Life is funny

I've been surprised at the vast array of emotions that have accompanied this move. Most of the time, my emotions are dominated by the adventurous side of me, and I feel the thrilling excitement of all new experiences. But occasionally, twinges of concern and fear rear their ugly heads. A few nights ago, we had good friends over for dinner and they reassured us that they would be a safe place for us during the exasperating moments. I had not fully considered the demands of a move like this until they mentioned it, but they were right - it's not always sunshine and ice cream.

Navigating a crowded city to find a gas station; searching the grocery store aisles for the peanut butter that had previously been on aisle 6, half-way down the right side; transferring bank accounts and license plates; dealing with a failed auto emissions test!; locating a new church; not to mention returning to an academic life from which I'm 10 years removed, finding jobs, and trying to sell a huge, old house with an exorbitant mortgage - this is not a small list on the stress charts.

And we're going through all of this with the looming possibility that the house will not sell, our savings will be depleted in a few months, and we'll be forced to leave Seattle for a more affordable area of the country (whad'ya say Pop and Grammy??).

So, I've found myself looking at old pictures of family, friends, and vacations hanging around our apartment, and they seem to bring some comfort and perspective. They remind me of all I have that's good in life. And as for the miserable memories, it's funny how I can easily forget them, or even remember them with a strange affection. And I'm sure that someday, I'll look back on this present time with nothing but fondness.

In the meantime, when the struggle becomes too intense, I'll remember the sagacious advice of an old friend, "Man, you just need to chill out and look at the clouds." - advice that's easily followed in this city...

The Accordian dude

I love this guy. He hasn't missed a night yet. (this is the musician I mentioned in an earlier post). I probably enjoy his music so much since I too play the accordian...or I used to...or I did once. I joined a three-piece ensemble for a traditional rendition of "O Tanenbaum" aka "O Christmas Tree" at a staff Christmas party a few years ago. I've performed in many ways and in many arenas, but none were as terrifying as playing that accordian. Perhaps it was because I knew that I had to maintain perfect concentration to continue playing. The right hand, the left hand, moving it all back and forth - it required coordination beyond my ability. My hands trembled throughout the first verse, but I made it through. Then, it all fell apart. My confidence had risen and I let my mind wander towards the audience. "I wonder how they're enjoying this?" I thought. Playing and thinking were too much. A few wrong notes and I was done. I couldn't get back on track and the ensemble finished as a duet.

You know you live in Seattle when...

- you experientially discredit the widespread belief that rain perpetually falls when after 10 days, it has only sprinkled once in the middle of the night. (But locals remind us the rain is coming… ☺).
- the slightly effeminate man you meet on the elevator introduces his dog as “Blue State,” because naturally he says, “the dog’s mother works as a fundraiser for the democratic party.” (I'm still trying to figure out if he was referring to himself as the mother.)
- you look out your balcony and the neighborhood crack addict is rifling through the trash, and of course, pulls out none other than a Starbucks beverage that she promptly finishes.
- same sex couples holding hands are as common as a cup of coffee.
- you begin to scoff at the camera-toting tourists flocking around the original Starbucks, waiting 15 minutes in line for their frappucinos. (They can easily walk to 6 other locations within 4 blocks and wait only 2 minutes.)
- the smell of Indiana pig farms or chicken in Arkansas no longer remind you of home. Now, the pungent stench of raw seafood at the market brings a familiar warmth to your heart.
- you're apartment is so small you're forced to hang your bicycles from your bedroom wall.
- you drive thirty minutes to find the nearest Wal-Mart, only to discover that it has not received the standard “Supercenter” upgrade. (Surprisingly though, that infamous Wal-Mart crowd never changes!)
- you remember each of the three overweight people you’ve seen in the last 10 days.
- you race up Queen Anne hill to a park with a crowded city overlook every evening to see if you can catch Mt. Rainier in all her sunset glory.
- the salmon ladder is a popular tourist spot. Who knew watching salmon literally jump up a man-made "staircase" from sea water to fresh water could be so exciting?
- the bank, video store, dry cleaners, market, and a plethora of restaurants are all within a one-block walk.

Warning: obligatory cheesy conclusion -
And you know you live in Seattle when you can't believe you get to experience such a great adventure!

Our Home (from the outside)

Here's some pics of our building. We'll take pictures of our apartment after we're more settled in. I'd rather not lead you to believe that we've assumed some sort of abstract contemporary style designated by the overuse of randomly placed cardboard boxes.





Our condo is on the third floor, just behind the first tree (directly up from the silver car). On the first floor corner is a Sushi restaurant, then the aforementioned Italian restaurant, a coffee shop (not Starbucks, although there are about 10 of them within as many blocks), and a Subway (sandwiches).

We haven't eaten at any of them yet, but if anyone comes to visit, we'll be glad to let you take us out!
And off to the left in the bottom picture, you can see the Puget Sound.

Little Italy

Every night, the aroma of garlic wafts up towards our balcony from the Italian restaurant two stories below, and with it, the charming melodies of an accordian. We have yet to see the person, but we love his music. Two nights ago, the cool breeze carried with it the theme from The Godfather and I almost spontaneously clapped my hands in excitement. With the sounds and smells, it really feels like I'm back in Italy again. Hopefully, the on-coming cold weather will chase him away just as our irritation begins :), but for now, we'll enjoy every moment!

Maybe I'll take a picture and post it tomorrow.

Seattleites

It hasn't sunk in yet. I'm not sure when it will.

As of now, it still seems like I'm here for another visit, and in a few days, I'll return home again. Perhaps that's because we're staying with Jason and Jenny Jost tonight. Our condo isn't available until tomorrow morning at 9:00, so our stuff remains packed in the UHaul. I guess when you're living out of a suitcase and staying with friends in a town that's never been your home, it makes sense why it doesn't feel like we've actually moved here. After tomorrow, when our belongings are in the apartment, the UHaul is returned, and Ashley and I lie down to sleep in our own bed, the reality may begin to sink in.

As we entered Washington this afternoon, we counted the number of states we've travelled through since June - eighteen. Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington (and some of these we travelled to more than once!). I don't want to begin counting the miles, but with those hours on the road, we've seen some beautiful landscapes. But I was never as excited as I was nearing Seattle. Within 30-60 miles of reaching the city, we drove through the most beautiful landscapes we'd been through all summer. The huge, evergreen covered mountains of Snoqualmie/Mt. Baker National Forest were unbelievable - and better yet, they're in our new backyard. So, if you've already planned a visit this way, you can probably count on a short trip up into the mountains.

After dinner this evening, Ashley and I took the Jost's yellow lab, Mia, to a park along Lake Washington for some exercise. As I played catch, I looked over the trees, beyond the lake and there before us stood Mt. Rainier. It never ceases to impress, but this evening, as the fading sun glistened hues of pink and red off the snow covered mountain, I was particularly excited. Perhaps because the mountain is now somewhat mine to enjoy. No longer is it a tourist sight; it's now the view in my new city.

I wish I had pictures to share, but our camera battery ran out earlier in the day :(

first stop - colby, kansas

We're on our way!

This morning, we met our Siloam friends for breakfast, shared an emotional goodbye, jumped in the UHaul, and started driving West. I'd love to say more about the day and the many thoughts that accompany a new beginning like this, but we're exhausted and need a good night's sleep.

Tomorrow night, we're camping in Rock Springs, Wyoming and then onto Boise, Idaho on Thursday.