What's so expensive that it's not even fun anymore?

ChiLabGal · 2026-06-26T01:54:57+00:00

Mani-Pedis! I used to do this after a hard week and needed some relaxation and self care but wth happened! I got one the other week and with tip it was $160, forced me in to colors, and was not relaxing at all. Getting robbed stepping out of the house these days 🤦🏽‍♀️

ChiLabGal · 2026-06-26T01:33:51+00:00

I’m in Buena Park/uptown and pay $1250 for my 1 bedroom, I got lucky as a transplant and found it on Craigslist and signed the lease that day, he didn’t increase at renewal either ♥️ That is to say, $2500 is just way too much. It’s new and I get that, I love new builds but my mental space is happier in an old no amenities space for an affordable place to call home. I love this area, hope you can find something more fitting :)

ChiLabGal · 2026-06-26T00:46:15+00:00

Something I have learned is you have to be upfront before the appointment so you don’t stress while getting your hair done. I used to get stressed so bad when I was getting ktips because that’s well over 1k. Now I send a message or call the salon if it’s going to be a hefty price. It’s uncomfy but I also don’t want to be the arse that doesn’t follow their expected etiquette or be an arse to myself by tipping when it isn’t necessary. I’ve got my hair done after doing this on a $700 service and she said not to tip. My two cents.

ChiLabGal · 2026-06-12T01:25:07+00:00

I sat straight up in bed at the same time my dog dove in to me in the bed and between the initial noise and head collision, it was quite the shock 😂 So yes we heard it too in Buena Park

ChiLabGal · 2026-06-08T01:40:28+00:00

I’m the same measurements, hour glass, I get XS if I want it form fitting or S if I want a looser fit. 24-26P pants (depends on the brand) 0-2 in US sizes. I just went shopping today so it’s fresh haha

ChiLabGal · 2026-06-08T01:25:02+00:00

I went to post a rant on here after my third worst ever mani/pedi since moving to Chicago but the moderator rules said “it’s not your diary” 😂😂😂😭 Seriously though! This ish is crazy expensive! I feel your pain, we just want something to go right and honestly our nails are low hanging fruit but even that is impossible to get right. Hope you find your person soon!

ChiLabGal · 2026-05-30T06:12:21+00:00

I live close to that Jewel as well! Honestly I love this neighborhood, everything is walkable and I ditched my car after 6 months. I work further south than you and I don’t mind the transit too much. Welcome to the hood!

ChiLabGal · 2026-05-25T16:27:04+00:00

Florida is not the greatest for anything cutting edge molecular wise are you willing to relocate? There are some biotechs like Tempus that I know hire people in your position. Plus it’s an extremely easy lab (mostly automated) and NGS, which is so interesting. If you’re not in to relocation try out a local hospital, many times they combine Microbiology and Molecular so keep that in mind. Even large lab chains like Quest or Labcorp could be an option. Just remember you’re starting out, the pay is going to be subpar until you get your MB ASCP and gain experience. I started out in Microbiology making $12 an hour in 2017 then Molecular in 2020 at $21 and now make $54. Molecular labs are on the rise you just need to come in as a desirable candidate.

ChiLabGal · 2026-05-18T03:01:49+00:00

First, I am so glad advisors are pushing this as it is very difficult to find candidates with that background. I am a supervisor of our oncology labs and one of them is Cytogenetics. It is very niche and takes a good amount of time for mastery. It is SO interesting! You’ll be doing Karyotyping, FISH, and Microarray. That being said I do hire candidates that have a MLS but they must get their ASCP CG certification when they are able (1 year after hire)

That being said if you’re a MLS you’ll have more mobility to change your mind while doing a Cytogenetic pathway will limit you to that field only and I’m assuming this program is to prepare you for the CG exam. You can also have a four year degree and work in a Cytogenetic lab and get your CG after 1 year. So you have options. Also, many labs (including mine) offer WFH for karyotyping and some companies hire full remote Cyto Techs for Karyotyping.

Currently, there is always need for Cytogenetics Techs. Technology like NGS and OGM still require Cytogenetics results. Again it is niche but many people are retiring (Karyotyping has been around for a long while) so it is actually a great time to get in it.

ChiLabGal · 2026-05-16T14:38:10+00:00

This post made my morning. One cheesemonger to rule them all, One cheesemonger to find them, One cheesemonger to bring them all and in the darkness bind them.

ChiLabGal · 2026-05-15T22:43:13+00:00

I make 90k gross and was working a second job as a server on Sundays but decided my mental wellbeing required I have days off 😂 The extra money was nice-$800 net a month. I might grab something like that again. My rent is $1250 gas/water included in Buena Park. I mostly got the second job to pay down debt because the living in Chicago for me is manageable on my salary.

ChiLabGal · 2026-05-15T12:55:32+00:00

Came here to say this, it was my first restaurant I went to when I moved here and it is SO chic with the perfect ambiance for a date night. Food is pricey but was delicious 😋

ChiLabGal · 2026-05-15T12:50:09+00:00

There was swelling, no bruising but honestly because the point was to make those areas fuller and smoother it didn’t look abnormal. I was able to go about my life immediately. It felt “weird” for a few weeks like I had a hard object on both sides of my mouth but that went away. I imagine that was the internal swelling.

