Welcome!

After 18 adolescent years in Omaha, four amazing years in Lawrence, and four sub-par years in Kansas City, I’ve decided to move to Portland, Oregon. O-Blog-Di, O-Blog-Da’s purpose is to chronicle this adventure and keep my family and friends updated on my shenanigans - and have something that I can look back on and reminisce.

For those of you who know me, most would not add “adventurous” to a list of Diane’s attributes. Neither would I, but maybe it’s time I do. I head out on August 23rd, so I have the entire summer to mull over this move in my head. (A later blog will discuss how I have made this move the most practical, safe move ever – in typical Diane fashion.)

Right now (literally, at this moment), I’m about 60 percent excited, 40 percent scared out of my mind (it changes on a daily basis). But, as many of you know me, I’m not nervous about the things I should be nervous about, such as finding my way around a new city, liking the new city, or making friends. I have a plan for that.

See, most Portlandians don’t have cars because the city does not require it – the public transportation there is excellent. However, the luxury of living in Portland requires trips to the coast, trips to Mount Hood, trips to the river, all of which a car is needed. So, when I meet people for the first time, my opening line will be, “Hi, my name is Diane. I have a car.” Bingo – instant friend! Who wouldn’t want to befriend a person that has a car? (Pictured: The Fit, my magical friend maker.)

But I’m nervous about the silly things: flying back to Omaha and ending up next to someone who gets airsick (or worse, I get airsick on a flight!), the drive out there with my dog who gets motion sickness, absolutely hating skiing and snowboarding (which I know my roommate will make me do!). So very Diane of me, I know, but these aren’t reasons to not go!

So, for the next two months, my motto will be “Portland or Bust!” And O-Blog-Di, O-Blog-Da will take us all through the move, and then the adventures that I shall undertake once I arrive. I hope you all enjoy, and thanks for reading!

Note to self: Call vet to get doggy Dramamine before take-off.