117 Days...

Right now I'm destroying what was once a beautiful eclair. My fork has been implemented to cut it bite by bite while forcing the custard filling out the sides. The pathetic pastry is in two pieces, chocolate sauce smudged and cream oozing under it. It's wonderful. Really the perfect desert for me at what has become my favorite brunch spot in Seattle: B&O. It seems fitting that I am here having brunch at the same place I came to on my first real day in Seattle... 117 days ago.

Fitting because today is my last day in Seattle. While I may have not expected to leave only 1/5 of a year later, I'm excited to be flying back to stay in Minneapolis for a short term before exploring Chicago next. Really this is the most fun about why I chose to leave Minneapolis: because then I would have no regrets. Of course I regret not giving Seattle the year or two it would take to feel at home. I regret that I didn't' blog more, lost my motivation to write down the sweet things I saw each day from my bike or while being jostled on the city bus. I didn't take enough pictures. I didn't explore near as much as I could have. And I as my time here is measured in hourly increments, I have decided it unhelpful to think of all the things I didn't do. There are times where you have to choose what will make you happiest overall, and what will be better to suffer through.

And while I will never memorialize these last four months as suffering, I see that this city, at this time, is not mine. It's lovely. The spring tease is in full effect and the sun is finally blessing us with daily appearances. This is a truly breathtaking city. You look one way and you see a ridge of mountains in the distance, under a pale blue sky. Turn your head another direction, and the Puget Sound lulls under the downtown cityscape. Cars disappear down hills you could sled down back in Minneapolis right now. There are daffodils and miniature tulips blooming. Pink flowers adorn massive trees like they were put there for a special event. In all directions there are trees and hedges against brightly painted garages and raised houses. One could never get tired of this city.

Unless one were to become deeply concerned with their immediate happiness and relationships. You see. I met a boy. He's like that perfect sock you've been waiting to go with that one outfit that looked great on you but needed that something extra. He's my argyle in green against my vintage fabric. And while I tried deeply to enjoy my time here in Seattle, it seemed overly stubborn to stay here when I could very easily start new experiences in a city I almost moved to instead of here... and get to wear my awesome socks. Well, you see what I mean.

So - I am closing the door* on this chapter of my life. I'm going to always be happy I avoided most of what was an awful winter back in the Midwest. I'm going to be happy I ventured the road less travelled and decided to take the hiking path next to it instead. Sometimes you just have to choose. And it's not the city, but the person who makes what they want of it. Don't hate me Seattle. You're pretty and you know it. I have a feeling many more will be here to take my place.

Now that I'll be back in the Twin Cities for a bit, I can almost guarantee my blogging to increase. I want to apologize for all you who check often for my entries and come up empty handed. You'll be compensated, I promise. Maybe with eclairs.... who knows how to make eclairs?

Wishing you wise road choosing...

Love love love,

K.

*After I decided to return to the Twin Cities, I immediately wanted to memorialize the city and go on a crazy excursion to take pictures and write more about what I enjoyed here. And day by day I didn't do it. I only felt better after reading this article in the New York Times on Tuesday. I encourage you to register (it's free and the email updates are great) and read it to, so you can see why I have no regrets about leaving.