Readers have been asking about my references to leaving Texas, and since I promised to make the blog more personal anyway, it’d probably be good to elaborate. If you’re only interested in recipes, feel free to skip this post; the recipes will continue soon.
I’ve always been a passionate person.
This can either be a good or bad thing, depending on the situation. From the moment I decide to do something, I will throw all of my energy into it, can’t be talked out of it by anyone (including myself), and stubbornly refuse to give up until I’m successful. Or until I’m dragged away, kicking and screaming.
(My apologies to anyone who knew me as a two-year-old and witnessed one of my epic temper tantrums.)
In terms of the blog, this passion could mean baking seventeen batches of brownies in the span of two days to perfect the recipe… it could mean staying up until 3 am writing and editing a post I’m dead-set on publishing the next morning… it could mean reading through an entire computer self-help volume in a night to figure out how to implement one piece of coding… All real examples of things I’ve done.
And in my non-blog life, this passion manifests itself in the risks I take, some of which people would consider to be crazy.
Like when I quit college to write a food blog…
In mid-October I decided that I wanted to was going to move to New York City, and I was going to do it before the month was over. So after planning everything down to the minutia, I packed my belongings into the car and commenced the long drive, pausing only for what was supposed to be a short detour to stay with cousins I’d promised to visit, directly along the way.
However, life decided it had a better idea than mine.
The morning I was scheduled to finish the trip, I woke up with a 102-degree fever; only the third time I’ve been sick in fourteen years. No big deal… I called my sister in New York (at whose apartment I’d planned to stay while looking for my own place) and told her to expect me the next weekend instead. Friday night before the next weekend: little sister calls me this time, saying she’s dealing with a gas leak at the apartment and could I please stay where I am for the moment? And then an unseasonably-early ice storm hit, rendering the roads un-drivable.
Meanwhile I found myself developing close relationships with some amazing people around me. Every day was a new adventure–from a Washington, D.C. socialite gala to a Rob Zombie concert, and everything in between. I was experiencing life in a way I’d never experienced it before, and it made me wonder…
Once I got it in my mind to stay?
Of course there was no talking me out of that decision either.
I’m blown away by your post…I love following your blog for the great recipes you develop…
What an inspiration you are to those of us that tend to be “set in our comfortable…not so comfortable ways. Thanks for sharing your life changes. Sometimes the biggest risk I take is to get up in the morning and try to put some life back in myself. So…your post really came at a good time. Thank you. Have a great Holiday season.
Good for you! Live your dreams!
Hmm, biggest risk….reupholstering my couch. Scary but fun, looks great!
KATIE you look incredible. Like a Victoria’s Secret model. Whatever you’ve been doing, keep it up!
And good luck with all of your exciting life updates—I love following your adventures through the blog. It’s always such fun to hear about the person behind the recipes 🙂
This might be my favorite comment ever.
Thank you so much, Beth!
Welcome to DC! I’m the same way and thus moved from CA to DC 3 years ago :). Happy to provide any recommendations, etc. and hope you’re enjoying it do far!
You’re beautiful Katie, and very inspiring. I love how you just decided to move and followed through with it, even if it didn’t end up being where you thought it would be. Life is very exciting isn’t it? 😀 BTW–I love your more personal posts. Merry Christmas Eve!
I’m so glad that it worked out! I always feel like things happen for reason and it sounds like that is what happened with you. DC is great- I love the neighborhoods and how manageable the city is. I really love living here, especially considering with how easy transportation is. I hope you like it- welcome!
Congratulations! Have you developed an unhealthy obsession with Sweetgreen yet?! 🙂
I haven’t been yet… will have to try it!
Right now I’m hoping to serve a mission for my church. I don’t know where I will be sent in the world (it could be in the USA, it could be foreign, I don’t know). It’ll be exciting though. Best of luck to you on your new life!
You are awesome Katie! So you’re living in DC instead? So cool that you are able to enjoy the turns life gives you! Kudos for the courage!
congrats!!!! good luck!!!!! i have a similar personality, when my mind is set on “solving” something…i just can’t quit until I figure it out! ps you look gorg