...Bless Yer Heart...

Currently, I am occupying a little corner table at a Starbucks in Nashville near Vanderbilt (Vandy, as the locals call it). Though my little set up is not much to behold...

...I am reminded to be thankful for even the smallest of things. I am sitting here, writing this post, drinking an iced coffee, and realizing that my devotion to the 'bucks is not in vain: they are the only restaurant that I have found (after driving across the nation) that is consistent with seat protectors in their restrooms (and free WiFi!). 

This may seem a weird matter to some, or most, but it is the little things that are drastically different from everyday life in California that are now sticking out to me as I close the 9th day of my greatest adventure. I am trying to embrace these at times subtle (and at times drastic) differences in everyday life, as I know they will one day become mundane and go unnoticed. I do hope that after a month, six months, a year, several years, I can remember this time fondly, knowing that I took advantage of taking in each moment as it came, and remembered always that I was right where I was supposed to be, even when it was hard.

I will touch upon two differences that I have noticed to date in this post.

Aside from seat protectors, the way that people treat one another is very different. For example, it is uncommon for someone to not let me over when driving on the freeway and side streets (which is fortunate, as I'm still figuring my way around). 

People here genuinely want to reach out and help make others feel welcome. When I came to Nashville over spring break, I met some gals who told me that everyone has been the "new guy" at some point, as most people who live here are transplants from other areas, so people are more than willing to open their arms and welcome everyone and anyone into their friend groups. I was skeptical at first about this, but within the first five days of my living here, my roommate Traci held a small dinner party at our place and invited four of her girlfriends over. These gals are the sweetest, most encouraging friends I could have asked to make in my first week here. Out of the six of us, three of us are completely new to Tennessee, and the other three have lived here for the span of a few years to their entire life.

We chatted for several hours about all of our experiences with moving, and how the emotions are wild and unpredictable (fine and happy one moment, to wondering if I really should be here the next), how we miss our families and friends back home, yet we know that this is where we are supposed to be. That day was probably my hardest day in Nash. My poor Ma, she was on the phone with me as I was frustrated for really no reason, aside from the fact that I was lonely. That is something that is hard for me to admit even now, several days later. I'm sure she knew. She always knows what's really going on, yet always lets me rant and rave until I feel better. (Love you, Ma, and thanks.)

Having friends to meet and relate to that night that understood what I was going through, who could remind me these emotions were normal, and to encourage me that it would get better, was the antidote to my irrational frustrations.

                                                      (Allen, Jen, Amie, Traci, Stephanie)

I also had the chance to finally meet a gal in person who I have been friends with for about a year and a half! We met because of Dressember (my friend Blythe made it up - you wear a dress everyday in December) via Instagram. We've gotten to know each other, and each other's families, through the photos we've posted (this day and age is crazy!) and I don't think we ever really thought that we'd meet in person. When she saw my pics in Nashville over spring break, we tried to work it out so we could meet, as she only lives about 45 minutes away (in Kentucky!). It didn't work then, but it did a few days ago! We met at SATco (San Antonio Taco Company), which was so good...

...and she (along with her husband Brad, and boys Brady and Bryce) greeted me with a "Welcome to the South!" gift basket that included fresh flowers from their field!!

She and her family have continued the consistency of "southern hospitality" and I am so glad that we will be able to get together every so often. In fact, I'll be making a trip to Kentucky next week!

Two other friends were in Nashville during my first week and a half, so meeting up for church and lunch, and for breakfast, have continued in making this transition much easier. My friend, Tiffany, who I've known for about ten years, was down here with her mom, so we hung out a couple times..

...and my friend, Alyssa (we met through our mutual friend CoKo), is moving to New York and is staying in Nashville for a couple days. So, we met for breakfast this morning at Pancake Pantry. It's so good...

