Moving On

Well, Christmas is behind us and a new year is right around the corner. Today holds its own significance for me, though.

It's moving day.

I moved into my apartment two and a half years ago. I was looking to move out of my brother's house and have my own place to live. My friend Aimée told me about a vacancy in the apartment next to hers. A quick chat with the landlady and a security deposit later, and I was the proud tenant of a two-story townhouse.

Moving in, I never really thought of the place as anything more than a place to rest my head. I figured I'd hang out with Aimée a bit more, and that would be about it. Looking back on it now, I'm surprised by all the fond memories I have of this place.

I can remember my first Thanksgiving here. My sister lives out of town with her husband and my dad, stepmom, and little brother are all typically out of town for the holiday, so it's usually my brother, my mom, and myself. I offered to host the event that year. I didn't cook the traditional Thanksgiving meal, but we had food and it was good. This was the first time I cooked for people in my new place.

I can remember the first Super Bowl I watched here, though to say I watched it would be generous. I'd typically go to my dad's to hang out and watch the game, but opted to stay home this time. Aimée came over and hovered over my shoulder as she had me watch the first episode of City Hunter, my first experience with Korean drama shows.

I can remember my struggles with pest control. The area is plagued with water bug/beetle things and it wasn't uncommon for them to make their way inside during the winter months. Sure, they sprayed annually, and sure the bugs would die, but they'd make it inside first. I didn't always wait for the poison to take effect. Then there was the first (and only) time a mouse got in the house. I was on my couch, watching TV, when I saw movement scurry across the floor. A couple strategically placed traps later, and I no longer had a roommate.

I can remember the harrowing tales of my neighbor's cat escaping the confines of her home. One of Aimée's cats developed an affinity for the outdoors and we spent one particular afternoon hunting it down in the ditch next to the apartment complex. I tumbled down the embankment, landing in the water below. After we finally coaxed him out of a drainpipe, I'd end up falling and impaling my hand on a rock. It was also the time I bought my very own first aid kit. He'd later get out again later, this time without anyone's knowledge. It wasn't until one of the other neighbors asked me if the cat looked familiar that anyone knew he had gotten out. My friend wouldn't be home for a few hours, so I ended up cat sitting for the interim.

I can remember Halloween, when Aimée came over to work on a cosplay costume, which involved cutting an awful lot of fake fur material. Once it was all said and done, it looked like a cat had exploded in my living room. To this day, I still find tufts of fur.

I can remember my parents giving me their old grill and learning how to use it for the first time. Mom would later come over for her birthday and I would grill chicken for her and my brother. Despite never having done it before, it turned out well.

I can remember having Stacie and Rob, a couple friends from out of town stay over. I'd never really had guests stay over before, so it was fun staying up late, playing games, watching TV, and just rambling on. We hung out on my back patio while I took another attempt at grilling.

Those are just a few of the memories I have. I have others, but I think I'll save those for myself.

Anyway, this year, I decided that it was time to move. The rent was higher than I'd prefer for a long term living situation. Rather than hold out for a potential raise from work, or find a second job, it seemed like a better idea to just move. So, today, I'm packing up my stuff and saying goodbye.

Thanks to everyone who helped make this place feel more like a home. I'll always treasure the memories.