I looked back through my calendar and feel like 2019 had a lot of wonderful in it. It was a solid year. Here’s a chronological look (I know I kinda did a recap already from Oct ’18-19 – and I was going to write one of my rambling, lovable, GIF-heavy recap posts but I kind of like this bullet points idea) at the whole year!

January

• Rang in 2019 by watching Millie & Stanley, 2 cantankerous and lovable neighbor pugs. Also got food poisoning.
• My first MINt team (Dec ’18-Feb ’19): Abominable SnowMINts
• Playing with Pinafore (Nov ’18-Oct ’19) at CSz
• Volleyball w Apple buds on team “How I Set Your Mother”
• Continuing to teach Level 1 Krav Maga classes at Titan Gym
• I go to work on Polar Vortex day! It’s pretty quiet.

February

• Promotion to Senior Sales Executive at Grubhub
  • I’d only been there 10 months!
• Flew to Phoenix for family time
  • Decided to visit the AZ office since my boss was in town too (for actual work)
  • Then worked in the office for 3 days
  • Work paid for my flight back
  • I felt v. v. fancy.
• My parents drove 3.5 hours each way for me to see the Grand Canyon. On first sight walking up to the rim I cried. How is anything that vast and majestic? Whew. Full stop.
• Sedona was wonderful and kooky and I need to go back.
• Visit to best/favorite KBBQ – Cho Sun Ok – in Chicago with Neal AND we went to a concert – Dean Lewis & SYML

March 

• Started Crossfit at Windy City Strength and Conditioning
• KBBQ at the same restaurant – Cho Sun Ok – 2 weeks after Neal BUT with Kalin.
  • I still don’t know how this happened but my stomach ain’t complaining about it.
• Started final ID class w UW-Stout.
  • It will be the hardest class I’ve ever done in my life.
  • I just don’t know it yet.
• Due to this ^^ took sabbatical from teaching Krav at Titan Gym
• Flew to Dayton to see Trace/Dinah and Xander/Abs (PLUS YOU, EVIE) and I’m so glad I did.

April

• Took a Music Improv workshop through MINt with Alex
  • I sang a song about how I still have a Washington State Driver’s License but mid-song realized it was really was about how I missed home and cried in public, in a workshop. I’M FINE.
• Went to a Cubs game IN A BOX for work
  • Yes, it was v chill and fancy.
• Cast on second MINt team: BlooMINt Onion
• Alex & Jake from the Little Rock crew came to Chicago
  • We get Old Fashioneds at the Broken Shaker
  • This is the best Old Fashioned in the city. I am convinced.
  • I will not be moved.
• Interviewed for dream job while still in school for said job field.
• Got dream job.

May

• Started dream job
• Saw Hamilton w Josh.
  • We are in the second row.
  • I immediately want to see it again. I do not.
  • It closes in 2 weeks (aka Jan 15, 2020) from now LETS GO
• Bekah Brown (and Potato and Sully) in town!
  • We roam and nap and laugh.
• Sat in with Oh Cecelia at iO twice
  • Being asked to sit in is bananas nice and I have done it several times this year with different teams. Thank you everyone for your trust in my make-believe!
• Went to PHX for work to train 5/13 class
  • Do not feel prepared as I JUST started said job.
  • People are v nice.
  • I got upgraded to a suite and neither of my 2 bosses did. BIZLIFE.
  • Abby (L&D Boss) and I do not eat bread bowls from Panera by the hotel pool, WHICH I WAS PROMISED would happen. Still sad.
• Officially resigned from Titan Gym/teaching Krav due to new job
  • Originating dream job position and possibly traveling every 2 weeks for it just wasn’t good for students, for the gym or for me. But I miss y’all.
• Saw Falsettos (Broadway) show
  • it was NOT a comedy
  • I was NOT prepared
  • AND if meme photos of me crying on the train alone after ever come out it is Todd’s fault. The end.
• Finish/graduate from UW-Stout’s Instructional Design Graduate Certificate program
  • I survived the aforementioned hardest class in m’life.
  • Genuinely sad/miss my group TO THIS DAY.

