Can't Take the Hoosier Out of the Girl

Had a moment to blog, so I figured I'd get this post done now before I really get swamped. As many of you know, I am relocating to California - still working for the same employer, still doing the same job, just in a different (WARMER) location.

Lots and lots of mixed feelings about this. Why? Because I'm leaving Indiana, a state I have really learned to call home. I was born here. Even though I didn't grow up here, it always played a part in my identity; once I moved here as an adult, I began to find out why. People accepted me as their own for the most part, and I had a true sense of belonging here.

Why am I moving? I have several personal reasons (you will need to ask me yourself if you want to know). Career-wise, it is also a very good move, full of a lot of unique opportunities where I can really develop certain skills. It is a good time in my life to do so - I do not have to deal with the difficulty of uprooting a husband and children just for the sake of a career. I have been a Midwest girl and a true Hoosier for the vast majority of my life (exceptions being my co-op stints on the East Coast), and this is certainly a step out of my comfort zone - but it's a much-needed step. I've never been afraid to push myself into the unknown (both co-op terms are evidence of that), and this is no exception. God has always protected me during these times, and I have faith that He has lead me to this new life for His purpose alone.

Do I think that this move is going to bring about a lot of changes? Of course. It is very bittersweet for me right now - there are a lot of things I am going to miss:

• My friends at FMC
• Pastor Tom's sermons - and how he is never afraid to address any issue
  
• Playing on the worship team with Jake Brothers and the entire crew
• Laughing and learning with my AWANA kids
  
• Driving on I-69 and watching the plains stretch for miles (although I will NOT miss getting pulled over by racist cops near Muncie - that's another story)
  
• Driving out on IN-37 and watching the transition from flatland to hillsides
  
• IU campus and Hoosier basketball games in Assembly Hall
  
• Being in a city as its NFL team wins its very first Superbowl!!!
  
• Watching Colts games in Tim's "Man-Cave" (crashing the "Man-Cave" on occasion!)
  
• Seeing a Colts game live
• Seeing a Pacers game live
  
• Consuming corn and tomatoes, straight from the farm (make fun of me all you want, but Indiana really does have the BEST corn and tomatoes!!), provided by my generous farmer pals :-D
• Taiwan Tea House!!!
• Walking/running/biking on the Monon
• My townhome
  
• That endless baby-blue Indiana sky
  

...and there are a lot of things I look forward to:

• Not having to drive in snow
• Not having to shovel snow
• Not having to look at snow for two months straight
  
• Being able to golf year-round
• Having multiple flight options from multiple nearby airports!
  
• Getting my fill of all different kinds of food (Castro St comes to mind)
• Walking/running/biking in nature preserves
• Seeing the mountains on my drives!
  
• Seeing the Bay on my drives!
• Finding a new church, potentially finding a place to play on a worship team or serve in children's ministries
• Going to sporting events in a new town
• Going to museums and exhibits
• Wine country!!
• Sitting outside in November or in February
  
• Finally being able to give my relatives some fashionable gifts (it's hard to match up with your relatives' gifts when they live/work in NYC and you live in the Midwest!!)
• Being close to a number of college and high school friends!!
  
• That wide open California sky

The past few weeks have been an emotional roller coaster ride for me. I have been subject to random bursts of tears (today was an example), for reasons that are far too complicated and irrational to explain. Yes, I have a lot to do for this move across the country, and I have been pretty overwhelmed - but I know that it's not going to last forever, thankfully. I have learned a lot about transitions and moving throughout this process, and I will survive.

I'm sure it will take some time to adjust to a new home, but I'm a chameleon - I get it from Grandpa. I make it a point to get over myself and learn everything that I can about a new place. But don't worry - I'll bring a little Indiana with me too. If you want to hear it, I can bust out in Hoosier-speak at any time. :-)