I keep trying to start a new post and get totally sidetracked because my mind is going in a million different directions right now. As of yesterday, G has two more weeks left at his job. At the end of April, he will be starting a new job… in Chicago! That gives us approximately one month to pack up, find a place to live, and move our family from the suburbs of Boston… while trying to keep things as chaos-free as possible (not a chance).
We are SO excited about our move. We have family and friends in Chicago. I also lived there for a little over a year after college and had a lot of fun. And, we’re psyched about moving back into a city. The suburbs have been a nice experiment but I need more energy around me, not cranberry bogs/ice skating ponds and turkeys taking afternoon strolls in our yards. I’m not knocking it; there are certainly aspects I will miss. The scenery is nice, we live in a town with beaches, life is pretty relaxed. But I’ve come to the realization that I like my scenery busy, noisy, moving.
Our mailbox situation is definitely not something I will miss. After we moved here, I learned that our mail doesn’t come to our door (because who the fuck asks where your mail is delivered when you are buying a house?). We pick our mail up down the street, along with our neighbors—the owners of the other sad and lonely mailboxes lined up on the side of the road. When I learned this, I panicked and twitched nervously, shifting from foot to foot as if I had to pee (preferably in a more urban setting). Where the hell did we move—Mayberry? Two years later, I’m not over the mailbox situation. I would probably leave the mail in there forever but G insists on retrieving it every once in awhile. For some f’d up reason, I get satisfaction from my crazy-person boycott. (Seriously. I’m a case study in inexplicable issues.)
I’ve also come to realize that I need to be in a city where I know that I and my kids do not bring the local Asian population up to .01%. Where my kids will see people of other races. Where I can take them to the Annual Gay Parade or an International Festival. Where I can find kimchi in a jar with a label I cannot read and a restaurant that lets me grill kalbi right on the table. Where spicy really means *spicy* and I can build up my tolerance again. Where we’ll not only see other mixed-race kids and people, but actually befriend them!
Yes, I can find those things in Boston as well, but we are ready for a change. More importantly, we’re ready to be closer to family and friends. Of course, there are trade-offs: less space, more dog shit to avoid on the sidewalks, neighbors who will hate us when the twins wake them at 6am… but we’re ready. Bring it all on!
My mind is all over the place right now. This is usually the case, but even more so now. So please excuse my scattered brain while I try and organize life. And then move it 1,000 miles, unload, then unpack it.
I can’t wait.
13 Comments
YEEEEAAAAHHHHHH!!!
Moving back towards the city is imminent for us as well. I’m negotiating a job offer right now.
We should exchange e-mail addresses!
Bueller? Bueller?
Wow, it sounds like you guys are in for some big changes. I’m sure the transition will be easier because you already have connections there. You and Carol should get together!
I can’t stand the burbs either. LB isn’t perfect, but I do enjoy the energy and diversity.
Carol, we’re SO excited! I wasn’t sure if you were definitely going to move back to the city (or towards the city?) — yay!! Good luck on the job offer!
Can I use more exclamation points??!!??!! How spazzy am I right now?
email is halfmama (at) gmail (dot) com
We are in the midst of trying to find a place to live. Luckily, our friend is a broker and helping us out, otherwise we’d be totally lost.
CONGRATS! Now I’m so envious that you and Carol will be so close, you lucky mamas! I hope the move is a smooth one and that you find all sorts of cool new stuff to do/see/EAT in the windy city!
Congratulations! Great news. Good luck getting settled. I’m sure your blogs will be a bit more scarce once you make the move. Keep us posted. I love it when spicy really means kick me in the butt spicy.
I hear you! We live on the northshore… think witches… its mostly white and hispanic but we see more asians every day. We go to malden, quincy and lowell a lot for asian food. I really miss living in a truly diverse city like Toronto. People are so antisocial and clique-y here too. No matter how long I live here I can’t get over that. The first day of school another mother referred to me as “the oriental boy’s mom” I knew I wasn’t 100% in love with the place.
Good luck with the move - may everything go smoothly! I’m so jealous - I’m so tempted to make PN commit to a trip to Chicago just for the whole galbi at your table experience (Minnesota has “no fire at your table” law… who came up with that??) but we’re saving up $$ and vacation time for a trip to Korea… Congratulations!! Especially on (most likely) getting future mail delivered to your doorstep!
Super congrats! Chicago is by far my favorite mid-western city. That’s awesome that you are moving there. Good luck with the move. =)
Just when I was going to suggest that we try to get together! Shoot!
But I’m very happy for you. Chicago is an awesome city. You’re going to have a blast. Hooray!
“. . .where I can find kimchi in a jar with a label I cannot read and a restaurant that lets me grill kalbi right on the table. Where spicy really means *spicy*. . .”
Yes, yes, yes! That is where I want to live, too. I wish you lots of patience for your move and hope it’s a smooth one. We’re not moving for another year or so and I’m already dreading it. All the best!
Sounds like an exciting move! I’m so happy for you - you’re post just oozes “change, change; I need a change!”. I hope you’re able to get everything in order (maybe you’ll have help in doing all of this?) and getting over to your new digs in one piece with your sanity!
Best of luck!
Hope everything’s going well on your end… just checking in, haven’t *seen* you around, assuming you’re busy, busy, busy, busy, ad nauseum…
You sound so excited about moving, that’s wonderful news. I’m so happy for you and your family. It will be chaotic and stressful, no doubt about that but since you will have family and friends in Chicago, that should make things a little easier, remember to ask for help when you need it.
Good luck with your move and hope everything goes very smoothly.