June

• Mom & Dad come to Chicago –
  • Father’s Day
  • Field Museum
  • Architect River Cruise
  • CHICAGO HOT DOGS!
• Had huge audition for something I really wanted. Felt good about it. Didn’t get it.
• Did a 5 Things CSz workshop

July

• Performed for the first time w Ben, Nicole & Nate as music improv team AirBRB
• Had lunch with Toni Berry, writer, bud, fellow Sagittarius, former Apple co-worker
  • By ‘lunch’ I mean we hung out for like 4 hours. WE ARE LONG WINDED.
• Decided to apply (and got) a workshop spot with RIFF; a music improv short form show that performs at iO.
• Did improv set in a church service with Susan
  • it was a planned set; we didn’t just jump up and start, I swear
• Lunch with Jenean, former work wife and also, strangely, my first time eating poke
  • I now love poke
  • WHAT TOOK ME SO LONG
• Fly to Washington to drive to AZ with Mom & Em

August

• 4-Year Chicago-versary!
  • Me and the Bean are very happy together in a committed relationship over halfway to a common law marriage
• Drive from Lynden, WA to Phoenix, AZ in 2 long days with Mom & Em
  • YES TWO DAYS
• Teach 2nd training class in AZ for 8/5 class
• Abby, L&D boss and of the 2 women I report to leaves the company. I hate this but still love her.
• Sit in with Goat Milk Goddesses to perform at the Women’s Funny Fest at Stage 773
• Dana comes to see me!
  • She’s the best.
• I try my first Pole Dancing class at Brass Ring Chicago
  • Due to a Groupon I bought 6 months before that was about to expire 3 days later. I keep it up through EOY.
• Compete in music improv competition “Verses” at Second City with AirBRB – we lose to some of my favorite people on Home Entertainment so I’m ok with it.
• 2nd RIFF show!

September

• Audition for Anarchy, another music improv team
  • I don’t get it
  • But I know a ton of people in the room
  • I’m ok!
• Speak to my UW-Stout instructor’s class about being hired to work in ID/Learning & Dev field as a Sales Trainer right out of our program.
  • Feel v accomplished.
• Toggle from Crossfit back to LSAC gym by my house
  • Y’all CF is cool BUT MY WALLET WAS SCREAMING.
• Play volleyball for Fall Season with people I met in Spring Season at Lincoln Park High School.
• Catherine (Sales Boss) the second woman I love working for leaves the company. I hate this but love her.
  • I got her some goodbye cookies that Carrie makes and they are PERFECTION (see pic below) support Carrie she does amazing work and a percentage of every order supports a different charity every month. HERE IS HER LINK I LOVE IT. 
• I got myself a massage. I am stressed/sad about the boss situation above BUT NOT THE COOKIES.
  • I got it on Groupon, I am fiscally responsible.
• Start meal plan service to eat Keto for the month of October (officially 9/30-end of October).
  • Not fiscally responsible but IT IS OK.
  • Keto doesn’t let me eat fruit as as a Washingtonian this is a crime I do not like.
  • Make it the 30 days, lost 10lbs in Oct.
• I get a new boss to report to on the Learning Team side at work. He seems cool although I don’t know it yet.

October

• Final Pinafore show at CSz. I have the sads that this core group of people I love is done.
  • Yes, yes, I know we can still play together
  • IT WAS A GOOD BITTERSWEET THING
  • I know all things must end I used to watch Lost
• Started some personal training with Brian at LSAC
  • I warn Brian I am a talker.
  • Brian makes me do weird double kettlebell swings. I am not good at it right away and hate it.
  • Literally all I do is try to make Brian laugh to get my mind off of sweating.
  • Guys, don’t worry. I got plenty of sweating in still.
• Started an Olympic Weightlifting class with Keith at LSAC
  • I AM SHOCKINGLY GOOD AT THIS.
  • Thank you to the Crossfit gym and also Coach DeHoag at LC, I guess.
• Cry at work 3x in one day after feeling overwhelmed w my 2 bosses being gone and the announcement we are upping our hiring aka much bigger training classes.
  • 1. After a meeting
  • 2. In a stairwell mid-afternoon
  • 3. In first 1:1 with new boss
  • Is this a record and if so please get me a medal
• I go to DC for the first time and get to hang with David, Bekah, Adam & Dana (and Millie)
  • I needed this.
• Performed in Hocus Pocus Redacted at the Music Box as Allison.
  •  Yes, yabbos

