Travel On

Late January in the year two thousand fourteen. Once again, I find myself sitting in a coffee shop in Bloomington, IL, reflecting on transition. Just a little ways down the page you can see the last time I sat, in this shop, and contemplated moving states and changing jobs, ‘round abouts May 2012.

Up until the second week of this month, I have been living in eastern Pennsylvania and working on a small agricultural community. Up until the second week of this month, if someone asked what I did, I’d tell them, “I’m a farmer, and some other stuff on the side—working with folks with developmental disabilities”. Definitely made me sound kind of interesting, different. Now if posed that question, I’ll say, “I coordinate a graduate program in community development at Illinois State University”. It’s definitely fancier, and—for the first time in several years—neither ‘student’ nor ‘volunteer’ are applicable terms for describing my occupation. Soon my bank account will be better situated for tackling my debts, and already my hands are softening as callouses fade into memory.

I left Kimberton, PA and Camphill for Bloomington-Normal, IL and the Stevenson Center, making the switch from community oriented agriculture/care-giving to community development/education focused administration. Left the sorta rural countryside for these little twin cities. Packed up my little bedroom in a twelve-person home and unpacked in a one-bedroom apartment of my own. Traded in my patched up jeans and flannel work gear for business casual slacks and button-downs. A five-minute each way walking commute turned into an hour-long mix of hoofing and busing it (hopefully soon to converted into a twenty-minute bike ride). Left behind a solid group of friends and pseudo-family for an as-of-yet undefined social landscape. My new co-workers are great, and I certainly have some friends among the faculty/staff here at ISU, but not quite to the point of a regular hey-let’s-kick-it-Saturday-night kind of friend you know? That’ll come, no doubt, but currently still in the midst of that transition.

Heading into this move, I was in better shape than I’d been for quite some time. Went through a break up over the summer, which left a big void. The relationship had been a major driving force in my move to PA, and I think that fact made staying in Kimberton a challenge. I wouldn’t arbitrarily live far from family. Illinois isn’t, in practical terms, that much closer to Idaho, but I’m here with more personal drive, which helps. Anyhow, I left the Village feeling very supported and appreciated—very solid closure. Spent some really quality time with friends, said my good-byes, boarded the train, and twenty-seven hours later pulled into Normal.

Being back here has been surreal in some ways, gratifying in others, challenging in a few (getting a driver’s license has been obscenely difficult), and overall positive. I love being in control of my food. Though I was fed incredibly well in Kimberton, cooking for myself is probably the best thing, most joyful part of my world right now. Reconnecting with friends here is a close second, and if I could spend more time doing so, it would probably at least tie cooking. Having a place of my own is pretty stellar, too. It’s getting fairly settled, and the process is delightful. Thinking about the approaching growing season and how I’ll plug into the local agriculture scene is similarly a delight.

I need some friends to hang with, and a kitchen table. Separately. Not the two together, but each individually. Though, bringing the two together is certainly a well-worn recipe for fun. Need to get the bike rolling again, too. Commuting via bus has its benefits, for sure, but I want more freedom.

Freedom! That’s the emotion. Following the offer for this job and, even more so, an amazing New Year’s vacation with friends from Micronesia, I’ve felt freer than maybe any other time in my life. Not just relieved of obligation but capable, fiercely capable. I can do stuff. I can make my life what I want it to be. I can attract a woman! Ha, well… we’ll see about that last part. Point is, that void I’d felt in PA carried along with it a certain dragging quality. I was so damned tired. Hanging out with friends, for the first time in my life, I had trouble keeping my eyes open. Literally. Even after the end of peak growing season—June through August, abouts—I didn’t seem to have the energy I’m used to having. Knowing I had the next step prepared and then being holistically reinvigorated by the amazing spirit and inexpressibly deep friendships of Team Chuuk, led to a profound change coming over me. No more drooping eyelids, no more longing for bed when hanging out with friends at night. The fire is back!

It’s so damn cold in the Midwest today, the University closed down. So, I’m off work and figured this a good opportunity for an update. Not sure if they’ll ever get more frequent than the twice a year deal I seem to have going on now, but hey, it’s something. Certainly is keeping track of the travels.

A Traveling Porter continues into uncharted territory of financial stability, professionalism, and adulthood. Thanks for following along.