Hey friends!!!

Happy birthday to my blog! I just spent far too long scrolling back through old posts to confirm this, but indeed, this blog is ONE YEAR OLD. How is that possible???? Has it really been a year since I began this project that I oh-so-poorly maintain? I can’t even believe it. Looking back, I honestly don’t feel like the same girl. Even my writing style feels different! (Although certainly it’s not that different, I’m sure.)

I can place myself back into the mind of the girl, who, one year ago, was in the throes of moving her entire life to a brand new city with no true direction, only determination. I’m not sure that I could do it again, if presented with the choice. I’m not sure I feel brave enough to embark on something so utterly daunting. Somehow, the me of a year ago was spunky [read: crazy] enough to throw caution to the wind and leave everything familiar behind for some unknown adventure awaiting in the mountains.

And I couldn’t be more thankful to her for providing me with the past year. I know that, looking back years from now, I’ll see that moment last August as one of the single largest turning points in my short but full history, and be eternally grateful.

Did I have balls or WHAT?

************

Life does indeed come full circle, as I’ve yet again embarked upon a new chapter in my Denver story. I suppose the desire to tackle a new adventure every August is imbued in my character through years and years of formal schooling, but a short two weeks ago, I packed up my life in my first apartment in Denver and moved across the city to a brand new place.

I’ve been in my new space near City Park for close to two weeks now, and things are finally coming together. All of my boxes are unpacked, my rugs are unrolled, and my laundry is once again piling up. I’m still on the hunt for a few items to really pull it all together, but I couldn’t be more pleased with the move.

Finally, I’m actually in the CITY now. I must confess, I’ve been lying to you all for about a year now. My first apartment in Denver was not actually in Denver, but in Wheat Ridge. I almost cried when I signed the lease – I felt duped! I was only ONE single block into the city of Wheat Ridge, but I had a whole different address! Zip code! City tax! I don’t even like suburbs, let alone want to live in one!

But I needed someone to hand me a lease while I was unemployed, and frankly the place had a nice kitchen. So whatever.

And you know what? It was a great year. The space was incredibly cozy, my neighbors became some of my best friends, and my commute was short(ish). Although I lost both my cat and my car at that apartment, it was the first place I lived after moving to a brand new city. So, despite the location, it truly served its purpose, and I will forever hold deep and sentimental memories of it.

But now, I’m SO PUMPED to be living a mere bike ride away from basically everyone I know and love, and I’ll be darned if they aren’t pumped too. In the past two weeks, I’ve already had visitors. VISITORS!!! No one ever wanted to drive out to my apartment before, and now people are HAPPY to come to me. Woo hooooo! That is just so huge I can’t even say.

Moving, unfortunately, is a burdensome task, one I do not handle well. I was a huge drag that final week before it happened. I hired movers, so of course that gave me serious anxiety and stress. What if they don’t show up??? What if it ends up costing more than anticipated??? What if they damage my stuff??? I spent sleepless nights tossing and turning over the what-ifs, and all for naught. It went off without a hitch! Hiring movers was a GRAND idea and I’ll happily do it again.

Additionally, upon committing to this particular apartment, I suffered some serious buyer’s remorse. I’ll be frank – the modern amenities are somewhat…missing from this space. No dishwasher, no disposal, no in-unit washer and dryer (and they’re pay machines to boot!), a half-sized stove (gasp!), and virtually no water pressure in the shower. I mean…what was I thinking??? I love to cook! I love to use my dryer in place of an ironing machine! I love long hot showers! 

But you know what? It has turned out to be a dream. A true dream. The space is larger than my last apartment, with storage room to spare. I currently have a fully empty closet. I have my own dedicated parking spot. I have met and befriended my neighbors already (nothing like free wine and a desire to split the internet to make friends fast!). The unit is peaceful and sunny and cool, even in the heat of the day.

The apartment is also on the second floor, which pleases me to no end. I have spent the last 3 years living in virtually constant fear of things that go bump in the night being on the first (vulnerable!) floor. These days, I hardly bother to lock my door.

So. All this lengthy rambling to say that things are looking up. Well, even more up. Because they’ve been pretty rad already, to say the least. But, as my mom put it so eloquently the other day on the phone, the move to this apartment marks the beginning of the next chapter. Here I am, almost one year into my time in Denver, eagerly awaiting the stories to come.

So, my dear city: What’s next?

xoxo, Pamela