I moved to Seattle 3 weeks ago! And I LOVE it here!
Moving and traveling to many places on my own accord has been my longest and dearest dream. Finally able to do and keep it.
I haven't figured out where I want to Be just yet. Most people that know me personally know I LOVE San Francisco, despite being called insane for my love of San Francisco...I still love her. Least she is a 2 hour flight away now. Many think but my end goal is SF but its i not. It's one of the many places I want to be at some point. As one of my friends said, "I feel you San Francisco is a magical place."
Ever since I was a kid I had this dream to travel. My dad was never home due to work and he bought us a map of the United States so we could see where he was. My brother and I would point at random places declaring we'd live there. Seattle was one of them. I'm pretty sure we argued about that one.
When I was young I was forced to travel. Instead of rushing to the destination, savor it. I've been to numerous places but also missed out on so many! Grow up and travel when I wanted to at my own accord and hope to meet someone special who would want to travel with me. But alas that part of my dream hasn't manifested yet. Statistically most people settle and don't move more than 60 miles from where they are born. I've been fortunate every place I lived at I had at least one life long friend I still talk to consistently.
On the surface it seems like many things for me have fallen apart, but it actually all fell together. Its surreal but I'm living a few of my dreams.
I lost my Graphic Design job due to the lady who I replaced. She worked at the shop for 16 years prior and wanted her job back after trying something else. My previous employer could never say no to her. Ironically it was the one day people were repeatedly complimenting on my work in front of the boss. It was a week before all the lock downs happened in the states. Anyone put in that position would be upset. I was going to quit that job anyways this year, but it happened sooner than I thought. In my life I learned sometimes the greatest things that can happen to you can happen after tragedy. Despite losing my job my personal time line for moving to Seattle was not delayed!
Pre-Pandemic I was working 2 jobs and some side hustles for almost 2 years. Working 35-60 hours a week, 7 days a week. Only getting 1 full day off once a month. Sadly it was robbed because I would sleep. Until I took a 10 day vacation I didn't realize how much stress this was mentally and physically.
It was hard but I was determined to get money to move. I knew that lifestyle was temporary. I get tired of hearing and saying the same things. Life is moved by actions. So I shut up and made my move. Like they say actions are louder than words. At times the perfect opportunity comes when you are not completely ready, but you have to have courage to follow through and believe in you. There were times before I did not have the courage, I build my kingdom slowly but I get there.
A lot of people thought this move was spur of the moment, but it was not. I've been planning and working on this for over 2 years. I didn't talk about it much because I didn't want to hear anyone's negative echo. Sure enough when I told people I gave my 30 day notice to my apartment I heard it. In a way it was a small blessing to get covid and recover so it wasn't an excuse to not move at the date I set. It was only delayed one month because by the time I recovered from my relapse it was too soon to comfortably make arrangements to move.
Ironically my previous employer scoffed at me when I mentioned I'll probably make my side hustle of web design work into my job. And now here I am working as a contractor doing Graphic work and web design remotely. I get to work from home at any time of day or anywhere I feel like working with generous deadlines. All the random skills I learned I can now use. It helps and gives me time to work towards doing my dream job.
Uncharted 2 is my favorite game. I still randomly quote from it. I played it like 3 times and never skipped the cutscenes. I wanted to tell my previous employer, "Oh, you're not jealous...Let's not forget who walked out on whom, after all. You don't get to be jealous." Without the seductive voice. You're the one who fired me, you can't tell me what to do. I have tact and wouldn't steal clients from your business or work for your competitor.
She did have her caring side but other times things were weird. Despite not having uniforms or dress codes I was told to take off my hat or decorative scarf because it made her feel uncomfortable. I told my co-worker, "What is she an abusive boyfriend telling me what I can and cannot wear? Wtf." Towards the end I clapped back and said; "Y'know what I have bad hat hair today because I overslept. I'm not taking off my hat." I took off my hat to show my fluffy hair and put it back on.
It reminded me of when I was a kid and would get in trouble for no reason. Just someone's easy target to pick on because they were stressed. Alas I did it all for the experience and its just a memory now. I was put out of my misery.
I got really lucky with my new apartment. Got a great deal on it, management and the neighbors are for the most part pleasant. Super awesome location. The street is a pretty long street. One end there is the ocean and the other end Green Lake. Also easy access and 10 minutes from downtown. It took 2 weeks but I can decently parallel park without too much trouble.
So much good food I've tried. Greek food is my latest obsession. Haven't had good Greek food since I lived in Germany. Gyros with lamb, beef meat with tzatziki sauce is probably the thing I've eaten the most while I lived here. My favorite place is Bus Stop Espresso & Gyros. They have like the best espresso in Seattle. I'm sure the cook heard me, not sure if he is the owner but after I said that I got my order and my gyro had so much food on it I couldn't roll it and had to eat it with both hands!
It took over a week to find a coffee spot I liked. I'm convinced after only searching for coffee in google maps using the word espresso instead I was able to find coffee strong enough for me. I was totally disappointed that there is this cafe down my street where usually people line up. When finally decided to try it the mocha there tasted like buttermilk. I could not taste espresso or a hint of coffee at all. Bus Stop Espresso & Gyros and Kitanda are my favorites.
Stay tuned!
Usually when I move I have like an album or a music genre I'll listen to. Last time it was Certt.'s album Amaiya jazz. Some reason I got really back into 90's - early 2000's Pop & R&B music. It's been over a month and now I'm starting to listen to other stuff like game music like Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition Bury the Light and synth J-pop while I'm working.
I had 22 hours of driving and hundreds of hours of packing and unpacking. And these are just a handful! The 90's was an interesting time. People always seem to have a soft spot for the decade they were born in.
Spice Up Your Life - Spice Girls
Say You'll Be There - Spice Girls
I saw BSB live in concert. My friends and I were like wait they didn't play THIS song. We are not leaving until they play this, despite people were already heading out. They played this for the encore. Sure enough the lights came back on and Everybody was the last song of the night. It was hype. Funny when I saw them live they were not as hot as I remembered.
My philosophy is when you sing BSB you gotta do the hand motions. and Um yes I do them when I'm driving. TT^TT \m/ Gotta rock that body right.
I'm Dreamin' - Christopher Williams
The Boy Is Mine - Brandy ft. Monica
This song was always on the radio when we would go to Sacramento. To me its the going to Sacramento song. Sac Town!
One thing I love about the 90's is sometimes songs would be all trashy but sounded eloquent
and super catchy.
Jumpin' Jumpin' - Destiny's Child
Super Street Fighter II OST Guile Theme
Love Taste - Moe Shop, Jamie Paige, Shiki-TMNS
I Wanna Be Down - Brandy ft. Queen Latifah, Yo-Yo & MC Lyte
