The older I get... the less old clothes fit

I can't believe it's almost been a year since the last time I wrote something. I actually have one sitting in archives that I never published. Perhaps I should make that happen...

Anyway, back to the moral of today's story. One week from today I turn 29. Am I excited? Not really. Am I sad my 20's are coming to an end? It's not that either. Actually I'd like to strike my first statement from the record. I can believe it's almost been a year since the last time I wrote something. Not because I haven't had funny tragic dating stories to share or hilariously embarrassing experiences to reveal, but because I've been busy focusing on me.

I was recently going through my closet and all I can say is that I'm starting over. I have classic pieces that aren't going anywhere but there were also a lot of items that didn't fit anymore. I put those in two (huge) piles - things that needed to be tailored and things that needed to be donated to a worthy cause. And then it hit me... I remembered my girl telling me that some friends are like clothes that you outgrow. No matter how much you try to squeeze them in or make them fit it won't work. You have to let them go.

I admit some people have been harder to release than others but it hurt me so much more keeping them around.

I grabbed the jeans in the back of my closet that I was dying to get into. Maybe my waist got a bit bigger. Better yet, maybe my comprehension grew a lot wider. Either way, I've realized who my classics are, who my alterations will be (mending broken fences), and who needs to be reduced, reused or recycled and donated to benefit the worthiest of all causes: ME.

What NOT to do in Chicago

So I moved. I finally did it. Packed my bags and shipped myself to the midwest. How am I adjusting? Well. Something about being born and raised in Toronto must have made me immune to the cold (with the exception of sub zero temps that is). However, in the month-ish that I've been here I haven't developed the cure to my Kesi-ism mentality and have consequently learned a few valuable lessons along the way:

1. Don't get drunk at your company's holiday party thinking that you're the new girl and no one will remember you. This holds especially true if you're one of a handful of minorities at a firm. The truth is you stick out and people do remember you. So when you walk into the office on Monday morning with your head held high, remember to lower it just a bit. That senior guy you drunk babbled with wasn't that drunk. He remembers your conversation... do you?

2. Interstate drunk dialing is unacceptable.

3. Asking men for directions ultimately leads you to nowhere. In any capacity.

4. When some random guy in the street approaches you and tells you he wants a piece of that.. he's not talking about the pack of gum you just pulled out of your purse. True story: I'm walking home from work so I can change clothes before I head out to a concert when the 47 year old NON-virgin walks up and claims he wants "a piece." Random right? I decide "what the H.. I'll just give him a 'piece' of gum." No dice. Homeboy was talking about the other piece. Needless to say I immediately started walking faster.

Don't laugh! Actually, it's okay if you laugh because it's all hilarious to me and I'm sure this list will get longer as time goes on... In the meantime I'm just trying to make myself at "home" in the city :)