This Friday, I’ll be taking a quick one-hour flight to Chicago for the Financial Blogger Conference.

I’m really excited about this conference because it will be the first time I’ll be able to actually hang out with other bloggers.  Because, guess what?  I’ve NEVER hung out with another blogger.  Ever!  It’ll be really nice to talk to people that actually know and care about what I’m babbling on about instead of just talking at my friends and family about my blogging hobby.

(Side note: Last Friday, my mom looked at me with confusion on her face and said, “I just don’t get blogging.”  Ha ha.  Poor mom.  Apparently she was talking about it at lunch with her co-workers and they were all totally confused about it.  Ha ha.)

I’m really excited to meet some very inspiring and awesome people.  And to meet some people I totally consider famous!  I mean, have you seen the list of who’s coming?  AND, Ramit Sethi is throwing an after-party on Saturday night.  I just … I just can’t even comprehend that.  It blows my mind with how awesome that is going to be.

Here are some things I plan to accomplish while I’m there:

• Main goal: Connect with my friends and mentors in real life.  Finally!
• Learn more about monetization and blog promotion.
• Connect with others about possible freelance opportunities.
• Have fun!

Krystal and I may or may not vlog (video-blog) from the conference.  We’re still undecided.  But I’ll definitely bring back lots of pictures.

I’m planning to get an About Me post up this week for a couple reasons:  I’m sure I’ll be meeting tons of new people at the conference and they might come across my blog and wouldn’t it be nice to have a recent post up about who I am and what Blonde & Balanced is all about?  And, also, because I’ve been featured on the Consumerist a couple times recently and that has brought over a group of new readers.  Be on the look out.

Looking forward to seeing YOU in Chicago!