With all the sickness, surgery, and cars scraping brick walls I'd completely forgotten that on January 13th was my ten year anniversary of moving to Kentucky.
It boggles my mind that I've been here in Lexington for 10 years. It really doesn't seem like it was that long ago. So much has happened. We bought our first house, got married, I FINALLY graduated from college, we had Ruby. I've traveled to New Orleans, Mexico, Hawaii, Florida, Boston, and Italy. I have made a ton of friends, some whom I love dearly, and met so many really cool people.
As far as art goes there are so many programs and opportunities for artist available here that I've been able to take advantage of. While I was in school in Minneapolis I was pursuing a degree in psychology-so if I hadn't moved to Kentucky I might not even be making art! the art world weeps, I know. Sorry, feelin' a little sarcastic at the moment, it's 3am.
It's hard to explain why, even though there are so many great things going on here in Lexington, I can't just let go of the desire to move back home to Minnesota. Back to a state that voted for Obama, that is probably years closer than legalizing gay marriage than KY will ever be, back to the land of Target, Byerly's, The Walker, Uptown, and of a bajillion lakes. Not that Minnesota doesn't have its own issues *cough*Michelle Bachmann*cough* but whatever. I'm still proud to be a Minnesotan despite having been gone so long.
It boggles my mind that I've been here in Lexington for 10 years. It really doesn't seem like it was that long ago. So much has happened. We bought our first house, got married, I FINALLY graduated from college, we had Ruby. I've traveled to New Orleans, Mexico, Hawaii, Florida, Boston, and Italy. I have made a ton of friends, some whom I love dearly, and met so many really cool people.
As far as art goes there are so many programs and opportunities for artist available here that I've been able to take advantage of. While I was in school in Minneapolis I was pursuing a degree in psychology-so if I hadn't moved to Kentucky I might not even be making art! the art world weeps, I know. Sorry, feelin' a little sarcastic at the moment, it's 3am.
It's hard to explain why, even though there are so many great things going on here in Lexington, I can't just let go of the desire to move back home to Minnesota. Back to a state that voted for Obama, that is probably years closer than legalizing gay marriage than KY will ever be, back to the land of Target, Byerly's, The Walker, Uptown, and of a bajillion lakes. Not that Minnesota doesn't have its own issues *cough*Michelle Bachmann*cough* but whatever. I'm still proud to be a Minnesotan despite having been gone so long.
I daydream about living in Northeast Minneapolis, Heath having more access to jobs where he might actually have a chance for advancement (maybe even a job he might actually enjoy), taking Ruby to the sculpture garden to see the cherry spoon bridge, going to the BEST state fair every year, and being closer to my family (despite the near constant drama). Oh, and getting Caribou Coffee, of course!
Of course it wouldn't be that easy. This is probably a good example of "the grass is always greener on the other side." We'd have to start over again building up friendships, something Heath isn't completely confident is possible, he'd have to find new gaming peeps, I'd have to start over again making art connections (which is both a daunting and exciting prospect). Not only would we be leaving our friends, many whom Heath has been friends with since college, but we'd be leaving Heath's parents. He is an only child with the only grandchild and that would really be hard.
The cost of living in only slightly higher (about 8%) but the climate. Oy. Although I am confident I could slip into my Minnesota skin and deal with the frigid temps I don't think that Heath would be able to handle the cold. The last time he went up to Minnesota when it was cold it was down to -15. He was pissed! Plus despite what people may think it does get balls ass hot up there. So he's got freezing mother cold in the winter and ball blazin', mosquitos everywhere in the summer. This would not make for a happy hubby.
So yes, we are staying put in KY. Our only moving plans involve (hopefully) moving closer to downtown in a year or two. I don't know if I'll ever quite feel that Kentucky "kicks ass" as much as I feel Minnesota does and some part of me will always miss it and want to move back, but I'm here in Kentucky and maybe this is where I am meant to be for whatever reason. Have you ever moved a long distance from home? Do you still miss it?
Of course it wouldn't be that easy. This is probably a good example of "the grass is always greener on the other side." We'd have to start over again building up friendships, something Heath isn't completely confident is possible, he'd have to find new gaming peeps, I'd have to start over again making art connections (which is both a daunting and exciting prospect). Not only would we be leaving our friends, many whom Heath has been friends with since college, but we'd be leaving Heath's parents. He is an only child with the only grandchild and that would really be hard.
The cost of living in only slightly higher (about 8%) but the climate. Oy. Although I am confident I could slip into my Minnesota skin and deal with the frigid temps I don't think that Heath would be able to handle the cold. The last time he went up to Minnesota when it was cold it was down to -15. He was pissed! Plus despite what people may think it does get balls ass hot up there. So he's got freezing mother cold in the winter and ball blazin', mosquitos everywhere in the summer. This would not make for a happy hubby.
So yes, we are staying put in KY. Our only moving plans involve (hopefully) moving closer to downtown in a year or two. I don't know if I'll ever quite feel that Kentucky "kicks ass" as much as I feel Minnesota does and some part of me will always miss it and want to move back, but I'm here in Kentucky and maybe this is where I am meant to be for whatever reason. Have you ever moved a long distance from home? Do you still miss it?
