So there we were, Erica and I sitting at our favorite table at Figlio (one of Uptown Minneapolis' finest establishments) and it was about time that we stopped flirting around with these notions of returning to student life and started making decisions. We had both done our homework and knew more about our respective schools than most of the professors probably did. Erica was debating about applying at Columbia University in New York, University of Oregon in Eugene or Columbia College in Chicago. She was ready for her Master's degree and the time was at hand. She'd been writing for the Sun Current for 5 years, and she had the respect and street cred to prove it. Any school would benefit from having her amongst the ranks.
I wasn't trying to decide if I wanted to go to school again, but which program and what city did I want to be in?... Those were the issues at hand. I had initially chosen a Harley-Davidson technician program, but I was not all too happy about living amongst the sea of Depends and rental cars in Orlando for 2 years. I love motorcycles and the thought of living in a place where I could ride year-round was awfully tempting, but ultimately not enough to lure me into moving there. I didn't want to ruin my passion by making it a job and I didn't want to worry about living in the frozen tundra trying to keep a job working on motorcycles. And, last but not least, here is this amazing woman that I'm starting to fall in love with.... no education is worth losing the greatest opportunity a man could ever ask for. (I always seem to complicate things for myself, but this was fate and I knew it!)
Meanwhile, Heather (Erica's sister) had decided to apply at Columbia College, Chicago for her shot at a Master's in photography. So, inspired by Heather's bravery and resolve, Erica decided to take a crack at Columbia too.... how sweet would it be to go to college with your sister right?
Simultaneously, I am taking all of this into consideration and find out that the school in Florida has a campus in the suburbs of Chicago. The program is automotive and I felt like I would be better off working on cars in Minnesota that bikes, and I really have loved cars ever since I learned what a wrench was as a little tyke in my Grandpa's garage.
And that's how the adventure began....
As it came out over the next few months that we had a ll been accepted and would be moving to Chicago together, our family and friends were all so proud and excited for us. None of us had ever lived away from Minnesota before and what a great city to spread our wings in! Chicago would be the home of life's next chapter.
With moving day drawing near, we decided to take a road trip to the 2nd city to find an apartment. We found a great place 2 blocks off of the beach on Lake Michigan and less than a block from the Red Line train to downtown. As soon as we saw it, we knew the search was over... and we only looked for a day. Amongst the excitement and laughter and ambitious chatting about our new digs, we realized that we were all going to be earning a "Master's" title. Heather and Erica would be earning earning their Master's degree and I would be working towards a Master ASE certification and hopefully a manufacturer specialty as well. That was the dawn of "The Masters".
It seemed like only minutes later and we had moved in and started school. The hustle and bustle of student life is now coming at us head on. Mac N' Cheese is back on the menu, late nights doing homework and loading the car with laundry whenever we head home.... we are officially students again.
Currently, Erica and Heather are nearing the end of their first semester and are both kicking the proverbial ass of the collegiate world. I have a 4.0 and am just happy to be working towards a career that I will enjoy every day.
So far so good here in the Windy City. Pleased stay tuned as more tales of this fair city come your way from here at Masters HQ in the beautiful Rogers Park, Chicago, IL.
