finding my footing

Well, I'm a little behind.

Whether it was the lack of consistent wireless access, or just feeling overwhelmed from the move, there haven't been a lot of times in the last week where I've felt like sitting down and writing.

I guess I'll probably have more things to say about the trip here and the first week at some point, but for now I'll aim to look forward.

There's been a lot of driving around the city and vicinity -- some of it intentional, some of it because my GPS doesn't quite have the knack for deciding the best routes.

A recurring feeling this last week has been a bit of claustrophobia. It doesn't seem possible -- there aren't any mountains or valleys or anything at all, really, to limit my view of the horizon, except the city itself. I've gone out and driven every day, and until today it really felt like I could only go a few blocks without hitting disrepair (and, often times, areas that were debatably unsafe.) I'd prefer to be on foot, frankly, but haven't found a direction to walk yet where I didn't have to turn around after a short distance. My neighborhood has been billed as one of the hubs of the city, but I sometimes have been wondering if I'm missing something aside from the cluster of businesses right by my building.

Today, though, I got legitimately lost driving through the city park and it was one of the best feelings I've had since I arrived. After previously seeing some of the less exciting parts, I found the right combination of roads to take me to some really beautiful sections, and it was such a relief to be able to just keep moving forward. (Although, I suspect I may have been going in a giant circle at some point -- it would help if my internet was decent enough at this point to at least let me download a map.) I guess it's a bit cliched to like the park, but I'm happy and am looking forward to spending more time on foot exploring all of the things there before the weather turns.

On top of that, I spent some more time exploring one of the other neighborhoods I had considered before moving here -- there's definitely some charm to it and it felt nice to think that I had a possible (albeit likely more expensive) option in the future if I ever felt like moving closer to campus.

I guess it's a good thing to be feeling positive, because orientation starts tomorrow. Right now my insides are an odd mixture of confidence and cluelessness.

P.S.

Seriously? Is this what cicadas sound like? I can't imagine what else that sound would be. They are out of control with their bug love, or whatever that noise is for. It's like the fire alarm going off at my old workplace. I walked up to a tree to investigate yesterday and they got really quiet; I guess I'm not their type. As it is, I should consider myself lucky -- the units on the other side of my building are right next to them, whereas I have a buffer of restaurant rooftops that blow the tasty and slightly dizzying smells of Eurasian foods and grease into my windows all night long.

P.P.S.

Whoever thought that attaching the trash room to the laundry room and outfitting the laundry room with really heavy doors that don't prop open was a good idea was actually mistaken. Still, it's better than having to haul my trash and dirty clothes up and down several flights. I think.

meet me in...

Made it in body, at least.

More updates soon. Goals are small now and include, getting mattress, getting wireless set up, furnishing apartment...the good stuff.

But even smaller goal for now: sleep.

it starts...

And, we're off in about a half hour...potential goal is Columbus, but we'll see if Pennsylvania wins us over with charm and traffic.

To the chocolate factory!

butterflies

Car is packed and waiting while I scramble around doing final loads of laundry and sorting through piles of papers that I've been neglecting for the last 5 weeks.

After all of my good intentions and cleaning so much out, I'm still leaving half of my life behind here.

This is the forecast for move-in day:

I can't say I feel relaxed right now. Or excited. Maybe tomorrow, excited, once we're on the road.

For now, mostly just scared.

-----

My mistake, HERE is the latest forecast:

last weekend

Crankiness has set in.

auspicious signs

If I were feeling superstitious, I might be questioning two things that happened today.

1) This:



2) The end date posted for my graduate adviser assignment in my student file:

12/31/2999

Yes. I'm feeling really quite good about this impending new chapter of my life.

miss directed

Every now and then, you get an accidental voice mail that is so awesome, it must be shared with others. This first happened a few months ago, when Miss Directed called and left a message for "Grace" (names changed to protect the confused), notifying Grace that she was running late because she had a rash ("I have this RASH"), and then went on to very carefully elaborate upon the rash details. I felt a bit guilty at the time that Grace missed the opportunity to get the full rash scoop.

Miss Directed struck again yesterday:

"Hey Grace, it's me. UUUUHHHMMM, I'm calling you on your cell, it's about 11:15...also I wanted to tell you, I used you as a reference, they'll probably call you at the house for "Will" for his life insurance policy --um, remember, he does NOT smoke cigars, you've NEVER seen him smoke a cigar...and he DOES have an occasional glass of red wine....with dinner...when he's o...out...socially. OKAAAAAAAAAAAAAY, talk to you LAAAAAter."

Not quite as awesome as the rash, but I think insurance fraud takes a close second. I would maybe feel bad if I had one of those ambiguous voice mail greetings, but since it's me blaring my name at the caller, I can't quite see how she hasn't figured out that she has the wrong number.

To be continued, I hope...

does whatever a spider pig does

This has been stuck in my head for days now.

Packing

Even after weeding out a huge amount of stuff last month, I'm actually still surprised by how few of the things that I've acquired are worth dragging halfway across the country when your chariot is a compact sedan.

Once you sell/donate your few pieces of furniture, make an eBay pile (fare thee poorly, "Tuesdays with Morrie"), and force yourself to stow a heavy chunk of sentimental things at your mom's house for safekeeping, you apparently end up with:

Random electronics that aren't yet too outdated
Decent-to-great books
Bedding
Forks, spices, toaster oven
Clothes/personal hygiene items
Stuffed animals that rank at the top of the stuffed animal hierarchy (Beaker and platypus, I'm talking to you.)

Is this really it?