The Cherry Blossoms

April 2nd, 2004

Seattle will always be special.

I came out here looking for something. I didn’t know what, but I knew that staying in Hawaii wasn’t getting me any closer to it. Have I ever explained why I left hawaii? It probably has less to do with its being Hawaii, but more to do with the complacency that comes when you don’t finish school and can’t seem to get it together to pursue the things you love. Or even to figure out what those things may be. So you go to work and you come home and you hope something fun and exciting will happen, only it never does because waiting for life to happen isn’t the way you’re supposed to live. Something had to change.

So I came to Seattle. Ish. Technically I’ve never /lived/ in Seattle, but it’s close enough that I can write this entry and pretend and you all will just nod in agreeance. Okay? Anyhow, Seattle. It’s beautiful and perfect, even with the rain, which really isn’t so bad at all. It does stop. That’s a secret you know. Seattle people have made up the rain rumor so the rest of you don’t head out to invade. But shhh. I didn’t tell you that.

Things went well out here. I found work within a week of arriving. I bought a car. I got a nice job with the postal service. I learned that I deserve more than what I had, and ended the 5 year relationship that had dwindled to non-conversations consisting of grunts and “where’s the remote?” I learned that the world doesn’t end when things change and they don’t appear to be going your way.

It was my first apartment alone. By myself. I had a decent job, paid my bills, and on occasion, cooked a hot meal. My place. Well, me and the cats. But they were my cats! All mine! I could walk around in my underwear whenever I wanted to, leave my dirty laundry on the bathroom floor, and even use the bathroom with the door open. And today I pack it all up. Your first apartment is always a Big Deal. I’m sad that my parents never got to see it.

A couple of weeks ago the cherry blossoms were in bloom. Bursting with fluff and color. Those trees are amazing, you know. The different shades of pink are striking against the blue sky. Sure we don’t get many blue skies around here, but while the trees were in bloom we seemed to have perfect skies. Perfect weather. That was Seattle kissing me goodbye.

Since last week the flowers have dropped. The sidewalks and streets are littered with the mush of decaying flower petals. It’s time for me to go.