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.
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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!
Katie,
My hubby and I moved across the country in March and ended up in Maryland. It is so fun out here, everyone is nice and the history out here is amazing! Enjoy it!
Katie it is fate! Your heart and mind are leading you to a new place! Have fun, but if you are moving again, may I suggest my hometown Fort Collins, Colorado? We could use some chocolate covered goodness here 😉
It sounds like you are in the D.C. area. The East coast has an excellent rail system. You could always visit NYC on the weekends. This latest move may be just a stepping stone to NYC. I moved to NYC in 2006, but circumstances forced me back to Texas after just a few all too short months. I loved every second of my time there and hope to move back there some day. For now, though, I’m biding my time and waiting for the right opportunity. Good luck in this latest chapter of your life!
Good Luck!
I Moved from Israel to California when I was 21, with only $1000 and two big backpacks.
DC was my favorite city to live in! I loved the Georgetown waterfront area for runs, brunches & cupcakes of course, and Dupont was so fun for nights out. I miss not having a car and taking the redline everywhere. There’s so much to do out there, and the free museums are such a big plus. Enjoy it all, you’re lucky to be able to work from anywhere!
I am the same way! I wake up one morning and boom, I set my mind to something and I won’t stop until I reach it. The most recent one has been to quit my job, leave San Francisco and travel the world for a year. I’ve been planning for a year, and my last day at work was Friday!
I am planning to travel blog as I go, and I was wondering if you have any advice for a new blogger, something you wish you’d known when you started.
I’m glad you listened to your heart and weren’t stubborn about sticking with the move even though you were enjoying where you are. Best of luck!
Hi Kate!
Good luck with your new blog! I hope you love it as much as I do.
Posts with blogging tips are linked here: https://lett-trim.today/tag/blogging-tips/%3C/a%3E%3Cbr /> Hopefully they can be somewhat helpful.