Whirlwind Week

It is amazing what changes can happen in a week's time. This time last week I was preparing to go back to work after 10 wonderful days in Mexico. I was expecting to hear back from a spot in LA for a transfer. I never did expect to also be offered a position in NY as well. Well a week later, and having accepted the offer for NYC... my prep begins. I am in the middle trying to sell my car and bed... the two things I need to sell and also begin the daunting task of going through the last 10 years of my life... and get rid of a good portion of it. I realize how much I have kept... how much I hold on to.

As.... unpolitically correct as this is going to be: I understand what George Carlin was saying about having too much "stuff". It's all "crap", most of what we have is not necessities, and I am figuring out that now. I am deciding what I value the most and putting in the order of importance. I am blessed for those who will be helping send things out as I need them (since I can figure out what I do need). The plan so far is to take clothes, some pictures (send them out ahead of time). I am lucky to be flying on an airline where the first checked bag is free and the additional is $35 bucks. Not too bad, and an inexpensive was to transport a good portion of my clothing and the whatnot.

Please be praying as I finalize housing over the next few days. I am submitting paperwork tomorrow for a place in the city that is close to everything in a safe area, with a couple of Christian girls... a God-send for sure. Something I truly value; this is something at the top of my price range, but I was reminded that who I live with will have a huge impact on my "experience" or quality of life and this is true. While NYC is more expensive to live in, I also don't part-take in the "bars, clubbing, and eating out every night lifestyle".  I know applying Financial Peace University principles back into my every day discipline will also make God the focus in my financial decisions as well, and I am excited about that. I also found out that there is a Trader Joe's close by.... I also found there is no Ross but a T.J. Maxx, Whole Foods Market, No more Albertson's/Lucky, Vons/Safeway... but now it is Fairway, farmers markets, and the other aforementioned places. CVS' aren't every where but a few Walgreens here and there and the city is covered with Duane Reades' where ever you go... there one is... open 24/7. And it never fails... Starbucks will be all over. The apartment that I am going to be moving into (given all the paperwork goes well) is a 4 story walk up (ours is on the 2nd floor) that sits above a Starbucks, 2 blocks to Central Park, and 1 block to Lincoln Center.... so I am near a ton of things, in a well lit area, a block from the trains and will be 4 stops to work. Also excited to have treats such as Dunkin' Donuts (mainly for the coffee), Crumbs, White Castle, real pizza. So it is all slowly coming together.  My last day working in my current store is July 20th... and  then I have 9 days that are combined days off, personal days, and vacation days... and they will be filled with packing, finalizing, and trying to spend time with those that I can.... and doing some "lasts for awhile" in California including the beach, Avila Barn, Farmers Market, and depending when my sister and mom show up take my sister to the water slides. Might even be able to fit in the fair since it starts that week. Regardless, I will value the time I have and know that I will be back to visit.

It has not all fully set in yet, even the more I talk about it. I think once I am in the city and working it will hit me one day that I am not on vacation or just hanging out, but that it is my life. That might be a tough moment of adjustment, no matter how much I want something. I have been so blessed the past week with the love, encouragement, and support of friends and family that I am so overwhelmed. God reminds me of his love through these amazing people, and I hope they know how much they mean to me and that I love them too. I will look forward to visiting next June and Skyping throughout the year... and having my couch frequently occupied by these people.

So that is where I am now. If you know of anyone needing a car..... I got one for sale :) Please be praying for my stress level and that I would just work steadily on getting things together and give it to God in the moments I feel overwhelmed.

Thank you for your support and prayers to this point, it is such a wild moment in my life and I am so blessed to have you all to share it with.

~Caitlyn