Back from the dead, again. Yes, I am back blogging. I missed it and I think I am now comfortable enough with my schedule to blog regularly. It's certainly been a long time. About a year! But that's OK, isn't it?
I moved back to Chicago two days ago and so far all's good. I parked and paid the meter 25 cents for an hour of parking! Eat your heart out NYC. Then I ate a full meal for six bucks. Man, it's really a lot cheaper than NYC--and I'm loving it.
I moved to the northwest side of the city, about 45 mins. from the downtown "loop" area by train. Which is perfect as I don't want to be too close. Yet the main neighborhoods to be around are just within reach of me by bike, car, bus or on foot.
I am currently staying with my cousin and friend while my newly rehabbed condo is given some finishing touches. My closing date is Aug. 12. I can then move in and get settled for a while in Chi-town....
Mind you leaving NYC was not easy. But I was ready to move on. It's a truly great city, no doubt. If you haven't spent time there, do so before you die. It's amazing. But it's also a little too aggressive for my taste. Not that Chicago can't be that! It's just more laid-back than NYC in general. It's got something of a downtime, if you will, whereas NYC is always "on." That's great for a few years, but not long-term. Three years in the big apple was sweet, and I will always savor the time and people I met there. It was really fantastic.
I begin my new teaching position tomorrow. Though the students don’t return till mid-August, I begin planning with the other teachers this week. There is something like an orientation, followed by workshops and such. It’ll be time to meet my colleagues, get into the curricula and planning, and all the other details that need to be thought about and prepared for. Of course, I just wanna know—Am I getting my own room? That’d be sweet. The school has impressed me so far. The team that interviewed me were very intelligent and I like their ideas. I am quite excited about the whole thing.