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!
Saturday, September 26, 2009
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!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Clinton, IL
I think the most ironic part of this week is until Tuesday when we did a quick drive of the area, I had no idea I had worked here before, and done sampling for Red Burrito. Once I saw said Red Burrito/Hardees I realized I had worked a day here a few years back sampling chips and salsa with Amy and did some antique shopping where I bought Jenna a very old camera for her graduation.
Anyway, I'm back again, this time for a week. Second Clinton on the road so far. This one in Illinois, last time in Iowa. The town is small, but has a good variety of things in it for a small town. I love that it has a town square and it's so easy to imagine how it used to look 100 years ago. I'm staying at the Sunset Inn and Suites, which is probably most known for it's fantasy suites. I am staying a normal, king sized, non-smoking room, and it's pretty nice. I wasn't expecting much from a hotel with fantasy suites and physical keys for the doors, but the room and lobby is very clean, comfortable bed, flat screen tv, microwave/fridge, free breakfast and internet, and nice pool/hot tub/sauna. My only negatives are no key cards, but it has a dead bolt so I feel safe enough, and the towels don't smell the freshest. The regular rate is more expensive than I can afford, but they have a cheaper rate if they don't fully clean your room and only change the towels and garbage. I recommend the cheaper way, since the only real difference is making the bed and it saves $15 a night.
I was able to spend two nights in Champaign this week, one overnight in my old townhouse complex I just left and one short night in my old apartment building I lived in for two years. It was very strange being in both places I've left behind with new tenants, old friends, living there. It brought back a lot of memories from Champaign life that I've forgotten a bit now that I'm up in Chicago, but it was a good way to spend some time this week. I think Champaign will always be familiar and a second home to me. Or at least for the next few years. I'm sure once I know no one there anymore Champaign will be that town I lived in a long time ago.
As a sidenote, I hear a lot of people looking to do my job/are interviewing/are on the road read my blog. Leave me a comment and say hi. No offense to Rachael, but the only comments I get are from her, sometimes Mackin or Beth, and various companies who I happen to mention. Another new town in Illinois next week! Let's see how cool Western is...
Anyway, I'm back again, this time for a week. Second Clinton on the road so far. This one in Illinois, last time in Iowa. The town is small, but has a good variety of things in it for a small town. I love that it has a town square and it's so easy to imagine how it used to look 100 years ago. I'm staying at the Sunset Inn and Suites, which is probably most known for it's fantasy suites. I am staying a normal, king sized, non-smoking room, and it's pretty nice. I wasn't expecting much from a hotel with fantasy suites and physical keys for the doors, but the room and lobby is very clean, comfortable bed, flat screen tv, microwave/fridge, free breakfast and internet, and nice pool/hot tub/sauna. My only negatives are no key cards, but it has a dead bolt so I feel safe enough, and the towels don't smell the freshest. The regular rate is more expensive than I can afford, but they have a cheaper rate if they don't fully clean your room and only change the towels and garbage. I recommend the cheaper way, since the only real difference is making the bed and it saves $15 a night.
I was able to spend two nights in Champaign this week, one overnight in my old townhouse complex I just left and one short night in my old apartment building I lived in for two years. It was very strange being in both places I've left behind with new tenants, old friends, living there. It brought back a lot of memories from Champaign life that I've forgotten a bit now that I'm up in Chicago, but it was a good way to spend some time this week. I think Champaign will always be familiar and a second home to me. Or at least for the next few years. I'm sure once I know no one there anymore Champaign will be that town I lived in a long time ago.
As a sidenote, I hear a lot of people looking to do my job/are interviewing/are on the road read my blog. Leave me a comment and say hi. No offense to Rachael, but the only comments I get are from her, sometimes Mackin or Beth, and various companies who I happen to mention. Another new town in Illinois next week! Let's see how cool Western is...
Sunday, August 23, 2009
How do you measure a year?
How do you measure a year? In miles? In hotel rooms? In states or cities visited? In airports? In gas stops? In emails sent? Or blog posts?
One year into my first real job. Officially the 25th marks the date, but I started on a Monday, so close enough. I hope everyone else has enjoyed, or at least appreciated their last year as well.
One year ago, I was finishing up my studying for a sandwich test that would begin my training. The summer ended with classes about to begin on campus, I had a new townhouse, a new roommate, a car that had over 150,000 miles on it, thought a two hour drive was long, had only eaten Jimmy John's three times before, and had no idea about Priceline.
Here I am, one year later with an apartment in Chicago, the same roommate, a new car with 16,000 well earned miles on it, 22 states visited in the past year, and only order a #4, no sprouts, easy mayo, cut in half. I've seen professional sports teams play live that were not Chicago teams, feel fine with a seven hour drive, know the parking situation at Midway like the back of my hand, have a deeply developed love/hate relationship with Priceline, and have more tiny shampoos/conditioners/lotions than I know what to do with. I have plenty of new shotglasses and a pile of keycards in a bowl. Sync, GPS, and Sirius Radio are my new best friends in the car. Tons of blog posts to go back and appreciate. The weekends mean so much more than they used to.
