Saturday, April 26, 2008

Little goodbyes

So the big moving day is tomorrow.

Boxes are packed, friends have been recruited, addresses have been changed.

If tomorrow is about new beginnings, then tonight is about little goodbyes.

Goodbye to my quirky little apartment. The first apartment that has ever been mine, from start to finish. Goodbye to the slanted floors that pull spilled liquid towards the kitchen. Goodbye to the yellow living room, which almost seemed to glow a little when the sunshine hit it just right. Goodbye to the sideways sink in my cozy kitchen, which made turning the faucet an exercise in caution, as it would inevitably knock up against a precarious pile of plates. Goodbye to the clawfoot bathtub, so deep that it felt I could almost comfortably drown. 

And goodbye to my neighbourhood, with the looming heritage homes, bedecked in bright, sometimes inappropriate colours. Goodbye to the corner gardens, adding some sparkle to the dullness of the concrete. Goodbye to the overhanging trees, encasing the street like a tent. Goodbye to my random wanderings down, turning haphazardly down another street, camera perched and ready for whatever image may greet me.


Even though it's only been a year, this area represents a lot to me. It's a representation of a profound transition in my life. Although I technically made the biggest and riskiest change over a half year prior to moving here, my residence here represents finally leaving all those ties behind for good, and starting out fresh. It represents me finally learning how to be deservedly a little selfish.

Sometimes you need to leave things behind before they get too run-of-the-mill and everyday, to best balance comfort and excitement. As such, I'm happily anticipating the changes that tomorrow will bring, and the stories that will come to be linked to the quirks of my new apartment, even though I feel a twinge of sadness saying goodbye to the giant tree on the corner.

But tonight is about these little goodbyes. I got take-out from my favourite Thai place around the corner and rented a few movies. Even though it is Saturday night, I am turning off my phone and the internet, and curling up on my couch. It's just me and my apartment tonight.

***

As an aside, we're not getting the Internet connected for a few days, so I may remain MIA for a little while longer.

37 comments:

Chelsea Talks Smack said...

AWWW I love this blog, because I know how imporatant and significant your home can be, and all of the little things lead up to a big/difficult goodbye when you have to move on, even when moving onto the next thing is great and exciting! I hope you and your apartment had a lovely, cozy evening together :)

KA said...

AWW that was beautiful. A home, no matter how short a time you spend in it, is still something that impacts you. Not only is moving hard, in general, but rearranging your life- your little haven is always a huge deal, even when it's exciting.

B said...

goodness... this just makes me SO much more excited about moving to RI.

Gah!

Jamie Lovely said...

I hope moving day goes well!

Beth said...

Best of luck with the move (which is today!) and with this next wonderful phase of your life.

Essentially Me said...

Wow that tree IS beautiful. Good luck with the move today! I know how much energy that can take out of a person ...

You've got all these little goodbyes, but you're going to be saying a big hello to living with Duke!

And I love how you spent your last night. So something I would do too.

:)

Stephanie said...

That is so exciting for you! Hope you had a wonderful night, just you and your apartment. I'm sure the next stage in your life will be even more wonderful!

Anonymous said...

I love this. Even though I'm still living at home, I know how attached I am to this actual place... I can't imagine what it's going to feel like when I leave.

But yay for new beginnings.

Z said...

Such a beautiful reminisce about your (soon-to-be) old apartment! Hope you enjoyed your "date night" with the place!!!

Anonymous said...

aww cute especially the part about the sideways sink.

megabrooke said...

Good luck with the move my friend! Wishing you many happy memories in your new digs, and lots of good things to come.

PS- Loved this line: Sometimes you need to leave things behind before they get too run-of-the-mill and everyday, to best balance comfort and excitement.

Larissa said...

Enjoy the new beginnings!

nicole antoinette said...

Good luck with everything hun! I can't wait to hear about all of the new traditions and memories, all of the "little hellos"

Anonymous said...

I'm kind of sad that I won't get to see your old apartment. But I DO get to see your new one in less than two weeks!

Good luck moving, love. You know where to find me if you need anything.

captain corky said...

I hope everything goes smooth! I would probably be good for about five minutes without the Internet.

Anonymous said...

This entry reminds me of Goodnight Moon :) It was lovely! I can't wait till I have a new apt to myself that I can say hello hello hello to :)

Melissa said...

This post is beautiful. You're a very powerful writer. Good luck! Hope everything goes well..

SMARTBuddy said...

Another year gone by- I remember a photo of a spider / not a spider hiding in a crack when you moved into that place! Good luck with the move and new place.

A Lil' Irish Lass said...

Best of luck with the move!

Anonymous said...

Ooh moving day! Yay! I know leaving a place behind kind of sucks, especially once you feel like you've finally settled in!

Arielle said...

Ooh hope moving day goes/went well. Very exciting!

the frog princess said...

Awww...

I am currently living in the first apartment that has really been MINE. I can't even imagine how I will feel when I leave.

I hope you enjoyed your night in! Good luck unpacking at the new place... lord knows that's what I hate most about moving!!

Lisa said...

I'm moving this week, too. What a hassle! I wish you every convenience!

Anonymous said...

i can completely relate to this...and those pictures are stunning.
good luck with the transition :)

Tonya said...

I hope your move went well. It's funny how apts can represent a part of your history. Even though you are excited about the new, it's always just a little bit sad to say good-bye.

Nilsa S. said...

I love this post. Oftentimes, when I have made a big decision, I focus purely on the exciting things to come. And forget to wish a fond farewell to the wonderful things soon to be in my rear-view mirror.

Chris Benjamin said...

wow, spilled liquid goes right to the kitchen, what a feature! and you gave it up? ahh well, to little goodbyes and new beginnings then.

alexa @clevelandsaplum said...

congratulations on the move! this post made me smile : )

Jess said...

This post is beautiful. I think Thai from your favorite take-out place was the perfect goodbye.

Anonymous said...

Aww!! I missed you! Things have been crazy, but good. On your side too, right? :-) Hope everything goes smoothly.

Katelin said...

Aww what a sweet post. I have never really had that experience but I can totally tell what you're talking about. I hope the move goes well and your little goodbyes aren't too hard to handle :)

Yoda said...

Awww! I've had similar goodbyes to my old apartments. And yes, the last nights have almost always been Internet less :-)

Come back to us soon!

Ant said...

Set a slow-fuse bomb on the place then coolly walk away holding some kind of bag, and lighting a cigarette. When the place explodes behind you don't react at all.

This is what happened when I left my last place. Sort of.

brandy said...

Loved this!! I hope the move goes well my dear. I definitely can relate to the sentiment shared here, it's funny how one can get so attached to a home.

Jocelyn said...

I appreciate that you take the time to really assess everything and its import. YES.

Therapeutic Ramblings said...

Sorry I've been MIA.....I too am moving, and it has been more than I expected. Thank god for the little goodbyes.

Anonymous said...

What a nice post. Hope the move goes well!