Skip to main content

Featured Post

Infinite Country by Patricia Engel | Thoughts

   Published : 2021   ||    Format : print   ||    Location : Colombia ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆   What was it about the country that kept everyone hostage to its fantasy? The previous month, on its own soil, an American man went to his job at a plant and gunned down fourteen coworkers, and last spring alone there were four different school shootings. A nation at war with itself, yet people still spoke of it as some kind of paradise.. Thoughts : Infinite Country follows two characters - young Talia, who at the beginning of this book, escapes a girl’s reform school in North Colombia so that she can make her previously booked flight to the US. Before she can do that, she needs to travel many miles to reach her father and get her ticket to the rest of her family. As we follow Talia’s treacherous journey south, we learn about how she ended up in the reform school in the first place and why half her family resides in the US. Infinite Country tells the story of her family through the other protagonist, El

The Sunday Salon (A new home) -- August 29, 2010

The Sunday 
Salon.com

My first Sunday Salon and second blog post from my new home! Sure feels weird doing this, and that was part of the reason why I didn't blog for a week after getting here. More than physically getting settled down, I was yet to mentally settle down. My first day alone here was, in one word, depressing. Yeah, I have to say that. After two years of riotous fun and hanging out with friends all the time, the silence was quite uncomfortable initially. But well, guess what - I love it now!

After that first day, I've been relishing my time alone. I like it that all the mess in the house is caused only by me. I love it that I can set the AC to any temperature without anyone else sitting grumpily in a hoodie and shooting daggers at me. I love it that I can sing to my heart's content in my apartment without getting that dreaded knock in my door from a roommate preparing for her exam. I love it that I can cook in my kitchen at any time I wish. I love it that the silverware is no longer in the wrong slots in the holder. I love it that I don't have to put up with roommates' boyfriends staying overnight. And the list goes on and on! (Does this make ME sound as the bad roommate? I sure hope not.) I doubt this new-found giddy excitement will last long and I'm bound to wish for some company at home, but why not enjoy it while it lasts?

Lynchburg is as different from Blacksburg as possible. Even with five colleges/universities in the area, this place isn't half as buzzing as Blacksburg. How I miss the place! Never thought I would miss a small not-so-happening university town as Blacksburg. But what better place to be in than one where majority of the population are college students. You actually feel young there. *wink*

I start work tomorrow, and I have a very busy Sunday planned up, since all my to-do items from last week are still intact! I relished the one week break I got, and kind of wish it was longer, but my bank accounts are getting stretched to the limit, what with all the moving and shopping, so I better head to work.

Oh, and I visited New York the week before that, but sorry I didn't take any pictures. I just remember getting tired during those five days and I didn't even go sight-seeing! I fell in love with the transportation system in NYC though. It took me a while to get the hang of the subway, but after two trips, I was all ready to be someone's host, if needed.

Comments

Julie said…
Nice post! I wouldn't trade my husband and kids for the world, but boy oh boy do I miss living alone. :-)
I agree with Julie - wouldn't trade the hubub of my house now but I did love being by myself and having control of the TV remote!

I see you have White Oleander on your Wow books list - I read that one years ago and really loved it. It's one of those books I'd love to read again if only my TBR pile weren't so big!
Tales of Whimsy said…
New homes are hard.
I am totally still getting use to mine.
Best of luck darling.
You'll be in my thoughts :)
Molly said…
I relish my solitude as well! So glad that hear that you have physically - and mentally - adjusted to your new home.

Best of luck on the first day of the new job tomorrow!
I could get use to living alone I think, but fortunately my hub gives me plenty of space so it works.

Good luck with the new job; hope u love it!
Yes, moving requires a big adjustment, but it sounds like you're settling in nicely. I agree with you about how great solitude can be.

When I moved here (three years ago now), I had come from a place with a lot of activity and people coming and going. Even though I was technically living alone there, I had people in my guest house and neighbors coming out my ears.

Here I don't interact at all with neighbors, except for a cursory hello.

I can cocoon! Of course, my daughter comes by and I babysit fairly often, but in-between, I'm able to enjoy the solitude.

I kind of moved to a city, after living in a foothill community, so that was also a big adjustment.

Enjoy!

Here's my salon:

http://accidentalmoments.wordpress.com/2010/08/29/the-sunday-salon-august-29/
Athira said…
Julie, this is the first time I am staying alone, and when I told everyone about it, they were looking at me weirdly as if asking - how can you stay alone, you'll die of boredom. I'm so glad that I proved them wrong. Too early to say, but the euphoria stays.

Clare, White Oleanders was so awesome! I don't think I will re-read it, but it is one of those books that will stay with me.

Juju, new homes are surely hard. But the last month before moving here, I was staying at my friend's home, that I've been feeling displaced for quite some time. For that reason, I was truly glad to be at my own place.

Molly, thank you so much! I'm looking forward to tomorrow!

Diane, it is great when the people you stay with give you that space - works well! Thank you for the wishes!

Laurel-Rain, that's precisely how it feels. I had all the space I needed in my previous home, but I always had people over, or I was at my friends' place. But now it suddenly feels weird, but it feels great as well!
I am so glad that you are settling into your new place. Being alone is so interesting. I find that the TV or radio is on more so that I have noise if I am alone. But, since I usually have my daughter and my parents around I definitely love my alone time these days! And I also love the little things like the ones you mentioned: deciding where everything goes on MY terms and not someone else's is somehow HUGE.
Aw, hope you get settled down soon! I'm sure it's a nice change to be living on your own and be in control of everything. Enjoy it!
Ash said…
Glad to hear you like your new place! I'm really enjoying mine as well-- even if I'm not living alone. ;)
Athira said…
Helen, I wouldn't mind having someone over any time, but I so love being alone as well. The best part is realizing that you can do any thing without, for once, having to think of someone else.

Emidy, yep, you said it right, girl! ;-)

Ash, I have to come by your blog and get the details of your move. I have been so out of loop lately, though I did know that you were moving too. Glad that you are having a fun time too. :)