Happy New Me!

So, here is the quick and dirty of why I left Philadelphia. It seems to be the question on everyone's mind (well, ok, not EVERYONE) so here goes. Ready?

Love. Stupid, fucked up love. No, I didn't relocate to be with the man I love but relocated to get away from the man I shouldn't love. Before my dad and brother go all chicken killer on him, no, he didn't beat me just couldn't keep his wang in his pants. An affliction I am finding is all too common amongst the menfolk.

However, even after his wang wandered, I accepted his apology and fell back into mad, tragic love. Ugh. Where had my self esteem and self worth gone? Did I sell them for rent money?
Who knows. So, in order to get my life on a healthy track I had to get the hell out of Dodge. So, here I am.

Life here in Colorado does not suck, not even a little. I'm living with my cousin in a wonderful home that is tucked away in the mountains (my view every morning is of the Continental Divide) in a small town that is reminiscent of "Northern Exposure." Every morning, Darby (2d best dog ever!) and I go for a walk down to the coffee shop (which is literally through the woods and situated next to a lake) where we pick up a Chai Tea and chat with Howard. I try to fill the rest of my day with studying and exercise.

Exercise in Colorado is amazing. Ok, you can confine yourself to a gym...if you're a freak! Living so close to the lake I have discovered a new form of exercise; ice skating. Snowshoeing? If you've never tried I highly recommend it. Your butt will thank you. Running? Ok, first I needed to get used to the fact that air molecules at this elevation weren't exactly bumping into each other but after that, incredible trails, amazing views and as a bonus I got much faster once I saw my first mountain lion.

When I first arrived in Colorado, I'm talking fresh off the plane, I was greeted by an older gentleman in a cowboy hat who was giving directions to baggage claim. Unlike any other airport personnel I've ever encountered he was genuinely happy to help! This holds true for everyone else in Colorado not just those in the service industry. People here are so friendly that jaded Easterners like myself could get suspicious.

Ok, another example of friendliness. Driving down the street, the pedestrians wave at you. Not a "Help, I'm being followed" kind of wave, just a "Hello! Nice to see you!" kind of wave.

I like it.

More importantly, for me, not you, well, maybe you, I suppose it depends on how well you know me. I'm smiling again. Really, really smiling again. I'm happy. That is something I haven't been able to say for a long time.

xo