Moving On

  Today, I am leaving Austin indefinitely for the first time in my 27 years of existence. A lot of people have been asking me Where I’m going. Well, everyone really. It’s a typical question to ask someone when you know they’re leaving. Mostly, I’ve been saying “West,” which is a bit vague, I understand. But it’s also the most concisely accurate response. You know, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia… West. I recently acquired this very large, very comfortable van.

Other people ask Why I’m going. I dunno… Fun.                Adventure.Change.Intrigue.     Desire. It’s a funny thing, following one’s desires. It’s naturally quite satisfying. But comes with an array of trade-offs. It's true that I worked a lot for the past 6 months, financially preparing for this trip. I missed special occasions and unique experiences and important events. But that stuff happens all the time. And if I get wrapped up in things I'm missing, I'll struggle to confidently move... ever forward, which is what life is all about I think. 

The process of getting going was more time-consuming than I anticipated. It's a lot of work for a nostalgic person like myself to simplify her life. But it feels really good. I can't actually explain it I don't think. In discarding a bunch of "stuff," now have fewer things to think about, to worry about, and ultimately, to hold me down. I realize that I don't really need many things at all. I love it. I feel like I just want to live in the van for the rest of my life, but I also think that after my 5-month stint, I might be more enthusiastic about living in a place that allows me to fully stand up.

Why am I writing in this thing, you might ask? I’m not exactly sure on that either. There were some people who said they enjoyed it before. (I love encouraging people to read!) I think my parents like to know that I’m alive. And telephones aren’t always practical. Yes, the internet is our savior. My great-uncle, Ruben, asked if and/or why I had given it up on writing upon my return to Austin. I guess I felt like it lost its purpose a little bit. I agree there is adventure everywhere, but I live here. It’s different. Anyway, I appreciate the support for it. I find that it’s a good outlet for me too. I really enjoy writing (I keep a personal journal quite actively), and this is just another opportunity to employ different writing styles. This is great because then it doesn’t even matter if anyone else is reading it. At least I’ve found my own satisfaction.

That being said, I will focus less on narratives, and more on introspective considerations, interesting information, & plenty of photos. I agree that I’ve deemed these things (web logs) rather self-indulgent in the past. And I’m not saying I’ve changed my mind about them. But perhaps I have a different perspective. Or I’ve just convinced myself to.

So, I leave today! Then one month of traveling toward the desert. Followed by a month & a half of hot sun bike maintenance with the Department of Public Works in Black Rock City, Nevada. There is so much to that experience in the desert. It’ll probably be like last year where I couldn’t even bring myself to write. It’s a different world, no joke. Later a road trip in the Pacific Northwest with a dear friend. Eventually, an Austin wedding of two more dears in October. And not sure what’s to follow that. But certainly will be on a plane from Honolulu, Hawaii, to Melbourne, Australia, on November 21^st. Well, as certain as I can be, you know. Not to be morbid, but sometimes it all sounds kind of unbelievable. I am one fortunate lady.

Certainly fortunate to have such lovely friends & family. I consciously recognize how – excuse me – fucking cool Austin is. It’s my home and I love it dearly. And it’s raised me well I think. And I find solace in the fact that I know this thriving community is here. And it’s making people happy, just like it has & does for me. So, I'll be back.

Take care! 

Y disfrute.