November

• Work tells me they approved hiring a 2nd person to do my role; we begin applications/interviews
  • Robbie becomes 2nd trainer at work and I begin trying to explain how/why I do what I do.
• Audition for CSz & cast onto new Rec League team: Potluck
• Watch Heather, Dan & Jess’s Bloody Christmas Carol show
  • My friends are fancy and sing & dance really well.
  • I came straight from a volleyball game and am very sweaty smushed next to strangers in this small theater.
• See Robbie Ellis’s truly hilarious orchestra with Ben.
  • We fancy dress up.
  • We are seated in the front row.
  • We did not know we would be in the front row.
• Thanksgiving week is my first week ‘off’ of training since starting my job on 5/1; I get so much work done and also contract a cold.
  • I do nothing except sit in my apartment alone for Thanksgiving, make myself mashed potatoes and I love it.

December

• Record size massive training class (for us)
  • I am responsible for the learning & logistics of 20 people and gain (probably) 17 gray hairs.
• Work approves a 3rd (Arizona) and 4th (Philadelphia) trainer; applications & interviews begin
• I start seeing a therapist – it helps.
  • Nothing specific; I’m just noticing circular behaviors as I look back over my shoulder for 30+ years.
• Added to the ensemble of RIFF
  • After performing as a sub several times since that workshop in July!
  • I’m added in the same class as Ben, Sarah & Will who I feel so honored to sing (and rhyme) with.
• I fly home for 12 days to Lynden, WA
• I turn 32 sitting at home, surrounded by my family.
  • I tell my family I plan on climbing Kilimanjaro in October 2020. I announce it at my birthday dinner so I can’t back out of it. NAME IT AND CLAIM IT BBS.
  • Yes, another blog post will come to flesh this ^^ out.
• Performed with Upfront Theatre’s ensemble, including Ryan Stiles, for the 2nd time in Bellingham on the day after Christmas. My family is there seeing me do what I love and I am happy.

2019 Overall

• Performances – with Pinafore, with MINt teams, RIFF and so many other opportunities to sit in and play with teams. Feeling grateful.
• Shows – I saw countless shows; CSz matches, iO & SC improv, staged shows, musicals, Broadway, even just at movie theaters! Ya girl is stuffed full of stories. Also I have crazy talented friends.
• People – I saw family 4 times! That’s almost a record for one year! Lunches, grocery store runs, shows and coffee times with so many friends too.
• Health – Got my first ever stitches (shoulder), which was a weird first to have post-30. Overall healthy but somehow got food poisoning 3x this year. Probably won’t be asked to be on Bear Grylls show because of it ever.
• Work – very happy to be working in the Learning & Development field as a trainer, instructional designer and general weirdo. Finally. GH has been very good to me.
• Mental state – I’m pausing here and looking around my house, just thinking about this one.
  • I’m proud to be taking steps to correct patterns and behaviors that are unhealthy. Seeing a therapist that gives homework to work on between sessions is great.
  • I’m improving at recognizing progress as progress even when I wish the progress was bigger.
  • I’m proud/terrified to be setting the goal of climbing Kilimanjaro in October 2020. It scares me and excites me. More to come on this!
  • I’m thrilled to be an ensemble member on a long-term team. This has been a goal since I got to Chicago – I don’t need to drive my work to SNL or Mainstage. I just want to be on a consistent team of talented friends that I laugh with and improve my skills.

Hiya, 2020. Let’s go.