the end of the year

Since I have been a tad busy getting settled, drving to and from work, moving a few times, traveling to New York, helping some friends, and most importantly chatting with my various housemates, I have not been as good about updating the blog. Prorities.
But I have missed writing my thoughts and feelings and observations in all of this change and adventure. There has been so much to take in- good things and some sad.

The last few weeks in DC/Maryland were hectic. I was trying to pull together an event in three weeks time that I normally spend months planning. I felt immense pressure to pass it off as done as humanly possible. My last day was extended due to that, which I was just fine with. It allowed me time to put all these big changes away for just a little more time. I am exceptional at compartmetalizing. It's how I deal well with crisis. I focus on the issue at hand and fall apart afterward. So the last week was filled with meetings, outings, saying goodbye. I got a little teary but more than anything I was focused on the task at hand. And then came Friday and packaging up my laptop to be sent back. And a lunch with a friend. And it hit me. Literally took my breath away, for just a second. I was leaving a city I'd mastered and learned to love in a year of getting beat-up. I was leaving a job I'd had for almost ten years and one I still liked. I was leaving behind almost my whole career. And I was picking up to move to a new city and start a new job in two days. Whoa. deep breaths.

As I was headed back to the little ladies for one last sleepover at their house and one last night with one of my all-time favorite housemates (no offense to anyone else!), I got so sad. Not because I was scared of the decision I'd made, but sad to leave such a special year behind. In that year, I'd conquered a city. I'd fallen deeply in love with my favorite little people. I'd learned how fast and deep a friendship can grow.I'd learned what I am made of. I really learned how very lucky I am. And I was humbled by the love I have been shown.

Saturday, in Ferd Schulte fashion (meaning really early), I got up and started the adventure. I had one last infusion treatment(because why wouldn't that be the case) and then I hit the road and headed toward the mitten. I had a 9 hour drive through the hills and highways. A mix of good music and time alone --jobless (for 2 days) and homeless. I got home and relished in the large sized bed (I had been sleeping in a 3/4 bed-- short and fat twin bed, really) and got excited that I could sleep in on Sunday. finally. ;)

Sunday I got up and attem- hit up a coffee and bagel place and headed toward Chicago in the rain. My moves tend to have the background of rain, I tak it as a positive sign. Like the planet is cleansing me of the old so I can start fresh and new or something. (wow, that was really hippy dippy! But I'm sticking with it.)

I got to my new temporary home, knocked and was immediately welcomed with squeals of delight from the other side of the door. So cute and perfect.
I unloaded (with the help of my new housemates), got the tour and the favorite books orientation, then had a homecooked dinner. The adults shared tips for getting to the office the next day and we talked about grown up things.
And Monday I started my job.

We'll end the story there for now.


DC friends Goodbye bar crawl.

C and Mags on our "ice cream for breakfast date"

Sammie and Erica



the packed car





the new roomies

 

One year.

Today, one year to the year day that I moved in, I officially moved out of my fancy little English basement and away from DC.
Not far, but far enough that I no longer watch the DC news, but the Baltimore news. I am 30.3 miles from downtown, but the drive felt like it took forever. Really, the time was almost as long from my house to that meeting location based on traffic, but this new "commute" passed more places and involved freeways.
Tuesday and Wednesday I moved all my things to the Favorites house and into storage. I am my father's child and can be very single-minded when I am on mission. I just thought through the details of the to-do's and what-have-yous; neglecting to consider what moving all my things out of  my apartment actually meant. It's been a hectic few weeks with all the unknowns and changes, so I controlled the things I could and just went with the flow for everything else. (I am very good at compartmentalizing.)
Today, I turned in my keys.
I said goodbye to my landlord- the East coast cool guy; who is the least affectionate guy ever, sort of a dweeb, but frat guy at the same time (not sure how one does it, but he did). And he hugged me and said how much I'll be missed.
And my throat tightened and my eyes stung with tears.
I left.
And cried.
I cried because I am sad to be closing the chapter on this year of growth. I never expected to live here, ever. It was never part of my plan. But it seemed like a good idea and things fell into place, so I got here. I struggled with people and places and fast learning curves. I got beat up. But I came out stronger, smarter, and better for it. (I may have also gained a pants size too...ugh.) I made it through all of that and am really hitting my stride here- personally and professionally. I have a wonderful community of people that really care for me (and me them). Those people will not fall off the face of the Earth, but it will take more planning to play.
I will miss going next door to grab a cup of coffee when I forget to buy some. Or to hop on a bike and ride down to the grocery store, or the Target. I will miss the ease of hitting up the Farmer's Market. I will miss the vibrancy of an ever-busy city. I will miss visiting Bernice and her random stop-bys. I will miss being "neighbors" with the Obamas (whom I never became friends with!), and George and Abe (my pet names for the monuments). And I will miss the awe of walking downtown and seeing any one of the National sites and still being surprised, pleased and amazed that "I live here".
I know it's all silly things and that my new surroundings will have many ups, too, but I will miss it.
Believe me, there are things that I will not miss-- street cleaning days (!!!), lack of parking and dragging groceries a few blocks. But really that's it. Not much, which makes me realize how happy I was in my little space and community.
I'm not leaving the DC area, but my life is going to change. Not for the worse, at all. But change.
And I think leaving a place you love should always be acknowledged with a bit of sadness when you leave it. There are chapters in life and living in DC was brief. One year. That's not to say I won't be back once the dust settles, but I have no idea.
So today I am a little sad.

