I have commitment issues.
With geography.
As a therapist in training, I could probably dig into my patterns of behavior, emotional responses and life choices regarding my inability to stay in one place longer than 3 or 4 months at a time, and perhaps really uncover the source of my aversion to putting down roots and settling in to my surroundings.
I could...
...but that seems like a lot of work.
Instead, I will be a red-blooded American and blame it on my childhood.
My dad was in the Air Force until I was about 9 years old. During those formative years, we moved 4 times. Each time we had to pick up and leave for a new place, we gathered only what we could carry, stuffed it in our knapsacks and set off through the foothills of the snowy, majestic Alpine mountains.
Shut up, Julie Andrews, I'm telling it! (Man... how do you solve a problem like Maria?)
Also, we traveled quite a bit while in these new places. When we lived in England, my parents took full advantage. For example, our vacations were often in Scotland, Wales and Ireland. (*Note: My brother and I have both thrown up in every country in the United Kingdom. And Ireland.)
When we lived in Germany, we visited France, Belgium, Austria, the Netherlands and a few other countries, all of which insist on putting mayonnaise on everything (blerg).
The point is, we moved and traveled a fair amount and I loved it. Sure, it was hard to leave friends behind, but it was the life. Nothing and no one was permanent and I always looked forward to wherever we might get to go next.
I think this is why I got me some real itchy feet right now.
Within the last two years, I have moved at least 7 times.
I have been in North Carolina for almost 5 months now, and I know I'm going to be here for another year and a half.
And, to be perfectly honest, I don't see it working out for us in the long run. NC hates how anal retentive I am and I can't stand how NC can't seem to learn to put the cap back on the freakin' toothpaste! I mean, how hard is it?? Son of a bitch!
Aren't you glad we didn't dig into any of those deeper, underlying issues?
That could've been graphic.
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27 comments:
wow throwing up in every country in the UK is quite a feat. Congratulations!
Thanks for adding that reference to the Sound of Music. I needed that mention in my day.
dude i feel your pain! my dad was in the air force and until i was 13 i went to at least one different school EVERY YEAR!!! no joke!! born in spain, lived all over europe and central america, and at least 5 states. word. and i moved away from home at 17 to san francisco by self and trekked all over cali til i had mason....the only reason i stopped moving is because i met the hubs....i LOVE moving!!!! LOVE IT!! oh...and good luck on your toothpaste cap issue. that dang NC.
wow! i am jealous. i have never moved in my life, i lived with my grandparents and then bought their house. cute wants to move real bad. grass is always greener i guess- much love girl! sorry i haven't been around in a while!
Congrats (?) on the vomit thing, that's quite a feat. There is something to be said for having a home base and just travelling a lot. That may help you get through the next year and a bit. Even if it's just a weekend escape!
"Shut up, Julie Andrews!"
That made me laugh so hard!
i now have visions of singing nuns and choruses of "ohhh how do you solve a problem like mariiiiiiiiiiaaaaa--- (cue operatic voice) howwww do you holllld a moooonbeammm in.... your... haaaaaand" stuck in my head
twitch. twitch.
Wow, throwing up in every country in the UK is a fantastic accomplishment. I loved the Sound of Music reference, made me laugh. Don't leave NC, We like having you here!!
I've moved 17 times since graduating high school. Mine is all in the US though.
Like you, I've always had itchy feet. I LOVE moving!
You know what will destroy your ability to pack and move whenever the itch hits you? Marriage. And a 401K. I moved 26 times in 10 years and now I've lived in the same place for 4. Oh it burns, burns, burns. And I don't even have the Army to blame it on...seeing as hubs is a Reservist. I don't think it would be a toothpaste issue with me and NC...it would be a granola, sandal-wearing-with-socks issue. But maybe that's just me. I do wonder how you got used to having ice in your glass after all of that European living though. And not drying your clothes on the heating coils. My sister did it for 5 years and I know she's kissed her dryer everyday since she's been in the states..
Man, I am so envious of all the places you've lived. What a life! And it totally explains your itchy feet to move. But not putting the cap back on the toothpaste? That's unforgivable. Run fast and far, my friend. That shit never changes.
I definitely think it's a reflection of how you grew up and all the wonderful places you've been able to experience. And there's nothing wrong with that!
My husband has the opposite problem. We actually live in the house he grew up in... his parents are next door and all of the rest of his family is in the same town.
Sometimes I think a little more sense of adventure would be a good thing!
I'm not sure whether you should thank us or demand money for therapy...but there's a brick street in Rothenburg, Germany, that probably is still marked by your....presence.
Wow, throwing up in every country in the UK? That's insanity!
When I was younger, I wished for the life you had. I grew up in a tiny hilljack town and wished I was somewhere else every day for at least 15 years.
It's hard to get along with the Carolinas... they're all nice to your face and "bless her heart" to your back.
And we all know what THAT stands for.
Oh, God. French fries with mayonnaise. Study abroad was so good until that moment.
I will wait patiently, for another year and half, to welcome you to San Diego with open arms.
I used to want to live like that. Moving all the time. Cuz I was too cool to stay put. Turns out I wasn't too cool, cuz I'm still here. Blah.
Remember that song...or...rather have you ever heard it....
"Indiana wants me. But I can't go back there..."
that would be me if I ever left this place.
take a trip! Move to California! YAY!
I"m a navy brat- so I kept my bags packed.
Allyson,
I lived in China ever so briefly and we definitely didn't have a dryer. When I moved back, I almost made out with that dryer on a daily basis.
Christina,
Yeah, I'm just not made for this part of the country. Tough lesson...
Kate,
The Dutch put mayo on EVERYTHING! They thought I was nuts because anytime I ordered fries, I would scream, "But no mayonnaise!!!" Yeah, they heard me.
cool blog :) love the title of it too :) made me smile :)
I can feel myself getting queasy. Being newly married to a man in the military, I get sickened at the thought of all this up & leaving. :( We just moved here in August. We're leaving for NC in April. I feel ya.
Love it!! And I am SO jealous. And SO getting your need to be a rolling stone. Before my current abode, I had my own dysfunctional relationship with a town. Redneck, good ol' boy town and I didn't really get along.... :)
Sara...you are such a world traveler. I am a bit jealous.
If only NC got your (our) sense of humor! Maybe then it wouldn't be so itchy?
since S graduated high school almost 4 years ago, I've moved at least 8 times, and attended three different colleges. I lived in the same area of Vermont for my whole life before that. So I have no explanation for my ichy feet.
Finally I've gotten really sick of having to pack up my whole life every six months. I'll still have to move again at the end of the semester, but I don't plan on moving far, NYC is such a great place for restless souls like me I guess.
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