In the Midwest, there is a spirit of generosity, of saying “excuse me” when you jostle someone, of putting the damn iPhone away and making eye contact with strangers.
This is the land of honey blonde highlights, curly hair with straightened, side-swept bangs, and wide faces pancaked with make-up hiding flaws that barely exist.
On Friday morning, I watched a pretty girl erase herself on the train. With a hand mirror and a battalion of brushes, she powdered and concealed and blushed and transformed herself into another. Somehow, her own insecurities made me feel better about myself. I thought smugly, I don’t need to do that. I’m ok as is.
Turns out a weekend in the Midwest was just the escape I needed.
Typical post-grad blogs about life and love in the real world.
Showing posts with label Chicago. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chicago. Show all posts
Monday, July 2, 2012
Thursday, July 22, 2010
And Chicago Didn't Even Make the List...
A recent article in the Washington Business Journal touted DC as the #2 place for job hunting grads based on the cost of living, employment opportunities, and wages. Surprisingly, DC placed only behind Houston as "The" place to live.
While I find this incredibly encouraging for myself and my East Coast friends, it seems surprising that Chicago doesn't even place in the top 25. Chicago's cost of living seems comparable to DC's, it houses many major companies (such as Boeing, PepsiCo, and United Airlines) and it's full of young people. Lincoln Park, Wrigleyville, Belmont, etc. have bars on every block brimming with the under-30 set every weekend. No offense Tulsa, but it seems a little bit ridiculous that you would rank at #13 and Chicago doesn't even make the list of Best Cities for New College Grads!
Some might argue that Chicago is expensive or the job market is slim and those are fair arguments. But New York (#12) living expenses are higher than the tallest skyscrapers, and why would anyone even want to work in Dayton (#20)? I don't mean to hate on you, other cities, but come on, give Chicago a little credit.
Or, maybe I can see this as a good thing. If Chicago doesn't even make the list but, in my opinion, has a reasonable cost of living and companies offering competitive pay, it suggests that Chicago is lacking in the third category: job openings. Maybe this explains why it is so tough finding work right now - I'm looking for jobs that truly don't exist.
I might be born and bred on the East Coast, but Chicago, with all its Midwestern charm, will always hold a place in my heart. Even if no one here wants to hire me, I'm hoping this summer isn't my last in The Windy City.
While I find this incredibly encouraging for myself and my East Coast friends, it seems surprising that Chicago doesn't even place in the top 25. Chicago's cost of living seems comparable to DC's, it houses many major companies (such as Boeing, PepsiCo, and United Airlines) and it's full of young people. Lincoln Park, Wrigleyville, Belmont, etc. have bars on every block brimming with the under-30 set every weekend. No offense Tulsa, but it seems a little bit ridiculous that you would rank at #13 and Chicago doesn't even make the list of Best Cities for New College Grads!
Some might argue that Chicago is expensive or the job market is slim and those are fair arguments. But New York (#12) living expenses are higher than the tallest skyscrapers, and why would anyone even want to work in Dayton (#20)? I don't mean to hate on you, other cities, but come on, give Chicago a little credit.
Or, maybe I can see this as a good thing. If Chicago doesn't even make the list but, in my opinion, has a reasonable cost of living and companies offering competitive pay, it suggests that Chicago is lacking in the third category: job openings. Maybe this explains why it is so tough finding work right now - I'm looking for jobs that truly don't exist.
I might be born and bred on the East Coast, but Chicago, with all its Midwestern charm, will always hold a place in my heart. Even if no one here wants to hire me, I'm hoping this summer isn't my last in The Windy City.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
We're All in the Same Gray Boat
Transition periods are scary.
Four years ago, the thought of leaving DC and moving to the Midwest for college seemed like the stupidest idea ever. Why would I want to leave the East Coast, I questioned myself over and over? What was I thinking? But, once I was all settled in (it took a few months to really feel at ease) I started to realize that as long as you have good friends, you will always feel like you're home.
Now, I'm in a similar transition period and it feels as unsettling as that first "Big Move" out West. Whenever I don't know what to expect, I feel out of control and helpless, and as a neat freak bordering on obsessive-compulsive, I hate feeling so vulnerable. Then, a few days ago, I realized: I'm being totally self-absorbed. EVERYBODY feels this way right now. I asked C if she was nervous before her first day of Goldman training and she shuddered.
"Of course," She replied. "And I have an advantage over others because I interned last summer. I at least have a sense of what's going to happen."
Even when we have an inkling of what to expect, the unexpected can still occur and until we've all developed regular routines and become accustomed to new daily patterns, life will seem a bit muddled.
Once, four years ago, Chicago was the spot of the Big Bad Transition. Now, the situation has reversed and I blame DC for my uncertainty. For now, I'd like to stop seeing things purely in black and white. Chicago is great but DC will be great too. Life during a transitional phase, it seems, is a crazy beautiful shade of gray.
Four years ago, the thought of leaving DC and moving to the Midwest for college seemed like the stupidest idea ever. Why would I want to leave the East Coast, I questioned myself over and over? What was I thinking? But, once I was all settled in (it took a few months to really feel at ease) I started to realize that as long as you have good friends, you will always feel like you're home.
Now, I'm in a similar transition period and it feels as unsettling as that first "Big Move" out West. Whenever I don't know what to expect, I feel out of control and helpless, and as a neat freak bordering on obsessive-compulsive, I hate feeling so vulnerable. Then, a few days ago, I realized: I'm being totally self-absorbed. EVERYBODY feels this way right now. I asked C if she was nervous before her first day of Goldman training and she shuddered.
"Of course," She replied. "And I have an advantage over others because I interned last summer. I at least have a sense of what's going to happen."
Even when we have an inkling of what to expect, the unexpected can still occur and until we've all developed regular routines and become accustomed to new daily patterns, life will seem a bit muddled.
Once, four years ago, Chicago was the spot of the Big Bad Transition. Now, the situation has reversed and I blame DC for my uncertainty. For now, I'd like to stop seeing things purely in black and white. Chicago is great but DC will be great too. Life during a transitional phase, it seems, is a crazy beautiful shade of gray.
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