It’s been a while since I’ve had an “I love Chicago” moment. So long in fact that I was beginning to wonder if I’d made the right decision to move to this city. My mind was starting to imagine moving to a new city, a new country, a new place to call home. And then today happened. I spent 8.5 hours at a job I love. I was wearing a new cute skirt (thanks to my roommate). The weather was absolute perfection. I spent a mere, but beautiful, 20 minutes sitting in the sun on my lunch break. Tulips were in full bloom. My friends and I met up – the first time in months where all 4 of us could be in the same place at the same time. On my way to meet them, the goosebumps formed and I suddenly had the thought: damn, I love Chicago. 

I wrote this one over a year ago and I’m a bit sad to say that I haven’t been so smitten since. Hopefully today was a turning point!

In preparation for the speed dating event I’m going to in a couple of weeks, I went to a speed friending event last night. The same concept prevailed – 5 minutes with loads of strangers. There were over 25 people, a good mix of women and men. Half of the people stayed in their seats, while the other half rotated around the room. After 5 minutes, the movers would switch and up would start a whole new conversation with someone they’d never met.

By the end of two hours, I was able to meet 13 new people, both guys and girls. Conversations ranged from jobs to neighborhoods where we live to our favorite restaurants. Five minutes goes really quickly, especially when there’s enjoyable conversation and palpable chemistry. I met multiple girls who were hilarious and the conversation flowed smoothly. I also chatted with a bunch of boys in their young 20s. Contrary to why I thought I was there, I bonded with the ladies much more than the dudes. Who doesn’t need more friends? 

If you’ve recently read my blog or seen me in the last couple of months, you’ll know that I was most recently living in a fabulous neighborhood in a nice little apartment…with the bitchiest, most atrocious roommates ever. Unfortunately, my new apartment also has some issues compared to my previous place:

 *Cockroaches (a dozen or so dead ones, and one live sucker)

*No dishwasher

*No washer or dryer in the apartment

*No garbage disposal

*Further commute to work

*More expensive rent and utilities because there are only 2 people sharing the bills

*No parking space

*On the blue line so it is not as convenient to travel to other neighborhoods

But…there are no crazies which = priceless

Oh, and the great roommate, fun neighborhood, and closeness to Mario are all awesome bonuses to the deal, too!

I really wanted to love Ottawa, but then I met Hong Kong with whom I had a 2-year love affair. I was then introduced to Chicago and I’m smitten, primed to fall in love. 

Despite having an amazing apartment, the best job ever, and fun friends (albeit, all married which is great for them, but bad for my single mojo), I just couldn’t fall for Ottawa the way I’d hoped. Seriously, my life would have been so much easier if only I’d just fallen in love with that town. It would’ve saved me a whole lotta time/money in across-the-world flights and sadness with being away from my family, but it would’ve cost me a whole lot more in life experience to have stayed with Ottawa. 

Thankfully, I didn’t fall in love with that small town; thankfully, I met Hong Kong.  It began as a tumultuous love affair with me getting lost every day, not finding friends quickly, and living 8,000 miles away from everyone who was important in my life. But after a brief state of anxiety, I fell hard and fast in love with the Asian city. One of my longest relationships to date, Hong Kong was good to me, helping me to meet lifelong friends, showing me how to travel the world, and finally introducing me to its American friend, Chicago.

Now, Chicago and I only just met last November, but I can already tell it’s going to be love. With its interesting job, friends new and old, and attractive men, I think I might just in fact be smitten.  I know it’s an early conclusion to draw, but I might’ve found the one to be with forever in wedded bliss.