Remember the time I didn't update my blog for nine months? And remember that time my 1,001 Days mark hit during that time period? And remember how I COMPLETELY MISSED IT because I haven't been updating my blog?? Man, those were some good times.
I will say that, while I have not been updating my blog, I have not abandoned the goals I set for myself entirely. And while I may not have all 101 checked off, I am excited for the items I have checked off, and will continue to try to get the list finished. We shall see.
What has been keeping me away??? Well, a few small things. The hubby and I both left our jobs in NYC and gave up our beautiful little Brooklyn apartment after almost 7 years to become "Upstaters" once again. Being back in the Albany area has felt much like coming home, and I am so grateful for the family and friends that I have in the area that have helped make the transition easy and enjoyable. Do I miss the freedom to go see any Broadway show I want at a moments notice? Definitely. Do I miss having a subway to ensure that everyone gets home safely from a night out with friends? Sure. Do I miss having a neighborhood FULL of walking-distance restaurants that keep me happy and full constantly? YEP! But do I miss taking that same subway to work in the morning, herded in like cattle with extremely sweaty people on each side of me? No. Do I miss taking a nice, deep breath and smelling urine all over the city? No. Do I miss paying obscene amounts of rent? Can't say that I do.
The long and short of it is this: I loved living in NYC. I loved the opportunities it provided me. I loved the friends that I met there. I loved the excitement and constant buzz of the city. I loved that it was a "destination" for people to come visit us. I loved that we were there, and for a decent amount of time. And I am thankful that we did it while we were young. But I was meant to have a yard, a nice kitchen, maybe even a craft room. Who knows. As much as I loved the city, I think my life as an upstater speaks to who I am - someone who loves arts and culture, but isn't meant to be part of the hustle and bustle. In Brooklyn, I had an apartment that I loved. Back upstate, I have a home. Even though we haven't bought our own house yet (frustrations to be vented at another time), I feel HOME.
Details of the home search, new job, and upstate life in general will come at another time. For now, I quick rundown of the goals I was able to accomplish during my period of silence.
#8 - Finished more than 5 books recommended by friends or families. And to those of you who recommended things to me - THANK YOU! I have not been disappointed with any of them.
#19 - SHOOT! I saw a whole bunch of Broadway shows this winter when I knew I would be leaving the city, but I don't know how many. And it's been so long now that I can't even recall what they might have been. Blogger fail. I am going to conservatively guess it was somewhere around 5 shows (though probably more), bringing my total to 24.
#22 - Albany provides much more opportunities to see community theatre than it does Broadway shows. And so far, I have been taking advantage of it.
#29 - I have run two more 5K's since being home! And one was another obstacle race/mud run. And it was with a fellow 101 Blogger! Yesss!
#35 - Upstate NY is also a great place for bike riding. Remember when I said I got a bike about 18 months ago?? Yeah, now I have actually ridden it.
#39 - When I first moved upstate, I was left at home all day while Andy went off to work. To fill my time, I starting sewing costumes for a charity that I love, Only Make Believe. I was able to complete and send down a huge box of costumes that I had designed and created for the kids living in these hospitals so that they could take part in performances. It may have taken me about 150 hours of labor, but for this children's charity, I hardly consider it work.
#43 - I donated blood again when I left the city, bringing my total to 3. Almost embarrassed that I haven't done it again since moving. There is no excuse. I am going to book and appointment for myself.
#62 - Sewing project.... this was also mentioned above in #39. I feel like it should count for both because it was such a massive undertaking, but I am the one who made the rule about not doubling up on goals, so I also took care of all of the items that needed to be hemmed, repaired, whatever for both me and Andy, and made him new pajamas. Might be helping I Am A Lady with a quilting project!
#66 - Under my father's tutelage, I learned to make a killer sausage gravy. Come visit us upstate and you may be treated to this savory breakfast.
#67(ish) - I already know all about Passover, and have even hosted my own seders, but a few months ago I took my 9-year-old sister in law to paint pottery and decided to make my own seder plate. Very happy with how it came out, and quite excited to use it.
#76 - Moved out of the apartment AND the city! Now, to find a house to buy...
#77 - Thanks to some awesome cousins, I had the opportunity to do some camping for a few days/night this May... tents and campfires and all.
#99 - Blessing of blessings... our Going Away party in the city was a place that had a mechanical bull. And I rode it. And it was awesome.
So at least I haven't just been sitting on my bum for the past few months. Not racing to complete everything on the list (oops), but getting things done while trying to get my life figured out and settled at the same time. I am ok with this.
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