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... dance, fitness, food, health, life...

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Roots: Wild West Jess

That's my new nickname around the office. I even have a sheriff's star. Still working on the ten-gallon hat.

I'm a Colorado girl, born and bred. I was born on a blizzardy Friday in Denver. Then my parents, tired of the city bustle, hauled me an hour north of Denver, first to Fort Collins, but it also got to too big, so we finally settled in Loveland.

My growing up memories involve lots of time playing outside. Coloradoans really like to play outside. I mean, how can you not, with the best playground in the land right outside your door?!

Dance atop a 14er? How we roll


Fast forward to summer 2012. My husband got accepted to his dream Ph.D. program at Carnegie Mellon University, so, the day after we got married last August, we moved across the country to the Steel City (yes, we're crazy).

This link up is all about loving where you live. The truth amigos? I do not love my new city. I am warming up to it as slowly as the summer temps are finally making their appearance in Pittsburgh, but love has not yet found it's way into my heart. I felt guilty about that through fall, winter, and into spring, hiding it from the interwebs for fear of being the killjoy at the party. But you know what? I've realized that I don't have to love where I am. I may in the future, I may not. At the end of the day, it's my experience and it's part of my story.


My heart is still in Colorado, in the high altitude, abundant sunshine, and eating really good Mexican food, but I am finding beauty out here at last. The lush green of the east never ceases to blow me away. The flora and fauna here are pretty astounding. And I've got a lead on a legit Mexican restaurant just half an hour outside of the city... fingers crossed!

Let's roll out... yee-haw!

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Stop by the blog to find out where my other Influence sisters call home!


xoxo
J

9 comments:

  1. One of the most genuine and lovely posts that I have ever read. LOVE YOU my Wild West Jess! :*

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  2. That's so cool you have that nickname!

    I am really loving Virginia so far, but I dearly dearly miss those California beaches. I can't imagine leaving Colorado. It's one of the most beautiful states in the US.

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    1. Haha, I get quite a kick out of it :) I hope you keep on loving Virginia!!

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  3. Love what you said about it being okay not to love where you live. I totally agree. At times (most times!) I really don't like living in Minnesota. But, because we know we're supposed to be here, near family, for our kids, I can suck it up and find things to like about it for now. Hope you find a great Mexican place! We have a huge mexican community in our town, so we've got some awesome places to choose from. Mexican is my favorite! haha

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    1. Thanks girl! It's nice to know that I'm not alone - I seriously struggled with this all winter. I will have to report back once I try the Mexican restaurant, ha! :)

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  4. Hey Jessi! I feel like finding familiar, favorite restaurants is such an important discovery after moving to a new place. I love how you described Colorado. We just visited there last summer for the first time, and it really is stunning!

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    1. This is so true! Familiar food brings so much comfort. I'm glad you loved Colorado! Where did you visit?

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  5. I grew up in Loveland too. Loveland, Ohio. ;-)

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