A Year in the Making

As of today I officially relocated from my home state one year ago.

A goal of nearly fourteen years and three hundred sixty-five days ago, I achieved it. Not to study abroad or go on a internship, but without an estimated return date or ticket in hand.

At the time I was so consumed with logistics and saying goodbyes I barely had time to process. I mean, we had less than ninety days from when we received notice of our move to when we needed to step on the plane. I was excited for the next chapter though and jumped right in.

When my mom came to visit in January she said this would be one of my biggest years and looking back…I can’t say I disagree.

In this past year I:

Moved in with just my partner (no roommates!)
Went to the Mountain Region for the first time
Began commissioning art
Attended therapy continually/successfully
Started a data analytics certification
Got engaged
Bought my first place
Began planning my wedding
Experienced my first snowy winter
Landed a job I didn’t think I stood of chance of getting
Learned one of my cats WILL eat hoodie strings like spaghetti if left alone
Started watching Anime again
Reached closure on a long standing friendship

I’m sure there are so many things I’m forgetting, but all in all it’s been a hell of personal year. My biggest goal going forward though is to start posting here again! ~~I’m so tired after work y’all. Getting used to commuting again has taken much longer than I expected~~~~. I just come home, shower, and pass out…I’m working on it.~~

Wishing everyone well and hoping good things are in the works for all of you!

artist: @artoshtu

A First: Owning a Place

As of 20 November, 2021 I now live in my very first home!

We started up at 7 a.m. and with the help of some amazing movers, were fully moved and unpacked by 5 p.m.!

This year I have moved about…three times. Four if we’re counting the two weeks we stayed with my mom before moving across country. Knowing I won’t be packing to move anytime in the foreseeable future is such a relief. I really don’t think I could have handled doing it a few more times.

Now that I have my own place I finally understand what I never understood about my mom as a kid: seeing possibilities in a place. Growing up, my mom always had an eye for what she wanted to change in homes and I never really got it. Now- I am fully aboard her train and have brainstormed with my partner on how we would change just about every room.

The one thing my partner was most looking forward to was being able to sleep with the window cracked now that we’re on the top floor. So of course, for the first night we did just that.

~~Let me tell you something about that.~~

It went down to 34 degrees Fahrenheit.

I had fleece sheets, a duvet, and two comforters.

This morning I stayed in bed for an extra hour and a half because I was waiting for them to get up and put the heat on.

In the end, they couldn’t get the window to close, so I had to do it.

All in all it was a pretty good laugh and I’m looking forward to making this place our own.

artist: @artoshtu

Daylight Savings: A First

Since our move out west I’ve fallen into a bit of a routine with working from home. Usually, I finish my workday between 2:30 and 3:30, then spend another two hours or so messing around online before hopping in the shower. Last night things took an unexpected twist however, when I left my office to find it already dark out.

Five-thirty and full night mode.

I don’t think I ever recall it being dark so early when I lived on the East coast. Would the sun be setting? Sure, but it wouldn’t be completely dark yet.

The strangest part was I randomly felt super productive. Like, “Well look at everything I’ve gotten done before six!”. Meanwhile, I don’t think I’d done any more or less than usual.

I’m not sure why, but when I closed the blinds and got my last peek outside…it was heavy. Maybe because of the cold. Maybe not. I’m no stranger to the term ‘seasonal depression’, but with where I used to live, hearing about it was exceedingly rare. Perhaps I felt so off because this is the first time I feel…at risk…

On a brighter note: I’m going to experience traditional winter this year- meaning snow! And every reason to be cozy.

artist: @artoshtu

A First: My Own Place

Sitting in my very first place having my first solo meal…I have to admit it’s kind of surreal.

I’ve had solo meals while living away from home in the past, but I was always in student housing which isn’t exactly ‘being on your own’ if you know what I mean. This time is an entirely different animal though. I’m on a lease, the internet is in my name, I have the numbers of both our landlord and handyman, AND I’m registered with the HOA.

It’s full on adulting time. Out of the nest. And it didn’t hit me until I started reheating my dinner.

My lovely partner’d found reasons to stay every night since the move in, but ultimately had to go, thus leaving me to my first night alone.

I keep looking back to my cat sleeping on a recliner I managed to snag and every time he’s still there- snoozing away. He’s not going anywhere because it’s just us. Even after I finish eating and cleaning he only perks up at the sound of dishes being put away. When I head to bed he trots along, hopping up to take my partner’s side. His head is snuggled against my side as I type with his little snores filling our space.

His first few days were a bit stressful, but he finally seems at ease. So at ease in fact, that he’s gone back to sleeping perpendicular (special thank you to the power of foresight for upgrading to a larger bed).

All in all it’s a new chapter and while it may not be starting in the best of global circumstances…it’s starting all the same and it’s mine.

Artist: oshtu

Dungeons & Dragons: A First

Disclaimer: Technically, this is not my first crack at DnD. A few years back I tried with a couple friends who I’m sure would be very quick to agree when I say I wasn’t that into it. I created the character and everything, but when it came time to sit down I just didn’t have the confidence to really roleplay…BUT fast forward to being on quarantine and when my partner asked if I wanted to join his friends’ campaign- I thought: why the hell not?

And with that out of the way let’s jump right in!

