Making the adjustment to living back in the Midwest has been difficult. I find myself longing for the busy schedule I kept while living out East. I used to have bible study every Tuesday, house dinners on Thursdays, drinks with friends and date nights. This winter I went to about 80% of the Capitals home games. There was always something to do if I was up for it. Now, I am faced with the reality that I am going to have to try to find things to do since I am in Iowa. (I may also be conveniently forgetting the times when I had to get creative with my wardrobe because I hadn't managed to make time to do laundry and how poor I felt because $5 for a beer was a deal. There were also those times when because I suck at making a decision I just ended up staying at home.)
I rarely socialize with those I'm not related to these days. Not because I don't trust others, but rather I finally have the time to fully bond with my personal organizer and entertainer, the one relationship that has been a constant in my life since finding one another in a crowded BestBuy four years ago. He is my enabler and largest source of frustration when his energy level is unprepared for the marathon of Bob's Burgers I had planned. I like to call him Steve. Without him I couldn't spend hours falling into the abyss of Pinterest. (which may deserve it's very own post one of these days) We have grown close while I make this transition from independent city dweller to independently crashing with my parents while saving money and waiting for an apartment to open up.
The apartment is in fact there. I have seen it and spoken with the landlord and it will one day be mine! But in the meantime I am back to my old bedroom, with my belongings stored in a variety of boxes and tubs throughout several bedrooms and the attic. I have very little idea of where I can find half of the things I own and as the weather is getting nicer I am beginning to worry if I will ever find that one box that has the blue sundress I like (the light blue, not the dark blue). I have limited space and I hate the idea of unpacking three additional boxes only to pack them back up two months later.
I have moved a minimum of once a year since leaving for college so you would think I am tired of it. Part of me is ready to just be settled and stay put for awhile. But part of me is afraid that I am going to end up settling in here and never leave Iowa again. I know that isn't the worst fate out there, but I love the idea of living in a foreign country and immersing myself in a new culture. I don't care what people say about the University offering cultural diversity and different cultural activities, it is not the same. (Besides, after moving so much I have gotten pretty good at it and I would hate to lose that skill.) I can no longer watch House Hunters International without trying to figure out what job they have that is allowing them to move abroad and how I can get it. The spouse or child that gripes about having to leave their home town irritates me way too much.
But for now I am in the Midwest where the cost of living is reasonable and I have family nearby. I don't have a lively social life, but that will come with time. And if it doesn't perhaps I will actually make some of those hundreds of pinterest things I keep saying I'll do.
Sunday, April 12, 2015
Thursday, April 2, 2015
A lot Changes in a Year
So I initially began this blog as I transitioned from college life to becoming a young adult. Somewhere along the way I became distracted and stopped posting on here. Actually, I know exactly when that happened. It was March, one year ago when I went to London. I was there for two weeks and it was awesome, but when I got back I didn't know what to write about it. There was too much to cover in one blog post and so I kept putting it off. Then life went on and I had other things I wanted to write about, but I kept thinking I needed to go back to include London before moving on and now it has been an entire year. So since I have missed the last year here are the highlights:
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I went to London! (And Dublin)
I had never before been to Europe so this was an awesome first. Corey was sent there for work so I stayed with him for two weeks and one weekend we went over to Dublin for a few days. Getting to wander around London (and getting a little lost) was wonderful. It was great weather and if I remember correctly it didn't rain the entire time I was there. Corey's mom and aunt were in the UK for a few days while I was there visiting his cousin in Bath so we went out to see them. We were able to see Stonehenge and tour surrounding villages where some of Harry Potter was filmed.
My favorite part of Dublin was a toss up between the Guiness Storehouse and trying out all the different pubs. We also went to the Leprechaun Museum which was a major tourist trap (no surprise) but was still a lot of fun since we went on the night tour. It was sort of a tour but also an audience participation play. I was cast as the town doctor and Corey was the handyman (if I remember correctly). If I ever go back I am going to make sure to get out of the city and into the country side.
I moved to SW DC
In June I moved from the MVS house into a town house half a mile south of the Capital. Suddenly I became more of an adult and had to pay utilities and buy groceries that weren't part of a house budget. I no longer was cooking for 7 when I cooked, just me, so cereal and sandwiches became much more common.
