Some of you have been bugging me to update for awhile, and I'll admit I haven't been as diligent in keeping everyone up to date. I guess I usually wait for something eventful to write about, but I think I'll just write about a typical, uneventful night here in Hartford.
Monday's are always nice - I work out of my office (which is my apartment). I do field sales engineering, which means that I spend most of my week onsite at customer locations, helping them configure systems that will test and control their crazy engineering stuff. A lot of its classified, but there's a lot of neat military / aerospace in CT and NY. Anyways, Mondays are my "office day", which means I catch up on work and set up the rest of my week.
Melody and Enoch (a friend from church) came over for lunch, since they both work in downtown Hartford. The work day is so nice when you can take a break like that.
After dinner, Melody came over to my place. We usually work out together on Monday evenings at the gym in my apartment complex. It's not too big, but it has plenty of machines and free weights. Afterwards, we'll hit the books. Yes, we are that boring. Melody studies like crazy for her acturarial exams (pretty much every night), which actually works out well for me because I'm usually working at night too. I guess it's a stage of life - new job for me, and exam season for her. At least it's enjoyable though, and I try to balance it with other things throughout the week.
There ya go - typical day in my life. I am surprisingly happy right now, but I definitely do miss my friends in Austin.
Here are some pictures from my last night in Austin, and my new apartment in downtown Hartford. Life's been good thus far, and I'm completely moved in now!
Totally getting in trouble for this picture...
Don't cry, Eric...
And on to Hartford, CT we go!
Welcome to Hartford 21 - the view from outside
Valet parking! I love this place (and that's not my car)
I guess the whole "Danintexas" username doesn't quite apply anymore. Lesson learned - don't make your user names geographically specific! Although my friend Angelia has an email address of angeliainchina@..., and though she's lived throughout the world, she is still longing to be in China at heart. I guess at the moment I still call myself a Texas at heart?
Looking back, I was in Austin for a total of 2 years and 3 months. Those were a really good 2 years and 3 months. Everything I could've asked for out of college - great church, great community, great roommate, great friends, great outdoor activities, great weather... I could go on and on. I think that Austin will always have a special place in my heart.
At the same time, I felt like I had reached my ceiling of growth and learning there, and it was time for something new. I learned an amazing amount about spiritual leadership and service at my curch there. But sometimes you just feel the urge, almost this incessant burning in your stomach, to move on to the next step, you know?
Anyways, I definitely see CT as a next step in many aspects of my life. It's a step towards deeper relationship(s). It's a step towards career growth. It's a step towards a different type of spiritual stretching (in perhaps a less vibrant spiritual climate?) And most importantly, I see it is a major step towards a hopeful calling in East Asia.
Which brings me to my first night, sleeping in my empty apartment in Hartford. On the ground, in my sleeping bag. I miss my roommate. I definitely miss my friends in Austin too. Melody's been great though, helping me do my shopping and setting up my apartment.
Ok, it's late and I'm rambling. Pictures to come shortly!
Once when I took my sister and my cousin out to Bar Harbor, Maine, we came across a 4-5 foot chasm between the rocks. Being a guy, the first thought that crossed my mind was "I could totally jump that" (even though it totally wasn't necessary). Furthermore, I knew that my sister could take a great picture from below of me crossing that chasm.
However, as the story goes, my sister and my cousin (being the women they are) talked me out of it, citing good reasons such as the danger, and how unnecessary it was ... all valid reasons mind you (I love you Jen!). I let myself get talked out of the jump that day, and have often wondered (with a twinge of regret) if I let a picture perfect opportunity slip by.
Fast forward 5 years to this past weekend. A group of friends and I went out to Enchanted Rock, this massive rock / mountain in the middle of Texas. In the midst of our excursions, we come across (of course) a 4-5 foot chasm. And this time, I jumped. (Actually I had to jump back and forth 5 times because Melody couldn't get that perfect picture). And I'm glad that I did =) (Alan, you'd be proud!)
Sometimes I feel that way in life. In fact, I feel like I'm about take a big jump in my move to Connecticut. When anyone hears that I chose CT over California, the first reaction has always been a big resounding "What?" Honestly, I'm still not exactly sure what I'm doing sometimes. All I know is that it's where I feel God leading me for the next stage of my life, and I'm going to jump with both feet forward.
