While January was all about the endings, February was all about the new beginnings. It was fresh new starts, new possibilities and new adventures. I moved on February 1st to DC from Chicago, so with the flip of the calendar page, came the start of all the new things, many new experiences, new friends, a new city and tons of change. It was a one way ticket to a new unwritten chapter in my life. It was turning plans into reality and not looking back. It was saying goodbye to my parents for the foreseeable future at the airport gate, leaving the comfort of Chicago behind and starting fresh. It was arriving at my new home, seeing all 16 of my boxes in the lobby waiting for me, realizing that it was really happening and not just another visit. It was immediately unpacking everything. It was getting used to having roommates again and having to share a bathroom. It was bonding with the roommates and making my new apt and new city feel like home. It was being the new kid in town. It was exploring other parts of the city and realizing I picked a winner with roommates, apartment and location! It was FaceTimeing with my parents and puppy.
February was all about adjusting. It was learning about this new unknown city and getting acquainted with my new home. It was breaking the habit of writing Chicago on the “City” box of questionnaires and envelopes (still not 100% there). It was diving head first into new adventures, taking the city by storm, being active and doing ALL the things. Within the first 14 days alone of moving here, I had already gone on 2 dates, attended the White House State of the Union Social, got a onesie, went to a Superbowl party, got a tour of the East Wing of the White House, had 2 interviews and got a job offer AND while standing in the Green Room of the White House, I saw President Obama wave & board Marine One on the South Lawn. That was definitely a highlight! Not bad for my first 2 weeks.
February was a lot of baking adventures and eating clean the best I could. It was attempts at recreating Pinterest chocolate covered strawballery desserts for the Superbowl party. It was being entertained by Twitter during the Superbowl Blackout.
February was leaving Chicago behind and focusing on the future. It was channeling feelings of emptiness and rejection to inspire a fitness regimen. It was a month full of outdoor runs and returning to Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred workouts. It was wondering when did I become a person who could run outside? It was realizing that the treadmill sucks and that I actually enjoy running outside and that is a fantastic way to explore and learn my way around this new city of mine. It was realizing that DC is hilly. It was feeling like a rock star for starting to navigate my way around on foot without relying on GPS and beginning to feel like a local by month’s end.
It was being grateful my mother talks to everyone (I know where I get it from) which led to me being introduced to a job recruiter. It was going to the recruiting agency to get help finding a contract/temp position only to be unexpectedly and pleasantly hired internally full-time. It was fulfilling my need of finding a job that helps make a difference in other’s lives. It was (online) shopping for professional work clothes for new said job since I’ve always had a job where I could wear jeans.
February was having happy hours, lunches and dinners galore with friends! It was realizing this town loves its Happy Hours and Brunches to an almost unhealthy extreme. It was karaoke at a bar that reminded me of a Glacier and not a karaoke bar. It was wonderful friends who make me feel included and welcomed. It was going ice skating at the National Mall Sculpture Ice Rink. It was yoga classes with a new friend and yoga buddy. It being introduced to new friends and bonding with someone who went through something similar with an ex. It was reuniting and connecting with lovely childhood friends. It was attempts to leave the past behind and start a new.
February was making the most out of unknown situations. It was saying YES! more often than no. It was questioning if I have a comfort zone and and where it begins. It was personal growth and discovering more about myself. It was moving on. It was realizing all these little things that wouldn’t have aligned had other things not happened in the past few years.It was getting justification and satisfaction of knowing that I made the right choice in moving cross-country. It was reminders to follow my heart.
February was hosting a housewarming with the new roommates and friends. It was baking Andes and peppermint bark, homemade guacamole, frozen chocolate peanut butter and banana bites and homemade pizza puffs. It was drinking games and laughs and late nights. It was a new iPhone case that make me really happy, brings me back to my trip to Tanzania and reminds me daily not to sweat the small stuff. It is the little things that make me happy, people!
February was a whirlwind of activity and I can’t believe I have lived here a full month already! It went by so unbelievably fast! I came to this city apparently with guns blazing ready to charge full steam ahead directly into new possibilities, new opportunities, new experiences and new adventures. I was ready for a change and I am grateful I didn’t let anyone hold me back and that I followed my heart to make that happen. While I suspect this mad flurry of activity will slow down, I’ve already had tons of new adventures and I cannot wait to see what lies ahead.
TIME FLIES AND DAYS TURN INTO WEEKS AND WEEKENDS TURN INTO MONTHS AND BEFORE YOU KNOW IT ANOTHER YEAR HAS PASSED. BY THE END, IT ALL BLURS TOGETHER AND WHEN AND WHAT HAPPENED SEEMS TO ESCAPE ME. SINCE 2012 WAS The Year of Caryn IT ONLY MADE SENSE THAT I DID A YEAR-END RECAP. HOWEVER, IT WAS CRAZY LONG, SO I WANT TO TAKE THE END OF EACH MONTH IN 2013 TO REFLECT AND PRESERVE MY MEMORIES. of WHEN AND WHAT HAD HAPPENED. SO, I WANT TO TAKE THE END OF EACH MONTH IN 2013 TO REFLECT AND PRESERVE THOSE MEMORIES.
SO FAR: JANUARY |
* Inspired by Terra‘s monthly bytes.
sounds like a PERFECT February! I’m glad it’s all working out for you so well
I can hardly wait to see what March holds …. so proud of you, Caryn! xo!
You did SO MUCH in February, lady! Hard to believe you did all that in the shortest month of the year, all while in a brand new city. Cheers to March!