Packing Up

life is funny. it is crazy making to try and guess what change will bring your way. i’m trying to learn the art of rolling with the punches. some days are easier than others. in the spirit of change, there is some pretty big change heading my way in the not to distant future.

a few weeks ago i finished my first semester of my Ph.D. program. i am enrolled as a semi-distance student at California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco. this essentially means that a large part of my studies are conducted in an online classroom environment. my area of study, embodied spirituality, has begun to take shape in that i really want to look at how embracing one’s sexuality and gender (however that may manifest) can lead to spiritual healing and a greater sense of personal empowerment. the irony is that i have, for multiple reasons, felt disconnected in my studies. the largest of which is that i deeply miss the classroom interaction i enjoyed during my masters program. as much as i learn from the professor and the readings, as i am able to interact with my classmates and dig deeper through class discussions, it is then that i feel most connected, most passionate about my studies. if i am going to put my energy into this program, i have to be engaged.

a few weeks ago i began talking about these issues with friends. as i spoke them out loud i began to realize that i needed to make some kind of change. i began to look for a comparable local program, but none exist. it was then that N asked if i felt that moving to the Bay Area in order to attend class would make a difference. i hadn’t even considered this option. this kind of a move would not only uproot me, but him as well. and this was not something that i wanted either of us to take lightly.

after weighing the pros and cons of this kind of move, giving heavy consideration to our community (chosen family) here, as well as job opportunities and school for both of us, we made the decision to make the move. i am blessed to have a real partner in this move. i can’t even begin to express my thankfulness for N. we are both blessed with amazing friends here in Portland and this move is very hard for all of us, because this is an incredible community. I will deeply miss each of you and the ability to do huge spur of the moment breakfast get-togethers, BBQ’s, go out dancing, etc.

as far as details of the move, we are committed to the Gender (Free) For All march on August 1st, but we will be packing up right after and leaving for the Bay Area on August 4th.

it has been very hard looking some of you in the eye to tell you we are leaving, but know that i am so honored to have become a part of your lives and do not consider distance to be the end of our friendship. i hope that you feel the same.