Monday, May 27, 2013
Settling In
Well, a lot has happened recently. Essentially, I have packed up all my things, driven out to California with my dad, unpacked (most) of my things, and done a little sightseeing. All in about a week.
Okay, so I am not the most organized person (obviously), or the most efficient with my time. So most of my packing was done in the two days before I left. I had a lot of help, and miraculously I got most of what I own in boxes and tucked away into Jeffrey. (Side note: Jeffrey is my car.)
The drive was fairly uneventful. We drove straight through and made it in about 16 and a half hours. (Woot!) We only made it through the power of pure caffeine and sugar. And good music. Obviously. Dad drove for four straight hours during the wee hours of the night, enabling me to sleep for quite a long time. Along the way we drove through many interesting towns, and I am quite certain we passed a street called Sneffels...possibly the greatest street ever named. I would live there.
Anyway,we arrived in CA around 9 am, which was a lot earlier than we had originally planned. We decided to surprise-visit some relatives, had lunch with them, and then we drove on to the place where I would be staying. We arrived, unpacked, ate, etc. etc...
Since then, I have unpacked my stuff, opened a bank account (for all my non-existent money), visited Corona del Mar (which is where my parents got married!), spent 11 hours in Disneyland (I got my picture taken with princesses!), started to finally learn how to swim (Yes, I know, I know, "How do you not know how to swim?!"), and gotten a thoroughly tomato-esque sunburn (I am a pasty white person).
And what I have concluded from all of this is that I quite like California so far. I am quite homesick for my family back home, but I think this is going to be a really great time. I love the people I'm staying with, and I feel very welcome. I can't wait to see what else is ahead!
Okay, so I am not the most organized person (obviously), or the most efficient with my time. So most of my packing was done in the two days before I left. I had a lot of help, and miraculously I got most of what I own in boxes and tucked away into Jeffrey. (Side note: Jeffrey is my car.)
The drive was fairly uneventful. We drove straight through and made it in about 16 and a half hours. (Woot!) We only made it through the power of pure caffeine and sugar. And good music. Obviously. Dad drove for four straight hours during the wee hours of the night, enabling me to sleep for quite a long time. Along the way we drove through many interesting towns, and I am quite certain we passed a street called Sneffels...possibly the greatest street ever named. I would live there.
Anyway,we arrived in CA around 9 am, which was a lot earlier than we had originally planned. We decided to surprise-visit some relatives, had lunch with them, and then we drove on to the place where I would be staying. We arrived, unpacked, ate, etc. etc...
Since then, I have unpacked my stuff, opened a bank account (for all my non-existent money), visited Corona del Mar (which is where my parents got married!), spent 11 hours in Disneyland (I got my picture taken with princesses!), started to finally learn how to swim (Yes, I know, I know, "How do you not know how to swim?!"), and gotten a thoroughly tomato-esque sunburn (I am a pasty white person).
And what I have concluded from all of this is that I quite like California so far. I am quite homesick for my family back home, but I think this is going to be a really great time. I love the people I'm staying with, and I feel very welcome. I can't wait to see what else is ahead!
Monday, May 20, 2013
Ready for Take-off
This is it. We are down to the wire. Approximately 14 hours until departure. Am I packed? Just barely. Am I forgetting anything? Most likely. Am I ready? Not on your life.
I've had to say goodbye to a lot of people this week. A LOT of people. I've had meetings, appointments, and coffee date after coffee date after coffee date. (Seriously, a butt-load of coffee dates.) But it didn't really hit me that I was leaving until last night. I broke down. Saying goodbye to my nephew this morning was probably one of the hardest things I've done. I can't even imagine what saying goodbye to my family tomorrow is going to be like. They are my best friends. My support system. Leaving them will be like leaving my hearts behind. But there's no turning back now.
