Broken Up Routine
The drive from home to Sioux City, where I work, is a 35 minute drive. I generally take the same, dull route each time I drive in and out of Sioux City. Unfortunately, the main road through Sioux City has been torn up and is down to one lane because of construction all summer, bringing a certain amount of aggression out in me. This is especially so when I get stuck behind a slow semi-truck in the one lane not blocked off with construction cones, or, heaven forbid, a train during rush hour.
So my morning rush down the highway comes to a slow grind upon entering the city when the traffic line-up begins. By the time I turn out of the construction zone and whiz into downtown, I zip in and out of traffic, fly into the parking ramp and slam to a screeching halt into a parking space. Then I grab my coffee and my lunch and run down two flights of stairs in the parking ramp before jaunting across the street and up the elevator (of which I have gotten stuck two times in two months) into the our third-floor office. Why not leave a little bit earlier and not be so rushed every morning? Good question.
Anyway, comparatively, my drive home in the evening is much more relaxed without the time pressure. So with the extra-relaxed feeling after a sporadic yoga session after work the other night, I decided to change things up a little by taking a different route out of town and thus avoiding the usual industrial view.
Aside from a few picturesque sections of town, the city is more functional than handsome, so I was happily transported into another world as I took the hilly tree-lined drive past historically-preserved huge brick houses with their sprawling porches, lovely huge cathedrals, and even past a enchanted cream-colored building with a perfectly manicured lawn which could have been convent out of a European picture book. I peered to see what the building was and upon seeing the sign, I learned that it is the cathedral and elementary school where my deceased boss's children attend school.
Little did I know that this other world existed in the industrial city. As I crept along, craning my neck in this direction and that, not wanting to miss anything in my new found wonderland, I contemplated moving into the city for the first time. It would make sense, eliminating my stressful morning commute. Also now that the symphony season is starting next week, it would be nice to be able to go home instead of listlessly occupying myself for the two hours between work and rehearsals. I'd be closer to almost everything, including a bit more action, and best of all, I could finally get a dog. Maybe I could even live on a bus line so I could avoid having to buy a car.
I had always avoided the idea of moving to Sioux City first of all because living at home is the best money-saving option. Also, I felt if I were ever going to get away from Northwest Iowa again, I would rather not throw money out the window by paying rent in a city I don't particularly like. But, now that it appears spending another year here at home is again the best option, I have again mulled over the possibility of moving into my own place. Truth be told, I'm happy at home. It's comfortable and it's cheap. But I've more than established myself in Sioux City for the time being and it might be nice to be closer to everything and not spend so much on gas. Did I mention I could get a dog then?
But unless I find a roommate, which for a day sounded like it could maybe be my brother, I don't think this will come to fruition. Because despite the convenience, I still refuse to waste money on an expensive studio apartment if I can live at home for free. At least now if I do decide to make the move, I know a neighborhood I want to live in!
So my morning rush down the highway comes to a slow grind upon entering the city when the traffic line-up begins. By the time I turn out of the construction zone and whiz into downtown, I zip in and out of traffic, fly into the parking ramp and slam to a screeching halt into a parking space. Then I grab my coffee and my lunch and run down two flights of stairs in the parking ramp before jaunting across the street and up the elevator (of which I have gotten stuck two times in two months) into the our third-floor office. Why not leave a little bit earlier and not be so rushed every morning? Good question.
Anyway, comparatively, my drive home in the evening is much more relaxed without the time pressure. So with the extra-relaxed feeling after a sporadic yoga session after work the other night, I decided to change things up a little by taking a different route out of town and thus avoiding the usual industrial view.
Aside from a few picturesque sections of town, the city is more functional than handsome, so I was happily transported into another world as I took the hilly tree-lined drive past historically-preserved huge brick houses with their sprawling porches, lovely huge cathedrals, and even past a enchanted cream-colored building with a perfectly manicured lawn which could have been convent out of a European picture book. I peered to see what the building was and upon seeing the sign, I learned that it is the cathedral and elementary school where my deceased boss's children attend school.
Little did I know that this other world existed in the industrial city. As I crept along, craning my neck in this direction and that, not wanting to miss anything in my new found wonderland, I contemplated moving into the city for the first time. It would make sense, eliminating my stressful morning commute. Also now that the symphony season is starting next week, it would be nice to be able to go home instead of listlessly occupying myself for the two hours between work and rehearsals. I'd be closer to almost everything, including a bit more action, and best of all, I could finally get a dog. Maybe I could even live on a bus line so I could avoid having to buy a car.
I had always avoided the idea of moving to Sioux City first of all because living at home is the best money-saving option. Also, I felt if I were ever going to get away from Northwest Iowa again, I would rather not throw money out the window by paying rent in a city I don't particularly like. But, now that it appears spending another year here at home is again the best option, I have again mulled over the possibility of moving into my own place. Truth be told, I'm happy at home. It's comfortable and it's cheap. But I've more than established myself in Sioux City for the time being and it might be nice to be closer to everything and not spend so much on gas. Did I mention I could get a dog then?
But unless I find a roommate, which for a day sounded like it could maybe be my brother, I don't think this will come to fruition. Because despite the convenience, I still refuse to waste money on an expensive studio apartment if I can live at home for free. At least now if I do decide to make the move, I know a neighborhood I want to live in!
posted by Heidi at 8:14 PM
4 Comments:
Hehe, liked the "wonderland" perspective of the Iowian contryside! ;) Do they have WG-type stuff in the States?? Guess maybe we don't do that that much (I mean with someone you don't really know well). That would be cheaper too, sounds like it all depends on your money situation, how much leeway you have! Talk soon, sorry about Skype yesterday, didn't hear you on there!!
It's pretty fun to find the attractive parts of the city. I can probably count the number of times that I deviated from the route from LeMars to the mall or other shopping-type area on one hand...perhaps only one finger too.
Hey Posch, in bigger cities you can find roommates and WGs like on Craigslist or universities. But, I'd be reluctant to live with a stranger here b/c there aren't many people in my position. They're either crazy students or scary types! Well, that's not to say they're better in big cities, just more selection!! :) Your skype has been weird - showing you online but then not delivering the messages...I'll look for you again next Sunday!
Eric, nice to see you stop by! I know, I'd never really taken the time to explore Sioux City till now, so it's nice for a switch-up. Glad you made it back home safely. I'll check out your blog, too.
Nothing like a paradigm shift, eh?
You know, living well is worth so much. My present flat share is so insane that I can't recommend risking that, but perhaps you can find an arrangement that's both affordable and fosters your creative energies.
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