Another friend, from California, is a gal named Charise. She and her husband have lived in Franklin, Tennessee (about 20 minutes south of Nash) for a couple years, and they have opened their arms wide to me from the moment they knew I was moving here. Charise and I dined at the Frothy Monkey on Monday and adventured in a cute little town called Liepers Fork today. She is fun, sweet, and reassuring that no matter what, if I need anything, she and Ken are here for me. It is fun meeting new people, but having people here who I've known for a long time makes a huge difference. 

We had lunch at a little diner called "Country Boy" and ate fried pickles. My mouth is watering right now thinking about them...

And I roasted a marshmallow despite the heat. I couldn't resist. And it was delish.

It's such a cute little town with so much character!

The other major difference that I will touch upon in this post is the weather.

NOTE: I don't have any photos, just videos. Sorry. I'll try to get some during the next storm!

Holy cow, I had no idea what I was getting into. If you have watched the videos I've posted on Instagram and Facebook, you'll have a taste of what it is like, but let me assure you that those clips captured nothing of the real-life experience.

When Jordan and I were driving across country, we stopped at my Uncle Russ' house and stayed with him for the night. My Aunt Cindy, Uncle Willy, cousin Kandie and her husband, Jared, came over in the morning and we all sat and chatted for a couple hours. We discussed the recent horrific tornadoes that Oklahoma experienced, and as they each recollected their experiences (my aunt and uncle stuck in traffic on the Interstate, watching as the tornado grew in size and power, actually feeling the wind lift their truck as they sat helpless, waiting to see what direction the monstrous tornado would take and thus decide their fate) Jordan and I sat in a silent stupor imagining what that must have been like. We both shuddered unconsciously several times, made audible and inaudible noises of wonder, I had chills (my aunt is an incredible story teller). 

Though the weather that I experienced a couple days ago was nothing in comparison to this, it is the only weather that I can completely relate it to. 

On Wednesday night, I was at cheer practice, and the other coach needed to leave a bit early. I was happy to stay. About ten minutes after she left, she texted me that bad weather was coming and to drive carefully. I hadn't looked at my weather app at all, I just figured the forecast was HOT. I was wrong, and have since learned to look at it, along with activate the "severe weather warnings" for the Nashville area.

I walked out of the gym: to the south was clear skies, so I forgot about her text. It wasn't until I looked in my rearview mirror that I saw the black clouds behind me. I have seen dark clouds before, but not like this. I was looking at the front of a terrible storm: I could see where it started for miles to the west and east, but nothing but black clouds to the north and high into the sky.

I had to print some paperwork at Kinko's for my Teacher Orientation the next day, and as I waited I watched the weather outside change drastically and fast. It went from still, humid air, to extremely hot, windy air in a matter of minutes. 

I was headed to a bible study (Allen, a gal I had met the night before invited me that morning...see what I mean!?) and was afraid I wasn't going to make it. 

Fortunately, people know their limits out here when it comes to weather, so we were all content to drive about 20 mph through flooded streets, sideways rain (that was so hard that even my fastest windshield wiper set wasn't enough to clear away the water), wind nearly blowing our cars off the street, and more lightning than I think I have seen in my entire life. 

I did make it to the house, and fortunately it stopped raining for the time that I ran inside. But, throughout the next hour and a half, I was mesmerized by the rain, lightning, and thunder. It is an eerie feeling, but a really extraordinary one at the same time. I know that this is only a taste of what I will experience as I am here in Tennessee, and I am thankful that there were no tornadoes! 

All in all, I am loving my time out here. I know that my emotions will continue to be all over the place, but I also know that this is a part of the process. I am thankful to have made nearly 15(!) friends so far, and am excited to get plugged in at my new church (Cross Point in Nashville).

A few things to celebrate before I finish this post:

*I missed my exit without realizing it (I was chatting with a girlfriend on the phone) and was able to find my way home WITHOUT using any assistance from Siri or iMap!

*I have made more friends in 9 days than I think I did in the past 6 months at home (it helps that I didn't start with very many here! Ha!).

*I have submitted my application and credit report paperwork for an apartment at The Landings of Brentwood that Cam and I will share when she gets here (from California!) in October!

*I bought my first Tennessee t-shirt!

Until next time, y'all!