I'm here

I'm here; and it is still a strange feeling. I feel less like I have moved into a new "home" and more like I am staying in the spare bedroom at a friend's house. I think that is because I am such a creature of habit and everything is so different here. I always used to say that Chicago was just a bigger Minneapolis but it is actually very different. I will spend many times in the next few months highlighting differences. I am still homesick but every hour it is getting better. At first I thought the move was kind of like I was going to college again. However, the more I think about it, it is the exact opposite. At college, every single one of my friends was going to college. We were all in the same boat. Now, I am the only one moving and everyone else is staying the same. Plus, when you get to college, you are surrounded by young people who are as confused as you are. There are maps and people everywhere to guide you along. Here, I am depending on reliable friends and mapquest. In addition, when you get to college everyone has a purpose - to further his/her education. I am yet to find my purpose as to why I have moved to Chicago. Don't take my writing the wrong way. The weather has been beautiful. The food has been outstanding. The people here have been warm and inviting. The city is alive, fascinating, and very active. When asked how long I will stay in Chicago by family and friends I stutter and cannot completely answer the question. My perfect situation is to find a great girl who desperately wants to move somewhere that we would never have to wear a winter jacket again. Naturally, she would come from a lot of money which would give me more time to focus on writing my novel. Bottom line, 36 hours into Chicago, is so far so good.