I think it’s coming along nicely; What do you think?

Well here’s the grand tour of the new place. I’m pretty glad I didn’t do a complete tour of my “old place” because there’s no need for comparison. My “old place” was more “remodeled” and bigger – but it was also further away and er… further away. Also, it was further away. What?

We just got furniture on Saturday through KSL (see couch) and a fantastic yard sale (see ottoman and chaise) and basically walked away with some excellent items for an excellent price. But enough of this blather!! Without further ado – I present for your enjoyment – the “mostly” finished Capitol Hills Apt. ( I say mostly for there are still a few things to purchase, hang, and plug in.)

Ah, the view from the door way. If you come to visit me in my vintage downtown apt, this will be your first impression – and a lovely impression it is. Doesn’t that fireplace look inviting?:

A decent angle of the living area (note awesome chaise – my favorite piece, dahling) We also brought the sun in to hang above our TV for a little atmosphere. Snort! Just kidding. It’s a lamp… not the Sun: And a clearly blank space between the couches back near the door and “bookcase” where we will be placing this item someday (compliments of IKEA): Then you have my personal favorite – the bookcase (seen in many pics above). What’s that you ask? Are all those books mine? Why YES they are! And no you may not borrow them. There are strict rules with my books – no eating, drinking, bending, or folding around or to them – and basically no leaving the apartment unless you are someone I see every single day and can nag for it back. That is, IF you are allowed to borrow one. Speaking of – I have a former roomie to text… ahem hem.Here you have the kitchen and my favorite appliance – Ye Olde Crimson KitchenAide. Go Utes! Notice the green hanging pot near the window. That was a Nikelle addition via IKEA. Excellent, yes? We enjoy it.


Me in the bathroom mirror. You’ve seen one toilet you’ve seen them all. The special thing to note about our bathroom is that the shower/toilet is separated by a door from the sink area. I love that. One may “business” and shower while the other utilizes the mirror and sink. Dudes may not appreciate this as much but chicks get it. Don’t ya… chicks? You down. Oh, and don’t be scared of the “little dark person” behind me – that’s just our House Elf. Wait… NO it isn’t!
Ah yes, the praying Buddah. It feels like peace, doesn’t it? Howmmmmm.And my room. Look familiar? Well there’s not much of a difference between “new room” and “old room.” But here it is. The closet is bigger – MUCH bigger – because it couldn’t get MUCH smaller – and the window is brighter. That’s about it.Well I hope you’ve enjoyed this brief guided tour of the new apt in its fabulous location and hippie encouraging ways. We’re a 5 minute walk from Temple Square, in a great area for crazy and hippie spotting (I love the people – they’re my people), a 5 minute drive aka 15 minute walk from the Gateway (aka WORK! Holla!), and surrounded by excellent running trails in City Creek, or just around the general Avenues area. Also in case you were wondering and hadn’t caught one of the main points from my “I’m moving” post – I went to church at 11:00am on Sunday! I saw a few members of my former “we still meet at 1:00” 40th Ward and let them know that although they had 2 hours left, I was going to go ahead and head home because Church was over for me. It. Was. Awesome.

Sentimental side note now that I’m thinking on it: I was driving to Smiths the other day – also conveniently located – admiring the diverse architecture, the picturesque sidewalks, the variety of folks walking, biking, and driving around the Aves, and thought “I could live in the downtown Aves for the rest of my life.” True story. I really have come to love Salt Lake City and particularly, Downtown. I once imagined I’d be whisked to suburbia once the husband and children came along – but really – I’d rather stay right Downtown – forever – married or single. Sure there are pros and cons. Pro being the great location. Con being the weirdys (though really I think they’re a Pro – if they’re the harmless weirdy type). But ultimately I love it here. Once, I asked someone how they felt about SLC after visiting me for a weekend; “It just isn’t my scene” they said. And it bothered me – I mean it really bothered me. I thought “Not your scene? What does that even mean?” It was like they were saying I wasn’t their scene – like they couldn’t really “do” that or they just didn’t get why I loved this place so much. Really? How could you not see how great this place is? Then I realized, one weekend does not compare to years of living, growing, stretching, learning, and “being.” Some places just become a part of you – strung with memories good and bad, happy and sad. They soak up your moments as you live them and then, as you run down a familiar road you’ve run 100 times before, or reach your hand out the window as you drive feeling the first touches of Spring rush through your fingers, those moments suddenly spew back at you, vivid and real. They float up in great swirling puffs off the familiar roads, the trees in the Fall on South Temple, and the old Aves cemetery. They glide down the cherry blossoms in the Spring, the uneven sidewalks, the small eateries and local Cafes. They skip along with the tulips on Temple Square, bicyclists, Rice-Eccles Stadium, parks, dog walkers, hippies, weirdy’s, and Farmers Markets. You can’t help but relive a hundred different memories, a thousand different moments, right here in the place that’s soaked into your skin and flowing thick through your veins.

I can connect everything here with a story, an event, even small moments that shaped my life and changed me forever. Just not your scene? You can tell that about a place, especially a place such as this, in one weekend? Well, then I’m not “your scene” – because I AM this little piece of Earth; I am the sidewalks, trees, stop signs, and streets. I am the flowers, snowy slippery hills, 100 year old buildings, and yes, even the crazies. I am all those things and love all those things and remember all those things.

It feels like Home. It’s been awhile since I’ve really felt at Home, and being back here among all those things I had left over a year ago, gives me a feeling of coming back from a long trip, ready for a shower, some good food, and a deep breath of my own familiar air. My own air. My scene. My Home. It’s a feeling I’m growing very used to.