Things that have surprised me over the past year: I'm still not allergic to cats, $65 a night will get you an awesome hotel, and while the scenery may change across the country, the people are pretty much the same. I can walk into any JJ's in the country and jump on the line without any transition at all. If you need something in a strange city, strangers will help you out. Illinois is not so bad. Of all I've seen and done the past year, I'm always glad to come home.
Let's see what happens in year two post-college life.
One year into my first real job. Officially the 25th marks the date, but I started on a Monday, so close enough. I hope everyone else has enjoyed, or at least appreciated their last year as well.
One year ago, I was finishing up my studying for a sandwich test that would begin my training. The summer ended with classes about to begin on campus, I had a new townhouse, a new roommate, a car that had over 150,000 miles on it, thought a two hour drive was long, had only eaten Jimmy John's three times before, and had no idea about Priceline.
Here I am, one year later with an apartment in Chicago, the same roommate, a new car with 16,000 well earned miles on it, 22 states visited in the past year, and only order a #4, no sprouts, easy mayo, cut in half. I've seen professional sports teams play live that were not Chicago teams, feel fine with a seven hour drive, know the parking situation at Midway like the back of my hand, have a deeply developed love/hate relationship with Priceline, and have more tiny shampoos/conditioners/lotions than I know what to do with. I have plenty of new shotglasses and a pile of keycards in a bowl. Sync, GPS, and Sirius Radio are my new best friends in the car. Tons of blog posts to go back and appreciate. The weekends mean so much more than they used to.
Things that have surprised me over the past year: I'm still not allergic to cats, $65 a night will get you an awesome hotel, and while the scenery may change across the country, the people are pretty much the same. I can walk into any JJ's in the country and jump on the line without any transition at all. If you need something in a strange city, strangers will help you out. Illinois is not so bad. Of all I've seen and done the past year, I'm always glad to come home.
Let's see what happens in year two post-college life.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
All week has been a constant state of, "Am I really in South Dakota? Have I really spent a week in North Dakota AND a week in South Dakota?" Yes, I am in South Dakota, Sioux Falls to be exact, the largest city in the state.
When we asked locals what there is to do here, every single one replied "party" or "drink". Most of our after work time has been spent at a bar called Shenanigans in the Empire Mall. We partook in a gallon of beer on Sunday, $2 bottles on Wednesday, and tonight is buy one, get one shots and all you can drink for $9. They also have kareoke. Other than Shenanigan's, we hit up Bracco's which is a more island themed restaurant/bar which had a a nice outside patio.
On Monday night we hit up the Royal River casino on a reservation about 40 minutes away. They only had blackjack and poker as table games, no craps, but $3 minimum was nice. Lost money, as I usually do at casinos, but had fun and played blackjack for awhile.
Staying at the Residence Inn by the Empire Mall, which as all Residence Inn's are, is awesome. Free dinners Tuesday-Thursday nights (beer and wine included), friendly staff, full kitchen with an attached one bedroom, huge comfy bed, free internet, free breakfast, cookies at the front desk, alright exercise room, and business center that wasn't working the first few nights.
Sidenote- why do the business centers/printers at hotels never work? Residence Inn's remain my favorite hotel because they feel the least like a hotel I think. Plus everything is free!
So hello and good bye South Dakota, it's been alright, but not the most exciting state in the world. Does make this 22nd state in the past year! And...4 more days till I've been with JJ's for a year!
When we asked locals what there is to do here, every single one replied "party" or "drink". Most of our after work time has been spent at a bar called Shenanigans in the Empire Mall. We partook in a gallon of beer on Sunday, $2 bottles on Wednesday, and tonight is buy one, get one shots and all you can drink for $9. They also have kareoke. Other than Shenanigan's, we hit up Bracco's which is a more island themed restaurant/bar which had a a nice outside patio.
On Monday night we hit up the Royal River casino on a reservation about 40 minutes away. They only had blackjack and poker as table games, no craps, but $3 minimum was nice. Lost money, as I usually do at casinos, but had fun and played blackjack for awhile.
Staying at the Residence Inn by the Empire Mall, which as all Residence Inn's are, is awesome. Free dinners Tuesday-Thursday nights (beer and wine included), friendly staff, full kitchen with an attached one bedroom, huge comfy bed, free internet, free breakfast, cookies at the front desk, alright exercise room, and business center that wasn't working the first few nights.
Sidenote- why do the business centers/printers at hotels never work? Residence Inn's remain my favorite hotel because they feel the least like a hotel I think. Plus everything is free!
So hello and good bye South Dakota, it's been alright, but not the most exciting state in the world. Does make this 22nd state in the past year! And...4 more days till I've been with JJ's for a year!
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