I spend more time lounging on the tiny balcony of my tiny apartment than I ever did on the patio in the back yard of our house.  I think Pete and I both agree that this is partially because our house was burglarized and they entered through the back yard, so I was always a little nervous that they – or some other “bad guys” – would come back while I was sitting out there by myself.  Another reason is probably also that I have more down time here (lots less to do in an apartment than a house), and I never tire of watching the traffic on 277.  It’s like my own private NASCAR.  And every once in a while, there is a pause in the traffic, which fascinates me.  One of the things I enjoy about living uptown is finding those non-citified moments: the ceasing of traffic (albeit brief) and the weekends when things close and gets a bit quieter.  Living in the suburbs, nothing ever really changed for me.  I drove an hour from work to home and the traffic was still there.  I didn’t find any retail or dining any better than what I just left behind in the office zip code.  The roads remained busy once I left the peace of my neighborhood, which I had to do to get gas, groceries, or food.  Moving uptown has been a tremendous, simplified blessing for me.

I had a vision when I moved here that I would write some kind of Carrie Bradshaw piece about how although my world seemed to have gotten smaller, it had actually gotten so much bigger.  Here is a sign from 277 that I can see from my balcony.  

My square footage is less, but I’m within walking distance of 2 major hospitals, restaurants, shops, my job…and I can hop on 277 and choose my own adventure, assuming it moves.

Now that I’ve sold you on my location, I am moving again.

I still hate moving.  I hate it because it’s a lot of work, but that’s just the easiest part to express and it’s probably at the bottom of the list.  I hate moving because moving means relationships will change.  Some of you in Charlotte who I love so dearly, I know I will see far less of.  (But please come visit!  We will have room for guests!)  I just watched a plane from my balcony and thought about how it was headed towards my old neighbor-friends in Steele Creek.  My sister said whenever she sees a plane where she lives (about 45 minutes from me), she likes knowing it’s headed towards me.   We all think of each other even if we aren’t blessed with the convenience of seeing each other without trying.

I am leaving a job that I would have had for 12 years come November 12th.  I am starting a new job on June 17th and I will instantly go from the girl who knows almost everything and works with people I care a great deal for to the girl who knows very little and hopes to care a great deal for these new people.  (And, I might add, I hope they eventually care a great deal for me.)  I also hope I can leave this job behind at the end of the day.  I’ve been told I can, but I acknowledge that part of the problem is me.  I am a control freak over-achiever.  Here’s hoping Asheville helps resurrect the “f*ck it” a good friend told me I need more of.

Stay tuned, and I’ll let you know . . .