parked

I parked my car in my garage spot tonight. Tomorrow morning, movers come to bring me my worldly belongings. My apartment is in the Inner Sunset. I am 1/2 block from Golden Gate park, and there are more restaurants than I can fit on my fingers on my block.

Slowly, but surely I am settling in. I am a pro at public transportation, found my favorite eatery near work, can orient myself in at least 3 neighborhoods, and successfully drove up some steep hills without stalling or burning clutch (through use of the rolling stop).

Work has been very busy, but totally awesome. I showed up right before we finished the first two games!

I can't wait to get my settled into my apartment, stop eating out ,get used to driving next to bicycles, and start really exploring the city.

8 years, and no more counting

I have officially left Austin. I’m sitting in the San Diego airport waiting for my connecting one-way flight to San Francisco. I am excited about my new adventure, but I am sad to have left the Austin life I built. If I were still in Austin, I would be marking my 8-year anniversary of my move there on Sunday. I started my Austin life as a barely out of college 23-year-old. And now, well now, I am no longer in my 20s.

The life I came looking for in 2000 is certainly not the one I have now, though I am infinitely glad that my Austin path led to me to where I am today.

I made great friends. Many of them remain, many have moved onto other cities as well. I fell into a career I love - thanks to friends.

And I’ve created a life. I have a condo I fixed up just how I like it. (Here’s hoping I find a tenant that likes it too!) I have favorite restaurants, bars, and, of course, only one movie theater. For much of my time, I had a wonderful dog. Some of my favorite Austin places – the Greenbelt, the hike and bike trail – I never would have frequented without her. I had a (mostly) weekly cooking night, where I learned, among other things, how to really make salad dressing. And, for years, I had monthly book club, which is far more about friendship than about books.

I had many adventures. I camped, swam under the stars, visited the vast beauty that is Big Bend, went skydiving, watched the city light up under violent thunderstorms, laughed at our snow storms, hosted visitors, lost my hearing at rock shows, enjoyed cocktails at my pool, and of course, did this all with people I love.

Austin changed me – for the better. Not only do I camp, but I have my own equipment. I run! I say “y’all.” I own cowboy boots. I speak much slower than I used to.

I always said that when I left Austin, I wouldn’t come back. But now, I’m not so sure. There is much about life there that I love. I certainly look forward to visiting, where I get to line up nothing but my favorites places, and of course, people!

And now, onward to hilly San Francisco where I will rely on public transportation, reintroduce sweaters and tights to my wardrobe, become an expert on emergency brake usage while stopped on hills, and of course, get to live near my bff again!