RaRe

The other day as I was thinking about mine and my sister's upcoming move, I sketched out letter and nickname combinations for a possible title to refer to us together. Rachelyn + Rebecca= RaRe. I was quite proud of the outcome, and I shared my "brilliant" idea with my sister. Her reaction wasn't one that I had hoped to receive. It was more of a concerned reaction--hoping that I haven't become too attached and needy. She wasn't completely serious, but had probably begin to deep down inside question my intentions. I rethought the name and even the process in even trying to come up with a name and realized her point. I proceeded to laugh, because it would make us look even more like a couple. I might still refer to it here and there---just for laughs. ;)

It's approaching three months since we have been back in North Carolina. Friends and family have visited, trips to both to NY and Chicago ocurred, a visit to the beach, watched my brother's orchestration premiered by the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, seeing musicals/operas, and soaking up family time at home have been the highlights.
The past 3 months have been difficult in the area of life decision making--where to move to now? As fun as it is, I've realized that I can't city-hop and need to somewhat settle down somewhere in order to build up connections. Going back to NY would be grand for sure, but the financial aspects of living there caused us to realize that we just can't have NYC right now. There was a glimmer of hope in early October that we'd be back sooner than we thought, but the apartment turned out to be a scam--even though we knew the man renting the room from a brief meeting on our last day in the heights.
Rebecca agreed to check out Chicago due to is affordibility and having stronger connections in the theatre world there in order to build up a resume. We drove up there on a Wednesday and left the Sunday after. In between, we checked out apartements, saw my dear Chicago friends and enjoyed the city. We found a beautiful vintage 2 bedroom apartment in the same neighborhood as my old apartment and decided to rent it. It has a great skyline view out the bay window facing south! The fantastic things besides its beauty: no lease or security deposit were required, and the landlord is a lawyer whose office is at the bottom of the building, so he is accessible plus he is super friendly. It really is a gorgeous apartment. I'm THRILLED that she and I won't have to share the same bed or room like we suffered through while in NY! ;)

My thoughts on this move:
I'm excited to get back into auditioning. I'm happy to be able to hang out with my friends there. I'm looking forward to the snow :). It's wonderful that we will be in my old neighborhood which I loved so much, and I can't wait to show Rebecca officially around. I'm thankful that she will be joining this time. I'm excited to go back to Moody. Thinking about the stories and adventures to come excites me greatly.
I'm also scared. This isn't a "go to Chicago for a gig--come back home soon" or "sublet a room in NY for the summer with the possibility of coming back home." This is more permanent for me. My sister will be going back and forth when work in Charlotte calls, so it's not as permanent for her, but it really is for me. I'm also a bit scared about finances. There is much encouragement from old coworkers from the Willis Tower gift shop that I will be hired back there which would be great to have a job starting off so that I can survive. I also wish Mom could move up north, so that we can be there for her more and not as far away when something arises. She hasn't completely opposed to the idea, though! :)

RaRe + the rest of the Primms will be leaving Tuesday evening for a more "relaxed" drive, officially moving in Wednesday,spending Thanksgiving day in Chicago (parade/etc) and taking a quick trip to MI this weekend. Our family is being so kind in helping us move and spending Thanksgiving with us.

Updates will come!