Let’s get real for a moment.

It’s April 4, 2013. I haven’t written since last August. Maybe it’s because I’m a little embarrassed, or maybe it’s because life has been moving rather quickly, whatever the reasons…this is where I’m at and I’m ready to share.

I am head over heels in love with Asheville. This is where I am meant to be. I knew it a while back and my gut couldn’t have been more spot on. The journey here was rough though. And I’m not just talking about the popped tire I had on the trailer in New Mexico.

People change and they don’t change. Love evolves and you have to face the music. As soon as I hit North Carolina soil I felt something. I felt like me. I had a renewed sense of self. As I settled in, my lifestyle changed. Because of the changes all around me, I made the decision to let go of the partner that had been by my side for many years. It wasn’t easy and I think I can say that it was painful for both parties. There I was, 27 years old, ending my marriage days away from it’s one year anniversary. I was embarrassed and scared. I was able to push through because of my family and friends. They support my happiness and I am grateful.

I am so happy. Things don’t always go as planned. But that’s ok. That’s what makes life interesting. When I was in high school I thought I was going to be married and have a kid by twenty-two. And that’s what I thought defined happiness at that time. My current state of bliss is not solely dependent on my lover, my label or if I’ve had a child yet.  It comes from so many more places than I could ever imagine when I was seventeen. I’ve said it a million times to the people I love, but I’ll say it again. I am finally living an intentional life and it feels AMAZING!

 

New in Town

I have been a very bad blogger recently. Sorry I’ve been so aloof. The move took a lot out of me. We were in limbo way longer than expected. When I finally got a job I had to jump in and go. So the blog dropped to the bottom of the priority list. But hopefully once things balance out I will be back in full force with tons of fascinating this to share.

We have settled in Asheville, NC. We have a cute little house where our cute little dogs can run in the backyard and play. The house is currently lacking some furniture, so if you like to dance, now is the time to visit. There are tons of wide open danceable spaces.

I love that when I drive around town to do my errands I see mountains everywhere I go. They keep me in check. I am just a blip in time. They will be here long after I am gone. But hopefully I will get to spend enough time with them that they will remember me.

I am happier than I have been in a long time.

Eating tacos to this view.

 

Keeping My Chin Up

I don’t mean to be a downer, but with the GA heat (last night at 8:15pm it was 90 degrees), the driving back and forth from Asheville and the rejections that keep coming my way, I am not in the best spirits. This move has been much more difficult than moving to California. Granted, we both had jobs set up before we got there. But this time only one of us has the job and it is not me.

Even though I may be frustrated with the job hunt, I am still in love with the fact that North Carolina is going to be our new home. The mountains bring me peace. This will be our forever home. Unless something crazy happens. This is where we want to have our family home and make a person to join our family. We want to grow food here and let our dogs run wild in the backyard. I am ready to settle and put down roots.

If you have ever had trouble getting a job, please think positive thoughts for me and let me know any good tips you have to offer. I appreciate your support!

Ramblin’ Woman

The journey is almost through and we are so tired! It’s a tough life on the road, ha ha. We have covered 14 states in 20 days. We have seen so many loved ones and we’ve had a blast. When we finally made it to GA to see my mother, my whole family surprised us there. My grandmother even came down from Ohio. So we enjoyed a very warm welcome. The next couple days were spent on vacation with more family at Lake Oconee in Georgia. Boating, bonfire, watermelon and more made this trip sweet.

After the lake trip we headed to Asheville, NC. This is where we plan to settle. Mountains everywhere, delicious food and passionate people. We felt at home. I have a job interview in the next couple weeks and if it goes well we should be looking for a house soon after. I can’t wait for everyone to visit!

So right now we are in Indiana for my sister-in-laws high school graduation. I’m so happy to finally be on this side of the country where I know I won’t miss anymore monumental family events due to the price of airline tickets. After the shindigs here we will be driving back to Georgia for the time being.

The dogs have been excellent considering they have no clue what’s going on. I love you Daphne and Inky, and I promise you will have a house soon. That’s all for now. I’ve been totally obsessed with Instagram lately so if you want, you can check out all my photos from this crazy trip @erinzopfi. And if you want to follow my husband as well he is @thewhitewhale.

xoxo

I’ll Never Be A California Girl

 

Since meeting my husband I can honestly say I have never been bored. We are always doing something or going somewhere. Moving across the country, pretty much as far as I could go (in the US) away from the place I grew up, has been an amazing journey. Doing this was what proved to Matt and I that we really do make a good team. We started from nothing (I literally had $300) and now have everything necessary to live a safe and comfortable lifestyle. California has been great. We’ve lived in a quaint little town, in the middle of a redwood forest, and a bustling suburb of San Francisco. We’ve seen so much beauty here. But alas, it is not the place we will grow old. We are now drawn to the mountains of Appalachia. Much like before, we are packing up our car and hitting the road with no exact address to move to. This time we hope we picked a place that we can stay for a very, very long time. This weekend we are up in Humboldt County saying our goodbyes to the place where we grew most. I will forever travel back to Northern California. There is still so much to see! But starting May 11 it will no longer be our home. So wish us luck on another thrilling adventure!

Blah Blah Blah

I’ve been having serious blogger’s block. I started writing four different posts in the last couple days and every time I reread them I am so disappointed. I was writing about my opinion on handbags. Leather vs Polyurethane. I was getting a little too passionate and decided I might scare some people. So now you are just getting to read a totally pointless post. I apologize. On a positive note I got to see my super great friend in Berkeley today. Sarah always makes me smile. And I love being a customer in a coffee shop. I know that sounds weird, but after working in one for so long, it feels so good to just be a customer and not have to worry about mopping and washing dishes. I give Philz Coffee two thumbs up. My drink was delicious and regulars get to keep their mugs on the wall. Such a great idea! This has been a very random expression. I’ll finish with this very random photo I took about a month ago.

Yes. This man is naked. And BRAVE. It was chilly.

 

Hopefully inspiration will strike soon.

Never Stop Expressing Yourself

Yesterday Matt caught me tearing up during an episode of Property Brothers on HGTV. He laughed and of course mocked me. But this couple was so happy and thankful for their new space. Their joy really was beautiful. And today I came across a quote that immediately reminded me of this situation. By golden girl Zooey Deschanel no less.

 

Being tender and open is beautiful. As a woman, I feel continually shhh’ed. Too sensitive. Too mushy. Too wishy washy. Blah blah. Don’t let someone steal your tenderness. Don’t allow the coldness and fear of others to tarnish your perfectly vulnerable beating heart. Nothing is more powerful than allowing yourself to truly be affected by things. Whether it’s a song, a stranger, a mountain, a rain drop, a tea kettle, an article, a sentence, a footstep, feel it all – look around you. All of this is for you. Take it and have gratitude. Give it and feel love.

— Zooey Deschanel (via sugar-and-heartbreak)

 

So, Matthew, my beautiful husband, you can look forward to a lifetime of me crying over tiny, understated moments that no one else may see. That’s just me. xoxo