Leaving Los Angeles...
Viktor and I have set a date to move in May of '09. This is when my teaching contract ends and he finishes his last units in school.
Though we had originally planned on moving to New Orleans, this will not be the case.
As much as I treasure my memories, the college there does not offer my degree anymore (due to decline in attendance) and as an anthropologist, the city does not offer much work.
As opposed to returning to the Crescent City we have two other options, which are being carefully weighed.
Both cities have all the things I need to be happy and are away from Los Angeles.
Both cities offer nature, nightlife, ethnic diversity, public transportation (to relieve the pressure of driving everywhere), colleges with my degree and a very reasonable tuition, and places for MONASTIC to perform.
Both cities remain in the Pacific Northwest, where I am most at home.
Climate wise, I enjoy the crisp and clean air of both places and I have lived in both cities during my youth.
True, it will lack the charms of New Orleans, but they offer a great deal in exchange.
I need to two years to complete my degree, so moving to either of these cities will be for 2 years min and then I cano relocate after.
Since I will be awarded dual citizenship from Greece in one more year, I will have the option to flee the states and perhaps reside in Italy, Greece, or Spain after I finish my anthropology studies... it works out for the best.
New Orleans was an amazing place to live in, but it does not offer what I need academically, professionally, or musically.
Still, a wonderful city to visit, often.
I had to consider viktor's future too and as much as he enjoyed Orleans for its bohemian ways, the city would not offer him a venue for his illusions or circus arts, like the other cities we are wavering between.
Though this was a hard decision and it seemed I was very jazzed and excited to return to Orleans, I am just happy to being leaving Los Angeles. I am not comfortable here and I do not want it to be my home by mid '09.
Looking forward to the move and seeing familiar faces in eather place that is decided upon.
The deciding factor will be employment transfer (which was also not working out for New Orleans) and which place seems to offer the best living space for the prices.
This has kept me up for weeks and I have had great anxiety over this decision, but I am proud of myself for not chosing New Orleans just because of my enjoyment of the city, but keeping true to my devotion in my academics.
Looking forward to singing on rocky cliffs that are above the cold and thundering sea. :-)