For the past month or so, the only thoughts that are coming to mind are "It's too damn cold" and "OMG it's snowing…again."  Ah, the joys of wintertime in Chicago.

Right now, I am sitting at my desk, responding to emails and going about my day. But my mind is somewhere else.

I have never been good at seeing the silver lining in the clouds, making lemons into lemonade, seeing the glass half full—it's just not in my nature.

This month I turned the big 2-9.

Nominations are now underway for Double Chai in the Chi: Chicago's second annual Jewish 36 under 36 list.

Have you seen that new Dove commercial floating around YouTube?

When I was in junior high, I had my life figured out: I would get married on a sunny May afternoon, just months before my 25th birthday. Having established my career as a hard hitting reporter, I would change paths to work from home as a magazine columnist after I had my first child at 27.

This year the tables have turned, and suddenly I'm the one hoping and wishing that Jewish editors and writers will choose my book from among the great pile for review—the thought makes me feel proud, humble, and frightened all at once.

Innovation is taking place right here in Chicago's Jewish community

This month's issue, which should be hitting your mailboxes very soon, focuses on the lives of young Jewish Chicagoans—those of us in our 20s and 30s.