The Big move.

By now, mostly everyone knows the news of late in my world.
I am moving to Washington, DC.
It's not earth-shattering, but to some it was quite surprising. If you are an avid reader of this blog (when I actually keep up with it...) many, many, many of my posts over the last two years have touted the wonderousness of my beloved Seattle.
It's true. I love it here.
The Pacific Nowthwest has such an awesome vibe. Recently it was named as one of America's coolest cities with the hipster crowd. I agree. But I am not a hipster. Though I can appreciate their quirk.
But more than being filled with the "coolest" people in America (because let's be honest, I really only know a handful of people here...really.) The Pacific Northwest (PNW for those in the know) is filled with some of the most beautiful scenary I have ever seen in my life. Between the mountains, the greenery and the water, you cannot ask for much else. I will forever be in awe of the mountains. My midwest heart still finds them wonderous. And again, how a 14,000 ft mountain can just appear as if out of nowhere will forever baffle and delight me. The proximity to so much water does bring my inner-fishy significant joy and comfort. Add in the fishing boats and the character that seems to ooze out of every neighborhood and you have a rather lovable place. At least for a wanna-be cool kid like me. ;) But as a wise person once said, You can love a place with your whole being and still be totally fine living someplace else. I agree! Seattle and the rest of the PNW (Junea, AK included) will forever take up space in my heart as part of the great loves of my life. It will always be a part of me and will remain one of the best decisions of my life to live here.

But it's time for a new opportunity. This great change came about somewhat surprisingly (even to me), but it makes sense. It feels right. And I am excited.
Yes, I will absolutely miss the friends, the sceneray, the temperate weather, and the comforts of a not-so-challenging job. Absolutely. And if I said I wouldn't miss that stuff, you might as well call me Pinoccio. But what lies ahead is great.
Being in the nation's capitol. Cool. Free museums. History. And on and on.
Add in the closeness of favorites.
And then the proximity to my family.
Plus, the challenges of a new-ish job.
It's good. Really good.
The next few weeks will be crazy. For real crazy. Packing. Spending time in my favorite places, absorbing as much of the PNW as I can before I move away. Packing. Busy with friends, soaking up as much of them as I can before I am on the whole opposite coast. Moving. Putting the pieces in place for the folks who are taking on my current work projects so they have an easy job ahead of them. Completing my program at the UW. Finding a place to live. Learning a new city. Determining which neighborhood will suit me best and easily compare to my beloved Fremont. (Though where else in the world do you have a Troll for a neighbor?!)
It's the quirk that makes Seattle special. It's te quirk that makes it cool.
It's the quirk that I will miss the most.
But I suspect that the Nation's Capitol will have it's own quirkiness to love.
And I am 100% sure that I will fall in love with it there, too.
One never knows when roots will plant firmly into the ground, but for a few years (at least) I think this is a great adevnture!
So, cheers to the old. And cheers to the new.
Here's to happiness all around!