I returned to Viterbo this afternoon and it feels REALLY good to be back in Italy. What's amazing is that I can feel at home in two different countries. Of course, I find life comfortable and familiar in the United States, but it's truly exciting that I feel that way here as well. I was listening to the radio today and was picking up on the gist of what the DJ was talking about and the Italian language is a part of me now too. This post will be a quick summary of what I did and processed while back in the good old United States of America. If your name appears in this posting, props for making time to hang with me!
First stop, Boston. Thanks to Jeff O. & Andrea, Catherine V. and Ian L.
Second stop, Bay Area. Shout out to Shahana, Carl, Deven & Annika, the crew at HRS, Todd U., Brian S., Aliza S., Peter S., Lauren S. Major C., Justin C., Melissa G., Alicia D., Hans W, Teresa M, Mary H., J'Tao & Tim, Charlotte L., Alex K., Paul F., the LSR gang, Thomas H, Vern N, Al C., Jim Y, Melody K, and Anne and Emily D. Whew, that's a list.
I attended the Gay Pride Parade for the first time (I lived there for a decade and never went). Here we have the Bay Area Association for Independent Schools marching, but no East Bay Schools were represented. Hmmm.....
What I did conclude while in the Bay Area is that it is a 95% probability that I will not move back after this second year. Why? Various reasons, but mostly because I never felt like I created a solid community. Yes, I had lots of friends, but I never felt like I really belonged. When someone asked me what my favorite thing about SF was? The honest answer was, the weather. In the end, even though most people "LOVE" San Francisco, I liked it, but didn't have much love or attachment to it. It's been hard to come to that realization and it feels like I'm being a party pooper, but I just don't love the Bay Area.
Third Stop, Seattle. Great to see Heidi P., Carlos P., Larry C., the O'Neill family, Rob K., Lisa A., Sharma H., the Gray's, Julie L., Kristin S., Jeff H., Chris W., Dana V., Eleni, C., Rick B., Vickie L, Dean K., Malika K. and of course my grandparents, parents and sister.
Carlos P., Patrick O. and myself circling the iPad at a BBQ at Patrick's home.
Kayaking 4th of July weekend out on Bainbridge Island with my college roommate's son.
Seattle was great. I feel at home there. More about that later in time as I figure out what where I want to live someday, but this is feeling like the place. I used to think that going back where you grew up as "defeat" but making the decision now to end up there feels more like "informed choice". I have ties to that city and people there. It's what home feels like.
Fourth stop, New York. A week up on Lucky Dog Organic Vegetable Farm volunteering for Richard G., Kalan J. and the gang. Camping along the East Branch of the Delaware River and working hard all day getting sweaty and then rewarding yourself by jumping into the river...nothing better. Great seeing Peter S., Sarah S., Simeon S & Darcy, Mary Bentley H., Keith G., Alysa J., Jennifer C., Gayle A., Rob M., Ned B., Felice K. and Ari K.
Here I am "vogueing" in front of Madonna's new home on East 81st off Lexington Avenue.
So, when I was back in the US, I had many qualms about my not being in a relationship or even dating. After much discussion and observation and introspection, I'm pretty much of the opinion that I am WAY too selfish to be in an actual relationship right now. I get too much joy out of doing things "MY WAY" and when I want to do them. However, I do feel as though I need to get out there and meet more people, or if you want to call it dating, then yes, I should get out there and practice. So, that's the Ernie Chen improvement project for the next year. Thanks to all for listening to me process. It all helped.
First stop, Boston. Thanks to Jeff O. & Andrea, Catherine V. and Ian L.
Second stop, Bay Area. Shout out to Shahana, Carl, Deven & Annika, the crew at HRS, Todd U., Brian S., Aliza S., Peter S., Lauren S. Major C., Justin C., Melissa G., Alicia D., Hans W, Teresa M, Mary H., J'Tao & Tim, Charlotte L., Alex K., Paul F., the LSR gang, Thomas H, Vern N, Al C., Jim Y, Melody K, and Anne and Emily D. Whew, that's a list.
What I did conclude while in the Bay Area is that it is a 95% probability that I will not move back after this second year. Why? Various reasons, but mostly because I never felt like I created a solid community. Yes, I had lots of friends, but I never felt like I really belonged. When someone asked me what my favorite thing about SF was? The honest answer was, the weather. In the end, even though most people "LOVE" San Francisco, I liked it, but didn't have much love or attachment to it. It's been hard to come to that realization and it feels like I'm being a party pooper, but I just don't love the Bay Area.
Third Stop, Seattle. Great to see Heidi P., Carlos P., Larry C., the O'Neill family, Rob K., Lisa A., Sharma H., the Gray's, Julie L., Kristin S., Jeff H., Chris W., Dana V., Eleni, C., Rick B., Vickie L, Dean K., Malika K. and of course my grandparents, parents and sister.
Seattle was great. I feel at home there. More about that later in time as I figure out what where I want to live someday, but this is feeling like the place. I used to think that going back where you grew up as "defeat" but making the decision now to end up there feels more like "informed choice". I have ties to that city and people there. It's what home feels like.
Fourth stop, New York. A week up on Lucky Dog Organic Vegetable Farm volunteering for Richard G., Kalan J. and the gang. Camping along the East Branch of the Delaware River and working hard all day getting sweaty and then rewarding yourself by jumping into the river...nothing better. Great seeing Peter S., Sarah S., Simeon S & Darcy, Mary Bentley H., Keith G., Alysa J., Jennifer C., Gayle A., Rob M., Ned B., Felice K. and Ari K.
So, when I was back in the US, I had many qualms about my not being in a relationship or even dating. After much discussion and observation and introspection, I'm pretty much of the opinion that I am WAY too selfish to be in an actual relationship right now. I get too much joy out of doing things "MY WAY" and when I want to do them. However, I do feel as though I need to get out there and meet more people, or if you want to call it dating, then yes, I should get out there and practice. So, that's the Ernie Chen improvement project for the next year. Thanks to all for listening to me process. It all helped.
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