SIMPLY ELABORATE blog

Posts Tagged ‘moving’

It’s been a hectic few weeks lately. So hectic I didn’t even manage to write my annual birthday post about how old I’m getting and how things never change – yada, yada, yada. This year, my birthday had me in the greatest mood. Usually, in my teenage angst-y past, I’d been wallowing at feeling lonesome and sad because I was one year older. However, it’s funny, now that I’ve officially turned into the mid-to-late twenties age group (I have to check a whole new box when filling out informational forms) I feel more empowered and at ease with life. I guess that’s what’s supposed to happen as we get older.

This year itself has presented a lot of changes in my life. It was a year that I decided to quit my job in Calgary, pack up, ship my cat via Air Canada Cargo, and drive across country to move back in with my parents; leave a relationship that I knew was going nowhere and basically – start over – again. I did and ended up quitting that job too, starting my own business and diving head deep into freelance designing and programming. How much has changed in a year? Basically everything – right down to my hair colour and style (I’ve got the “ombre” hair look made famous and popular via Sarah Jessica Parker and Lily Aldrige). And I feel great.

I sit in front of my current vision board in my office and smile every time I see it. Mostly because focusing on the things, feelings and experiences I’ve put out there and on that vision board have been coming true. It’s not surprising because that’s what’s supposed to happen, after all! Just exciting, which keeps my mood up – which is always a good thing.

I’ve been attending a lot of events, missing out on some other ones and wishing I knew about even more. Lately, I went to Boobyball Flash 2010 – a fundraiser that helped to create awareness for breast cancer in younger women, with a whole lotta drag; the 2nd anniversary of Lush & Lavish Salon and Spa at 200 Ossington in the Queen West area – where I purchased a couple of new anti-aging face products (I have to deal with the fact that the age is creeping up there at some point) from http://www.eminenceorganics.com/ and a facial package from Carol at Lush. I can’t wait. Okay – so many I haven’t been to so many events, but I’ve been thinking about them.

Somehow, in the midst of all this work and networking, I do need to sleep.

I moved into my new living quarters this weekend, unsure of what to expect, and dimly surprised that it didn’t seem to effect me more. The first weekend in a while that I didn’t have much going on but a long drive to Barrie for a friend’s birthday and another night out. Add a morning of Aji Sai sushi with it and it could be deemed a tres successful 48 hours. And it was.

I went to bed earlier than I have on a Sunday in a really long time. Just because I was tired, and I was bored but I couldn’t help but wonder, as I stared at the slanted ceiling of my new room, why I wanted to do this. To take hold once again, a glimpse of the life I had back in Calgary. Complete independence, proximity to (almost) everyone I know and freedom. A few things that I haven’t even gone without since I’ve been back anyway. Yet, my stubborn head brought me here, with a “Toronto” address, Alberta plates, and Mississauga P.O. Box and a life of vacations and adventures.

Without a photo on the wall, but a photograph of the Manchester Ferris wheel, a birthday gift from my sister one year, and a couple of new cute black boxes from IKEA which now hold my make up – a bed frame made without the metal bars, so a mattress sitting in the middle of it with no support, I lay there, for now, wondering in an empty room.

Has summer officially started? Well, it’s 9 PM before it gets dark, so it seems like it. Only time will tell what kind of summer it’ll be.

I thought I would be more drained once I arrived in Minot, but strangely, I’m unable to really fathom that I’ve spent the last fourteen hours in a car. I say that, though, while passing on taking a dip in the wonderful water slides and pool this hotel has to offer because I just couldn’t be bothered to leave the hotel room. I even got a pizza delivered instead of going to the restaurant in the Sleep Inn, which was delicious.

I always seem to want to stay another day when I’m in a hotel room, especially one with a King Size bed. The rooms just seem so beautiful and like such a waste for only one night. But I guess that’s why people actually visit the places they go to, instead of merely driving through. I seem to be one that does that often – just drives through. Leaves before things become complacent.

At one point of my drive, I thought I’d be staying in Canada for a little while longer, after I couldn’t believe how scary it was at the border even though I had absolutely nothing to hide. They train those border guys well. Personally, I think he would have loved to go through all my belongings but there was a line forming behind me and my sweet angelic eyes proved my innocence. Alas, I made it through, ahead of schedule, even (I sped, a little – but speed limits are like 120KM here!)

Anyway, I made it. One third of the way to my new home, my old home, my old life turned into my new life. One third to the biggest change I’ve ever made. Way bigger than the one I made when I moved to Calgary two years ago.

Way bigger.

I had a wonderful dinner with my neighbour from across the hall last night, all the while wondering why on earth couldn’t we have bonded earlier! But I guess, such is the case when you’re moving and start to befriend everyone in your building in an effort to sell your things.

It was funny, speaking with someone who so clearly, vividly has gone through similar things and is living proof that you can make it out alive – and be having a great time as well. It made me feel a bit more confident with the big risk I’m about to take. And really excited, too.

I’ve almost been scared to write. There have been so many changes to my life this last month. Changes that have been prompted by myself, not realizing the intention and result that would occur.

Now the next month is arriving soon and I’ll be embarking on yet another chapter of my life – another scary, mysterious beginning that seems to be too good to be true. But here’s the thing – it isn’t.

simply elaborate is getting bigger, things are getting busier and it’s more exciting every day. With excitement comes fear.

But there was one thing I learned a long time ago – on the other side of fear is freedom.