Hello, I am really truly back, settled and employed in Massachusettes. I made a zine about it of course, but I want to ramble about this first. I'm living a kind of dream I've always aspired but never thought could be possible. I keep drinking on school nights, running out of time for all my plans and projects, getting to come home to people, it is very wonderful.
Somerville is a very special place, walkable (until they tear up all the side walks for the mysterious construction project that started the day we got here and continues to this day) and with shops, stores, markets, and so many places to go.
My new job is fun, active and full of friendly people. I'm learning the world of food service and it is not as scary as I feared. I feel gross every day but I get tips and I meet people and I have regulars and I get to walk around and do different things every hour and its great.
The house is coming along very well. Its got the same theme as before, but my room is going to be more themed than ever. I want a sort of boudoir vibe mixed with my lovely objects I haven't seen in a year. I am very excited for my upcoming visit home to grab stuff I've been missing, I must complete the space.
I am so close to my family and the people I have missed the most, though I have aquired new people to miss. It is weird that Santa Fe is now just a year that happened, its already taking up less space in my mind as I make way for new things. I miss a lot, more than I thought. The friends were a given, but I miss the sunset over the shrub and grass or when the Sangre de Cristos would do that thing they were named after. I miss having people to discuss the nuances of tourism in the South West, to see people from truly everywhere.
At my job I have regulars, strangers I see every day and know nothing about. I like meeting locals and people at similar stages of life to me. But I miss having the tourist customers who were from so many different places. Its not even about ethnicity or birthplace but the current place these people are used to living in. I can't explain why it feels so different any more than this.
I am living correctly here, I move correctly. I take the bus or the train or I walk! When I attempt to cross, people are ready for me. When I cut through I don't feel absurd for just being on the sidewalk. I can afford groceries and utilities and I can buy something for my own amusement. I can talk about my life with people who are experiencing the same things at the same time. I am happier here, but change is always weird and I loved New Mexico and I felt like it loved me. I get to write letters now, its not the same as being with my people, but it keeps me connected and creative. Anyways...
Here is a zine that took me about three or four weeks since I've only been busy here. I've had multiple overnight guests, nights out and events to take up my time. But I want to find the rhythm that lets me go out and live and stay in and create.
Enjoy!
Thank you for checking in, I'm missing you right now.
Write soon!
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