I've been thinking...

I am not going to lie and pretend like everything is fantastic out here in Pittsville, er, Pittsfield. I do get jealous when I look at San Diego's weather or when I see all my friends go out together or when I miss a niece being born. We have been in Massachusetts for about 6 months now and I think I've had enough time to acclimate to the snow, the lack of good restaurants and seeing people walk around in their pajamas at 3 in the afternoon. I have complained about these things the most since I've been here. And I think it's time to stop. Yes, it completely sucks being away from my family and friends. And it sucks that the weather here is not perfect all year round, there is no Old Navy or Gap and definitely no Outback or In n Out.

But living in this small New England town isn't so bad. I've been given many opportunities here that I would have never gotten or would have been difficult to obtain San Diego. The first - we bought a house! The perfect little house for us, complete the the most perfect fenced in yard for Brawley and little creek in the back. Buying a house in San Diego would have been possible but we never could have have afforded something like this unless we wanted to live in the ghetto or super east county (no offense, I love the EC!).

I got the most amazing internship with an awesome supervisor who has not only become my friend, but she is also wicked funny and supportive. I have been given the chance to autonomously schedule, test and write psychological evaluations. And the best part is, they started to pay me some money! I mean that would have never happened working for a school district in San Diego.

Brandon will not deploy for at least 3 years! That is probably something that would have happened if we stayed in San Diego. Brandon has not deployed since 2009 and I am pretty sure his turn was up soon. And since it's been so long, I probably would have had a major mental breakdown from not having Brandon around. I definitely am not mushy-mushy, but guess what? I love my husband and he makes everything better just by being there and I want him around! Life without him would be really sad.

And so just because the sun doesn't shine 365 days around here and I don't have a plethora of hipster places to hang out at, life here is not bad. Not bad at all. there are tons of lakes, rivers, mountains, and nearby cities to explore.This place is definitely different than San Diego but it's an adventure and one I would not have been afforded if Brandon wasn't in the military. Don't get me wrong, my heart will always be in San Diego, but there is a whole wide world out there, one where there isn't smog or rush hour traffic or too many people at the mall. I may only be here for three years, but I know I will learn things here about myself and about life that I otherwise would have not learned remaining stagnant in SD. Life is an adventure and even though I didn't this place, it's still my adventure and I am going to own it.