Why I'm Leaving

Why am I leaving Nashville, TN? Good Question.

First of all, there are many many people I will be sad to leave. I've lived in the Music City for 5+ years now, and I have gained many life-long friends and extended family. The dance community is strong and growing, and I'll be sad to miss out as it gets bigger and continues to mature. I'll miss teaching Photography at Vanderbilt and working with the Lynne and the other awesome artists in the Art Smart Program. I'll be especially sad to leave my home and my baking crazed housemate, Breanna Perry (pictured below in a stunning coat). But, sometimes when you know you've got to go, you've got to go. So, why am I leaving Nashville, TN?

1. Change of scenery.

I moved to Nashville in 2002 to start my undergraduate career at Vanderbilt University, and graduated in 2006 with a degree in English, with a creative writing focus. I've lived in 6 different locations while I've been here, from dorms to condos to houses. I'm 24, and I've only lived in two places in my life: Winston-Salem, NC and Nashville, TN. Not very diverse, eh? At almost a quarter of a century, I'm excited about having this time in my life to explore other cities and regions of the country.

2. To explore cities and get a better idea of what location is the best for me.

Since I've only lived in two places, I want to gain more knowledge about what is important for me to have in my residential location. I want to see how culture and environment affect the dominant identity of the place. For example, the "Bible Belt" doesn't necessarily appeal to me, as it is more strenuous to identify with a majority of people who explain reality through a different means than myself. This is not to say that I don't get along with people who are more faith oriented, but to live in a city or state that is defined by that kind of culture might not be the best place for me.

3. To reconcile my quarter-life identity crisis :)

Well, not really. More to help me be aware of what is important to me, who and what I need to make time for in my life, whether or not I want to make writing, dancing, or something else take the forefront of my life. Starting somewhere new is a good way to strip back down to fundamentals, exhibit the best of who you are, and pursue what you want to do.

4. To explore the world!

Who wouldn't want to explore the world if they had the chance? My mother and father LOVED to travel, and some of my fondest memories of my mother were of trips we went on as a family. Whenever I travel, I revel in the high it gives me of choosing a destination, and achieving the reality of setting foot in that place. Traveling, seeing new places, and experiencing new cultures is something I value highly.

5. To improve my dancing.

There are tons of good leaders and followers in the southeast. I am so lucky to be able to dance with all of them on a regular basis. However, in order to get better, I need to mix in a large quantity of dancing with a diverse group of people. Being in one place too long, you get used to the way people dance and start subconsciously accommodating or anticipating certain movements. As a follow, I want to be as sublimely connected and creative as I can possibly be, so I can give every lead the best partnership possible. Therefore I need to travel both in and outside of the southeast. It is too costly to travel every weekend and pay for housing in one location; my home base is just essentially an expensive storage unit. So, without a home, in April I begin a whirlwind tour of weekly traveling.

6. So I can come visit you.

Many of my best friends and family live all around the country. In fact, I have close relatives in DC, Boston, Chicago, San Jose, Seattle, and LA. Similarly, since graduation, my Vandy friends have scattered across the globe to seek their fortunes. I want to have the chance to catch up with everyone, laugh, see how life has changed, and enjoy seeing your environment. Please, please email me if you want me to drop by; I'm always looking for a new place to be.