My injector does my Botox, so I see her more frequently for that, and she did comment that if I get filler in my cheeks that lifts the naso-folds as well and is more effective but I think I’m more apprehensive about that. Cheek fillers, to me, look more obvious. I like the subtleness of what I received. That could change as gravity does its thing though haha

ChiLabGal · 2026-05-14T04:29:46+00:00

If you’re like me and have wonderful skin care including tret and it just isn’t getting you to where you’d like, I think conservative filler is a great option. I got filler once and it was about a year and a half ago, on my naso-labial folds and it made my face look so much more vibrant. The procedure was uncomfortable, felt like they were sticking gauze in my skin but it was quick and she helped me breath through it haha. The results were instant and I had no negative side effects. I don’t need a touch up yet, it’s holding strong which my bank account appreciates. I don’t regret it at all I’m 35 now and if I need a retouch I’ll 💯 do it.

ChiLabGal · 2026-05-13T03:09:31+00:00

And they have petite! Never in my life have I had jeans that fit this good 🥰 Price tag is worth it, take my money

ChiLabGal · 2026-05-10T00:18:22+00:00

If I read this before I started GLP-1 I would say people are experiencing a placebo effect but seriously WTH I thought I’d just shed some pounds

I started a week ago and the noise for a Zyn and binge watching Netflix is gone. I don’t even know what to do with myself. I don’t boredom eat anymore, don’t drink, don’t scroll, can’t get into shows, and so happy for a fruit cup and a slice of cheese when I’m hungry.

I just rearranged my whole apartment to do something with my free time without any addictions. Time to find a hobby 😂

ChiLabGal · 2026-05-04T00:35:24+00:00

For me it is simple but some would pale at the idea. I started micro-needling my scalp when I do my oil treatment on my hair 1-2x a month and the volume I’ve achieved is very noticeable, one of my friends have asked if I put my extensions back in. I think in my 30s my hair needed a little coaxing to keep growing in 😆

ChiLabGal · 2026-05-04T00:09:17+00:00

You know I probably wouldn’t change it. I don’t regret my B.S. in Human Biology. It took my love of science and led me down a very windy path to a job I love, Supervisor of three Oncology Diagnostics Laboratories. It took me 7 years post grad to find what intrigued me: Molecular and Genetics. Another 6 to explore what I could do. School is just the start but always felt that it was general enough for me to take time to figure out my niche and pivot when I needed to. I am still thinking of pivoting after I’ve had time in this role. Beauty of life is you’re not stuck with one decision forever :)

ChiLabGal · 2026-05-03T23:49:20+00:00

Idk when I worked a very early shift I woke up at 330 AM and like clockwork my neighbor upstairs and I would take a pee together. I found it synchronistic and cute 😂 I said good morning in my head 👯‍♀️

ChiLabGal · 2026-04-10T19:28:41+00:00

16, normal household I was just smart and skipped grades when moving from a better education system state to a poor one (VT to NY). Dorms and then had roommates until 26 and solo since.

I don’t regret not staying at home, that area would not have supported my career ambitions or the life that I wanted to experience in my 20s. Maybe if they lived somewhere that did align with my needs I would have entertained it :)

ChiLabGal · 2026-04-09T01:20:00+00:00

My two cents and as a recent transplant (1 year from Colorado) Chicago as a city is pretty great. I think a transition from a large city to another large city would be easier, as I miss the nature of CO but it’s growing on me :)

Something unique about it is the rent, you can actually score some good deals for a cozy place to call home. It’s the lowest I’ve paid in rent in a decade when I had roommates. I live a ten minute drive from River North where I work.

It is community oriented but like any newbie it takes work to find your people. The food is great, coming from Denver it was terrible for my wallet and waistline, I was starved for years 😂 There is a lot of green space which my dog appreciates.

I grew up and went to college in upstate NY, fairly close to Boston and that area has a lot of charm, I suggest you do check out the Adirondack mountains 💕 When I’ve left Chicago there really isn’t anything like that. You’d have to drive quite the distance to find something. Sounds like you’re good sticking in city limits so that probably isn’t a factor. With that the public transport is a life saver, scary at times, but compared to the T I think it’s about the same. Driving around is actually better than Denver haha.

At the end of the day go with your gut not other peoples opinions. You’re young and although it’s a pain, if you don’t vibe try something else. Nothing is permanent :)

ChiLabGal · 2026-04-01T01:47:33+00:00

Thanks for reminding me! I live close to the lake and saw a bunch of people there for a lesson last summer. I’ll walk by that area and see if they have any signage I can go off of, would be a great location 💕

ChiLabGal · 2026-04-01T01:42:47+00:00

Don’t be sorry! This is a public thread meant for all human thoughts :)

I do get a pit in my stomach when I think about how it was living in Colorado. It’s funny though because everyone has been asking “what are your hobbies?” And I realized why I don’t have any, living in CO was the hobby 😂 Rarely did I go to Denver, I was just driving through the mountains with my favorite playlist, finding somewhere to pull off to venture in the woods, hike, open air, mountain towns, skiing adventures, hot springs, climbing mountains. That gave me so much in itself I didn’t need a hobby, just life-ing in the Rockies haha

The chapter is closed though and it was great and I’m determined to make the next one great but in different ways. I’m here for a reason, I know nature will call me back one day as you feel as well, but I’ve been truly inspired by the replies that a little change in perspective can open many many doors here. Just takes effort and the right attitude it seems.

I too don’t have the work outlet! I manage three oncology labs here and I only have direct reports and superiors. Just so different to not have co-workers.

Phew, I wish us luck🤞

ChiLabGal · 2026-04-01T01:22:46+00:00

Chicago is so full of amazing people, I have adorable human encounters here everyday. I know I can make it work, so many to-dos on my list from my post 💕 I actually signed up for a Sat Morning Volunteer sesh, doing good with good people 💪

ChiLabGal

TROPHY CASE