I (finally) posted on Instagram this morning, thanking Julie, who shares her world at Thinking about Things, for her lovely gift. She really did a lovely job. And while she did not know it, she sent me down a path of happy memories of a wonderful time in my life. So thank you, Julie.
I haven’t written about my past lives, or the places I have lived, yet. I’m old enough now that there are quite a few. But one of the absolute best was the year and a half I spent as a travel nurse on the West coast.
Keep in mind this was during the original tech boom in the early 2000s (remember, I’m old). I started off in northern California, working at Stanford’s children’s hospital. It was a lovely first assignment, with an apartment in Mountain View that I shared with another travel nurse (a very interesting one, too….). I was close enough to everything in the area that I was able to explore extensively on my weekends off.
I went to San Francisco multiple times, visited museums and historic houses (Filoli was a favorite), Tahoe (where I skied, one of the best experiences of my life), San Jose, and on and on. Yes, traffic was hideous, but it was a time when it felt like we were on the cusp of something wonderful with “the Internet”, and I was living in the heart of Silicon Valley. There was a sense of immense possibility in general, and in my life, as well.
I loved my time on the West coast. I often dream of moving back there, of recapturing at least a smidgen of my full embrace of life as an untethered early 20-something. But, of course, you can’t go back to how things were. Maybe someday I will be neighbors with San and Julie… and maybe not. For now, I’ll drink the Peet’s coffee in my Powell’s mug, and will end the day with a bit of chocolate (because every life needs chocolate, people), and think about how I can recapture some of that feeling in my life here.
A “self” is what we call an entity conscious of its own past and persistence: you are you, made up of your memories (you were you yesterday) and your expectations (you will be you tomorrow). ~Alan Burdick
Take care of yourselves in this busy time, my friends. I hope you are making new memories with those you love.
I loved reading about your past life. Fascinating! The early 2000s was such an interesting time in the world. Well, I guess it is all an interesting time. But the tech boom was such a thing. I worked in natural gas trading at that time and it was a very interesting time to be there as well – this was at the time of the Enron scandal and electricity crisis.
How lovely to have a gift that transported you back to such a wonderful time of your life! Thanks for sharing, Anne.
Thank you, Nicole. It’s so much fun to have an unscheduled jaunt down memory lane… I particularly appreciate the opportunity to revisit a time in my life that I loved while living it, from the perspective of someone 20 years in the future. And you are so right – wow, the early 2000s were a different and interesting time. (Remember the whole Y2K thing??) Think of all that has happened since then. I don’t know that I – or anyone – could have predicted any of it.
Man, this made me remember when I was young and I would see exploring a new city as an adventure instead of just another thing I’m doing instead of sitting on the couch with my cat. Ha! I was young once.
As was I… But I am starting to realize that perhaps there needs to be a better balance (for me) between the sitting-on-the-couch and seeing-new-things parts of my life. Hence the great “UW system campus tour” planned for the spring.
Aww. I love these Secret SANta swaps. It is just so FUN <3
They ARE! It’s so much fun opening a gift that you expected to receive (as in, just getting a package) BUT not knowing exactly what you will find. A fun blend of anticipation and wondering.
Okay that mug is so cute! The little book on the side like it’s a tea bag. Ahh!
I want to hear more about your past lives! A travel nurse? How cool! My uncle did that for a long time and he really loved it.
Isn’t it cute?? I smile when I see it in my cupboard, next to my mug from last year’s Secret SANta.
I’m kind of eager to revisit those past lives and share what I can. I’m glad to know someone might be interested in reading those posts, LOL. I know I love reading your posts that reflect on where you were (geographically, emotionally, occupationally, etc. :>) to where you are now. Travel nursing actually led me to a VERY random choice that led very indirectly to where I am today. Winding paths and all that.
Oh, this makes me so happy! I didn’t know you ever lived here. I have family in Portland, which is where the Powells mug idea comes in. I wonder sometimes if we could have blog meetups? Midwest, Bay Area? Not sure about Canada, that feels spread out, but it would be AWESOME.
Oh, I truly loved the west coast. I have a nibling in Portland at college now, and it just reminds me of how *much* I loved the west coast. I need to get out there again soon. I do feel at home in the midwest, so relocating, if it ever happens, will be difficult yet also welcome in a way.
And, I would LOVE a blogger meet up. I have met NGS and Kae, from Grateful Kae, because we live near each other. But a big get-together, somewhere, would be more than fantastic. I’ll go wherever now that I have (finally) found my people.
I did not know you lived in Silicon Valley! Come back and be my neighbor so we can hang out.
I love the package that Julie put together for you and I am so glad it brought back happy memories!
I did! I was in Mountain View. I loved it – absolutely loved it. I would move back in a heartbeat, to be honest. (Not Silicon Valley, though – let’s just say an academic salary would not go anywhere!) I need to put in at least a few more years here, so just stay put, okay?
Well, let me tell you, a government salary doesn’t go far either in CA… sigh. But I’ll be here for the foreseeable future, so… waiting
Oh, if nothing else, you’ll probably see me on your doorstep (only if invited!) in the next year or so. I am craving a trip west of here, and I am way overdue for a solo vacation! Inland northern CA in July would probably work with my internal thermostat.