From a very sunny garden apartment

I can't believe I left DC four weeks ago. A few notes on the first (almost) month in Chicago:

- My new place has taken a little getting used to, especially the lack of AC, but now it's fine. My old place was much nicer than what I needed and in the long run I'll be glad I'm saving the money on a cheaper apartment.

- Chicago is huge. I thought DC was a big city. I was wrong. I live in the city of Chicago but it still takes me almost an hour to get downtown on a bus or train. Compare that to DC, where even if I lived all the way out in Fairfax (the end of the Orange Line) it would only take half an hour to get to Metro Center in the heart of the city.

- Speaking of public transportation, most of northwest DC is within five blocks of any Metro station. If Chicago wanted to blanket the city in a similar fashion, either the sun would be blocked out by all the elevated tracks or Boston's Big Dig would look like some kids playing in a sandbox. Guess I better learn the bus system.

- Chicago's regional train system, Metra, doesn't accept credit cards. At all. Also, the only way to pay online is to first mail them an application. FAIL.

- I'm still looking for a job. I've got enough in savings to be a little picky, but I'd really like something to come along soon. Is it too much to ask for to find a job where I get to play with numbers and interact with clients in a fun industry where I feel like I'm contributing to the world while making enough money to pay off my obnoxious student loans? Probably so, but I sure hope not.

- If I had to do this over again, I'd do it in a heartbeat. It's scary as hell but it's exciting and I know the right opportunity will come along. Now get up here and visit before it gets too cold.