Author: Staci

Staci blogs about travel at TheVoyageer.com.

Monday Ponderings

Hmmm… just a collection of thoughts on this Monday afternoon.

On savoring life: 

As I mentioned in Friday’s post, I am really psyched about the future. However, I know that once my feet touch Californian soil my heart will ache for the life and friends I have now. So, Friday night my girlfriends and I went to Wichita for a bachelorette party for our friend Lisa. (She still has a month until her big day, but perhaps we can stretch the festivities out longer?)

Last week, we got together with a couple from our church and played board games and let our dogs chase each other for a couple of hours. Tomorrow, Doug has his last show (yes, this will be the last one) with I Heard A Lion (if you’re in the Wichita area please come to Rock Island Live for the show) which is very bittersweet as the band has meant a lot to us for over a year and a half now.

I’m keenly aware that sometimes the things I do will be “the last time” I do them as a resident in my town. While I try not to get bogged down in being too sentimental, I do like this way of thinking. I guess anyone could live like this every day, since we don’t know if we will even be gifted with a “tomorrow.”

So, for the blog, I think I’ll do a few retrospective posts on this house, our garden, and time with friends.

On decorating: 

I am beyond psyched to have another blank slate to decorate! We are getting rid of a significant amount of furniture in the next few weeks and will have to make do with bare bones until we figure out income sources in California. We might have to scrape by for a little while, but I eagerly await saving up for a new couch to complement (NOT match) our vintage gray couch, buying a bed frame, and maybe coming up with something new and different for our dining setup. I’m trying not to buy the cart before the horse, but we will be so close to an IKEA it’s hard not to lose myself in their catalog. Not to make it sound like all I’m excited about is shopping. I’m really looking forward to using our furniture, art, textiles, etc in new and interesting ways! The brown dining room curtains may make their appearance in the bedroom, the green vine curtains could be in the kitchen! Who knows, really, since I have no idea what my apartment will be like yet!

For the blog, Look for some hypothetical inspiration boards in this vein!

Once we settle on an apartment I’ll do a post about floor planning, making different pieces work in different rooms, AND my pallet installment will be getting a creative second life (it came to me in a stroke of inspiration!)

What kind of thoughts are occupying you lately? 

We’re Moving!

My friends in real life know, both of our bosses know, and if you follow me on twitter I can assume you’ve put two and two together, but let’s just make it official and announce it on the blog.

I mean… nothing’s true until you read it on a blog, right?

Anyway, the hubs and I (and our pooch) are moving to sunny California!!! The timetable looks like it will be right at the beginning of September, however we are both putting out job applications like mad and if one of them decides to pick us up, we could fast-track this whole operation, if necessary. I am very excited about this adventure.

Mostly I operate under the assumption that the people who read my blog know me in real life and know my story; however, I have seen increased traffic over the past 4 months (which I L-O-V-E) so I suppose I’ll explain a little bit in case I have any new friends who haven’t met me. I am from California. I was born there. Of my 24 years of life, I have spent about 16 of them in California. While the state and I have had some rocky times, it truly is a part of me. I finished my bachelor’s degree in San Diego and while living there fell head over heels for “America’s Finest City.” However, I also fell head over heels for this guy who lived in Kansas, hence the two-and-a-half year detour.

I’ve felt a lot of growing pains while living here, and although I do have a great group of friends, I have never felt like I really belonged in this town of 13,000 (versus my adult life spent in a city of 2 million and/or a city of 100,000). There is a social structure I can’t seem to get my mind around, based on who you’re related to and what sports you played in high school. I guess I never thought it would be so hard to break into, and didn’t know I’d be such an outsider. So, we’re heading to the land of outsiders, a place where people come from all over the country (all over the world, really) where we believe there will be more opportunities.

So, since I get asked the same questions every time, I figured I’d do a little FAQ! Of course, you can and are always encouraged to ask any other questions in the comments… I love comments!

FAQ:

Do you have jobs?

No, not yet, but we are sending out lots of resumes and praying hard! We invite you to throw us any leads and contribute your prayers ;)

No job lined up… so, why now?

Why not? With no kids and no house payment, this is the perfect time to move! We don’t want to get bogged down with real adult life with careers, investments, etc, in a place where we can’t maximize our potential. I admit, there is an appeal to living in this idyllic small town, if that’s your thing, but we are both ready for an adventure. When I moved here in 2010, I didn’t really picture myself in Kansas for more than 3-5 years and I have reached the 2.5 year mark. Doug has never lived more than 30 miles from where he was born… some would find that comforting, but he is itching to experience a new culture. And believe me… as much as American culture is homogenous from region to region, there are still lots of big differences.

What’s the plan?

Well, like I said, we’re applying for jobs like crazy. If one of the jobs picks us up, we’ll move to wherever that is. Our #1 preference is to move to San Diego, but our back-up plan, if we don’t get hired somewhere in the next six weeks, is to move to Temecula, where my parents live. Not move in with my parents, just closer to them where rent is a few hundred dollars less per month. Of course, if a job lands us anywhere in-between, like Escondido, Oceanside, Carlsbad, well then our minds are made up for us. :)

Do you have a place to live? 

Nope, not yet! However I’m very lucky: since I grew up Temecula and lived in San Diego, I know what neighborhoods to scout out, reputable apartment complexes, and what kind of rent looks reasonable. Thanks to the internet, these days you can sign up for an apartment from several states away! What we might end up doing is getting a short lease somewhere which will afford us time to fine the perfect place–in between work locations, restaurants and parks nearby… you know, the whole shebang.

So, do you hate Kansas?

Okay, fine, nobody asked this one, but a part of me suspects that people view this “rejection” of Kansas as a rejection of the Midwest, of small-town life, of their way of life. This is not true. Overall, I have enjoyed my years here in Kansas and I have made many friends who I love. That said, I think that moving somewhere with more hustle and bustle is what my little family needs right now.

———

Well, enough living in the future, I have lots of living in the present to do. Like a bachelorette party tonight, a birthday party next weekend and an upcoming baby shower for another friend. I do have lots to do and be appreciative of in regards to my current situation. There is a lot to soak up and lots of memories to savor. 

Take a Tour: The Compound

Some friends of ours are house-sitting the most awesome place this summer. It was with LOTS of envy that I snapped just a few pictures of what we call “the compound” due to it’s isolated nature and thick concrete walls!

I have come a complete 180° design-wise from where I was a couple of years ago. I have been converted into a believer in white walls. The white walls here really let the wood cabinets be the star, and they totally complement the southwest style of the home. The owner imported many touches from Mexico, like colorful hanging lanterns and a stamped-tin mirror in the bathroom.

I dream of someday having huge plants like this in my bohemian abode… and how incredible is that rug under the dining table?

Of course, not every wall in here was white…

What I wouldn’t give for a shelf like this taking up the whole wall!

Our friends who live here eat an extremely healthy diet and are an inspiration to me. Of course, I had pizza for dinner yesterday and a hamburger for dinner today, so I have a long ways to go. Still, I aspire to eat more “weird” vegetables and salads! It’s amazing how a salad can fill you up and make you feel great when you make sure to include protein (nuts, cheese, etc) and use garden fresh lettuce like this…

Do you have a rad place that you’d like me to invade with my camera? Please tell me it’s in central Kansas. I’m working on some beginner interior photography skills and I would LOVE to come shoot your home! E-mail me!