so i think i dreamed last night that i asked my mom if she and Steve wanted to buy a condo here in Chicago and then i could rent from them. it's not that the idea itself is odd to me, but rather that it came to me in a dream... and it was the first thing i thought of when i woke up. must have been those trader joe's vegetable birds' nests. hot damn those things are fabulous.

i like starting these few-and-far-between entries like we are in the middle of a conversation. it makes it feel as though less time has elapsed since our last meeting.

i think it would be futile to try and catch up too much in one entry, but i can offer some highlights.

i graduated college. THANK YOU to all of you who participated in writing love letters to me that my dad and Jeni put in a scrapbook for me to keep as a graduation present. i don't know why i haven't really talked to you all about it yet, seeing as how it was one of the best gifts ever. it touched me so much, i still feel like it's brand new. the letters were beautiful and still make me cry when i read them.

i moved. no more evanston. i now live in mount prospect, close to both of my jobs and all the chicagoians that i love. i moved into my VERY OWN APARTMENT. which is fabulous, i must say. i love living on my own. it is so great having my own little home. i have had several wonderful people come and stay at my place so far: Jeanna and Tony**, and Matt and Mark. if you are looking to visit the chicagoland area, give me a ring! you can stay here as long as you cook me dinner.

**Jeanna and Tony moved to iowa. :( this is very sad, since they were the closest of friends that i had here. however, we have decided that, at some point in the undetermined future, we will most certainly live together in a humongo house with separate wings for both of our families. until then, Jeanna and Tony will come to visit every two months and stay at my place, where Jeanna will do what she does best-- cook!

those are the biggies. i'm still working for GWAYO and Starbucks. i'm looking around at some other jobs... but so far nothing definite.

i miss my Texans. how about you all come out to see me, eh? I want to get down there as soon as possible, but it isn't looking like it will happen until at least after christmas. come when you can.