Wanderlust

Ah, insomnia. My oldest friend....

This time, good things keep me awake.

I just spent a couple of days catching up with Melisa and Sarah for the 4th, and am preparing for a couple of trips: 1. to Colorado to see Kyle's family and to climb Pike's Peak, and to hopefully visit Jessica and Jayson on the way back; 2. a trip in August to J and K's wedding in Tahoe, then a cut across the state to see Sarah and Eric, and Kyle's friends, Pat and Melissa. As always, I look forward to getting away with Kyle, but also getting out of the IE and spending time with the folks whom I love and miss. I also can't wait to see Jesse, who comes back to the States soon!!

What also keep me awake is my impending move: I recently made the decision to move to Seattle in late December/early January--or, rather, Kyle and I made the decision to move, together, over sushi (because all great decisions should be made over sushi!). While I am exceedingly excited about the prospects of moving, there is always attendant apprehension tied to any major migration. I haven't moved interstate in over 10 years, and intrastate in about 8.

I've combed over the "necessary" information I've needed to glean in order to make this decision, and I have found that no one has a crappy thing to say about Seattle. I've been hovering around craigslist and see that housing is somewhat reasonable, and jobs are plentiful (I have an "in" at UWashington, for part time teaching; I've also looked into editing and grant writing with non-profits as a viable alternative to academia). The coffee culture is a plus, the burlesque scene is supposed to be strong, the music scene fantastic, and the public library phenomenal. But really, the decision to move to Seattle was born of a compromise between what both Kyle and I want from a city: affordable, clean, public transportation friendly, natural beauty, and a slower pace of life. We are going up in November (for a conference, but also to check it out) and that will be the ultimate deciding factor. Though I love the Bay area, it is too costly. I would like to be somewhere where I can actually save money, where I don't have to drive, where I can breathe clean air, go to excellent fresh food markets, frequent independent bookstores and coffee houses, feel the seasons click, and indulge in gorgeous sweaters and scarves and well-tailored coats.

More than anything, I want change at the same time I want to settle down; I want to be transitory but also focused on things that last; I want a fresh start that still relies on well-worn, well-loved patterns, and I don't think these things are mutually exclusive but, rather, form a sustainable life.