So I’m posting this update a bit late…22 days late to be exact…but better late than never. (To be honest, 99% of the time I feel like that saying is just plain wrong…but for right now it works.)
I Signed an Apartment Lease!
I’ve found an apartment and I’ve got a move-in date- finally! I started touring apartments about a month ago, but I don’t think I was fully ready to take the plunge until recently. I’ve been staying at my boyfriend’s family home in the meantime, which has been a blessing in so many ways. It has made my transition (new state, new job, new environment) so much easier, allowing me to feel safe and comfortable. Financially, it has really helped me save a lot of money as well- and knowing that has helped alleviate my anxiety as I start paying all the various fees, charges, and bills that go along with a new apartment.
It’s been so much fun shopping for apartment furniture and decor. It’s still very surreal to me that I get to decide, well, everything! I know it may sound like I’m stating the obvious (it’s your apartment, of course you get to make all the decisions…DUH), but I’ve never had that before. In college I lived in a TINY apartment in Boston for one year, but I shared it with two other girls, I was using my sister’s old furniture, It was my Senior year so I knew I was only living there temporarily, AND it was not exactly a dream apartment. It was cozy and served it’s purpose, but it was an old city apartment- the kind where the walls are textured because they’re covered in at least 20 layers of paint.
I’ve also never lived alone before, so it’s exciting to customize my space exactly how I’d like it, without having to balance the wants/needs of roommates. I’m looking forward to having everything organized in a way that makes sense to me and my lifestyle- and most importantly, no longer worrying that someone is going to eat my leftovers in the fridge!
Within the next month or so I will be posting photos of the different rooms of my apartment to showcase how I designed and organized each space. I’m making sure to keep track of prices, and place of purchase, for everything that’s going into my apartment- for you to use as reference. So be looking out for that in the next few weeks.
Weekends Well Spent in Galveston, Texas
My Mom and younger sister came to visit for a few days so I took them to one of my favorite places in Texas- Galveston. My grandfather (on my mother’s side) used to travel to Galveston, a long time go, to work on the oil rigs and he used to talk about how much he loved it. My grandfather passed away about 6 years ago, so I like having that mutual connection to Galveston.
While we were there, we got tickets for the Galveston Duck Tours which was such a cool experience. It made me realize I have SO much to learn about Galveston’s history.
I Miss You I Miss You I Miss You
I’ve really missed these two little boopers lately. My family has two black cats that live at home with them in New Hampshire. Their names are Salem and Winnie and I am completely obsessed with them. They’re extremely skittish and it takes a long time for them to warm-up to someone, so I worry sometimes that they won’t recognize me when I visit. I feel like it will break my heart if they run away from me and hide, as if I’m a stranger. I’m heading back to New Hampshire for a family vacation next week so I’ll be able to see them then, and I guess that will be the moment of truth. *wish me luck*
Update: THEY REMEMBERED ME
Family Vacation; Welcome to Maine
I spent the last week of August up in Ogunquit, Maine with my family. It was my first experience requesting time-off at my new job, which I was nervous about at first. Even though I am allowed two weeks (per year) of paid time-off, I haven’t been at my job for very long so I was worried I hadn’t really “earned the right” to ask for time off yet. Everything went smoothly though- my boss is fantastic and is really supportive of family time. He is always reminding us, “I will never be upset with you for making family a priority,” so it’s nice to have a boss that is down-to-earth and understanding of our lives outside the office.
But back to Maine…it was a very therapeutic vacation. I read a book- which I feel like is a huge accomplishment because that it’s hard to actually let yourself escape reality for a bit and dissolve into a good story. I’m going to post a full book review soon, so I don’t want to spoil too much- but the book I read was called True Crime Addict; How I Lost Myself In The Disappearance of Maura Murray by James Renner.
One of the highlights of my vacation was getting to stroll around Main Street and explore all the little shops in Ogunquit- which is a gorgeous little beach town in Maine (and by “little” I mean the town is only 4 square miles). The word Ogunquit actually means “beautiful place by the sea,” according to legend from Abenaki tribe.
*(Facts & Information from the official Town of Ogunquit website: https://www.ogunquit.org/)*
And just in case you ever find yourself in Ogunquit, Maine- here are some personal recommendations:
My Favorite Places in Ogunquit, Maine
Realistic & Manageable Goals for this Month:
- Transition back into the work week- shake off those vacation habits.
- Get everything ready for new apartment- I get to move in this week!
- Keep my monthly budget updated with all my new utility bills (ugh)
- Spend less money eating out at restaurants/drive-thru’s/coffee shops
- Practice folding using the Marie Kondo method: Click here if you want to learn too.
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