Cross Country

One of the scariest moments of my life was when I took a job in the Deep South. I was getting ready to graduate, I was full of expectations and hope about a new job, I had a boyfriend who was going to move to the same area...life was good. But scary.


Three years and a couple months ago I did something that a lot of people say was brave or cool or something they didn't think they could do. I packed up my graduate apartment the week after graduation and prepared to make my way in the world. Five states away. Where I had visited exactly two times - once to interview and once to find an apartment.


On a side note, if you're ever looking to get rid of most of your belongings, pay attention. First, apply for positions all over the country where you know no one. Second, take a job five states away from where you currently live. Third, realize that there is no way you can afford to hire a moving truck, have your family drive the truck while you drive you car and then pay for your family to fly home.  Four, realize with a sinking heart that the only way to do this is to ship your books via post office,  put what fits in the car and buy all new furniture once you get to your new city. Five, look at your very small very old two door car and go buy a bigger more reliable car. I guarantee that this will result in you jettisoning 95% of your belongings. By the time I was packed I couldn't even fit the Brita in my car. 


The couple days before leaving for my lonely drive to Texas was accompanied by bouts of crying, stress over what I could actually get in my car, spending sweet time with friends and returning to my childhood home for a last few precious days with my parents and family.


I think I've never been as scared as when I pulled out of my parents driveway to begin the three day drive. I pushed back second thoughts and tears for hours the first day. I kept up a pretty good front until I reached Texarkana on my second day. I had driven nine hours that day through a very gray and rainy Tennessee and Arkansas. I got to my anonymous hotel that night and lost my mind. The tears flowed and I questioned my decision to move so far away from everything and everyone I knew. I wanted to turn around and head home. But instead I went to bed, woke the next morning, did a sprint through Ikea for furniture and headed further west.


In retrospect, this was the perfect place for me to be. I love Texas, thank Heavens! I love my job...most of the time. And that boyfriend? He also got jettisoned. He couldn't fit in the car. 


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