Missing People

Normally I miss Chicago things.

I miss pizza and WXRT and the sight of Lake Michigan as I round the bend on Lake Shore Drive. The Mexican place across from my old apartment on Diversey, the Thai place across from the Sheridan apartment. The stupid, unreliable L. After-work drinks at Nevin's Pub and shows at Reggie's Rock Club on the south side. Speaking Spanish and salsa dancing downtown. I usually miss all that hometown stuff.

This time I miss people.

I find myself increasingly drawn to be near “home.” Whereas in the past I would've considered it "settling" (in a horrific way) to choose proximity to home over an exciting opportunity elsewhere, I'm now realizing the simple, pleasant fact that it's not terrible to want to be near people I love.

I like traveling, being challenged by exciting and frustrating cultures, living conditions, work environments. That's why I moved to Thailand - I got bored always knowing how to get around Chicago. Never getting lost. Working at the same job. Meeting some new people, but mostly hanging out with the ones I already knew. So I figured I'd move to a place I knew nothing about. That challenge worked for me in Thailand. But now that I’ve done it a few times, maybe the novelty is wearing off.


There are lots of really great people in my life, and it's pretty wonderful that I'll soon get to spend more time with them.