Month Two: The Slow Come Together

It's raining today.  Nothing unusual about that, seeing I live near Seattle. But, what is different this afternoon is that I can actually hear the rain on my roof.  Normally the rain is so light, that the huge cedars that surround me filter the drops before it reaches the house. A lot of time I only clock it's raining by looking in the pond behind the house, just past the stream.

Everyone was afraid the rain would bother me.  It doesn't.  Now I won't lie, the two full weeks of nothing, but rain that occurred a few weeks back, wore on me a bit, but not in the way I imagined. I didn't feel sad or blue, I just felt...annoyed.  It makes me appreciate when the sun does peek out.  Like yesterday, the sun came out for about 45 mins, so I rushed out for a quick break and planted myself in it's beams. In the south I never appreciated the sun. Due to humidity and high heat, it was something I worked hard to avoid.  I was like a vampire, running from cover to cover, trying to never let the rays touch my skin. Now I regularly sit in the sun, which feels oddly wrong, but oh so right!  Funny how habits can change when you change your geographical location.

Last week we had a full week of sun, with impossibly beautiful weather.  The highs hovered near 70 and as I rode the back roads into Lynnwood, I surfed my hand out the car window with child like pleasure. Man I love living here!  They say the fall and winter months will test me, but I will have a photo therapy lamp, a stack of reading material and plenty of kdramas to keep me occupied. Oh! And writing ideas. ;)

Thrift shopping here is a dream. I was able to pick up a really good office chair for about $13.00 and a small bookshelf for $6.00.  This has improved the working from home environment 10 fold. Since I have comfortable seating and organized access to my work materials, my work day now flows well and production has improved. That's always a plus when you work from home.

I was also able to pick up some really great plates. I love the colors and will use this to base the decorating theme of my kitchen area.

Although the thrift shops are so filled with great items, I'm not just grabbing anything just to fill up my house.  I have the necessities, so now I will wait for things that really appeal to me to reveal themselves. This home will really represent me in a way that no other home has before. Simplistic and eclectic will be the overall theme. I plan to keep possessions down to a minimum, so never to have the overwhelm clutter I had before.

Speaking of possessions, I was also able to pick up a bathroom rug (feet get cold out of the shower), wine glasses (because those are definitely a necessity), and a really cute lap blanket for my couch. (Because it's still chilly here at night and in the mornings.) I did refrain from picking up nicknack's. I am limited on space and I still have lots of boxes being shipped from Arkansas.  I do believe quite a bit of it will find it's way to the thrift shop bins. I foresee a second wave of decluttering on the horizon.

I am still visiting H Mart regularly. I am now familiar with it's set up and can easily find whatever I need. Unlike the past trips, where I just wandered up and down the aisles, overwhelmed. I'm also, finally at the place where I'm just picking up favorite Asian cuts of meats, a few speciality items for new recipes, and things to restock my staples. I was also able to purchase some soju glasses, which look like plain ole shot glasses, but they were cheap and I really liked the idea of having the (supposedly) real thing.  Let's just say they have and will continue to be put to good use.

A couple of Sunday's ago, I spent the day in the Asian District of Seattle with my sister and our friend Carri.  The dim sum we encountered there was so good, that we nearly ate ourselves sick.  Encouraged to step outside my comfort zone, they urged me to order chicken feet.  I'm pretty adventurous food wise, but this was something I had seen in my k-dramas, but had never considered trying.  My sister made it clear she was never going to try it, so don't even ask.  Carri, who is half Korean, was curious, but had never gotten up the courage to take the plunge.  I  guess I was to be her guinea pig on this.  I really was going to take the challenge and tried hard to get our server's attention, but by the time she made her appearance, I was too stuffed with all the plethora of food we had ordered.  Next time, Carri, next time.   Errr....well next time we have dim sum.  Because I have been promised the best Bahn Mi in Seattle on our next visit to the Asian District.

Seems I am talking mostly about things Asian right now.  That's just because it happens to be my focused interest of the moment. Not that I will ever not be all about all things Asian, because it's a culture that has always spoken to me, even as a small child.  I blame it on my uncle "Geddy", who brought me back a blue silk Mandarin suit and several dolls from one of his many tours in Korea.  Also, my grandmother's house was filled with Japanese art and decor, so  I guess you can say it's a family thing. Eastern culture, be it Hindi, Korean, Chinese, or Japanese, just has always appealed to me, this is the reason I have studied so much Eastern religion, philosophy and history.

I'm finally getting into a routine.  It's starting to feel like 'home' to me now. This phase in my life feels right, in a way nothing ever has before.  Like I'm finally in my element. And that's a great thing indeed.

I sorely miss family and friends, but Skype is a wonderful tool for the next best thing to being there.  I don't miss the hot weather though.  Love you my Arkansas family, but I won't be home to visit until winter. ;)

Meanwhile, I'll just sit here and enjoy my cup of hot tea, the rain on my roof, a k-pop idol crooning soft love songs to me on my computer, and my warm furry companion, Phantom Bobaggins.  I've found bliss. Namaste.

