"Do not wait until the conditions are perfect to begin. Beginning makes the conditions perfect."

This quote seems fitting for the change that is on my horizon. Even though I am scared, which I think is perfectly normal, I am beyond excited about this new opportunity, this new adventure, and hopefully this exciting and positive change that is right around the corner.

In less than two weeks, I will begin a new chapter of life in Long Beach, California. After two amazing, exciting and always entertaining years in Chicago, I have decided it's time for a change of scenery. Don't get me wrong, I love the Windy City, and may be back one day, but as a young, single adult, I want to explore while I can.

While in Chicago, I met some wonderful people, lifelong friends. I experienced many firsts, including: Chicago Cubs Opening Day, White Sox games at U.S. Cellular Field, countless private concerts at Joe's Bar—Sugarland, Darius Rucker, Carrier Underwood, and next week Miranda Lambert, to name a few. 

I witnessed the Chicago Blackhawks Stanley Cup Championship season, and actually attended two playoff games, two of the greatest games I have ever attended in my life, and saw the Stanley Cup drive by, in by far, the craziest parade of my life—unreal. 

Chicago is a city of food, entertainment and great neighborhoods. I've done the "12 Bars of Christmas," WOW, and numerous pub crawls. But no matter how many bars this city has, my favorite bar will always be Houndstooth Saloon, really there is nothing better than Country Night. And I love me some cowboys :-) 

I've tried every Chicago Dog imaginable, and for those of you who haven't, there is no better hot dog that the char-dog at Wiener Circle in Lincoln Park. 

After all that, why California? Well, why not really?

I took a trip to California over Spring Break back in my University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire-days, and I loved everything about it. The opportunities in California are endless, and the state happens to have, in my opinion, some of the greatest publications in journalism — not to mention they are on the forefront of social media, and the new wave of journalism. 

My career, my life, is just beginning. 

Who would have thought that I, Kelsey Duckett, would have pursued my Master's Degree? This is just the beginning for me, graduating from Columbia College Chicago with a Master's Degree in Journalism was a dream come true. I proved to myself that I am capable. That I am good enough. 

Moving farther away from my family will no doubt be difficult. But my parents raised me to be outgoing, to never give up, to pursue my dreams and follow my heart — I am doing just that. 

So now, in two weeks, I will embark on life's next great journey. I am ready to roll with the punches, be on my own, and experience life as I always have, to the fullest.