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.
Congratulations on your new adventure!
The biggest risk I have taken lately is to take some steps in the direction of starting a new business. Reading you post is giving me some courage that maybe I’m not as crazy as I first thought. 😉
Congratulations! What an amazing move!
I’d love to hear about Washington’s great vegan spots, if you hunt any out! I just moved to Chapel Hill from Toronto, Canada for school in August, so Washington is road trip I hope to make someday! 🙂
Best of luck in 2014!!!
most recent thing I’d consider risky would be going alone to university in Canada (I’m from nj), not having ever been there before and not knowing anyone there.
Congratulations!!! I always say my beautiful life was created by leaping through the windows that were opened for me 🙂 Enjoy every moment!
Welcome to DC! There’s lots of bike trails around here, which makes me curious as to where you live in/around DC – the trail in the picture looks a bit like one I used to live close to in Alexandria City.
Welcome to DC! Any chance you are looking for taste testers here? My friend Jillian I are big fans of yours!
Excellent decisions! Life is too short not to follow your heart and live as many adventures as you can. There are no wrong choices. I wish you the best of luck! I have recently done the same by following my heart and up and moving to be closer to my family. Big risk because I had a “great” job and now I am looking for another GREAT job. Will be following you on your adventure, keep up the good work! You are a life savor for someone who has a mouthful of sweet tooths that is trying to eat healthy! Love your recipes!
Omg .. you look SO healthy now! I knew that much running was no good
Good On You Katie! You don’t want miss out on any opportunities that present themselves. You are a smart girl you will make the right choices 🙂
Just had to say.. Katie you look AMAZING!!