A theme in my life recently has been courage. As the Doctor says, "Courage isn't just a matter of not being frightened, you know. It's being afraid and doing what you have to do anyway." I love that quote because that is exactly what I'm trying to do. I am very afraid of this major life change I'm making. Will I get the job? Will I make friends? Why do I have to talk to people?! But I am going to do it anyway, because I don't want to live a life full of what-if's and regrets. I want to live out my dreams and see my ambitions come to fruition. And I know I'm not alone in this. I have my family, my friends, and God is still with me. Even in California. "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9
I've had to say goodbye to a lot of people this week. A LOT of people. I've had meetings, appointments, and coffee date after coffee date after coffee date. (Seriously, a butt-load of coffee dates.) But it didn't really hit me that I was leaving until last night. I broke down. Saying goodbye to my nephew this morning was probably one of the hardest things I've done. I can't even imagine what saying goodbye to my family tomorrow is going to be like. They are my best friends. My support system. Leaving them will be like leaving my hearts behind. But there's no turning back now.
A theme in my life recently has been courage. As the Doctor says, "Courage isn't just a matter of not being frightened, you know. It's being afraid and doing what you have to do anyway." I love that quote because that is exactly what I'm trying to do. I am very afraid of this major life change I'm making. Will I get the job? Will I make friends? Why do I have to talk to people?! But I am going to do it anyway, because I don't want to live a life full of what-if's and regrets. I want to live out my dreams and see my ambitions come to fruition. And I know I'm not alone in this. I have my family, my friends, and God is still with me. Even in California. "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9
Monday, May 6, 2013
A Grand Adventure
Hello, friends. =)
Two weeks until I start on my grand adventure! The time seems to slip away and drag on all at the same time. I figured I would start a blog to keep friends and family updated on all the happenings of my new life, as well as to see for myself how I grow and change in the coming months.
As many of you know, I am moving to Orange County, California to pursue my dream of becoming a Disney Princess in Disneyland(!). This has been such a dream of mine for quite a while, and it is so exciting seeing things start to fall into place. I am ecstatic to live in such a beautiful part of the country. Warm skies, the beach, and rain. Actual rain! (No more snow for me! Mwahaha.)
Needless to say, this has caused quite the upheaval in my normally quiet life. Preparations for the trip out - trying to decide which posessions to take with me, which to leave behind, and what needs to be purchased (And figuring out finances and budgets and all that lovely math stuff. Yuck!) are piling up and becoming quite irritatingly overwhelming.
But! I remain optimistic and am really looking forward to this new change. I know it's going to challenge me like nothing I've ever experienced before - I'll have to suck it up and actually *gulp* talk to people. Go grocery shopping. Or (horror of horrors) do laundry?! Seriously though, I feel like this is going to be really good for me.
Two weeks until I start on my grand adventure! The time seems to slip away and drag on all at the same time. I figured I would start a blog to keep friends and family updated on all the happenings of my new life, as well as to see for myself how I grow and change in the coming months.
As many of you know, I am moving to Orange County, California to pursue my dream of becoming a Disney Princess in Disneyland(!). This has been such a dream of mine for quite a while, and it is so exciting seeing things start to fall into place. I am ecstatic to live in such a beautiful part of the country. Warm skies, the beach, and rain. Actual rain! (No more snow for me! Mwahaha.)
Needless to say, this has caused quite the upheaval in my normally quiet life. Preparations for the trip out - trying to decide which posessions to take with me, which to leave behind, and what needs to be purchased (And figuring out finances and budgets and all that lovely math stuff. Yuck!) are piling up and becoming quite irritatingly overwhelming.
But! I remain optimistic and am really looking forward to this new change. I know it's going to challenge me like nothing I've ever experienced before - I'll have to suck it up and actually *gulp* talk to people. Go grocery shopping. Or (horror of horrors) do laundry?! Seriously though, I feel like this is going to be really good for me.
So, like it or not, in two weeks I am going on the adventure of a lifetime.
Wish me luck!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)