Their Shoes Really Do Fly Off (Or Car 1, Pedestrian 0)

So it is the end of week one in my new fair city, and it's been a busy one at that. My new apartment is beautiful. Situated on a hill on the outskirts of Queen Anne, it overlooks the Fishermen's Terminal (a la Deadliest Catch), and offers a stunning view of Magnolia. Lots of natural light pours through my windows, which is a lifesaver as far as utilities go.

My Dad was able to stay for a couple of days. I think I saw more of Seattle in the one day we did sightseeing, than I have in the last 10 years of visits and short term stays. I did fold and make a return to Safeco for a Mariners v. Angels game. $7 bought us some cheap seats, but the sad ballpark attendance of about 20,000 allowed us to get close to the action along the third baseline. I did, however, celebrate my own "opening night" with the girls at the George and Dragon. Susannah promised to send a pic (my camera still has not made the journey, hence the shitty cell phone picture collage). We met some friends from - wait for it - Massachusetts and hung out with them all night. Of course.

Most of my time is spent unpacking, organizing, and putting air in the inflatable mattress that has become my bed. I am living a minimalist lifestyle, for sure. In the short week that I have been here, I have managed to secure a job with one of the most desirable companies to work for in these here United States - Microsoft. I start Monday, and am very grateful that in this shitty economic downturn, I have scored a sweet, well-paying gig.

Seattle has been treating me well so far. I walk to Pike Place Market to buy fresh cheese and flowers. I frequent Daiso for $1.50 Japanese household items, and I have begun to master the bus routes. Downsides? In a city full of liberal hippies, the smells on the bus can be a bit - well a lot - much. And today, just a couple of hours ago, I saw a pedestrian get plowed by an SUV on Pine St. downtown. Well, I saw the aftermath of it anyway. And I can tell ya, her shoes definitely flew off.

Be afraid of not changing.

I am sitting at a Starbucks in Chicago's massive O'Hare airport, trying to make the best of a three hour layover. It is well-known that I have not had the best history with air travel, and the fact that everything has gone so smoothly thus far (having even arrived 30 minutes earlier than our scheduled arrival time), worries me.

I got to spend some final moments with some of my nearests and dearests last evening. I still don't think the magnitude of this journey has hit me yet. I am leaving my whole life behind - everyone I have ever known, every spot I have ever loved, a large network of friends and family that make up my support system. My security blanket.

Allison gave me a beautiful card last night. It said Don't be afraid of change. Be afraid of not changing. And I think that fear is the stimulus behind this move. I am afraid of not changing. Of standing still. Of never knowing what my life could have been like. And although I don't fear falling on my face or failing at this endeavor, I do fear the bitter person that I would have become had I not given it a shot.

Being in the air gives everyone perspective. The plane approaches land. The passengers gaze with glazed eyes through the plane's small windows. Perhaps this moment is overwhelming for some; perhaps it offers some a sensation of hope. Over Lake Michigan, I thought about new beginnings and reinvention. As we passed over the still water, appearing tepid and bumpy from above, I stared at the approaching land, determined to allow this experience to fully embrace me - to let go of the past and jump right in. It's too late to turn back now.

I like boats. And views of boats.

So this is the place I will be calling home. Aptly named "The Nicholas Apartments" (grrrrr....), they are located in the Queen Anne district of Seattle and offer views of the ship canal. You can take the girl out of New Bedford, but you can't take New Bedford out of the girl. Haha.

Introducing...

 







So I have caved, and have decided to blog. Welcome to 2001 Jamie. I will be keeping all of you updates on life, love, and leisure as it finds me in Seattle. And hopefully they all will. Maybe not in that particular order.

Anyway....... I only have like two friends in Seattle. So keep me company on the web, my east coast family { abc * bbd........}

Oh and the photo? That is Kim and I on our way to Bainbridge Island while I was visiting her over the summer. Seattle has the largest commuter ferry system in the nation. Visit me and maybe we can visit our neighbors to the north, ay?