Things about the last three years
Tomorrow will be my three year anniversary working here. It seems like yesterday that I left California to come back to Houston.
My last day working for Charlie was March 23, and the movers came that night. It was a nightmare move. I had lots more stuff than I thought and it took me forever to get it all in boxes. Sometime earlier that day, Relampago panicked, hopped in the car and refused to leave until we got to LA. I didn't even really get much of a chance to spend with Liv during that time because she had to move too. I stopped in LA to say goodbye to someone on my way back to Houston, and that sort of turned into an unmitigated disaster.
One speeding ticket, three days, several country albums, lots of junk food and 1500 miles later, I rolled up to the ranch into the welcoming arms of my family. ALL of my family. I think there were 22 there at the time. It was Easter, and the extended family came up to the ranch. If you've met any two of us at the same time, try and think about what 22 must be like. It's sort of overwhelming, but enthusiastically loving. Everyone was genuinely happy that I was back, and it was a warm and happy welcome.
I moved in to my godfather's garage apartment until I could find and buy my house 6 weeks later. Things had changed dramatically in his life too, and I think it was probably good for everyone that I was around for those six weeks. I would have killed someone if I had had to stay at my parents' house.
I think back now on the two choices I had when I left. I could have stayed in California and worked for a larger firm than the one I was working for. A lot more money than I'm making here, but I think my quality of life would have suffered quite a bit had I gone that route. I would have had to either move to the suburbs or spend a good part of my time commuting. Here, I got a job doing something that I really enjoy, no matter how difficult that first year and a half was. I had my review on Monday, which was excellent and this morning, I got high praise for some research that I did earlier in the week. I have good friends and close family nearby.
I miss Liv. I miss Nick and Amanda and Brad. I miss the natural beauty, and the places we'd go. I love going back to visit. But I don't think I miss living there. Part of it, of course, is that my living there experience was in the context of working for Charlie, which would have changed no matter what.
But also, I love owning my own home. I love the proximity of the ranch. I love having Crianza in my life. I love the art world I've immersed myself into. I love the healthcare world that I'm an increasingly important part of. I love having so much of my family around. I love the urban life that I have for myself. And despite all of its flaws, I love Houston.
My last day working for Charlie was March 23, and the movers came that night. It was a nightmare move. I had lots more stuff than I thought and it took me forever to get it all in boxes. Sometime earlier that day, Relampago panicked, hopped in the car and refused to leave until we got to LA. I didn't even really get much of a chance to spend with Liv during that time because she had to move too. I stopped in LA to say goodbye to someone on my way back to Houston, and that sort of turned into an unmitigated disaster.
One speeding ticket, three days, several country albums, lots of junk food and 1500 miles later, I rolled up to the ranch into the welcoming arms of my family. ALL of my family. I think there were 22 there at the time. It was Easter, and the extended family came up to the ranch. If you've met any two of us at the same time, try and think about what 22 must be like. It's sort of overwhelming, but enthusiastically loving. Everyone was genuinely happy that I was back, and it was a warm and happy welcome.
I moved in to my godfather's garage apartment until I could find and buy my house 6 weeks later. Things had changed dramatically in his life too, and I think it was probably good for everyone that I was around for those six weeks. I would have killed someone if I had had to stay at my parents' house.
I think back now on the two choices I had when I left. I could have stayed in California and worked for a larger firm than the one I was working for. A lot more money than I'm making here, but I think my quality of life would have suffered quite a bit had I gone that route. I would have had to either move to the suburbs or spend a good part of my time commuting. Here, I got a job doing something that I really enjoy, no matter how difficult that first year and a half was. I had my review on Monday, which was excellent and this morning, I got high praise for some research that I did earlier in the week. I have good friends and close family nearby.
I miss Liv. I miss Nick and Amanda and Brad. I miss the natural beauty, and the places we'd go. I love going back to visit. But I don't think I miss living there. Part of it, of course, is that my living there experience was in the context of working for Charlie, which would have changed no matter what.
But also, I love owning my own home. I love the proximity of the ranch. I love having Crianza in my life. I love the art world I've immersed myself into. I love the healthcare world that I'm an increasingly important part of. I love having so much of my family around. I love the urban life that I have for myself. And despite all of its flaws, I love Houston.