Current Circumstances, Taking Hold of Destiny and Lifechanges.

I took stock of my life and decided that I didn't like what it or I had become- boring, hermit-like, depressing, grinding, annoying, etc, etc. About the only thing that I could say about myself for the past two years is that amongst the drama and confusion and the truly heinous things that have occurred- I read some really good books. And I didn't get fat.

Not exactly things to be shouting to the rooftops. "Hey world! I'm not Fat!!! No thunder thighs over here!"

Pffft.

So. Sweeping changes must be made, I decided. Things that sucked must be turned into things that do not suck. One thing that I could say is that for the first time in my adult life, for good or ill, I have wide open opportunities. There is nothing in my way, there are no responsibilities other than myself- and the only thing that was limiting me was my finances. (Money can be so annoying! Feh!)

I say WAS because I decided to do the only thing that could be done. I moved back home. I am living with my mother (eeeewwwwweee). I have given up my independence for a short period of time so I can save scads of money and do whatever the hell I want! Am I certain what that is right now? Um. Not so much. But I have a general idea?

I know that it's got to center around two things- school and travel. I want to go back to school so much it makes my head feel explode-y when I start thinking about it. I also want to see things and go places and DO things and experience things. (Uh, well, that's really specific, isn't it? Yeah.) What I know right now is that this summer I'm going to travel- even if it's only taking a series of bus trips around the country to visit friends. And that by the fall I am going to be in school. I'm still narrowing down a major and what school I want to attend.

The biggest change I am contemplating (and one reason for the going home to mommy) is relocating. I have lived in the same small city for my entire life- and after the last couple of years here, I have decided that it would be nice to get away and experience somewhere else for awhile. Kind of like a grand, superneat adventure. I'm not sure that I want to permanently be somewhere else- this is home right now. But I want to see what it's like to live somewhere else, and go to school somewhere new. Perhaps somewhere more urban, and less-bible beltish. Wherever I end up, I want to have FUN and do new things. I can't think of many new things to do in a city that I have lived in for 29 years...sad but true. It's just so exciting thinking about tackling such a big challenge. Like, I'm going away for college- but at 30. Heh.

I always do things in my own way, don't I?

Cities that are currently in the running?? Portland, Oregon would be at the top of the list if it weren't so darn far away. Also in the running are Asheville, NC, Roanoke, Va, and a few others. I am still wide open to suggestions. Jen suggested Phoenix, Arizona, but I'm tired of living somewhere so HOT. I want to be somewhere where it's COLD in the wintertime, for cripe's sake! I want to have real seasons, not just Summer and January. I love the ocean, but I've always preferred to visit it in the off season. Same great scenery, not so many darned people with too little clothing (makes my eyes huuuurt! Yech! Don't people have mirrors at home?) I also want to live somewhere where there is good public transportation. I have awful luck with cars and it would be nice not to have to worry about one or the bills associated with one. It would be so much easier to be self-sufficient. Warring with that is the need for an un-rediculous cost of living- I don't want to live in a city as big or as expensive as New York. I mean, really- I want to eat something other than Ramen!

So. That's it right now. I have five or six months of living simply and saving, saving, saving! And planning, planning! I want to enjoy it here though. I'm boooooored with cave-dwelling! Someone ask me out for drinks, please! Hee. I used to have a life around here somewhere. Has anyone seen it?