Cultivating a New Life

The beginning

We've been back a few weeks now, looking for work, seeing friends, attempting to get our lives into some sort of order (but not trying too hard, enjoying this time while we have it).  Its been really great so far, its nice to be home.

While we were away we spent lots of time thinking and talking about what we wanted our lives to look like when we got back.  We wanted to garden, practice yoga, have time to be creative and have time to spend with one another.  Seattle seems like a great place to do that and that is one of the big reasons we decided to move back.

Our garden has been planted and now we check it every day, seeing if anything has sprouted, checking for things that don't need to be there (ie slugs, found 2 yesterday) and sending happy thoughts to the little seedlings to help them on their journey.  In many ways it is a microcosm for how we are living our lives, day to day, trying to cultivate just what we need and keep out all the extras that seem to make life so very confusing.  It feels good to start over and I am very hopeful that as things fall into place here Seattle will be the perfect city for us to live the life we want to live.

"May the beauty of what you love be what you do." -Rumi

Coming Home

We are back in Seattle (well, Kirkland to be precise).  I can't even begin to explain what if feels like to be back here and to have a place to call home.  It is big, scary, wonderful, overwhelming and full of hope all at the same time.  It will take some time to readjust to not only being in the same place for an extended period of time but beginning to build a new life in a new city.  I learned so much on this trip.  Stuff about myself, our marriage, what is really important to me and what I want my life to look like- I don't want to lose it all in the mix of finding a job and getting back 'real life.'  I know that what I learned will always be there, in my heart, and when I begin to get stressed out and feel like I lost it I just need to stop for a moment and it will be there (holy crap, does that sounds like Dorothy from Oz or what?).  I am trying to be patient (not my strong suit) as I know that in a week's time things may very well feel different but right now I feel like I am lost somewhere and just waiting to land.

I am eternally grateful to my parents for letting us crash until we get things figured out, and taking care of Bella while we were away- she is the fattest, happiest cat I've ever seen.  I am looking forward to catching up with friends and family and getting back to a regular teaching and practice schedule.  I miss our friends in LA and how well we knew our neighborhood but I know that will come again and we will find a great neighborhood in Seattle to make a new home.

I've heard it said before but I now understand the truth behind it- sometimes you have to travel all around the world to realize what it means to be home- family and friends (and good food if you are me). I went to a free show today with a band called "The Head and The Heart" and one of their lyrics stood out to me "Home is where you are loved."  I am home.

The Other Portland

Portland, Maine.  Home of  (one of) Sky's amazing aunt, uncle and cousin, lobster, great music and delicious food. We had an amazing time and can't wait to get back for more!