The New Always
So hungry………….
Going vegan.
Jeremy and I have decided to give veganism a proper try. Since making the decision a few weeks ago we’ve been slowly finishing the last of the dairy and egg items in the refrigerator and replacing them with more vegetables, nuts, grains, vegan friendly soups and the whatnot. We’ve even started to explore the non-dairy varieties of things like cheese and yogurt.
So far the biggest challenges have been breakfast and what to do when we’re hungry but there aren’t vegan options around.
Breakfast has always been a big protein meal for me. 2 eggs, some kefir, yogurt, or cheese. Toasted PB&J. Some almonds. Now cutting out all the dairy and the eggs, I find myself starving come 10am. So far so good by introducing oatmeal and soy yogurt & granola… and a whole lot of mid-morning snacking.
I’ve begun to embrace that I will be eating much more since I’m eating different types of foods that although they are vitamin rich, don’t give off the same full-feeling like the dairy and eggs do.
The other challenge of wanting to eat when there aren’t any vegan options means I’m simply going to have to be more prepared. I’ll have to keep my cupboard stocked as well as bring food along with me when I’m out and about. It’ll take some getting used to, but it’s better than going hungry.
And the other challenge is having to think about my diet all the time. This morning I had a piece of S’more Pie brought in by a co-worker. It wasn’t until a half hour after I ate my slice that the alert triggered in my head that it wasn’t vegan. Perhaps I didn’t think about analyzing the dish because I normally don’t indulge in baked sweets at work. Shrug, either way I’m not going to beat myself up over it. The whole point of the transitional period is to make new decisions and be conscious of those decisions.
So far, so good!
p.s. I miss sour cream and need to find a decent substitute ASAP!
Friday night.
So here I am in Ann Arbor. It’s cute here. Very Bay View (Milwaukee neighborhood, not SF neighborhood) and downtown is old-timey, but renovated old-timey so it’s very clean and trim. I think Jeremy put it best in describing the size of Ann Arbor proper/campus. It’s like sticking to only one SF neighborhood and being contained to that neighborhood. It’s not bad, just a bit …. small. Overall it’s very pretty and green.
Fortunately our apartment overlooks the newly renovated West Park. Yesterday at dusk we were running Cello in the park and having a great time until the sun was almost set and lightening bugs began to sparkle across the field. It was beautiful. Then Cells began leaping around trying to eat all of the green sparks. Hilarious, but gross. Overall, Cello loves it here. I took for granted how little nature she’s been exposed to. Squirrels - new. Chipmunks - new. Birds that are not pigeons - new. Frogs - new. She’s handling it well for the most part although shaking bushes or slithers in the grass make her jump out of her skin. Silly city dog.
My job hunt started this Monday. My resume is in good shape. Now I’m just waiting for jobs to be posted so I can apply for them. Ann Arbor does not appear to use Craigslist as much as they do in San Francisco or Milwaukee, but just the same it’s summer time and I’m confident something will come up soon.
We also live 3 blocks away from The Blind Pig, Ann Arbor’s only reputable rock club. Beneath it is my new favorite hang out, The 8 Ball. It’s Ann Arbor’s only equivalent of Cactus/Hemlock. They have $1.75 rail drinks, for realz. It’s nice to have a hangout and I’ve already met a few derby girls from both the Detroit league and the newly formed Ann Arbor league. I’m itching to skate, but finding a job and figuring out that schedule is top on my priority list.
Tonight: Soul Club at The Blind Pig. Finally! Dancing! I’m looking forward to a night out on the town. Soul night, do not let me down!
Leaving San Francisco
After a tearful goodbye to San Francisco (yes, I cried as we drove over the foggy Golden Gate Bridge) and a seven day journey across America with 95 lb. puppy in tow, we finally made it to Ann Arbor last week Thursday.
Leaving SF was so strange. The last two days felt surreal, specifically the last night. Family, friends, neighbors and acquaintances made appearances to say their goodbyes and well wishes. I was so exhausted and overwhelmed from the week of packing and running around that it felt as if I were running on autopilot. The truck was packed, rental car parked across the street, and our Aerobed was inflated resting on the bare hardwood floor next to our packed suitcases. Home was suddenly foreign. Even the familiar walk up Polk Street to Hemlock that last time was off. I was looking at everything with new eyes.
The next morning we packed the rental car without any problems and made a comfortable area for Cello in the back seat. It was just about time for us to get into the car and head east when the owner/chef of our favorite restaurant around the corner, Pagolac, ran out to say one last goodbye and give us a bowl of warm taro in coconut milk. It was only 11am and his restaurant did not open until 6pm. It was such a kind and touching gesture.
Overall, leaving San Francisco was hard and at the same time pleasantly sentimental. My almost four years there opened up my life to so many amazing people and experiences. I am happy to have had so much time to prepare myself for the move to Ann Arbor as it allowed for so many opportunities to embrace the people and the city I’ve come to love so much. As we drove over the Golden Gate Bridge (cue my crying like a sally) leaving the San Francisco cityscape fading behind in the distance I began looking forward to my first return visit.
Our new balcony in our new apartment over looking the newly renovated park in our back yard. Ann Arbor!
We’re Heeeeeeeeeereeeee
Well, we made it. Ann Arbor is very different than SF. I’ll have to write more later as it is such a gorgeous day. 79 degrees and sunny!
Sinking in.
Last Tuesday I had an off-site team meeting with my Zeum staff at BAYCAT in the Dogpatch http://baycat.org/ . First off, the space was AMAZING and I felt the entire day was extremely productive in mapping out the future of Zeum, as well as preparing ourselves for the summer crowds. Secondly, I had to keep reminding myself that I’m not actually going to be at Zeum this summer.
I’m a bit sheepish to say it, but becoming the Visitor Services Manager at Zeum was a great achievement for me. I’ve wanted to be in this role since 1999. Granted at that time I was only 19 and working at the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum in Milwaukee and knew I was a long time off from being experienced enough to attain the position. Yet five years ago while working at the Milwaukee Public Museum, I knew it was an attainable goal sometime along my career path.
Zeum has known my plans to leave since February. This has been both a blessing and a curse in that I don’t need to hide the fact I am leaving my post - however it curbs my plans on improving my department in ways that demand long term (like 3+ month) planning and implementation. For example, our Birthday Party Packages need a complete makeover. Between the research into other competitive venues, needs of our visitors, staffing and facilitation capabilities, I am not in the position to make such needed yet drastic changes knowing I am moving in six weeks. It’s unbelievably frustrating as I have plans and ideas, yet nothing I can see from beginning to end in such a short time. We’ve begun elements of research, but there isn’t much more I can successfully accomplish before moving to Ann Arbor.
It also raises the question of what I am going to do for work in Ann Arbor. Ideally I’ll get another museum position but that may take some time. I have hopes that once the semester is over in June that more jobs will become available. All in all, for as much as I’d like to continue advancing my career - the whole purpose of moving to Ann Arbor is to support Jeremy in attaining his degree. If I spend these next two years doing service industry to pay our bills, so be it. There will be time in the future dedicated to my career, it just may not be in Ann Arbor.
