Chicago-Go. Go.

they say you go when you're ready enough...

{blondetourage}

Well, shit. If I waited until I was 100% ready to do anything, I'd barely make it past opening a bottle of wine, because I'm like...today's the day I'm going to start my diet, just kidding, I'll have a glass of wine. Today's the day I'm going to stop eating dairy. Amelia, who are you kidding you have to finish your wine from last night, or else it will go bad- and what goes better with wine than cheese? Wine wins. Wine always wins...so I've compromised and I'm having some vino while writing this. 

I've been meaning to start this blog for two years, so I'm off to quite the start, sharing that I drink far too often, and am a procrastinator, all in the prologue. I also cursed in the first sentence. I should probably quit now.

But here goes nothing...

Was I ready to leave FL, my incredible friends, my amazing family, the weather- where winter is anything below 70? Hells no. But how many times are you fully prepared for what's in store? You think you have your life under control, and then wham. life is like. no bitch, you don't.

Picture it. 

You go from this...

{heaven on earth}

{fabulous girlfriends}

{the best friends, just blocks away}

{my crazy, amazing family. Yes, they're all mine, all a car ride away}

To this...

{my walk to work}

{the snow really never ends}

{freezing. don't let that POC fool you}

Some nights, I'm like "hell yes, I'm so independent."livin' in a big ole' city." I got this... I'm good.

{this view. I can't}

Other nights I'm like... you do not "got this" you pour yourself a glass a wine and think about what you've done.

{makes everything better}

{at least my little home is adorbs}

It's hard to define how I'm feeling at the moment. Mostly, I wish I could take bits and pieces of Orlando and put them here in Chicago. But what's great about a huge life change, is having incredible friends there to back you up every step of the way.

The reason for the move was my job (for those of you who don't know me well.)

I'm going to get sappy for like 5 seconds... just humor me. 

If you know me- you know I love IZEA. I love the people- they've become my best friends, my family. So, when I was offered the chance to move to Chicago, of course I jumped to take it. My fav. city + the company I love... my decision was basically instantaneous. But the transition wasn't exactly seamless. 

{#TP}

I've been with IZEA for almost 3 years now, and man has it been a blast... I mean look at us.

IZEA is the reason I got to fulfill something I've been wanting for 2 years. It was easy to talk about moving... dreaming of nights on the rooftop, crazy summers downtown... but actually making a huge move is hard. So hard. 

Chicago is amazing, it's beautiful, it's eclectic; with amazing food, people and music. But it isn't home yet. It gets lonely, and scary and cold...as hell.

But you know what, it isn't going to be easy- just like any huge life change. But, I figured the best way to stay in touch with home, while still exploring this new, soon-to-be home, is through blogging.





The purpose of this blog is to document my journey- from amazing, big city adventures, to the little moments of nostalgia that remind me of why I'm here, and to remind me to enjoy the ride- wherever it is I'm headed. So please, follow along*

*However, if you're offended by drinking, occasional cursing, or dry humor, please don't.

• A full bodied parakeet barked

And this my friends, is the start of Amelia Street.