Meow

Via: Online Schools

On this week's episode of Alexis' The City...

-She has two relatively successful interviews.
-She sits next to a man (who is either crazy or drunk or both) who claims to have job offers in San Francisco and continually elbows her while whispering "Kill the n(word)" in her ear while on her way to the beach.
-She was introduced to this amazing website: http://www.stereomood.com/
-She buys two chocolate donuts and a 60oz iced coffee and consumes both within 20 minutes
-And finally, you'll all be happy to know that I have continually resisted that rather strong urge to buy a pack of cigarettes (no need to applaud)



photo courtesy of: http://media.photobucket.com/image/this%20is%20what%20a%20feminist%20looks%20like/rockinfreakadudette/bill_bailey_l.jpg

List-a-mania

Here is a running list of all the (in my opinion) noteworthy things that have happened to me since living in the city (and no, I have not even been here 24 hours yet):

1. Got lost at Union Station like a good little Iowa girl
2. Gave transvestite directions
3. Took first official (as in, necessary) Metra (commuter train) ride
4. Had impromptu job interview with international industrial supply company (offices in Kuwait, Colorado Springs as well...?)
5. Sat across from a hooker on the PACE Bus #250 from O'Hare back to Davis St.
6. Realized I didn't bring any sheets for my bed...oops...
7. Sat on the beach--Oh ya!!
8. Met three of my four new roommates--besties for life!!
9. Shopped at Whole Foods, spent less than $15
10. Prepared for tomorrow's interviews

Evanston

I'm on the bus. To Evanston. I've got about two and a half hours left of the journey, including Metra ride to Evanston from Union Station downtown. I'm not dreading the lonely late night streets of the city more than I am carrying a heavy suitcase.

Well I think that if you don't know about it already, you should: The Megabus. I'm currently on it, using the FREE WIRELESS, with my laptop plugged into an outlet, no one sitting next to me, and staring at my ticket that cost THREE DOLLARS.

I'm a little nervous about my arrival. Sure, I've lived in a big city before. In fact, I've lived in two, all alone (see: Paris, San Francisco). But a new city is a new challenge, having to learn a new culture, a new set of norms, and new street plans. Plus, I've got to apply for yet another library card. I'm anxious to get comfortable, to relax, to find a job, to make new friends and reacquaint with old ones. Oh, and also, there's that little obstacle of affect: DO I TAKE THE CHICAAA-GO accent or don't I? I'm thinkin' no...

And finally, JP left on Monday morning after a great weekend of laughs, gossip, drinks, and 3:30am's. But yesterday, she suffered a family loss, and so, this blog is dedicated to her, and anyone else whose challenges are greater than my carrying-a-suitcase-filled-with-clothes-in-a-train-station worries.

LOVE YOU ALL,
gossip girl

Me, looking sufficiently out of place as always, and mah guhls:

MIA

Ok people I've been gone for almost two weeks--sorry for the unintentional hiatus--I've been busy with moving (to Evanston), looking for jobs (unfruitful), and hanging with my peeps (see: Mark, JP, my sis). Today is Kate's Favorite Day, so even though I'm in a bit of a hurry and don't have too much to write at the moment, this post is dedicated to her. Upcoming plans for the week include driving to Iowa City, checking out the Smith Family Farm House in Wisco(nsin), and becoming a White Sox fan. More to come this week...

Thanks for checking in!!
Alexis



This is Jordan (JP), Kate, and I (you've seen pics of them on this blog last November when we visited JP in Ann Arbor) at the Michigan/Iowa football game. JP flew from Napa to Des Moines just for Kate's fave day. That's friendship people!!!!

Everybody's Workin' for the...

...moment when they find a better job.


This Californiowan is about to add Chicagoan to the mix. So Hire Her!!

I'm frustrated. Not like, my hair will only part on the left and I really want it to part on the right (although, that does really bug me). I mean, like, frus-trated. As in, grab someone by the shoulders and shake 'em til they get motion sickness frustrated. I have two problems right now, one that is a personal problem, and one that is a Universe problem.

One, I have no clue what my skill set is. I know what I'm good at (making outfits, writing, eating, cooking, a professionally sexy and cordial phone voice), but in terms of short-term, yet satisfying career choices, I feel rather limited. I am currently working in a national women's clothing chain. I enjoy, a lot actually--it's fun to be around clothes and to help women, etc. etc. Plus, I get to put my outfit making skills to good use. But in terms of it leaving me satisfied, um, no, it does not do that.

Which leads me to my second point: all the available jobs out there (at least that I seem to find) are SH*T, and I'm beginning to think that shit can't be spelled without I. They seem to all involve number-crunching, offices, reporting to superiors, and becoming zombies to the corporate machine, even if they are non-profits. The expression of the individual seems to be lost, and I'm gathering all this from the JD (job description).

Ergo, we gotta all make it on our own. I'm beginning to realize that to feel fully fulfilled, we have to make our own passions, our own creativity, and somehow find a way to make that profitable enough to support us financially through life (side note: not necessarily excessively profitable, just sustainably so).