I think what I became to accustomed to on the road was the novelty of the situations you get yourself into, and I shouldn't have taken those for granted.
Here I am, in Minneapolis, at the Embassy Suites near the airport, in a huge room with a living room attached and an Irish roommate I barely know, to start training for a five week job. We got off the plane, took a shuttle over, checked in, was told there was free booze for 20 more minutes, drank 3 drinks with our Chicago group, went to the bar for another, then hung out in a co-workers hotel room to keep drinking a case of beer. These are all people I met for 45 minutes a few days ago, and now I am spending 3 days in Minnesota with them (and working with them the next five weeks). I forgot how strange life on the road can be, and how different it is than normal life. Being back on a plane, then in a hotel, brings back all the on the road memories in full force. I don't miss the not being home, but I do miss the stories I could tell about that one time in, dot dot dot.
People all the time tell me they wish I had my jobs because of how unusual they are. Instead of sleeping in my bed tonight, I'm in a hotel. It's something I've been doing for the past year, but after a few weeks away from it, was beginning to really enjoy being home, and was dreading leaving again. I love the change in scenery, and I really love that it's only for two nights. For two nights I can meet new people, drink at random bars, be a little hungover for training, and enjoy the free trip. The travel part is not my life, and I'm still very glad for that. The novelty is back, at least a little bit. I never want to get to the point again where the novelty of the situation is gone.
I know how lucky I am to have my jobs, with all the craziness that comes with them. I have no set schedule, no guarantee for work, but I have awesome experiences, meet new people, and have fun. I'm back to enjoying my life.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Friday, October 9, 2009
In the movies
One of the highlights of the week was being an extra in Little Fockers. I was in the far background of a scene with Ben Stiller and Robert Deniro, and super close to the camera (within a foot) in a scene with Ben Stiller (who was also within a foot of me), so I will definitely be in the scene if they don't cut it. They shot it at the Sheridan red line stop, which is just down the street from us. It was pretty fun!
This week was filled with meetings, interviews, and trainings. It was super busy and will hopefully lead to making money in the near future. I go to training in Minneapolis on Monday for my five week job for AT&T. I met with the people I'll be working with, and they seem pretty cool. I have an interview Monday morning before I fly off for a real marketing job too, so hopefully that'll go well.
I thought a few weeks in I would start to miss being on the road, the structured schedule, and knowing what I was going to be doing every day. That's definitely not the case. I'm loving living in the city more every day and the craziness that comes with it. I get to have so many jobs and opportunities other people don't get to do. That's not to say I won't enjoy having a set schedule again. Keeping track of my schedule has been a little crazy. I'm having a lot of fun though, and I'm excited to see how all these jobs, interviews, etc will turn out.
I'll let you know how Minneapolis is! Flying not driving, woo hoo!
This week was filled with meetings, interviews, and trainings. It was super busy and will hopefully lead to making money in the near future. I go to training in Minneapolis on Monday for my five week job for AT&T. I met with the people I'll be working with, and they seem pretty cool. I have an interview Monday morning before I fly off for a real marketing job too, so hopefully that'll go well.
I thought a few weeks in I would start to miss being on the road, the structured schedule, and knowing what I was going to be doing every day. That's definitely not the case. I'm loving living in the city more every day and the craziness that comes with it. I get to have so many jobs and opportunities other people don't get to do. That's not to say I won't enjoy having a set schedule again. Keeping track of my schedule has been a little crazy. I'm having a lot of fun though, and I'm excited to see how all these jobs, interviews, etc will turn out.
I'll let you know how Minneapolis is! Flying not driving, woo hoo!
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Settling in
Even though I've technically been living here since the beginning of July, this week I really made the transition into actually living here. I'm on the el constantly and am comfortable making transfers and knowing where to go. I took the bus for the first time yesterday. I can give directions pretty well. I'm starting to hit the hot spots that people have been telling me about.
