The Windy City Whirlwind

Well, it has certainly been a while since my last post!

My transition to the Windy City has been a whirlwind to say the least! Little did I know that when everyone said, "right fit at the right time" they'd be right! I'm so lucky to be where I am and couldn't imagine being anywhere else but that doesn't mean that it hasn't had its ups and its downs. With a five day turnaround from my job offer to moving and starting training I haven't even had a chance to catch my breath or really even let it settle in that I'm here in Chicago for a while. I keep thinking that I'm away at summer camp and will be going home soon. It still has yet to hit that this is "home" for the next period of time. I suppose that's why they say, "home is where the heart is".

I can't believe that just about two and a half months ago I was on Pacific's campus freaking out about what was going to happen next. A lot has happened over the last seven or so weeks and it even really hit me that I've moved to Chicago and that the people I love and look up to are no longer a walk across campus away or even a short drive home. This has really been the first time that I've stepped out of my comfort zone, out of my Pacific "bubble" and have had to make an effort to show those who matter in my life how much they really mean regardless of distance or time zone. It's been an interesting transition not having those I care about most around me. It's the first time I haven't been handed a cohort of friends and have learned that in the "real world" you have to find ways to met people.There are luckily a lot of new people at Loyola and several from California, so I'm hoping that we can tough out the winter together....or at least start a support group!

Now lets get to Loyola-I LOVE IT!!! There is so much "newness" in the department and division that it really allows for the creation of new programs, services and the revisiting of current policy, procedure and practice. With so much newness, Loyola truly embodies the phrase, "work hard, play hard". Although an unimaginable amount of hours spent working have been docked over the last few weeks, this is a truly a place that values staff fun, rewarding hard work and providing the tools necessary to best develop personally and professionally while serving our students.

Now enough of the fluff and back to reality! Here's a quick 30 second recap of life since my last post:

• I haven't had a day off in about 30ish days
• I've been a part of a human swag machine (thanks to my RAs)
• I've rapped in public.....Eminem watch out!
• I've been to two comedy shows at The Second City
• I have learned about my STRENGTHS (again)
• I have an amazing RA staff that can turn any frown upside down
• I'm now an expert at mulching trees
• I have a custom mug that I painted at a pottery store
• I painted over 150 lockers at a local elementary school
• I've been on two different city scavenger hunts
• I've been on 2 retreats at the Loyola retreat center
• I've found myself literally caught in the middle of 3 major storms
• I've had some great laughs with great friends and colleagues
• I've "successfully" navigated retirement plans and benefit packages
• I've mastered the art of "fake it 'til you make it"
• I have found a love for organized trivia nights

Stay tuned for what happens next for Sophie and the City!