new life on a new shore line

Happy Friday, friends! We did it -- we made it to the end of the week. I realized as early as tuesday that I missed my make-a-goal monday post, but I felt ok about it because I really have been working on a goal anyways, and it actually involves a topic that I have yet to discuss here on my little blog...

In a little less than a month, I will have packed my things and be making my way to a little far away land called Seattle, Washington. To live.  As in moving.  Eeeeee. I am telling you, this is so out of my charcter.  I love, LOVE the idea of spontaneity and adventures, but honestly-- I am not very good at either of them.  I am currently living at home with my family (whom I love, and whom I've never been away from for longer than as week), and I have never lived anywhere other than good ol' burning hot Phoenix, Arizona.  Never.  So this move, which would be considered rather big for anyone, is HUGE for me. I'm kind of freaking out-- but in the best way possible.  I am excited too, though; I have so much to look forward to.

Top 10 reasons why I am excited for my new Northwest life:

10. Real SEASONS. Unlike Phoenix, Washington actually experiences a considerable change in climate according to the time of the year. i.e. In the Fall, there are orange leaves. Orange leaves. And probably red and yellow ones too. And they actually fall. I can't tell you how much I am looking forward to my first "real" Fall.

9. Coffee, coffee, coffee.  There is a deliciously overwhelming abundance of sweet little coffee shops everywhere you look. And they are not all Starbucks. Although there is a hecka lot of them, too.

8. Rain! After 22 years of living a a drought-stricken desert, I am giddy about all of Seattle's promised precipitation. I own a pair of rainboots that hardly see any action, and when they do, it is usually followed by strange looks from people who are well aware of how ridiculous it really is to where rainboots in a drought-stricken desert. 

7. Sleepless in Seattle. Hello. My favorite movie of almost ever.

6. All the touristy-wonder of downtown Seattle. The Space Needle? Pike's Place Market? I cannot wait to have family and friends visit and tour them around my new, beautiful city! And take them to the places that are hidden and not well known, too (Oh, and blog friends-- I will definitely take lots of pictures to share!)

5. As much as I will wholeheartedly miss my church here in Phoenix and the friends within, I am getting pumped for the one I will be attending in Washington, too-- they have a Deaf ministry! Seriously, they have interpreters right up there on stage during service.  I will be in Sign Language heaven.

4. Books as far as the eye can see. As with coffee shops, there are bookstores of all shapes and sizes peppering the city.  Let me quote a little book I have on Seattle: "Seattle reputedly has more coffeehouses, bookstores, and movie theatres per capita than any other metropolitan area in America." My favorite things.

3. The great outdoors.  I refuse to trick you all into thinking I am a great outdoorist, robust mountain woman, and accomplished hiker-- that would be a lie of gross proportions.  But I will say that I love being outisde and moderate hiking is one of my favorite things to do.  However, when the temperatures reach heights worthy of heatstroke and I am in constant fear of being eaten alive by the snakes that roam the hot desert mountains, I have significantly harder time enjoying my adventures outdoors. I can hardly wait for some green, Washington-mountain exploration.

2. The culture.  Seriously, there is always markets, festivals, and other obscure yet wonderful gatherings taking place involving food, music, art, crafts, and everything else good you can imagine.  I hear about them all the time from my dear friend, Elise....which brings me to my number one reason I am excited about Seattle....

1. I will be moving into an adorable apartment with one of my best friends: Elise!

I could seriously give a whole other top ten list specifically dedicated to why I am excited to have this girl be my roommate.  She is wise, fun, free-spirited, an inspirational blogger (I'd Rather Be Wild...)-- and together we will seriously have the best library of books you've ever seen two twenty-somethings own.  She is an amazing friend, and I am so excited for our adventures in Washington!

Anyways, I am currently gettting ready for the big day, which is quickly drawing near.  I can't say I am not nervous-- infact that is probably the thing I am feeling most at the moment.  I realized though, that I have really been dwelling on my fear in the midst of this all, instead of focusing on all the amazing possibilities God has in store.  That is why I have been thinking of everything I have to look forward to, instead of what I will be missing here. I know it will be hard, and I will miss my family and friends (and kitties) with my whole heart; but I know they are always here for me and I can always come back.  And I know also that it will be good for me, and I am going to learn so much from this new chapter in my life.

So now, I really need to start packing and purging.  I am going for minimalism.  I have only Molly Belle and some suitcases for all my belongings (mostly books).  For those experienced movers -- any tips? Any packing/moving suggestions? Or good stories? I would appreciate it so much, anything would be a big help!

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