2,923 miles (4,704 kilometres) away... and excited
So, last Friday I moved to California -- from Ottawa to Silicon Valley -- and that's the last time a lot of you had heard from me. I'm here, alive and well, and happy, as I start to become familiar with my new home, new job, new faces and new places. "Wow" about sums up the last week and two days better than any other word could. It seems like much more than a week has passed between then and now, because of the sheer number of things that have been packed into such a short period of time!
On Friday, I began to feel a bit more settled in, a bit more at ease. With that ease comes time to process things, and to feel what I felt in the time before getting swept up with the big move: excitement. I'm excited. I'm ecstatic to be here, for the reasons why I'm here, and I can't say enough about how amazing everyone has been. A big shout-out thanks to every single one of you for helping to smooth the way as I've been working out the details of living and working in a different country. Things are starting to feel like my new home, and might I also thank the driving laws of this part of the state that allow for so many legal U-turns.
Mid last week I discovered the answer to the question, "When is a wrong exit off of the freeway completely right?" When you discover Stevens Creek Blvd., Santana Row, and the Valley Fair mall, that's when! I'd been meaning to find my way over there, and suddenly, there I was. (I've been back, fear ye not.) Yesterday saw me on a window shopping parade: Bed, Bath & Beyond, Crate & Barrel, Linens-N-Things, several department stores, and I've also found another mall. Yes, that may be the "Danger! Danger!" alert some of you are hearing, at least subconsciously. ;) Shopping in this country is a beautiful thing.
As is the need for only one wardrobe (my winter clothes are being sent to Thunder Bay), and the fact that as long as I live here, I will never need to warm up my car. Or scrape it, chisel the ice off of it, or shovel my way out of wherever I'm parked. For all my friends back home who are thinking that I may be a little too happy about this, please remember, you have an open invitation to visit at any time. That includes winter. Just remember to bring your umbrella, because they tell me that in winter, we will at times see rain. You know, kind of like most of the fall in Ottawa. (Yeah, I'm going to be hearing about that one.)
Thank you to everyone who has made this move possible, and to my family and friends for being so supportive. I love you all. I hope everyone had a fabulous weekend, and I'll be back to blog again soon.
Hello, everyone, and welcome to June. Now that I'm sitting in Pearson Int'l Airport, awaiting my connection to San Francisco, it may be time for me to announce something. I'm moving to California. Today. :) And I am incredibly excited.
Now, as many longtime readers may know, I have a couple of rules as to what I discuss on my blog. One of those rules is that I don't discuss work, due to my respect for my employers and not wanting to affiliate them with anything I may express here which does not reflect their own opinions, beliefs, etc., and general common sense. So, no, I'm not giving too many details here about my move, but I would like to say that I'm now living a dream I've had for many years, and I am thrilled to be joining the team I will be working with.
This week has been very busy. My connection to San Francisco will be my sixth flight in the last several days! I'd imagine the next few weeks are also going to be somewhat hectic, so please bear with me and stay tuned.
Love and hugs to everyone. Have a wonderful weekend.
