In Between Seattle & Austin...

It was almost two years ago that I quit my job and decided to move across country. I packed up everything I could possibly fit into my car, sparing only enough room for my dad to “comfortably” sit. It was then I learned why Jettas have good gas mileage. They are too small to fit anything besides the necessities. My idea of necessities changed a few times too before I could actually close all four doors and the trunk. It was a complete leap of faith.

I was leaving behind family, friends, familiarity, and my life, as I knew it. I had no idea what I was getting into other than I was taking a job in East Texas in Outdoor Education. In a place that couldn’t be more opposite than the Emerald City, land of plenty.  I was heading to the land of cactus, saloons, and BBQ. The Wild Wild West if you will, or so I thought…

To say I was a bit culture shocked when I arrived on the Ranch I would live and work for the next 18 months was an understatement. I spent the first few weeks with severe migraines, only to have the doctor explain it was because my eyes weren’t accustomed to sunlight and I no longer had access to Starbucks. Go figure!

After going through cloud and caffeine withdrawals, a cheap emergency pair of sunglasses and my first real glass of sweet tea made the transition much smoother. What was an initial shock soon became my new norm. Though there were no saloons, cactuses, or Texas Rangers other than Josh Hamilton and friends, plenty of the stereotypes were true. Billboards advertising Gun Shows, fried anything and everything, Texas flags everywhere, and occasional southern accents that sounded like a foreign language now filled my life.

I soon found out that Seattleites had major stereotypes as well. Anytime I said I was from the Northwest, I could usually expect the following list of questions…

1.       Does it really rain everyday there?

2.       Is Starbucks really on every corner?

3.       Have you ever been to the Grey’s Anatomy Hospital?

4.       I hear there are only a few hours or days with sun there?

5.       Are there a lot of communists?

My personal favorite, which I’ve heard, at least 100 times is, “Have you ever been to Forks, WA and encountered a vampire?!” … Thank you, Twilight! No, I am not a vampire, nor is Forks, WA a place that should even be on the top ten places to visit in Washington. So funny! The vampire question continues to be asked at least once a week without fail…

There were many ups and downs in East Texas, but I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. The people God placed in my life, the experiences I had, and the things that I learned were priceless and have directed me to the place I am today. God blessed me with incredible friends and moments that will forever make me laugh. I saw God work in incredible ways and had so many people model what faith really meant. One special family helped rekindle the passion and love I have for Therapeutic Recreation and Child Life. It was a seed planted in my heart that grew and influenced me to go back to grad school in hopes of pursuing my dreams. The only thing standing in my way were excuses and doubts and they showed me what it was like to have faith without answers, and that God was more than enough. That lesson alone is priceless.

In August, I officially moved to the Austin area and started grad school. It was another leap of faith, but God has totally provided everything I need. Living in Austin is more than I could hope for and I absolutely love it. I will officially graduate in the Spring of 2012 with a Masters in Therapeutic Recreation. The plan is to get certified as a Recreation Therapist and Child Life Specialist.

I cannot believe it has been almost two years that I have lived in Texas. Time has really flown down here. Though I love Austin so much, I would love to see mountains, large bodies of water, and weather besides the sun… of course family and friends!  I’m excited about the recent internship I landed in Seattle and will be returning to the land of Northface, REI, Starbucks, and Vampires soon! Cannot wait for the continued adventure ahead…