Moving On, Moving Out

On the move again, which means I haven't stayed in one place longer than three months since graduating last May! Coming from a girl who grew up in the same small town, in the same room, in the same house since birth, who attended the same small school since Kindergarten until college, it's a pretty drastic difference.

In less than a year, I lived almost alone in Tulip Time Town, with sisters in Euphoria,
with my grandmother in a Field in Bloom, I've lived as a guest in my home, Vacationland,
in a one-window room along the river in Greater Good Air, and now I move to España, where the door never stays closed.

Five towns
Eight rooms
Six moves
Eleven months

Here's the list:
Jumanji; Holland, MI; with Michele, Jordan, Alyssa, Emily, and Katy; August 2013- May 2013
Smith's; Holland, MI; with Megan; May 2013 - July 2013
Euphoria; Holland, MI; with Erika, Jon, Kara, Carmina, Kreb, and Holmwood; July 2013- August 2013
Nammy's; Bloomfield, CT; with Nammy; September 2013
My room; Cape Elizabeth, ME; with family; October 2013
Guest room; Cape Elizabeth, ME; with family; November 2013 - January 2014
Vero's; Beccar, Buenos Aires; with Vero, Jemy, and Chachi; February 2014 - April 2014
España; San Isidro, Buenos Aires; with Becky, Kait, Lauren, Julie, and Courtney; April 2014 - June 2014

One of the teachers got married in April, so they painted up her room and I moved in to España-- a high-ceilinged BAICA-owned house on the street named España where the single teachers live. There are 6 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 2 couches, and a kitchen with high counters.

Some things I'm looking forward to at the new place:
-being in the same boat, being on equal ground, being part of the group
-having a day to wash laundry
-having common cooking items, soap, and toilet paper
-taking the bus with other people
-having a built-in social setting



Some special surprises:
-Quique helped me move all my things
-there's sheets I can use
-there's a towel I can use
-there's a nice view
-there's plenty of space and storage places
-the gate locks on its own

All the moves exhaust me but they remind me... It's not my time to root down yet. Material things, stuff weighs on me. Clutter is a burden. Everything I need will be provided. Situations change. Family is made by giving myself to others-- by paying attention, asking questions, making an effort. Buildings absorb the energy inside them. My work will pay off.

The concept of home is complex and much more figurative the older I get. Home is fluid-- like liquid, it takes the shape of where I choose to put it.