PREPARATION

So the first step was to create a character. We used DnD Beyond to get it sorted which was perfect for a beginner since it really takes you through the steps and explains everything while also offering links, so you can open a bunch of tabs on the lore (i may or may not have done this). For those of you don’t know; there are so many freaking combinations you can do in this game it’s insane, but I eventually decided on an Air Genasi Rogue. If you were to ask why I chose that particular race and class then you’d be waiting a while because I haven’t a clue, haha.

For some reason I guess I thought we created our character’s backstory as we went through the campaign (don’t ask me why I thought this) and I was dead wrong. The DM informed us we needed to have the backstory fleshed out before game play which meant I went RIGHT back to DnD Beyond to learn more about the Air Genasi!

Side Note: just because you’ve selected your items does not mean they are equipped! make sure to equip!!!

GAME PLAY

In my experience, things tend to be slow to start when everyone is trying to find their groove and I’d say it was certainly true in this instance on my part. It was really cool to hear how everyone was getting into their characters to the point where I was so enthralled I actually forgot to introduce myself!

We played for roughly three and half hours which is far more than I was expecting, but now I can see how one session can go on for way longer. I mean, you just get so caught up in what’s going on that unless you experience burnout then what’s to stop you? Now I for one DO experience burnout (as I learned this past Saturday), so when the DM felt we reached a good stopping point I was internally grateful. This doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy myself though. We killed some orcs; I was able to negotiate for more gold; everyone was hilarious…It was solid.

My only real concern is I’m not as up to par as the others with verbal role playing which I already saw coming and am confident will kind of dissipate the longer we go. The other thing I think held it back a bit was; we’re using a group audio to chat and there are some minor bugs which can make it difficult to catch everything someone says/hear those who talk a bit quietly/the cutting out when more than one person talks at once. None of these things are that big a deal in my opinion since we managed pretty well, but I would say if anyone is doing a remote campaign then those would be the audio bugs to lookout for.

All in all though I’m really curious to see how things progress in the campaign since the DM said we’d already wildly flipped the script of what he expected us to do!

P.S. The way the dice determine everything in the game is honestly my favorite part. I don’t know if it’s because we’re using a virtual dice roller and I’m having to “beseech” the algorithm or what- but I love it.

And…We’re Back!

I know this post is BEYOND late (since I got back from New York City a little over two weeks ago– my bad!), but I said I’d do an update so I’m doing the dang update because accountability is key, folks!

I’ll get this started by being upfront in saying I unfortunately didn’t end up going to any of the bug restaurants…Was it the only thing I said I really wanted to do while in the city? Why yes it was and thanks for remembering. In the end though the timing just didn’t work out with everyone else arriving from out of town and group dinner plans before the party, so it has been shelved for next time.

Side Note: I may or may not be looking into bug restaurants in Chicago for our New Years trip.

Anyway, we did go to Times Square and Central Park which was way different from what I was expecting as someone who’s only ever seen it on the screen.

Let’s start with Times Square which is somehow both smaller and larger than I expected. I’d say it’s smaller in the sense that I always thought it was one slab of concrete encompassing everything with cars only driving on the very edges. Turns out there are multiple intersections/roads running through it which definitely made it feel larger walking-wise.

~~To be completely transparent though; I wasn’t even fully sure when it actually started, so my perception could be off one hundred percent.~~

Now as for Central Park…I mean, you know it’s big and then you’re in it and you’re just thinking: Yeah, there’s no way we’re seeing all of this today or even half of this.

This isn’t to say I didn’t enjoy seeing the sites because I did and I would love to go back with a few days to really explore; it’s just that wild feeling when you finally see something in person and get that reality check.

Back to the most important thing though: food.

Let me just say that my partner’s friends really knew what they were doing when it came to feeding us and I was SO appreciative. We went to an amazing Yakitori spot, Hot Pot, HIDDEN FOOD COURT, and random snack spots that were just so spot on. For being there less than 48 hours I still don’t know how we managed to fit in so much eating, but I’m definitely not complaining. I mean, I got to try macaroni and cheese pizza!

I honestly left New York City realizing just how few options there are where I currently live. Do we have good food? Yes, but we hands down don’t have the range or creativity New York City has.

The Halloween party was also the first house party I think I’ve ever truly enjoyed. Everyone really took the costume theme to heart, there was good food (the pizza!), the drink selection was vast (I found out I’m a Yogurt Soju fan!), the drinking games were wild and intense, people who couldn’t make it in person were on video call with the party…

It was a really fun time. My partner’s friends are awesome. I plan on going back to New York City at some point. I can’t wait to meet the full group next month and I apologize for taking so long to write this because now I’ve forgotten all the names of the food places (once again, my bad!).

Artist: oshtu

It’s Time for a Vacation!

Full disclosure it probably isn’t the best time for a vacation given the recent unemployment situation and all, BUT…I already paid for the flights well in advance and considering it’s only a weekend trip- it won’t interfere with possible interview dates.

Anyway! Now that we’ve covered the responsible adult take; we can now look at the fun stuff. such as the main question: Where am I going? Well, it’s none other than The Big Apple also known as; Empire City, The City That Never Sleeps, The Capital of The World, and…uh…New York City!

It’s going to be my first time (whoop whoop!) and I’m literally flying up tonight for a party tomorrow to then fly back Sunday.

My boyfriend told me we’re going out with friends once we land, so I’m honestly not sure how much of NYC I’m about to see in the daytime, but…I’m really all about the food. In fact, I really want to to go to one of the restaurants that serve bugs (I can thank Adam Conover for that!).

Now let’s get this show on the road because I just got my final paycheck and have an interview on Monday!