Italy!
I went back to Europe! Before Corey came back to the states we both flew to Rome in July and met at the airport. We traveled by train from Rome to Florence and on to Venice. We saw soooo many old things like Vatican City, the Colosseum, Palatine Hill (and that was just Rome). And lots and lots of Renaissance art in every city we were in. We also figured out public transit in Rome which was an adventure in itself.
I went to London! (And Dublin)I had never before been to Europe so this was an awesome first. Corey was sent there for work so I stayed with him for two weeks and one weekend we went over to Dublin for a few days. Getting to wander around London (and getting a little lost) was wonderful. It was great weather and if I remember correctly it didn't rain the entire time I was there. Corey's mom and aunt were in the UK for a few days while I was there visiting his cousin in Bath so we went out to see them. We were able to see Stonehenge and tour surrounding villages where some of Harry Potter was filmed.
My favorite part of Dublin was a toss up between the Guiness Storehouse and trying out all the different pubs. We also went to the Leprechaun Museum which was a major tourist trap (no surprise) but was still a lot of fun since we went on the night tour. It was sort of a tour but also an audience participation play. I was cast as the town doctor and Corey was the handyman (if I remember correctly). If I ever go back I am going to make sure to get out of the city and into the country side.
I moved to SW DC
In June I moved from the MVS house into a town house half a mile south of the Capital. Suddenly I became more of an adult and had to pay utilities and buy groceries that weren't part of a house budget. I no longer was cooking for 7 when I cooked, just me, so cereal and sandwiches became much more common.
Italy!
I went back to Europe! Before Corey came back to the states we both flew to Rome in July and met at the airport. We traveled by train from Rome to Florence and on to Venice. We saw soooo many old things like Vatican City, the Colosseum, Palatine Hill (and that was just Rome). And lots and lots of Renaissance art in every city we were in. We also figured out public transit in Rome which was an adventure in itself.
In Florence we saw the David, the Duomo, and lots of rain.
(It really is amazing how life-like he looks!)
Venice was my favorite city. Partially because it was a little more relaxed and we could walk or water taxi everywhere (there are no cars allowed) and also it is just so beautiful. There was lots to see, but we were able to take it slow and just enjoy being there.
I turned 25
Still not sure how I feel about that one, but I was able to celebrate with friends. In the MVS house we had a tradition of asking the "birthday questions" which entails forcing the birthday boy or girl to reflect on the last year and answer deep questions about highlights, lessons learned, and what hopes the future holds. While I don't remember all the questions and answers, I know that I enjoyed being 24 and was very excited to reflect on going to Europe for the first time while 24 and being excited to find out what "firsts" being 25 holds. One thing that I definitely learned at 24 was that I LOVE traveling and I can't wait to go abroad again.
New Job
During Christmas break I heard about a job opportunity and applied. I ended up getting it!
Road Trip/Moved Back to Iowa
The new job is at Crowded Closet Thrift Shop in Iowa City. Obviously this required a move back to Iowa. Luckily for me I have amazing friends in DC so Shiri and Julia decided to travel with me back to Iowa. It was a horrible drive because of the weather, but it made the transition way easier. I am now living with my parents until a place opens up in July. This move is definitely the biggest change that this last year has brought. I did not really plan on coming back to Iowa anytime soon, but it just seemed to work out and so far it has been good. It is taking a lot of adjustment and I have been having moments of doubt and longing for DC. I just have to trust that this is where I am supposed to be right now.
If nothing else, I am currently saving money and paying off more of my student loans which puts me in a better position to be able to travel. So if living in Iowa means I get to see more of the world I am okay with that.
(FYI Corey will be moving abroad for a permanent placement rotation just as soon as the government figures out some of the logistics. This means he is going to be gone for 2-3 years.)
Obviously a lot of other things have happened like holidays and fun things with friends like concerts, (Alex Clare, Noah Gunderson, and The Steel Wheels. If you haven't heard of any of these please look them up, they are all great!) movie nights, brunches, hockey games and meeting Slapshot, spending a day in Baltimore, and dinners and drinks with friends. I am sure the year ahead will hold new adventures and new excitements and this time I plan to write them all down before it becomes an overwhelming list.