One Month: Dream Realized

The view from my window

Since 1996, I've had this dream.  A dream to move to the Seattle area.  Even after a disastrous first visit (record snow fall kept me house bound for the entire week I visited), just that one day of touring the city and view of the mountains was enough to get bitten by the bug. Although life got in the way, compromises had to be made, others had to come first, still in the back of my mind, it was ever present.

Last year I made a decision.  With my son fully raised, it was finally a time where I could put myself first.  This decision was not without a lot of thought and planning.  See, I don't usually move quickly about big decisions, but when I finally do settle on one, it damn near impossible to stop me. It also took a lot of sacrifice, one of those being I temporarily had to abandon writing.  That included this blog and another I blog I have had for years.  After much sacrifice and an unbelievable amount of money, I finally stepped off the plane, into my new life, on April 1st. I let out a deep breath of relief.  It was like I had been unknowingly holding my breath for all these years.

The move was not complicated, but it wasn't without it's many challenges.  The hardest thing? Besides leaving my family and close friends, the most difficult aspect was basically divesting myself of 90% of my belongings.  Ever try to get rid of 45 years of accumulated memories and possessions?  The first phase was pretty easy.  There were so many things that needed to go naturally.  Things I had no attachment to and just cluttered up the place. The last phase was the hardest, letting go of well loved books, years of accumulated gardening stuff, costumes and prized collections. I had to assess what was really important to me. Suprisingly, that came down to very little.

I  moved to Lake Stevens WA with two suit cases, a laptop, and my cat, Phantom Bobaggins. A month later, that is still where I stand.  I have exactly 20, small boxes of things, a hope chest, one dresser, a sofa size painting, and a Victrola to ship eventually.  That's it!  Not much to represent the last 46 years of my life, but I'm okay with it.  Because I get to do something most people never get the chance to.  I have wiped the slate clean and am starting from scratch. I find it hard to articulate the feeling.  It's a bit like defying gravity. I never have felt so free.

As hard as this past year of preparation has been, finally getting to this point was like a giant weight had been lifted off my shoulders.  At 46, I am happier than I have ever been in my entire life.  It's ridiculous how much I smile now.  I was able to lease a little cottage by a gorgeous creek in the country. It's close enought to Seattle, to enjoy all it has to offer, but far enough away to gain some peace and quiet. The cottage has that alpine ski cabin feel and I perpetually feel like I'm on vacation.  I'm surround by these massive cedar trees and just down the road I have a spectacular view of the mountains.  I'm awestruck by the magical beauty of this place every single day. At any moment I expect to see gnomes and sprites. I have to constantly pinch myself and remind myself that no, dear, you are not merely dreaming, this is actually your home now.

I'm walking distance from my sister's place, which is a godsend. We spend most of our afternoons walking the insanely beautiful Centennial Trail.  I am enjoying getting to know the flora and the fauna around here, which far differs from the Southern United States. Many nights I sit by my creek, mediating, while being soothed by the babbling brook sound of water.  I spend weekends helping my brother in law farm and look forward to all that yummy, organic produce soon to come.  I'm getting quite the farmers tan, which amuses me, because I'm so fair skinned that I rarely tanned while living in the South. Who would have thought I would finally tan in Washington State of all places?

So many things about this state is a dream come true for me.  Clean eating is a breeze here.  My brother in law supplies me with fresh eggs, hormone free, free range, organic chicken meat, and fresh, salt water fish.  The guy just up the road from me sells organic beef, at a reasonable price. Local and sustainable living is just a way of life around here, so I feel right at home.

I have the exposure to different cultures, that I have been craving.  A new Asian friend has clued me into the most awesome of Asian markets, H-Mart, where I confess I must learn a little self restraint. I spend wayyyy too much money every time I go. There are so many ethnic stores around here, that I never have a problem finding the ingredients to make great exotic dishes.

Homemade spicy dukbokki with kimchi

 I have also discovered a really great Korean restaurant in Redmond.  The food was so good, that I couldn't stop eating it!

Stone Korean Restaurant

I am in thrift shop heaven! My sister and I have scoured the stores in the greater Seattle area and have found the most awesome of stuff.  I may end up completely furnishing my house with thrift store items. Like I said before, I came with only two suit cases full of clothing, but relying on my knowledge of the usual cool climate, I only packed long sleeve items.  Due to unseasonably warm weather this past week (we hit the low 80's this weekend), I had to go buy some summer clothing just to survive. I found so many great piece in the stores in Redmond, that I may never buy new again! I'm really excited about my new "used" summer wardrobe!

I guess this is all for now.  It's my birthday today.  I'm going to spend the day outdoors, soaking up that vitamin D and appeasing the earth mother in me.  Tonight my family has a small dinner planned for me.  I couldn't wish for a better birthday present, than to be right where I am, doing exactly what I am doing. Sometimes planning and taking a risk really pays off.  I know it's only been a month, but I think I got the windfall. Namaste.