Things are still about the same with the current project at work. I get a little discouraged because I feel like our little consulting work is not really helping much. I try to just remember that it is my job and it doesn't matter what happens as long as I do the work that they ask. But, the fact is that nobody wants to do something without some sense of satisfaction. I guess that is one reason to work for yourself, because you always can feel and see exactly what you have done for the day. In a big company, it is sometimes difficult to see the big picture.

Anyway, I left work early today in order to move in to my new home. I can call it a home because it is slightly more permanent than the system of shacking with friends that has prevailed up till now. I have become the butt of many jokes at work because of my "no-furniture" policy. 1) I just don't own any furniture: no beds, no chairs, etc. 2) I don't really feel like wasting money on any stuff right now. 3) I am thinking that maybe I don't really need any furniture. Anyway, when I asked to get off work at five instead of six to allow for moving-in time at my new apartment, everyone laughed. "You can't fool us. What do you need to move?"

Well, I got to the Pickwick Apartments about an hour later (that should be a fun commute for the next month). Beata and Chris had just gotten back from their daytime jobs and were preparing dinner before leaving for the evening work. Yes, in order to save money, I decided to live with some complete strangers. But not just any strangers, but to young students from Poland. They have only been in the States for a couple months and are saving up money for school in the spring. Everyone else thinks that I am crazy, but I really like the new set-up.

As expected, it only took about ten minutes to unload all of my stuff from the hatchback of my car. After Chris and I finished up, we all sat down at the dinner table (the only significant piece of furniture in the whole place) for some food and conversation. Now some people might not be patient enough to deal with people who don't speak English completely fluently, but for me it is kinda fun. We talked about cars and insurance and just silly stuff for about an hour. All three of us were smiling and laughing the whole time. I don't know how three lonely working-fools could be so happy, but we were.

Chris and Beata had to leave at about seven in order to get to their other jobs. So far, they seem like about the nicest people I have ever met. We are all at similar stages in life as well, so I have no doubt that we will be able to get along well. I can learn a little bit more about all the Polish immigrants that we have in the Chicago area. For the longest time, this area has been the starting place for many new Polish couples. I think Chris and Beata actually intend to go home to Krakow some day, but for now, we are roomies.

After they left, I started to lay my blankets out on the floor and make my bedroom a little more homey. The rest of the apartment looks really big without any couches and stuff to clutter it up. My window looks over a little pond out the back, while there is a balcony over the parking lot in front. The kitchen and everything are cool too. Even though it is a relatively "cheap" apartment, it is just my style for now.