Auld Lang Sine . . .

Today, my last here in Chicago, is full of recollection and reflection. I have lived here pretty much my whole life, and have only briefly lived anywhere else. I have railed against the weather, the public transit, the sheer inconvenience at times of being an actor in this city, but really, all in all, Chicago has been pretty amazing, and I will miss it.

I'll miss the Art Institute, and standing in front of my favorite Caillebotte, wanting to get lost in it.

I'll miss visiting the wolves and the dolphins and stingrays every year at the Brookfield Zoo.

I'll miss the Farmer's Market in Daley Plaza all summer.

I'll miss knowing the trains and buses and navigating around without a thought.

I'll miss the crunchy leaves underfoot in fall, and the first burst of bloom on my favorite trees in spring.

I'll miss the familiar buildings and streets and towns.

I'll miss Bristol.

But, most of all, I'll miss all the people I leave behind here. While it's true I will still talk to them, that California is not Mars, I cannot pretend that I can just hop in my car and see them in 45 minutes anymore. There are two roads in this wood, and I'm taking the one less traveled. It's not the safe choice; I know I could stay in Chicago, move into a little studio here, keep doing Bristol every summer and auditioning for little plays and doing costume commissions here and there. Maybe I would eventually meet someone here and get married, and it would be a nice little life. But, ever since I was a little girl, I've wanted something more. To take the chance. To reach for that dream that seems impossible. I was frightened for so long to do this, but if this process has taught me nothing else, it's taught me that if you want something enough, nothing should stop you. That dreams are worth it.

Tomorrow, I leave Chicago. I will come back to visit, of course; there are too many amazing people here not to. But, I know that after today, it will always just be a visit, that I am leaving this place behind and turning over a new leaf in my life.

End of Book One.

In the New Year . . .

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year, dear readers. I wish you all nothing but the best in 2011. As for me, here is my New Year's Resolution:

That is all.

Happy New Year!

I hope everyone has a happy, wonderful 2010! May it be better than 2009: healthy, successful, and brilliant. That is my New Year's wish for you all, dear readers.

New Year's Resolutions . . .

All images courtesy We Heart It

This year, my resolutions are pretty straightforward; I know exactly what I need to do to get where I need to be. The short list:

1. Pack up my entire life for my move to SoCal.

2. Save money every month so I can afford to move my entire life 2000 miles to a city that is hella expensive.

3. Start some hardcore aerobics.

4. Seriously. I need to do more than just weight train and stretch. I need to kick some ass.

5. Organize my workroom area. It's all going to get packed up, but I want it in labeled bins, same with same. Right now, it looks like a chimpanzee and three blind men put all my supplies away.

Not overly complicated resolutions, as resolutions go. We'll see how I do . . . What about you, dear readers? What are your New Year's Resolutions?