I write to you, my few dear friends, 3 hours ahead of my usual self. 3 hours ahead and 3000 miles east.
Before I could claim myself settled, I first had to get myself here. Monday night, 10 pm, the goodbye's were issued. Pulling out of Vittoria's driveway, I saw the silhouette of my beloved mother grow smaller and smaller, and I finally felt the weight of my decisions. The task ahead of us, 20 hours of straight driving before reaching our first overnight destination, left me with plenty of time to contemplate the changes ahead of me, the decisions behind me. I was offered a beautiful distraction, however, with the arrival of an epic lightning storm ahead of us. For 2 hours we drove through the dark desert, seemingly heading straight into a heavenly battle. The midnight horizon was frequently lit up by the unending storm, gathering it's strength and getting closer and closer. Though we were in awe of it's beauty and humbled by it's size, we were by no means looking forward to driving into it's center. Thankfully, we were blessed enough to have it pass through our path just before we were to reach it.
San Antonio was reached early Tuesday evening, much to our relief. An enjoyable walk through their famed Riverwalk, a quick dinner, and we were ready for bed. We arose bright and early, ready for another full day of driving. We'd already made it through Arizona, New Mexico, and were halfway through Texas. A beautiful sunrise greeted us as we continued to drive through Texas' beautiful half, reaching New Orleans late afternoon. A stroll along the Mississippi, beignets at Cafe du Monde, and a delicious cajun dinner was enough activity for our weary bodies, and another early night was taken.
The next day was a whirlwind of states, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and finally, Florida, my temporary home. We arrived, the lease was signed, and it hit me. In the middle of Publix, the Floridian equivalent to Vons, I called my mother and lost my composure. I had arrived. I had committed myself. There was no going back.
And here we are, a day or so later. After settling in a bit, finding a friend in an old friend of Vittoria's, and getting a bit more comfortable with the area, the little moments of panic are starting to be less frequent. I'll find happiness here, I'm sure. My only fear is regarding my purpose. I hope that my life here, even if it is just for a short while, is built on more than aimlessness. Work will dictate much, I am sure, but I hope to find meaningful friendships outside of work with which to spend my free time with.
I still have Vittoria, for a bit longer than week still. I am so blessed to have her with me. The comfort of her presence makes it all so much easier. I am not looking forward to her departure, but have faith that I've been blessed enough to have her here when I need her most, and will be equipped to continue building a life for myself here once she's gone.
Well friends, when we compare this post with the first few you received upon my arrival to Paris, I am sure you will find my transitioning skills much improved. And I apologize if my language seems a bit odd, I write this while watching BBC's Pride and Prejudice, and fear that their vernacular has been slowly seeping it's way in.
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