Off to Pittsburgh!

Only when circumstances in my life are changing fast do I realize how comfortable I was living. I don't like thinking about what I have in New York as something that I took for granted, but I feel external voices telling me that I had it good.

There are many reasons why I should stay. I liked my job. I was "moving up." I really liked my colleagues. For the most part, I was enjoying my family's company. I was excited for the direction my home church was headed. For someone in my context, this was a big decision to make and I should have good reasons for making it. The new job will be better for my career. The cost of living is cheaper in Pittsburgh than in New York. I fit in better with the Pittsburgh culture than the New York City culture. It will be good experience leaving my parent's nest. So many reasons to stay or to go, but I can't honestly connect with any of them or pinpoint the driving factor behind my choice to move.

I almost want to say God gave me a heart that was ready to go anywhere He takes me, but that suggests I know He wants me to be in Pittsburgh. I can say with confidence, however, that He has already provided for me and is paving the way for me to serve Him there. I am excited for this new chapter in my life and I know that I will have a lot to learn.

REASONS WHY I MISS PITTSBURGH

In no particular order... because I'm lazy...

1. Surrounded by three rivers.
2. Looking down the streets of South Side and just seeing a wall of trees and houses.
3. Hills.
4. My chocolate house.
5. City of Champions.
6. Mountain tunnels.
7. Friendly beekeepers that would let me help with their apiaries.
8. Phipps Conservatory.
9. Easier access to fresh, local produce.
10. Pittsburgh accents.
11. Fuel and Fuddle (half-off, wings).
12. Giant Eagle Market District.
13. Mattress Factory.
14. CMU students.
15. Morewood Gardens.
16. South Side.
17. Bridges.
18. Schenley Park.
19. Walking along train tracks to say hi to some friends.
20. A lot of yellow.
21. More appreciation for the sunny days.
22. Cheaper Chipotle.
23. ...
24. Stay tuned for more.

I know this guy!

It's exciting to see someone you know follow their dreams despite the risk. And to see them succeed makes me feel all the more happy for them!

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/02/07/bitter-sweets/

Bill(y) Cheng used to live a few doors down from me and he's coming out with a novel soon, "Southern Cross the Dog"! Support an upcoming Chinese-American writer and buy his book!

Diamondless.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ira-weissman/7-reasons-why-you-shouldn_b_1720870.html