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.
Welcome to DC! Are you in the district?? That picture from your window looks somewhat familiar…
Anyway, I hope you like it here. (I think you will though…)
Yes 🙂
:D!!
I moved here from Japan almost 6 years ago (with a break of 1 year in NYC for school). I am very much a city person myself, but with my family, especially now that I have a little one, DC is just perfect 🙂 Email me if you have any questions about things here. I am not a local but I think I might be able to help you with something 😉
DC is a great place for vegans – you’ll find tons of options (and if you’re in DC proper or southern Maryland, I recommend Yes! Organic Market). I’m not vegan myself, but have always been fascinated with vegan baking, and I have two good friends who are vegan, so I love having a go-to place to find recipes to make for them! Welcome!
Back in 2008, one of my good friends got a teaching job in AZ (we lived in Maine at the time). He came to my job to tell me about it and I said “can I come?” I bought a ticket that day and we flew out the following afternoon. After a month I decided AZ was not the place for me.
When I went to fly back to Maine from Arizona, I decided to stop in NYC to see two of my siblings (I am originally from NY). I never left. 5 years later I still live in New York. Had I not taken a risk on a whim to move to Arizona, I wouldn’t be back in New York. Our plans don’t always work as we originally imagined, but sometimes they lead us to something even greater than we ever dreamed. I hope Washington makes you as happy as New York has made me. You’re a beautiful woman inside and out, best of luck sweetie.
(Not sure if you remember me, I sent you an email awhile back about someone who was using your photographs/recipes and claiming them as yours).
God bless you during the holiday season… and always xoxoxo
I do remember you! Thank you so much, Erin 🙂
Oh FUN!! Since you’re a blogger, it doesn’t matter where in the world you are…use this time in your life to EXPLORE!!! I up and moved to San Diego (from FL) a month after graduating from college. I knew one person out there and she needed a roommate. Landed a job a week later and found my HUSBAND a month and a half later. We’ve been married for 10+ years…so I’ve always said, I followed my heart to Cali and FOUND it!!!!
Good for you Katie! I’m excited for you.
You look beautiful and happy, Katie – you’re an inspiration. Thanks for all that you contribute to the world! Can’t wait to hear about more of your adventures!
By the way- was the concert Korn and Rob Zombie? My boyfriend and I flew to Corpus Christi just to see it. It was so fun!
This one was in DC, so not the same. But I had a lot of fun too!
Congratulations on your new adventure! What an exciting time! I must also say that you look FANTASTIC in that last photo – healthy and glowing!
Did….did you get to go to the Twins of Evil concert?! (referring to your Rob Zombie experience) I’m fuming in a jealous rage right now.
No, the opening band was Scar the Martyr (not sure if you know them… I didn’t!)
Haha I do! Katie’s even cooler than I thought!
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!!