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. 🙂