My Living Situation

When I figured out that I was serious about coming out West, and not just thinking about it in an ideal head space, I knew that I would have a long road ahead of me. Don't get me wrong, there was plenty of optimism in my young heart, and it blocked out some rational that might have kept me from jumping so headfirst into moving, but at the time, I figured I would coming out to Portland because it would bring some kind of challenge that Seton Hall couldn't. So, I called up my Uncle who lives in a Portland suburb and asked him what he thought. And this people, is where I got so fucking lucky I am still in disbelief. My Uncle Fred flat out said to me, "You would love Portland, truly. You can stay with us (him, my Aunt Jenna and three year old cousin Blake) while you go to school. We can figure it out together." 

I should mention that the only reason I even was aware of the fabulous-ness of Portland was because of Fred and Jenna. From what I understand of it (and this is an immensely abbreviated version of it), Fred and Jenna dated in high school and once they both left for college, they broke up. Years later, after Fred had been living near my parents and I in Upstate New York, him and Jenna, who was now living in Portland, Oregon, reconnected and realized their love for each other never left. So Fred packed up and left for the West Coast, to marry and have a kid with the woman he has always loved. Thanks to the supportivness of family, I was able to visit the two of them (Blake was yet to be born) a few times on my own, seeing the best of Portland with them. In conclusion, it is the fault of Fred and Jenna that I even had a glimmer of how awesome Portland is, and so I blame them for re-falling in love and opening my eyes.

 So yeah, I'd say I owe them a huge debt for introducing me to this great place. And with their offer to let me live with them, I am even more indebted to them. Not even a really kickass Christmas  gift could re balance the karmic scales of gratitude I have towards them. Just saying though, if I ever become a wealthy woman who has extra cash to throw around, I'm gonna donate to a program that helps kids and teens see the country and experience an education at any location they wish. Hold me to it. I still have to consult my future financial adviser about how to make this work, so it's gonna take a few years, but I think it can work. I'll call it the Frenna Fly Anywhere Education Program (utilizing the stupidly lazy name I came up with my aunt and uncle when I was in eighth grade).

Back to the point, I am able to be writing this blog about my experience transferring schools across the country, because of these two people, and their generosity in taking me in. Without them, I would probably still be going to an overpriced school in New Jersey, or even more likely, going to community college in my Upstate New York county, back home with my parents, something I promise to you, I was not willing to do.

Instead, I'm sitting at the counter in the lime green kitchen ,writing this post while Fred and Jenna are watching a television program on fishing. Sometimes I feel like their second child, only more awkward and with a lessened utility in helping out around the house. Other days I feel completely independent, commuting to Portland Tuesday to Friday. Regardless, I'm figuring it out as I go along. And it can be awesome, getting to chose my own adventure and truly start from scratch out here. But it's also scary. I would be lying to you if I said that everything is working out. Money is tight, friends are few and each day I come home, I'm exhausted. Some days I am sure that this is the place I am meant to be, learning new things everyday, and others I go to bed missing the amazing friends I made at Seton Hall. It's a balancing act. No day is perfect, but each day is new, and I get the opportunity to attend a campus event, join a club or explore the city that is now my home. 

It's hard to always be optimistic, so I don't force myself. For me, it works best to take it one day at a time and understand that because everything is new, I have to get a chance to adjust. And that's what I'm doing.

My beloved succulents of which I bought at Home Depot for $4 and are now dying because apparently plants need water and I'm too lazy. They're still alive, only a bit...browner than in this picture.