Big (corn-fed) Employment/Moving News!

I've been keeping a secret for a few weeks that I'm finally ready to share with you.

I am moving to Des Moines, Iowa!

To assume my new position as the Deputy Editor of ReadyMade magazine! (Check out this blog post to see who's who at the mag and get a tour of the facilities!)

For those of you who, like me who has only ever lived in coastal states (and have a little difficulty with Midwestern geography) this is a helpful reminder of exactly where Iowa is located.

And this is the very fancy state capital building that's up on a hill on the East side of the downtown area of the city. It is very helpful for me to know that it's East as I have a very hard time orienting myself when I am there (I am rather directionally challenged in general, so this is more a comment on myself than on the location of the state.)
I realize that you might have a few questions, so I've done a little FAQ section for us all.

Why is ReadyMade published in Des Moines?
Good question. It is there because that's where the company that publishes it is located. (Meredith is also the company behind Better Homes and Gardens and More, among many other terrific magazines.)

Are you really okay with leaving NYC?
I am and have actually been looking for a way to live a less city-centric lifestyle and continue working in magazines (which is a challenge, to be sure). That said, I know it will be hard to be so far from my friends and family so I'm already planning trips home. PLUS, I am moving into a two bedroom duplex, so people can actually come stay with me!

Will you be keeping your blog?
Yes, yes, and YES. I will be continuing along my merry way with Things We Make and working with my new coworkers to figure out what my role will be on the magazine's website.

What are you most going to miss about New York?
Well, first, I'm planning to visit a lot (have I mentioned that already? Sorry, just want to make sure we're on the same page!), but here's what I will miss, in no particular order:
The ornate wood fireplace in my apartment.
Long walks in Central Park in the early morning.
The fact that I live down the street from "Obama Fried Chicken".
The Greek salad and burger at Kefi, the pizza at Otto, the sesame spinach at Haru, the spiked pink lemonade at Ditch Plains and cinnamon raisin bagels from Murray's.
Eating that first meal at a sidewalk table in spring.
My friends.
My family being a train ride away.
My family being able to come for the day (and help me with miscellaneous tasks, including all things electrical).

What are you NOT going to miss?
Hearing my downstairs neighbor's television.
The subway in the summer.
The subway when conductors decide to skip stops because they are "running late".
The subway during rush hour.
The subway when my ipod battery dies.

What are you looking forward to about moving to Des Moines?
Well, for starters I am moving into a duplex with a washer and dryer (that work without quarters!) a full size stove and refrigerator! What else could a girl want?! Actually, I am also really looking forward to meeting new people, starting my new job, going to the weekly farmers market, and trying some of the corn I have heard so much about. Not to mention the state fair, the minor league baseball games, spending lots of time on my new deck and attempting to grow some veggies. Yay!!!

So movers are coming tomorrow (yes, I am tripping over myself in my boxed up apartment at this very moment!), I will be a bit of a nomad for a few days and then Virginia and I are embarking on what we've deemed our "ReadyMade Road Trip" to my new digs. Stay tuned for more info and let me know if you have any other questions!

P.S If you are a Midwestern or know any nice ones you'd like to introduce me to, I am taking all friend referrals since I currently know about 3 people there!