it’s that itch again…

As I approach my last few weeks on this project and begin making plans to return to the States, I find myself once again thinking about where I want to live. Specifically, for the past three to four years, I’ve thought about making a move to San Francisco. Each time I visited for work/pleasure, I found myself thoroughly enjoying the life there and not wanting to leave. I’ve always known that San Francisco would be the only other place I could see myself moving to if I ever left New York.

After daydreaming about this for the past few years, it’s a bit unnerving that I might actually do it, within the next few months. And my mind’s inevitably filled with endless questions and dilemmas…

- Am I ready to transition from the familiar straight-forward east coast attitude to the happy, ‘euphoric’ optimism of the west coast?

- If I end up not liking San Francisco, would I have wasted my time?

- But I’ll be close to the outdoorsy activities that I love. I’ll be one step closer to Tahoe, wine country, scuba diving, good weather

- But am I okay with leaving behind my friends and family?

- And can I live without the four seasons?

- Can I give up amazing pizza, bagels, and world-class cuisine? And I don’t like Mexican food!

- And most of all, can I really leave New York without missing it and feeling miserable?

Despite all the back and forth wavering, I’m self-aware enough to know that I will ultimately follow my gut-instinct, or at least drive myself crazy until I do. And my instinct now is telling me to take advantage of this open opportunity – in between projects, no lease in New York, fresh perspectives from having just lived abroad – to explore the city I’ve been curious about for so long and understand myself a little deeper in the process.  I’m at a point in my life where I can afford to try out another lifestyle. And plus, New York will always be there if I choose to go back. In some ways, knowing that I can always feel at home in New York gives me the confidence to explore elsewhere. And giving San Francisco a try is just something I know that I have to do. It’s as simple as that.

scuba diving in Thailand

I just returned from two weeks in Thailand. I spent the entire time down around on the Andaman Sea side, falling in love with the water, with the amazing food, and with scuba diving.

I finally got my PADI Open Water certification! I did several dives off islands near Phuket, and was taken away by the experience. Not only was there an abundance of marine life, the feeling of breathing and floating leisurely underwater while being completely enveloped in an environment that was previously foreign to my senses was almost magical. And acknowledging that our bodies are made up of almost 70% water made the whole experience of being under the ocean seem that much more surreal. I had always imagined scuba diving to be an equipment-heavy and clunky sport, but once you’re in the water and begin to deflate that BCD, it’s like submerging into a different, completely weightless world.

And the sea life! I love animals, but had never been too fascinated with marine life. Although my friend commented that it’s usually the other way around, discovering how much I liked the feeling of scuba diving has prompted me to want to learn more about life under the sea. Since coming back, I’ve began to read up on all the fish and marine life I saw on my dives.

Since being back, I’ve also started thinking about my next trip back to the waters. I’ve heard much about the Similan Islands off the coast of Thailand, and want to hop over there on my way back home. The diving center I used last time is offering a great 4-day/4-night Liveaboard trip that includes 14 dives(!!). I’m going to try dragging my instructor with me to get my Advanced Open Water certification on top of doing a few days of morning to evening diving. Can’t wait!