I’ve been writing this post in my head for the past two months, but now that I am sitting down to write it, I simply cannot find the words to articulate what I’m feeling right now.
As you’re reading this, I’m driving down I-95 headed to Orlando, my new home. As of yesterday, I am officially a resident of Celebration, Florida, a town I’ve been dreaming of living in for at least nine years.
As you might have read, I was supposed to move to Orlando last year. That fell through. Then, I was going to move to Colorado. That fell through as well.
When I decided to make Delaware more of a permanent home, I decided to buy a house. That fell through. Then I picked another house. That fell through too.
The day the last house fell through, my parents and I were sitting out on their back patio discussing things. When they asked me where I would be happiest, I did not hesitate. “I want to move back to Orlando” came right out. It wasn’t even something I had actively been thinking about doing. They agreed that I was my most happiest during my years of living in Florida for the Walt Disney World College Program and when I moved back to work there full-time for a few years.
To me, living in Delaware was like treading water in a vast sea with no shoreline in sight. I had no direction and no desire to move in one direction or another. I was stuck treading water and it became increasingly tiring.
“Maybe the thing to do after you roll the dice – and lose – is simply pick them up and roll them again” ~ Emily Giffin, Something Borrowed
Just like a newly pregnant mother doesn’t spill the beans, I wanted to keep this a secret for as long as I could for fear something bad might happen. Sorry for keeping you in the dark! I hope you understand.
Plans quickly started coming together. The solo vacation I was so vague about on here recently was a trip to Orlando to apartment hunt on May 22-24. I enlisted the help of a Realtor who sent me rental listings for a few weeks, and we narrowed it down to 6 or 7, but only one felt like it belonged to me.
I love Celebration’s downtown area. I’ll be in walking distance of their Starbucks.
Celebration even has their own running club! It meets very early in the morning, but I’m hoping to switch my workouts to the morning anyway.
While in town, I couldn’t help but not do some Disney resort-hopping! While I was waiting for my room to be ready at the Doubletree, I headed over to the Wilderness Lodge lobby to relax, cool off, and read my Kindle.
I also spent some time sitting and reading in a rocking chair at the Boardwalk Inn.
And at the Yacht Club
Their pool area is beyond amazing! Pirate ships and a sand-bottom pool!
With Disney right nearby, I can envision myself relaxing at some of their resorts on a pretty regular basis.
I also got to see my good friend Brandy while I was in town! I hadn’t met her son, Sawyer, yet. He’s a little of adorableness!
Some other things I’ve been doing in the past two months that I’ve kept from you:
- I’ve applied to work at Disney part-time, but I have not heard anything yet. I heard getting a job there right now is pretty tough. One would think that if I worked there before with a “rehire” status, I’d be given a chance. But we’ll see.
- You might have noticed I’ve been adding Orlando companies and people on Twitter and Facebook. I even made a list of Orlando tweeps on Twitter. Who else should I add?
- I signed up for the Central Florida Blogger Conference, which will be on July 16th.
- I joined an Orlando Womens Running Club (so excited to meet new girlfriends!)
- I’ve had goodbye dinners with friends and family
- I’ve kept track of the days left!
On Thursday, it was time to pack up my apartment and load the moving truck!
We hired two moving guys… well worth every cent so that my parents didn’t have to move my heavy furniture!
I even had help from one curious little black bear cub.
Jeepers was packed and ready to go as well!
Life just doesn’t seem like it could get any sweeter right now. When I lived in Orlando before, I had a roommate and a long-distance boyfriend. I ended up spending so much of my time working and sleeping. I hardly explored, and if you told me to find my way through downtown Orlando, I’d laugh at you. But this time will be so much different. I’m on my own and single, and I’m going to soak up everything I can! Running clubs, blogger conferences, dating, etc. Plus, get this! I get to keep my job that I have now and work from home!
I’m beyond ecstatic about this next step in my life, but I have to admit, I’ve been on a rollercoaster of emotions. I’ve been working day in and day out for the last five years with my parents. We’ve eaten lunch together every weekday. We’ve laughed ‘til we cried. We’ve learned so much about each other. We’re the best of friends. On one hand, I feel like I’m abandoning them, but on the other, I know they’re so happy for me. The waves of sadness and happiness have overwhelmed me.
I cannot even wait to be an Orlando blogger. There will be so much more to write about, and I’m so excited to share this next chapter in my life with you. It’s going to be amazing!
While I’m getting settled in my new home, please check back for some amazing guest posts!
