I Guess It's Time For a Portland Post

{Currently listening to: Bon Iver}

Tom and I are moving to Portland, Oregon. October 16th.

Tom has talked about leaving Atlanta since we met. I decided I didn't want to live in Georgia for my entire life when I started high school, I'm sure that's when he made that decision also. We have been talking about moving to the west coast for a while, but we made it official this summer when we decided to move to Portland together. As some of you may know, reaching this decision wasn't easy for either of us. We both understand how serious it is for us to do this together, it is a huge leap forward in our relationship. Moving across the country is already a big decision, but it seems like nothing compared to deciding to do it with your boyfriend. Entertaining the idea of moving on individually helped us both to see that is the last thing we want. We are in this together. Sooo, Portland, here we come!

October 16th is about 6 1/2 weeks from now. That time is going to fly by. We have made some plans, but not everything is set in stone yet. Tom is meeting me in Portland September 18th so we can explore the city and hopefully sign a lease. We have researched the neighborhoods of Portland to get an idea of where we want to look for a place to live (Northwest, Mississippi, Hawthorne). We haven't seen each other since May so I'm expecting this four day vacation to be the best we'll ever have. Seriously, I have so much respect for couples who make it through long distance relationships. IT SUCKS.

So Sept. 18-22 we'll apartment hunt and check out some restaurants. I'm going to email my resume and/or application to a few places and try to set up a couple interviews for while we're there. It would be so great to have a job already lined up for when we move, I know that will save me a lot of stress. Stupid money. Tom plans on staging (a working interview for BOH) at a couple restaurants as well. So unfortunately we will spend a little time apart, but we need to do it.

When we get back I will have three more weeks to work and get everything ready to go. Which means dropping off loads at Goodwill, cleaning the apartment, and packing everything to go. I'm going to ask off for some days so that Tom and I can eat out and go to some Braves games, etc. There is so much we want to do in Atlanta for three weeks, I know we won't have the time and money to do everything so I need to start deciding what is on the top of my list. Of course we both have a billion restaurants we've wanted to try that we won't make it to, but oh well.

October 15th is my last day at La Tavola. I'm pretty upset that I have to leave such a great place of work behind, I have really enjoyed my time there. The staff is amazing, the guests are great, and the money is good. I'm sure I can find something similar in Portland, but I'm still sad to go.

October 16th is the day we are planning to get in our cars and go. Tom is taking his Jeep and I'm taking my Acura Integra. We don't want to pay for a moving truck or trailer so we aren't taking any furniture, just the essentials. Clothes, kitchen stuff, etc. And Roxy, of course. She will be in my passenger seat. I wish Tom and I could ride together, I'm really bummed that we have to drive separately. It is so far. But we will stop at night to camp out, and I'm sure we'll take breaks during the day. I'm going to try to convince him to get a blue tooth so we can talk while we drive :) . Right now we are planning on stopping the first night in Fort Smith, Arkansas, the second night in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the third night/next day at the Grand Canyon, and then the next day in LA. After that we are going to take I-101 up the coast through California. We don't have that part of the trip planned yet. But I'm sure it will be easy to find places to camp out on the coast. Hopefully on the beach one of the nights! Camping is better so we don't have to pay for a hotel, especially having Roxy with us. Plus I think that makes the adventure more of an adventure. We will stay in a hotel in LA, but that's probably it. My friend Dillon lives in LA so we are going to meet up with him! And I can't wait to see the Grand Canyon again, and Tom has never seen it! Roxy will enjoy doing some hiking too.

So. That's about all we have planned. Plus the going away party on September 30th. Basically I invited EVERYBODY I know to stop by at some point that night. I'm really excited to see some old friends and have all of my best friends together to see me off. This is definitely a cause for celebration :)