California-versary
One year ago, I packed up my life in Chicago, shipped box after box, and hopped on a plane back to San Francisco. I’d been gone for six years. In that time, I’d started and finished college, fallen in love, had my first relationship, held three internships, two jobs and more freelance assignments that I’d cared to count. Chicago is where I grew in to myself, became the person I’d always wanted to be.
Unfortunately that person also was unhappy, unhealthy, and desparately missed her family.
When I moved home, I had no idea what I was doing. I slept in my childhood bedroom, with photos of Matt Damon on the wall. I took a yoga class. Finally stopped talking to my ex-boyfriend. Applied to every job I was remotely qualified for.
And then, just like that I got a job. I wasn’t working for a non-profit. I wasn’t freelancing, or writing for a magazine. I was doing customer support and marketing for a tech start-up. New, different, not something I would have though I would want, or be good at, just several months earlier.
From there, I made the move up to San Francisco with Brittin. After spending a fabulous New Years eve with pretty much my best friends in the entire world, I came in to 2009 expecting something good. As 2008 included the retreat back to CA, a crazy roommate, a host of family stuff that was unexpected, the death of my adopted grandmother Bobbie and confronting the idea that maybe I just wouldn’t ever be able to be the writer I thought I’d be, I went in to 2009 with the expectation of good things.
I met Dan on January 5. I decided I liked working at Ning. I feel like my relationship with my parents has strengthened.
To be super and unavoidably cliche, in the past year I’ve embarked on a new career, made my home in a new city, fallen in love, reconnected with my favorite people from my past and carved out a life for myself that’s healthier, happier and richer (not money wise, though that too) in ways that make me feel gratitude every day. I hope year two is just as fantastic.
Woooot. I am very happy for you, miss lops. It is funny to think how much has changed in a year (can’t believe you’ve been gone that long). Remember that dreadful night at The Continental that ended with us both crying on the street all the way home? Made me realize I loved you muchly and also made me realize you probably ought to ship off to Cali and I should probably quit my job and get my mind right.
And hey! You did, and I did, and look how much better we’re doing. I am greatly saddened to not have the nights of reality tv, wine, food, and weird parties with you anymore, but if you living in California and my getting my junk together separately here in Chicago was what it took to make us be so much happier now, then I am all for it.
Reunion soon though, pls.
(I know we just had one. But one sans drama! And moving!)
