One of the best things about being a journalist is receiving (positive) feedback from those you have written about. 

For my story about a local roller derby league, which can be found here, the two women I wrote about were just so grateful and gracious (especially with the flood of e-mails I was sending them). Hearing that they liked my coverage of their sport, something that is a very key part of their lives, was just amazing.

On top of that, one of the editors I wrote for this past quarter offered to let me freelance for her paper. So that is pretty damn cool.

Things are going well.

WHAT IS WITH YOUR WEATHER RIGHT NOW?

You lead me on to think that it might be overcast with a cool breeze and then I walk around outside and your humidity hits me like a brick wall.

WHY?

-Ana

P.S. I still love you.

I am finally back in Seattle!

Yesterday’s flying was a bit of a bitch, but I still made it here in one piece. My mum and I caught a shuttle back to my new house and I may or may not have nearly cried when the city skyline came into view.

The best part of being back thus far: having my boyfriend and housemates run outside for hugs and then walking inside to see that nearly all of my friends are sitting in the living room. So many bear hugs.

It is good to be back.

This is odd.

Then again, Washington is absolutely gorgeous in spring. How green and lush it gets is borderline frightening.

Thus far, college has been an experience. A good one, for sure. I became fast friends with a group of people on my floor and we spend our nights inhabiting the lounge and nerding out and having conversations about food, culture, Tracy’s (possibly, possibly not) drunken musings, relationship dynamics, and whatever else comes to mind. Mostly nerding though.

I do not know how many times I have said this, but I seriously live in one of the loveliest places in the States. I love this place.

Earlier this week—or perhaps last week?—not sure as I am beginning to lose track of time. Anyway. Sometime ago, I received a text from Maddie saying: “Dis sounds weird, but since you have moved to Washington it seems as if you have grown lovelier. :D okay, done being creepy.” Not only was it an overall cute text (mostly because I can totally imagine the voice she would say that in), but I think it is pretty true.

I can honestly say that I have not felt this good in a long time. I feel lovelier. I really do. I don’t know why. All I do know is that I have not looked into the mirror and felt that sinking feeling in over a week now, which is damn good.

As much as I do love my home of southern California, I do feel a lot of negative vibes when I am there. There is always this feeling of extremely high expectations and this unreasonable standards that I always wanted / felt obligated to achieve.

Awhile ago I wrote about traveling and personal reinvention. Having moved to Seattle, I was given the chance to make changes. Granted, they were all small changes, but I still feel like they have made such a difference. My moving did not make me revert back to the Chicago shitstorm of 2009, which quite honestly, I was really afraid of that happening again.

Things have definitely started looking up again.

Thanks for being good to me thus far, Washington.