Gobsmacked
I was going to post about visiting Trinity this weekend, but...
Remember that Chicago job?
They just offered me the position.
:Stares at you:
What the hell is happening now?
Anybody know anything about Chicago?
Remember that Chicago job?
They just offered me the position.
:Stares at you:
What the hell is happening now?
Anybody know anything about Chicago?
It will snow and rain there because the city is LITERALLY on Lake Michigan, so you get a lot of lake effect snow in the winter. I think its one of those cities that has all the seasons to a traditional measure (hot sweaty summer, pretty and cool fall, cold and snowy winter, pretty and warm spring). Its 7 hours driving tiime from St. Louis, which is approximately 15 hours driving time from Houston, depending on your route, traffic, construction, and weather. Dont' drive that route in the winter unless you are prepared (bring chains, a bad weather emergency kit, water, food, etc, normal snow-state stuff to carry in your car).
It sounds like a lot, but Chicago is a nice city, with a good diversity of people who can be equally social or introverted, whatever you want. Its also got a job there for you....heck, I moved halfway across the world for a job, I'd totally move to chicago for one (though I would be homesick, yes, but job experience is a must).
Goodluck!
Jessica
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Oh Jessica, I have no idea how to live in snow. So, if you have any advice please tell me using small words and lots of diagrams as if I were a small child. As well as layering advice. I have like 3 long sleeve shirts and 2 sweaters.
How do women dress professionally and warmly at the same time?
Or do they just hop around in pantyhose?
And it's 7 hours from St. Louis? Damn.
:looks over shoulder for mob:
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I'm learning how to dress professional and warm at the same time! I ahve NO heat! First thing: CuddlDuds. They are modern, fashionable, and comfortable long underwear. Great for a second (please wear underwear!) layer. Usually you would just wear pants over that, the thicker woolen pants you get the warmer they are. You can get lighterweight pants in summer seasons. As far as your top goes, you can buy CuddlDuds, and usually sweater sets, normal sweaters, and the like. You can buy lots of really pretty sweaters and long sleeved shirts, and tehy will be solde everywhere up there (its cold weather, cater to your customers!). Wear thermal socks (available tons of places, and they are offered in non-bulky styles) or you can just layer socks (might make your shoes tight). Have a nice warm winter jacket (a peacoat, or other woolen jacket is usually fashionable and warm, or a nice leather coat, it will keep you warm, keep wind out, and be sexy). Get some warm gloves (I reccommend REI, they have one on westheimer in houston I think). Definitely wear scarves/neckwarmers (keeping the blood in your neck warm will warm your whole body, its freaky) and wear a hat (covering your head keeps more body heat in your body where it belongs). Wear shoes with good traction to help from slipping too much in the snow when it compacts and the ice. Walk carefully, no one needs a broken tailbone from haste. You'll get used to wearing all the stuff fast, dont' worry. Also, suits and blazers will help keep you warm and look professional.
The first month you are there will be freezing (even though its one of the coldest of the year, it'll feel even colder because you aren't used to the weather). your body will just have to adjust to the difference, which it will.
there are all kinds of nifty things to keep you warm. Pocketwarmers are fun, they are a pack of gel with a metal disk that you "pop" causing a chemical reaction inside that hardens the gel but causes it to release heat. They can be reused by boiling them over the stove until the gel turns back to normal. Not sure where to buy them, try REI. Ask the people at REI how to stay warm too, they might have tips.
Fleeces are always nice as well. Old Navy is a good place to start looking, they have some nice sweaters and scarves and stuff that are cheap and pretty. Remember: WARM. Also, layers. You want enough room in the sleeves of your coats for long sleeved shirts to be worn. The advantage of layers is tehy can be taken off depending on the temperature of where you are (ie, inside an office means less layers needed).
I'm assuming you're taking your car, which means driving up tthere. Check the weather along your entire route BEFORE you leave, and watch the weather channel. December could easily have snow and storms. Beware of the bad roads in Missouri, and for safety only stop at gas stations in towns/cities when travellign alone.
Get some chains for your car tires, not sure how much they cost or if you'll really need them, but they will be good for Chicago itself, i imagine. When it is close to or below freezing outside, GO SLOW. It doesn't matter if the road looks clear, there might be Black Ice, which is ice that doesn't look like ice. It causes many accidents. Ignore the other drivers, do what you feel comfortable with. It takes patience, but they can pass you.
******split because post was too long*******
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For your bad weather kit in your car have a full car care emergency kit (you can get them at walmart or target or somesuch) with a compressor for your tires for emergency use, and a first aid kit. Also, have a blanket or two, incase you get stuck in your car in bad weather. A battery operated radio might be wise too. Towels are good: multipurpose (pillows, blankets, absorbancy, etc). Keep some candy, preferably chocolate (high energy because of the caffiene), and some water (a gallon should be plenty). This will also help weigh down the back of your car to make it easier to drive in snow and will help prevent skidding. Likely, you will never need to use ANY of this, but better safe than sorry.
Watch the weather every morning. If it looks like a bad storm is ocming through, fill up your gas tank just to be safe. make sure your car has allweather tires as well. (means larger treds)
Watch out for icestorms, they are dangerous. Also, at your house, keep a lot of bottled water in case pipes burst or power goes out. In respects to power outages, you can get a small gas stove/single burner that will allow you to cook and eat. Dont' open your fridge in power outages, things will spoil faster that way. if you need water and the water is out, you can boil snow on teh stove, for at least 30 min (I've done that!).
When you leave for vacation, turn off your water! Pipes can burst due to sudden freezes if the water in the pipes isn't moved regularly, leaving you with an expensive headache to clean up.
I can't think of much more, as I havent' lived in a bad winter in years, but I'll ask my parents (they have been through many and will remember them more than me).
When driving in Oklahoma, there is nothing but McDonalds. the Tollways are faster, they are worth the money. Illinois is pretty darned empty....
The drive up is either 2 really long days or three more decent days. Depending on gas prices, it can be much cheaper to drive than to fly, so get familiar with the long drive!
I'll try to get you more info if I can. If you want, emailing might be faster/give you printable information. ilium.rose@gmail.com or jhunter@trinity.edu both work for me.
Jess
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