— On Wed, 4/8/09, <curlywurlygurly@verizon.net> wrote:
So, how goes your new life in Maine? How's john's job? The girls are making friends and enjoying school?? you've unpacked all the boxes and set up house? Let me know. xoxo
I know this isn’t QUITE what you were expecting Curls, but as I’ve already discussed feet, underwear, and copulating animals crackers here.. why not get a little personal? So here goes.
19 days in Portland. and we are settling in well. The boxes are all unpacked (save for those hidden beneath our beds and they DO NOT COUNT), and the apartment is in order. I have to say, coming from a 3 story house I’d never have imagined I’d like any apartment, but I truly love this place. So sun filled and spacious; my plants have never known such bliss. John seems to be enjoying his new job, which is much the same as his old job @ PENN, but w/ more responsibility. The girls are loving their new school. Maddie had her first assembly today – she got to do an African dance w/ her classmates and play a Nigerian rhythm on the drum.
Both she and Georgia have made wonderful friends quickly. The day after we moved in, they were already going to the park w/ neighbors, and Madison had her first play date by the end of the week. Georgia – that crazy 5 year old – already has her first real crush (CANNOT NAME NAMES) and a birthday party to go to next week. Me? I’m having a blast exploring Portland, taking photos and OF COURSE Blahhhhhging once more. Oh, and I’ve gotten a job. YES I KNOW I HAVEN’T EVEN BEEN HERE 3 WEEKS. But Kismet is Kismet.
I’m finding Portland is small. In a good way. Coming to a brand new city, one w/ roughly the same population as the “neighborhood” I used to reside in, is reassuring. I’m walking everywhere and not getting lost. I say hi to people I meet and almost everyone is friendly. Parents from school have gone out of their way to approach me, introduce themselves and welcome our family. It’s been lovely.
And transitioning back to apartment living after 8 years away has gone fairly well. Except that our refrigerator clucks. LIKE A CHICKEN. At random intervals, for no apparent reason, the fridge begins to BOCK – b-B-BB-BOCK. This goes on for several seconds at a time, then stops. As perplexing, is the unknown tenant who lives above us. I have met the 2 college guys who live downstairs. I have met one of the tenants above. But the other tenant on the third floor remains a complete MYSTERY. I’ve met his, or her, girlfriend, who is very nice by the way. But after 19 days in this building, I’ve yet to meet him/her. His/her name is a very unusual one, one which could go either way (boy or girl). And although we hear ALL KINDS of noises from above – I’ve yet to establish gender. I do not want to be so rude as to ask. IS YOUR ROOMMATE A BOY OR A GIRL>>>??? That just sounds weird. [Though between you & me, I am GUESSING it’s a GIRL.] It’s not like I want to force myself on this person and become his or her best friend. I’d just like to put a face to the noises. name. I’ve come home a couple times and/or been leaving, and have heard the door opening upstairs and someone coming out. But they’ve always waited silently for me to enter my apt or depart the premises before coming downstairs. I am seriously considering some sort of SURPRISE! Say, waiting until he/she THINKS I’ve gone in, but really I am standing outside the door w/ a crazy grin.
What do you think?