Last year I moved from Chicago to Evanston. It was a big change, because I got my first real apartment, a studio near public transportation, downtown and the lake. However, I felt really depressed because I never lived outside of Chicago before and I was basically isolated from my friends in Chicago. To make matters worse, I had been looking for work since 2002, but nobody would hire me, which was really frustrating because I hated being broke 28 or 29 days out of the month. 

   Shortly after an aborted trip to college, I turned 29-and the countdown to THE END began. I have spent this year-actually, I have spent this decade-trying to find myself. I’ve gotten sick, went to different churches, endured an abusive relationship, moved around a lot, spent time in the homeless shelter, lost my grandmother and made great friends. I feel that I have come out of this stronger and more mature than before, thanks to prayer. I just recently got a job working at home and I think that my life is only going to get better at 30.