The new apartment, one month later...

It's been about one month since I moved into my new spacious digs on the top floor of my building, so let's check in and see how I'm doing, shall we?

I'm doing okay. Thanks for asking.

The place is still...strange to me. I can't help that feel that just comes from living in the same apartment for over 10 years. The older place was cozier, but this is certainly a cooler space (decidedly not in temperature--I have to run the airco a LOT--and I miss having a floor above me for insulation from the sun) and more spacious.

I love the new TV (my "treat" for the new place...okay, I got a new toaster, too, with FOUR slots...living la vida loca, let me tell you). The hardwood floors...eh, not so much. They're very pretty, but I'm a carpet guy. I love a nice cushy carpet under my bare feet and the first thing I do every day when I come home is dispense with the shoes and socks, so the hardwood...eh.

I love the length of the apartment, from the door to the windows. The old place could be covered in about 5 steps, even with my short, little legs. The new place takes a bit of walking. I love it at 2:00am when I get up to go visit the bathroom (or as I like to refer to it, "the reading room"). It's a straight shot behind the couch, behind the kitchen counter, with one small swerve into toidy-land. I can do it with my eyes closed with no danger of stubbing anything. And I do mean ANYthing. It's like my very own HOV lane. Or maybe it's an HOPee lane? (Ouch.)

Don't get me wrong, there's no verdict still out to the jury here. I love the place. It is exactly the change that I needed, and I was able to keep all the downtown amenities that I've enjoyed for so long: Grocery store, movie theaters, bank, post office, bookstore, all within a 2-block radius, plus I always have a parking space downtown. Not too many people can say that.

Home is a funny concept for me. When I dream of home, it's still the first house I lived in, during my awkward infant to even more awkward teenage years. My last apartment in this building finally started to feel like home around year 5 or so. And I'm having a hard time shaking that. But someday--sooner or later--this will be my home. I'm sure of that. And while that walk down the hall to my new place is much, much longer, it just gives me a heightened sense of appreciation for being...home.

Comments

[Kitchen Encounters]

I still wake up, often, in the middle of the night, from a deep, deep sleep and when I open my eyes believe I am in my bedroom back "home". That is a testament to how we were raised.

I wouldn't change/trade those "dreams"... it just makes my mind feel good that everything is just where I left it (and I can always go back)!

[Laurel]

I like that you have an appreciation for "home". Life is in the details.