Beginning in LA

About three weeks ago I moved from Colorado to California. I spent my entire life in Colorado, all twenty-five-almost-twenty-six years of it. I have lived in seven different towns or cities, from Littleton to Evergreen to Fort Collins to Boulder to Longmont to Golden to Colorado Springs. I have lived in ten different houses or apartments. And I have never lived more than a two hour drive away from my family.

Now I live a thousand miles and at least a fifteen hour drive away.



I'm a bit in awe. That's not to say I think I'm special. It amazes me how many people up and move so far away from where they came from. For me, it was a huge step, and though it's lonely it feels like a big step in the right direction for me. I tended not to put myself first, to get too comfortable, to not put myself out there. While it's hard to break old habits, and being a bit introverted is a slight issue, I'm having a wonderful time.

I love southern California, so far. I find the typical complaints about the traffic to be a bit overdone. The traffic is bad, to be sure, but it's very manageable with some aggressive but careful driving and some planning.

I have great friends out here, who I like very much. I am far away from the friends I've grown to consider my family, from friends I wish I could have transplanted with me. I hope to create more such friendships here, and find people to trust and spend a lot of time with. I hope I don't let my old connections fade, as I am like to do. It's a bad trait of mine, to not keep up on communication. It feels exhausting, often, or like it will take too much time, or I just don't think to. I would rather sit down with someone and talk face-to-face over talking on the phone or texting, which feels so detached to me. But in my dislike of that detached feeling I let actual detachment come in. I can't let that happen.

The sky has been cloudy for the past few days. It rained heavily over the weekend, and the smells of the plants lining the streets is wonderful. So far, I know I'm in the right place. I need the sun. It's a cliche metaphor, but I definitely am more the flower--or any photosynthetic organism, really. The sun gives me energy. And where better to live than sunny California?

'Til next time.