(Warning: This post takes stream of consciousness blog writing to a new level.)
That's right. Boyfriend and I are packing up and moving to Santa Cruz, a small town about two and a half hours south of Santiago.
First, though, we'll be spending July in the United States. Here are the dates of our trip, just in case any of you want to meet up, put us up, or rent us a place to stay or something...... (hint hint help hint hint)
July 4-5 - NYC
July 5-9 - Binghamton, NY
July 10-12 - Seattle, WA
July 13-19 - NYC (and maybe a night or two on Long Island)
July 19-26 - Seattle, WA
July 26-2 - San Francisco/Napa Valley
Right now you might be thinking to yourself, "Wow, those dates are psychotic!" Let me explain..... Oh, never mind. I don't really want to explain. Let's just say we bought some cheap flights without thinking very hard about the dates and had some changes in our plans.
Speaking of "plans" and the "Unites States" and "Santa Cruz" is reminding me of this very long and ulcer provoking list of things I have to do which has been sitting next to me for the past week and has only had one item checked off thus far. Just some of the fun fun activities included are finding a house to rent in Santa Cruz, renewing my visa, applying for grad school, starting up an English teaching business...
Yeah, that's right. I'm going to start up my own little school in Santa Cruz. (Note: Please don't take this blog as a sample of my ability to communicate in the English language. This is what I like to call "mind vomit." I swear that I am capable of preforming better than this... just too lazy to do it when I'm not being paid for it.) Once I make the website, I'll post a link here and you can all be amazed by how difficult I am making my life.
Difficult? Yeah, that's right. I had a perfectly good job in Valpo with which I was able to cover a modest level of living expenses (unless I got sick and had to see a doctor which, yes, predictably has happened). Not only that, but it was a job that I (mostly) liked. Why would I leave that?!?
Urk, uhm. erhm. I don't know. Oh, that's right. I do. I'm ready for something else. Valparaiso has been fantastic, but it has really crushed me into the ground, and I have both the figurative and literal scars to show from it. Also, after living here for over a year, I find myself without really any friends. Acquaintances, yes. I have quite a few of those. However, all of the real friends I have made have left or have plans to leave in the coming months. After living in Seattle for a year, I really felt like it was my home. I had a great social network, a job that I loved, and I had the basic logistics of living in the city pretty much figured out. After a year in Valpo, I felt as though I was still trying to stay afloat, and getting really very tired doing so. Valpo and I, we just don't have long term potential.
I know, moving to a different city in your home country is very different to moving to a new city in a foreign country where you don't speak the language, don't have any contacts and don't know the culture. Still, I thought at least by now I would have a social network I could rely on, and all I really have is the boyfriend. The boyfriend is great, but you know, a girl needs more than that to feel truly fulfilled with her home.
A few months ago when the boyfriend's friends in Santa Cruz suggested that we move to the area, boyfriend and I looked at each other and decided without much hesitation that we should go for it. Why not?
So, Santa Cruz. August. That's the plan.
Why am I excited to move specifically to Santa Cruz, you might ask?
Well, for one, research tells me that my earning potential is a lot higher there. I'll be one of two native English speaking teachers in an area with a budding tourism industry and many wineries that predominantly export their products. Also, I'm excited to live in a small town. In Valpo I feel like I am seen as "just another weirdo gringa who is probably studying abroad." I'm hoping that in a smaller community I'll be seen as "that lovable gringa that I have heard so much about from my gossiping neighbors and her wildly satisfied students." Last but not least, I want to raise chickens for eggs. For years, I've been dreaming of owning my own mini flock of chickens. I think that they are the most fantastic little creatures, but more on that in another post.
Chickens. Yay. :)
Nos vamos.
Besos,
Allie
2 comments:
Hello- I've spent the last 2 hours reading your blog. I lived in Mexico for a year and a half and was thinking of returning for a bit before starting grad school (now in the States). But then I started dreaming of exploring other lands (mainly Chile) and came across your blog. I'll be very interested to keep reading and hear how Santa Cruz goes.
Saludos!
Hey, Rachelita! I`m glad to hear that you have enjoyed my blog! I`m interested to see how Santa Cruz goes too... I`ll keep you posted!
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