If we were having coffee, the first thing you’d notice is the change of location. Instead of meeting at one of the suburban coffee shops in my hometown, or perhaps an artsy Minneapolis shop with a hipster vibe, we’d be meeting in Arlington, Virginia, at a coffee shop a few blocks down from my temporary residence. I’m currently living with a college friend who was kind enough to let me stay with her while I get situated down here. I’ll be here for a couple weeks while I job search and decide if I should move into D.C. Proper or stay in Arlington. I’m leaning towards Arlington, at least for the time being, because as much as I love D.C., I’ve already lived there. Arlington is so close to everything in the District, but it’s also a new place to see and explore. We’ll see, though. Time will tell.
If we were having coffee, I’d tell you that I just decided to go. I moved without a job, which is kind of scary, but I’m also confident something will come up soon. I was only applying for jobs in D.C. back in Minnesota and nothing was coming up…so I decided my best bet was the just come down here. I just felt like I was biding my time in Minnesota; even though the two months I spent there were so nice after the craziness of Thailand, it was just time to move on.
I’d tell you about the last few days I had in Minnesota, seeing friends and spending time with family. It was really quite lovely. I’d tell you about how I woke up at 5:30 am on Wednesday morning, had a sustaining breakfast–an omelette made by my dad–and was on my way across the country by 7:00 am.
I stopped in Chicago, where I met with some Thailand friends for lunch; endured Chicago traffic; made it to Toledo, Ohio late that night, where I stayed in a lovely Airbnb; continued on my journey the next day; survived driving through torrential downpour in Pennsylvania; appreciated the beauty of both Pennsylvania and Maryland on the interstate; and made it to Arlington by 8:00 pm on Thursday.
I’d tell you about how Minnesota doesn’t have toll roads and boy, did I not realize how much money I was going spend driving through Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania (in other news, I hate toll roads) and how the farther east I drove, the more aggressive the drivers got. I never realized how nice Midwestern drivers were until I left the Midwest!
If we were having coffee, I’d tell you that my first full day in the area (yesterday) was super successful. I completed some much needed tasks from my to-do list, explored around Arlington (which I actually really like), looked into some jobs, and had a fun evening with my housemates. Today is a lazy day for me. It’s gorgeous out and I’m sitting outside on the front stoop enjoying the weather.
I’d lastly tell you about how happy I am to be here. I miss home, yes, and I know there will be good days and bad days in adjusting to D.C. life and making friends, but I also know I made the right decision to come out here. There’s something so simultaneously terrifying and invigorating about following your heart regardless of the circumstances; I have felt that since the moment I arrived here. This life can be so unbelievably exciting, you know?
If we were having coffee, I’d be ready to switch it off to you–and I’d ask, do you have anything to share over coffee?
This post is part of the Weekend Coffee Share link up at Part-Time Monster
It's a Britta Bottle! 
I’m sure it will be much better job hunting from there. Good luck!
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Thanks Trent! I’m going to look into some temp positions for the time being, but hopefully a permanent position will come a long at some point.
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Are you looking at museums again?
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Good luck with job hunting and the moved to the area.
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Thanks so much!
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Best wishes to you! I’m sure you will find a job soon. Glad your have a friend to stay with while you get settled. Do let us know how it goes!
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Thank you. I’ll definitely keep the blogosphere in the loop about my transition in these next few weeks and months.
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How exciting Britta! A fresh start and definitely a good idea to be where you want to be. Best of luck with job hunting. By the way, the tolls here are ridiculous as well.
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I know! It is exciting and I’m looking forward to living here. I’m looking into some temp positions for the time being, but I’m hoping that something more permanent will come along in time.
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Congrats on making the move, Britta! That takes guts! Now that you’re out there, I am sure you’ll be able to find a job soon. I’m excited to see how your East Coast adventures unfold.
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Thanks so much, Amelia! I hope so. I’ve only been here a few days and I’ve already gone through phases of “yeah! I can do this!” and “WHAT WAS I THINKING?” I’m sure it will all work out, but as gutsy as my decision is, it’s still nerve racking!
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I’m so excited for you on this journey! Sometimes you just have to leap and trust that the net will appear! I’m sure everything is going to flesh out very nicely 🙂 Wishing you a lovely and bountiful week ahead!
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Thank you so much, Melissa! I hope everything will work out. It’s both nerve-racking and exciting to be in this position.
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Sometimes we just have to take that leap of faith! I hope you find an acceptable job soon!
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Thanks so much, Corina I hope so, too!
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This new adventure sounds really interesting and I can’t wait to follow it. I think it’s fantastic how spontaneous you are and how good you are at making new friends. Good luck!
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Thank Chrissie! I’ve gone through phases of excitement and anxiety but I’m hoping something works out. I’m actually really amazed to hear that other people think I’m good at making friends. I’ve suffered from social anxiety my whole life and even though it’s gotten better as I’ve gotten older, it still keeps me from building relationships. I think I’m terrible at making friends…but I guess we’re always our own worst critic.
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I think it’s the fact that you put yourself out there regardless and put yourself in situations where you need to make friends, rather than just clinging to the familiar. I always find it easier to make friends when we are there to all do something together, rather than just mingling over wine – ugh!
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Good luck on your new adventures. Sending positive vies that work will come soon.
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Thanks so much! Positive vibes are much needed and gratefully accepted. 🙂
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Good luck!
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Thanks Amy!
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