As for work, I've been working pretty steadily this week, and when not working, am setting up interviews and meetings in order to make more money. I was offered a job, but it was commission only so I turned it down. I just accepted a month long gig that will be steady money and hopefully be kind of fun. It involves a 3 day training trip in Minneapolis, so back on the road again in a week! At least they are flying me there, so I won't have to do an 8 hour drive.
So I'm back to being a promotional model full time again until something else comes along. It's really nice living in one spot, working in the city, and taking the el back to my own bed. I wish I got to have some of the summer in the city, but there's always next summer.
As for work, I've been working pretty steadily this week, and when not working, am setting up interviews and meetings in order to make more money. I was offered a job, but it was commission only so I turned it down. I just accepted a month long gig that will be steady money and hopefully be kind of fun. It involves a 3 day training trip in Minneapolis, so back on the road again in a week! At least they are flying me there, so I won't have to do an 8 hour drive.
So I'm back to being a promotional model full time again until something else comes along. It's really nice living in one spot, working in the city, and taking the el back to my own bed. I wish I got to have some of the summer in the city, but there's always next summer.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Week One of Unemployment
I have to say the first week of unemployment was pretty awesome. I did get sick and had to visit the doctor, but just a cold, and the upside was I didn't have to force myself to work through a fever and a really sore throat.
This week was full of relaxing, job hunting, sleeping late, doctor's appointment and dentist appointment, and hanging out with friends. By Friday at 5pm, I had some various jobs in the works (nothing full-time career type, but some jobs to hold me over) and today I had a response about an interview that might actually lead somewhere. I feel good about being able to support myself and am enjoying actually living in the city.
On Thursday I got to get paid to watch 10 court cases of the Judge Pirro show, which was really entertaining. Off to the NBC studios in the loop, saw Mike Tyson in the lobby, then some very melodramatic court cases with a snarky judge for a few hours. An interesting way to spend the afternoon.
So far so good. Lots of balls in the air in terms of jobs, but I'm optimistic. Have a good rest of your weekend!
This week was full of relaxing, job hunting, sleeping late, doctor's appointment and dentist appointment, and hanging out with friends. By Friday at 5pm, I had some various jobs in the works (nothing full-time career type, but some jobs to hold me over) and today I had a response about an interview that might actually lead somewhere. I feel good about being able to support myself and am enjoying actually living in the city.
On Thursday I got to get paid to watch 10 court cases of the Judge Pirro show, which was really entertaining. Off to the NBC studios in the loop, saw Mike Tyson in the lobby, then some very melodramatic court cases with a snarky judge for a few hours. An interesting way to spend the afternoon.
So far so good. Lots of balls in the air in terms of jobs, but I'm optimistic. Have a good rest of your weekend!
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Streamwood, IL...the final week
Working in Streamwood, IL this week up in the northwest burbs.
Staying at the Hilton Garden Inn in Hoffman Estates. It's really nice, big rooms, very comfy bed, free internet, microfridge, cookies and coffee in the lobby, small hotel bar, nicer business center, pool, hot tub, exercise center, and a nice variety of shampoos and mouthwash. Got to visit with Darwin and Jess since they live just a few minutes away in Palatine.
Tonight is my last night on the road as a Guerrilla Marketing Specialist with Jimmy John's. It's definitely had its ups and downs the past year. Almost exactly a year ago I was getting ready to hit the road and live in Michigan for a month. In some ways I have no idea where the year went. In other ways, I feel like I've missed out on my life. I won't be traveling as much anymore, but when I do, it'll be special again and I'll look forward to it.
So what now? I'm not really sure. I want to do marketing work in Chicago (if you know of any work, let me know!) I'll be doing temporary contract work while I find something more permanent. I'm in a strange place of being a little sad to leave, being thrilled to leave, and being really unsure about the future. I know it's time to move on, but it's still weird that I'm leaving behind the last year of long car drives, flights, hotels, bars in strange towns, sandwiches, Priceline requests, and being at work at 7am. But, time to live in Chicago and enjoy all that there is there. I'm excited to start and see what life is like in the city on the weekdays.
Where in the USA is Kathryn? Chicago. Stay tuned.
