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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- 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
- 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!
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 itever. - 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.
This is awesome, keep up the incredible work Bailey!