Two weeks later and I am still ecstatic on so many levels to be living in Fort Collins. It has been a roller coaster ride already with many ups and many downs. I am happy to report that this particular ride has more ups than downs which defies physics - but what the hell - I was not a science major.
My highlight day:
On my 7th day in Fort Collins I had the day off. The morning started a bit rough from the generous amount of wine I consumed the night previous. I had to push through because Hannah was participating in a half marathon that I did not want to miss. As I am quite a bit out of shape I decided to join Hannah at mile 9 and finish the last 4 miles with her. It was exhilarating (sans the hungover) to run next to Hannah. At the end of the race I met the organizer of a new local non-profit called Athletes in Tandem (http://www.athletesintandem.org/index.html). I was so excited to meet him and learn that he has this organization in Fort Collins. I was beaming and jumping up and down in excitement! I ran back home and helped my BFF Nicole move out of her house and the rest of her belongings into the house. I then drove to Denver to participate in a 3 hour acrobatic/partner yoga workshop. I was in heaven! It is by far my favorite yoga class - it sucks that it is not offered in too many places. I also organized a pot luck at our house that evening. It was only my first week, but between Nicole and I we had 10 friends at our house that evening. It was such a beautiful group of people and delicious food. We were even cheesy dorks and had a sharing circle. I then indulged the group in some acro yoga fun! We thought it would also be appropriate to take a family style photo as you can see. Yep - I was 100% that day! I was loving life!
Patience and little victories - My roommate Hannah, pictured wearing her race number as she participated in a 5k in a jogger, has so many things to teach me. While she can use her computer that speaks for her, she often times just uses her eyes to answer yes or no questions. Of course, that is, if she feels like answering the question. We have talked and established that she is breaking me in and giving me a hard time. I have made many mistakes and Hannah does not let me forget them. On an over night she called me in her room 3 times for assistance and each time I got there I had to run through my head all of the things she might be needing. On the 3rd visit I finally figured out what she needed without having to call my trainer. She was able to sleep through the night and in that one moment I had a small victory. Who knew turning on an AC unit could bring so much joy and satisfaction to me? What seems like a small feat was a huge accomplishment. To figure out what she needed. This past weekend I finally figured out the lift on the van and was able to take Hannah on our first outing together. She had a picnic with her boyfriend of 8 years - another small victory. I love this job - although it challenges me and pushes me to the point of frustration - I am giving it my all and I know I am capable of only that. Hannah knows because I tell her every chance I get, I am doing the best job I can. She laughs and teases me because that is her personality. I know if she truly did not want me as her roommate she would give me the cold shoulder instead of her playful teases.
My other roommate Nicole, who is my total BFF, and I are by and large a married couple. The two thresholds we have yet to cross include a shared banking account and sex. Try as we might, and as much as we want it to be so, we are simply not lesbians. Other than that we share EVERYTHING! We will soon be selling her car and forcing ourselves into car share situation. Nearly everything Nicole and I need in Fort Collins is highly accessible via bicycle or foot and by sharing a car it will push us into that pattern. We share clothes, food, her dog Trot (although that is the only thing I am not allowed to have), shampoo...everything! I love Nicole with all of my heart, but our honeymoon is finding its way to the end and we are without a doubt facing some long conversations in order to meet the other person's needs and expectations. Marriage is tough is all I have to say!
Family - I mentioned to my brother Chad that I was happy as a clam living in Fort Collins. He made a comment that seemed to hit the nail on the head. He said, "Well when you have close friends and family around it makes a difference." Having my BFF Nicole and a handful of good friends (Tony, Kyle, Cuco etc.) as well as Andrea's family (my childhood best friend who is basically family to me), her husband Brandon and their two wee ones (Zoe and Maddox) without a doubt makes this experience in Fort Collins complete. I might be oversimplifying things, but I realized within the last couple of years that today I feel like the meaning of life for me is deep and intimate human connections. I am surrounded by people I love and support and who support and love me reciprocally. Powerful stuff I would say! Hannah, her mother, her day program staff and the respite staff are quickly becoming apart of the circle. I miss my family in Houston...on a daily basis. Perhaps I miss them now more than I did when I lived in Breckenridge because I seem to have a deeper appreciation for them in my life. Perhaps it is because I spent one year in Texas and realized how much damn fun I have with them. Perhaps it is because the death of my loving mother has brought us together. For whatever reason it is, I know living far away from them is a choice. At this point in my life it is a choice that my heart is singing with such conviction. I look forward to visiting them for x-mas as my BFF Nicole has generously granted me to take time off during the holidays.
Crossfit - I have recently joined up with crossfit so I am working out everyday which makes me very happy!
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