This time last year I was driving a moving van halfway across the country. The days before were dedicated to packing up our home in Columbia, for the second time in a matter of months. The first packing up occurred May 2010 as I moved out of my precious District apartment in the Fredrick.
My beloved apartment in the Fredrick
It was my first apartment without a roommate. Leaving that home and moving in with Ryan was an exciting time for me. We’d been living between two homes for three years. Ending my time at the place that brought me so much independence and growth was intense.
By the middle of June I was completely moved into our condo. But it was three months later that I started packing boxes for Ryan’s new opportunity in San Francisco. Ryan’s move was a pretty simple one, whatever fit in his Honda went to California. Packing took all of a weekend and before I knew it, Ryan was off to San Francisco.
Four months later I acted on my decision to join Ryan in California. This time the move wouldn’t involve a Honda. Instead it ended up involving a twenty-seven foot Budget moving van. This was one of those moves you wouldn’t wish on anyone. It became clear from the beginning that this was going to be easy. We battled ice storms, our moving van broke down several times and so many other fun ‘only happens to Justin’ issues.
But what mattered was that we made it. With the help of my grandmother, lots of coffee and a bit of luck, she and I made it to San Francisco on Christmas Eve. It was the best Christmas gift I could have ever asked for.
View of San Francisco from my kitchen
Ryan and I often think about how much has happened in the last year and all that we have been through over the last four years. It’s really quite remarkable and fun. Ryan never fails to remind me of how grateful we should be for where we are. Every time we drive into the city, he points to the San Francisco skyline and says, “That is our home, we live there. Can you believe it?”
Part of me thinks this is all impossible and then another part of me remembers how hard we both worked to get where we are today. Thanks for coming along for the ride, let’s see what we can accomplish in 2012. Hopefully more time traveling for fun, staying in hotels because we want to, not because our house is full of toxic mold and who knows what else!
@justex07 quite a difference indeed! I hope 2012 will bring you even more good things!
@justex07 quite a difference indeed! I hope 2012 will bring you even more good things!
@SteveShd thanks! Can’t wait to see what happens. Would like to spend more time at home in 2012 if possible. I travel too much haha
@SteveShd thanks! Can’t wait to see what happens. Would like to spend more time at home in 2012 if possible. I travel too much haha
@justex07 you can always sit at home later when you are really really old. In the meanwhile just enjoy the travels! I do!
@justex07 you can always sit at home later when you are really really old. In the meanwhile just enjoy the travels! I do!
@SteveShd that’s true! Hopefully @kaleb1983 and I can do some international travel together this year! Hoping for Asia and/or South America.
@SteveShd that’s true! Hopefully @kaleb1983 and I can do some international travel together this year! Hoping for Asia and/or South America.
@justex07 I plan to visit Asia also again in 2012. Japan I hope! But I don’t think I’ll visit 11 countries like I did this year 😉
@justex07 I plan to visit Asia also again in 2012. Japan I hope! But I don’t think I’ll visit 11 countries like I did this year 😉
@justex07 I plan to visit Asia also again in 2012. Japan I hope! But I don’t think I’ll visit 11 countries like I did this year 😉
@SteveShd wow! That’s a lot. 🙂
@SteveShd wow! That’s a lot. 🙂
@SteveShd wow! That’s a lot. 🙂
@justex07 it is, so it is hard to beat that net year. But I’ll do my best. I’ll visit at least 7. It’s better than staying at home, I think!
@justex07 it is, so it is hard to beat that net year. But I’ll do my best. I’ll visit at least 7. It’s better than staying at home, I think!
@justex07 it is, so it is hard to beat that net year. But I’ll do my best. I’ll visit at least 7. It’s better than staying at home, I think!
@SteveShd what has you traveling so much? Work, pleasure or both (aka drug trafficking)? 😛
@SteveShd what has you traveling so much? Work, pleasure or both (aka drug trafficking)? 😛
@SteveShd what has you traveling so much? Work, pleasure or both (aka drug trafficking)? 😛
@justex07 only pleasure! I never travel for work. Mostly long weekends abroad, except for the Asia trip (obviously)
@justex07 only pleasure! I never travel for work. Mostly long weekends abroad, except for the Asia trip (obviously)
@SteveShd America is so big, making it to another country can cost a ton and takes two days of flights alone round trip :-/
@SteveShd America is so big, making it to another country can cost a ton and takes two days of flights alone round trip :-/
@justex07 yeah, but you can visit different US states quickly, of course. In Europe you can get anywhere within 2 or 3 hours flying
@justex07 yeah, but you can visit different US states quickly, of course. In Europe you can get anywhere within 2 or 3 hours flying
@justex07 If you need a Realtor in SF then perhaps I could help at http://www.sfoluxury.com Cheers, Anthony
@justex07 If you need a Realtor in SF then perhaps I could help at http://www.sfoluxury.com Cheers, Anthony
@justex07 I love the pic of your view and of course love your apartment
@justex07 I love the pic of your view and of course love your apartment
I’m still quite jealous. One way or another I’ll find my way out there.
I’m still quite jealous. One way or another I’ll find my way out there.
I think it’s a different feeling if i could stay that wonderful place even just for one day.
I think it’s a different feeling if i could stay that wonderful place even just for one day.
@kdool87 thanks! It sure is a great view huh?
@kdool87 thanks! It sure is a great view huh?
@TheDigitalNinja I’m counting on it! There are a few bars I’d love to share with you!
@TheDigitalNinja I’m counting on it! There are a few bars I’d love to share with you!