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 recently moved from the north of England to Scotland for a job. Kind of crazy and even crazier that my boyfriend followed me.
First of all, congrats on your new place! It’s always great to follow your passions wherever they lead you 🙂 I’m also a very passionate person so I get it!
The most recent risk I took was deciding to recover from an eating disorder and committing myself to it. I still struggle, but every day is a little easier, and the emotional risk I took when putting myself into treatment is SO worth it!!
Welcome to the East Coast! Just north of DC is a vegan restaurant called Great Sage, which constantly wins awards for itS amaaaaazing vegan food. It’s in a plaza called Conscious Corner, with lots of beautiful animal and earth friendly shopping. I’m always looking for a reason to go, so if you get the urge to take a little trip (about 30 minutes), I’d love to meet up for yumminess! And shopping. Always shopping.
Conratz on your new home! It’s weird what life throws at us sometimes but we learn to accept it. Good luck on your new place (:
Congrats, Katie! What a fun, new adventure! You are definitely super courageous. That color of pink looks awesome on you, by the way! 🙂
This is so exciting, I really loved reading this Katie. I can relate to your passion, and the feeling of wanting to stay in a place because of developing relationships with the place and people around you. Best of luck in your new adventure. 🙂
You look so healthy and happy and hot! haha so glad to hear you are doing well 🙂
Wow, great for you Katie. It’s inspiring to hear about others making “ballsy” moves. Good luck in NYC.
I also just read your Blogger Beginner posts. Thanks for all the great advice! Since I’m just starting out, I love reading other blogger’s tips.
http://www.coffeewithkate.com
Awesome! how exciting! Best of luck in this new stage of your life!
Oh my Katie – You look fantastic..Of course you’ve always been as beautiful as your amazing looking recipes but not running is really suiting your shape (as in you look so healthy).
Enjoy your new life and furniture shopping is fun, just not as fun as eating chocolate! 🙂
I agree :). More time, more energy, and the added bonus of new curves… I think it is safe to say I really don’t miss running at all and only regret not quitting sooner.
I guess the most recent risk was to become 100 % well and recovering from an eating disorder no matter what people ((incl. myself)) would think of my body. It is so painful, but I know that it is worth it. 🙂
Btw, you look gorgeous! You’re such an inspiration, and my favorite part of your blog is actually this kind of personal stuff. Keep it up 🙂
Thank you so much, Sara! And good luck!
Wow cool! Seriously admire your courage. Hope you’ll love your new town (is it D.C?), and that you’ll, in the future, make it to the oh-so-awesome New York, which I myself dream of to sometime call my home. Best wishes!!!
Yes, D.C. 🙂
I LOVE the personal stuff. I’ve been feeling the need to share more too lately. My move from Dallas to Los Angeles a couple of years ago happened pretty quickly once I got the idea in my mind, but it was definitely the best decision I ever made. The most recent risk I’ve taken… actually, I think every moment that I continue to pursue an acting career is a risk. Some days I feel like auditioning is no better than playing the lottery… ha!
Wow, Katie, I’m so excited for you! Passion is the key to an extraordinary life, and I’m so happy to see you understand the importance of that. By reading through the comments of this post, it’s clear that the passion you exude has inspired so many others, and I can tell you that it’s helped me. Your passion for cooking has helped me recover form a bout with restrictive eating and taught me that healthy food and indulgence can go hand in hand. Sorry, I hope that doesn’t sound to sappy! Just know that wether it’s through a personal post like this one or a run-of-the-mill recipe post, your passion is very evident and inspires all your readers.
I’m moving to D.C. myself next year for school, and I hope to run into around the city sometime!
Your comment really meant a lot to me, Kathleen. It’s always nice to know a person was helped by something I wrote. And if you do ever see me when you move to Washington, definitely say hi! 🙂
You’re stunning! I’m glad to see that you’re looking so happy and wish you well on your adventure!
Wow, I am blown away by your sense of adventure, and so excited for you! I ran away from home many times when I was a young girl, and was always headed for Paris. Sure at 5…no idea how I was getting there but Paris! I kept that dream for so many years, I was going to get to Paris. I’m 53 and even though that is NOT old I have let go of Paris. Sigh. I live vicariously through other people’s adventures! Yeah you!
You are never too old! Don’t give up your dream!