So I realized some of you might not know....

philadelphia fairmount park summer 2008 3221 [no invites/icons please]
Originally uploaded by bly2k

I am relocating back East this winter. Philadelphia to be more specific.

Why you may wonder?
Yes well- I do LOVE Chicago, and it has been fabulous to me for the past 4 years. But it is a)cold...a lot. b)far away from family and friends back east. c)no room for advancement at my current job d)did I mention cold and far away from family and friends?

Why Phily?

East Coast City! YAY!
Mass transit is good so I wont need a car! Double YAY!
Amtrack trains can take me north to NYC and Hillary, South to MD for Heather and Eric, further south to DC for well all my freinds and fam there, further south to Fredricksberg to my Mom and Brother, further south to Richmond for my nieces and nephews and just past that the same train will take me to Newport News and all my Va beach peeps, or to Raleigh to D and Jess. (see much more connected there than here)

Theater scene in Phily is BIG, and thriving. :) So the plan is to get into Childrens Theater or start one.

Cost of living is virtually the same as here.

So yeah..thats why Philly.

The time line is a little flexible. I am leaving here for sure by Jan 31st. thats all I got.

Till then, I will be couch surfing around and saving money and trying to have a great time in the city I love while I still have the time to do it. Because I have a whole new city to fall in love with. :)

Peeps in the Park

Peeps in the Park
Originally uploaded by MariGerard

So my last Summer in Chicago seems to have blown past me at record speed. This pic is of me and some friends at Grant Park for the final Movie in the Park of the Summer: GREASE! August 26th, 2008.

Left to Right: Camilla, Sarah, Kyla, Me and Ian. We had a delectible spread of food, and Wine as well as several cans of Fosters Beer. This shot was just after the movie ended, when everyone was heading out, we just chilled and let the crowd dissipate. I have known the ladies for quite some time now, but Ian was a new friend I had just met in person that night. He is a trumpet grad student here in Chicago that I met through a mutual friend who wanted him to have some contacts in Chicago when he got here. He was super fun, and by the end of the night he had charmed not only the 4 of us but every woman on a three blanket raduis around us. Charm and good looks will do that for a guy! :)

Tonight- in keeping with my do as much as I can in the city as possible before I leave attitude, I am going to see my friend Mr. B's show at the Playground Theater at Midnight. 5 improv comedians sit around and play poker and tell crazy stories. Hillarity Ensues. :)
That should be fun...if I can stay awake till then. I work till 9pm, and then I plan to grab food and beverages after that before the show.

Other than that, I have been keeping busy with work at THE VGT and part time nanny-ing for my friend Jenny. (She pays $10 an hour!! Holy smoke when I started Babysitting at 14 it was only $3!!)

I got my bike back today. First ride since August 3rd. And don't think my legs don't know that. I might need a long hot soak after I ride home tonight! A month is a long time to be off the wagon-um-bike.

Hope this blog finds you well!