Another 12

Well it looks like I'll be hanging around Bellingham for another 12 months. Today I just signed the year-long lease at my house (June '09 through June '10). Over the last 72 hours, my tune has been changing regarding moving to Shanghai in the fall. I may have been too hasty in wanting to move so soon.

I have arrived at some simple realizations, the first being that financially, it will not happen. My cash is almost gone and my savings is nonexistent. And since I still have to pay monthly rent, building my savings back up when I get my job is going to take longer than 4 months. And traveling takes takes a good deal of cash to do right.

Second, I love where I live. Rent is super cheap, I have one of the best locations in Bellingham, and I live with good friends. My house is full of adventure, laughter, good cooking, deep conversations, and just vibrant with life. It's hard to pass that up, especially the impromptu dancing that happens literally every day, not to mention the beautiful view overlooking Bellingham Bay.

Third, I am sensing that hope is on the horizon for music opportunities. I have a deep yearning to play shows; this hasn't happened yet. I'm in the process of finding a good drummer who is interested in playing shows with me around town. I'm developing my own unique piano driven pop rock sound and have been writing a lot of new songs, enough for a full 45 minute set. 

Fourth, I feel at peace with this decision. It's taken me a couple of weeks to come to this decision, but I think it will be best. I'm really looking forward to a new fantastic year. My desire for travel is still fired up and strong, but I might just have to wait a bit for England, New Zealand, India, and all of the other countries I haven't been to yet; there are more important things to do in Bellingham first.