on moving (again)...

I was hoping I wouldn't need to move until early 2018. Alas, that doesn't appear to be the case. So, my apartment on the inside has just about everything I want in a place. It meets my needs and satisfies my wants. But, it's never really felt right... probably because I had to rush to choose a place. While meditating the other night, I suddenly felt a twinge of sadness about my last apartment. I loved that place and still miss it. But, I knew that it was time to leave. My work in Austin was done, so I needed to move on. But, I don't want to forget the level of contentment I felt in that place. I don't experience that here. It just feels like a place to live. On top of that, my neighbors have started to stomp around their home... to the point where my ceiling shakes when they walk. I told the apartment complex manager about it and she said she talked with them, but the behavior hasn't changed. I talked with her about it again and she said that the next time, call her and she'll come over so she can hear it or to call security patrol and they'll address it. So, when I do call, I hope it's at a time when they're constantly moving. I've never encountered people who walk so aggressively in their home. This problem has only recently begun, so I'm not sure what changed.

Oh, and I also live about 7 miles from the airport. When I moved in, I didn't realize that I'd have to deal with flights landing at various times in the day and night. I'm learning to block them out, but the upstairs neighbors compounds the situation. As I write this, I'm wondering if this is a sign that I need to get out of the house more. Since I work from home, most of my day is spent here. While that's comfortable, it might not be the best thing for me.

On the plus side, I have plenty of time to choose a place that truly fits me. And I'm hoping that the times just flies by... and that seems to be the trend for this year. I've been doing a lot of thinking about my desired place to live and... it's clear that a big city like Houston no longer suits me at all. This doesn't come as a huge surprise because at one point, I really wanted to move back home to Tulsa. I like the smaller size and ability to connect with people. I've been trying to think of a city that is smaller yet diverse and nothing was coming to mind.

And, then, I went to Bryan/College Station (for the second time) with friends. We were there back in December... one of my friends had lived there before and so we did some fun things in the city. I was pleasantly surprised when we were there... I was expecting a place that wasn't too friendly to people of color and that wasn't the case at all. We went back last month for a wine festival at the winery we visited the last time. This time, I was able to get more of a feel for the city and... it felt like home. I'm going to do some more exploring, but it might be the city I'm looking for... close to a major city (and its airport), but not so large that it's unmanageable, I see a lot of people that look like me and since I can work anywhere, employment isn't an issue, and has a low cost of living.  However, if it does become an issue, Texas A&M is close, so I could probably find a job there, if needed.

I'm taking May-July to just enjoy life... I'd been working with my business coach and hit a wall... I felt very unmotivated to do anything. It dawned on me that I haven't really taken a break since 2009. In the summer/fall 2009, I moved to Austin and entered my ph.d. program full time (while working one part time job), and then had to take on two part time jobs. When I graduated in 2013, I went right into launching Head Over Heels, and then decided to start working on launching my consulting business... all while working full time. And, then, this time last year, started the series of changes... leaving the relationship with JE, getting a new job, and moving back to Houston. I don't think I've ever really allowed myself to process everything that's happened... it was just on to the next thing.

So, with that in mind, for the next three months I'm only working my full time job and hanging out. Well, more than hanging out, but no extra job stuff. Part of that time will include a solo trip in July. I haven't decided on where yet... I guess I'd better figure that out soon. I've gotten suggestions to try the coast in North Carolina, as well as the Pacific Coast (namely California and Oregon).

I'm also going home at the end of the month, for Memorial Day weekend. It'll be a year since I was there last, which is strange for me. As long as I can remember, I've made it home at least 2-3 times per year. My grandmother's house being under construction really threw everything off... I'm already wondering what we'll do when she's gone. I have a feeling her house will be sold, so what will we have then? Knowing that has also made me more aware of starting my own family and traditions.

well, I have other things to work on. so, until next time...