Staying at the Hilton Garden Inn in Hoffman Estates. It's really nice, big rooms, very comfy bed, free internet, microfridge, cookies and coffee in the lobby, small hotel bar, nicer business center, pool, hot tub, exercise center, and a nice variety of shampoos and mouthwash. Got to visit with Darwin and Jess since they live just a few minutes away in Palatine.
Tonight is my last night on the road as a Guerrilla Marketing Specialist with Jimmy John's. It's definitely had its ups and downs the past year. Almost exactly a year ago I was getting ready to hit the road and live in Michigan for a month. In some ways I have no idea where the year went. In other ways, I feel like I've missed out on my life. I won't be traveling as much anymore, but when I do, it'll be special again and I'll look forward to it.
So what now? I'm not really sure. I want to do marketing work in Chicago (if you know of any work, let me know!) I'll be doing temporary contract work while I find something more permanent. I'm in a strange place of being a little sad to leave, being thrilled to leave, and being really unsure about the future. I know it's time to move on, but it's still weird that I'm leaving behind the last year of long car drives, flights, hotels, bars in strange towns, sandwiches, Priceline requests, and being at work at 7am. But, time to live in Chicago and enjoy all that there is there. I'm excited to start and see what life is like in the city on the weekdays.
Where in the USA is Kathryn? Chicago. Stay tuned.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Oprah's Season 24 Kickoff Event in Chicago
On Tuesday, Jenna, Mary Z, and I danced to the Black Eyed Peas "I Gotta Feeling" on Michigan Avenue on Oprah's 24th Season Kickoff Party in Chicago. See the Flash Mob Dance here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T22VEBznFVo
It was awesome that we could be in the front (we're in the bottom righthand corner of the screen in front of the first jumbotron and by green scaffolding), get to perform in this record-breaking event, dance with 20,000 people on Michigan Avenue all together, and get to see an awesome concert. It was a pretty amazing thing to be a part of. Every time I hear this song I want to break into dance now!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T22VEBznFVo
It was awesome that we could be in the front (we're in the bottom righthand corner of the screen in front of the first jumbotron and by green scaffolding), get to perform in this record-breaking event, dance with 20,000 people on Michigan Avenue all together, and get to see an awesome concert. It was a pretty amazing thing to be a part of. Every time I hear this song I want to break into dance now!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Macomb, IL
In Macomb, IL this week, the home of Western Illinois University. It's a relatively small campus, and I didn't know anyone who went here or anything about it before coming.
Unfortunately, staying at a Super 8 all week. Now, for a one star hotel, it's not as bad as previous one-star hotel mistakes. There were really no other options, and it was cheap enough where I didn't need Priceline so could change the reservation if there were huge roaches or stained sheets. Other than pretty uncomfortable beds, drab decoration, no extras, and a musty smokey smell in the hallway, it's decent. Micro-fridge, free internet, meager but free breakfast, deadbolt on the door, and it's bug free. Priceline AND my negotiation skills failed this week. A sad week indeed.
Did anyone out there go to Western? Any suggestions of things to do here? So far I was told to go to Forum or The Pace. Other than going running (which is killing my legs and will have to take tomorrow off), activities seem few and far between.
3 more days till vacation! I can't wait for a whole week in Chicago with no traveling, moving, packing, or waking up at 6am!
Unfortunately, staying at a Super 8 all week. Now, for a one star hotel, it's not as bad as previous one-star hotel mistakes. There were really no other options, and it was cheap enough where I didn't need Priceline so could change the reservation if there were huge roaches or stained sheets. Other than pretty uncomfortable beds, drab decoration, no extras, and a musty smokey smell in the hallway, it's decent. Micro-fridge, free internet, meager but free breakfast, deadbolt on the door, and it's bug free. Priceline AND my negotiation skills failed this week. A sad week indeed.
Did anyone out there go to Western? Any suggestions of things to do here? So far I was told to go to Forum or The Pace. Other than going running (which is killing my legs and will have to take tomorrow off), activities seem few and far between.
3 more days till vacation! I can't wait for a whole week in Chicago with no traveling, moving, packing, or waking up at 6am!
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