The KEYS to Happiness

Yesterday, like most days of the week, I headed home from a ten hour work day savoring the idea of a good run to loosen my restless legs. At home, I quickly changed, left a message for my mom to call me later, set my ipod to an audio book, switched on my watch timer and tied my keys into my shoe laces. I was set.

I had mapped out a three mile loop on mapmyrun.com and had in mind to run three miles or twenty-six minutes, whichever came first. I had an amazing run; felt good and completed my time and distance.

As I headed up the sidewalk, tired and satisfied, I leaned down to untie the keys from my shoes in order to let myself into my building. You probably see where this is going by now. I had grabbed the wrong set of keys. Great.

So, there I was sweaty, without keys, a phone, ID, money, or squat. Now what? I weighed my options. I thought about trying to call my landlord though I didn't have his phone number or a quarter to make the call nor did I want to pay the thirty dollar fee for his rescue. I didn't like this option.

Here is a good time to fill you in on a few of the details of my living. There are only three other people who live in my building. I had yet to meet any of them. I had only seen one of them from my window one night.

As I considered the possibility of scaling our brick wall and breaking in my second floor window, I remembered that I had heard one of my neighbors arriving home a little after seven the night before. It was now 6:15.

I was praying like crazy. All I could think of was "just sit here and wait until at least 7:30." It seemed kinda iffy to me, sitting on my doorstep for an hour just in case someone happens to come home and let me in the apartment. But, wait I did.

At seven, I started to get antsy and second guess myself. But then I realized it wasn't myself that told me to wait.

True to his previous schedule, my neighbor pulled up to our building right at 7:15. I jumped up from the steps and practically met him at this car door. After introducing myself to him, he let me in and we broke into my apartment with his credit card. I was so relieved and a little unnerved at the simplicity of the break-in.

I thanked him profusely as he reminded me to keep my deadbolt locked (and possibly a chair pushed under the door knob).

Now I've got to go make some extra keys.

Keep on Movin'

I read a recent survey that stated people move an average of 11 times in their life. I quickly did the math in my head and discovered this last move to B-ville is my 18th. Eighteenth. And I'm only 29. Let that sink in for a moment. That's a lot of moves.

So, I guess it could be said that I'm used to new places, discovering what's out there and imagining a time when the place will feel like home.

Today marks the 1oth day of residency in my happy little town. I've spent hours opening boxes and figuring out the perfect location for my giraffe head, searching the internet for the best parks in town and driving down countless streets to discover what is around the corner. I'm doing all I can to familiarize myself with what will seen become common.

Here's a few things I like about my brand new surroundings:

1. There is a 12 mile "Pathfinders" trail that runs throughout the city, tunneling under the highways and winding through woods and neighborhoods - perfect for running.

2. My apartment is a mere block from not only the public library but Price Towers (Frank Lloyd Wright's creation), Java Dave's and numerous quaint downtown establishments.

3. There is a $2.00 Movie Theater.

4. I have free internet.

It's too bad I don't have any friends to enjoy these spots with YET. But that will come. Until then, I'll continue to explore and count my blessings.

Now resuming regularly scheduled programing.

It feels good to be sitting in my mostly unpacked, mostly decorated new apartment taking advantage of the free Internet. For the past few days, I've been bustin' my butt trying to get some semblance of "home" to emerge from the boxes and boxes of stuff. As I look around, I can't help but think: how in the world did I get to this?



Monday: Spent entire day in Bartlesville, looking for housing. Found apartment that seemed tolerable but had no money or way to make money in order to move one month earlier than expected.

Tuesday: Left message for a possible temporary job opportunity. God provided the money I would need to pay deposit on apartment.

Wednesday: Talked with job and obtained an interview for Friday. Completed application for apartment. Friends came over and packed my entire house "in case" I ended up moving soon.

Thursday: Couldn't get ahold of landlord to see if I had received the apartment. No final word on anything yet.

Friday: Had interview with temporary employer and received a job, starting the following Tuesday. Finally got ahold of landlord and completed paper-work and got keys. Gave notice to Cookson that I'd be moving on Sunday.

Saturday: Drove to Centerville to get rental van. Loaded entire house in moving van, helped load parent's entire house in their moving van.

Sunday: Arose at 5:30 to begin the drive to Bartlesville (two hours away) with family. Unloaded my apartment. Left for OKC (another two hours away). Helped unload my parent's home.

Monday: Drove Levi back to Cookson (took four hours when I didn't notice Levi had made a wrong turn) then drove back to Bartlesville.

Tuesday: Started work.



Whew!

I'm all moved in....

and by "all" I mean the furniture and boxes are located INSIDE the apartment and not in the moving van.
Give me some time to unpack and I'll fill you in on all the details. I'm sure all two of you can't wait!