75 Days to #Vanlife

I haven't been on here in a little over two weeks because life and the world have been insane. I'll just start with the biggest news. We are in the middle of a global pandemic that seems like no one was prepared for at all. Coronavirus aka COVID-19 is what they are calling it. The first case was back in January in China. I had thought about posting about it a few weeks ago but thought I would have been premature in my concerns. That definitely was not the case. Since my last post, just in the US, cities have began shutting down, school is being cancelled in multiple states, all non-essential businesses have shut down, the stock market has tanked hard, almost all travel has been suspended, and much more. Point is that we are in unprecedented times. I don't think anyone currently alive has experienced something like this. I think maybe that last time something like this happened was in 1918 with the Spanish Flu but I am not familiar with that topic. Seattle has been almost completely shut down for a week now, its so empty that it's haunting. Today is Thursday and as of Monday my firm, among many others, have been shut down and we are completely remote for the time being. Literally everyday there is more breaking news about it. It would be too much to cover in this post. But I want to document some of it up to this point. Honestly it feels really early in this whole thing. I think life will be changed for quite awhile. Some quick notes of the last couple weeks; grocery stores are mostly empty especially toilet paper for some reason, CA state is in lockdown, the government is scrambling to contain all of this and to save the economy, thousands have already lost their jobs, China, Italy, Spain, and France are all basically shut down and quarantined, thousands have died across the globe from the virus, it effects the respiratory system and is most deadly to senior citizens.

Now on to some lighter topics I have some exciting van updates. I have finish installing cabinets and I installed flooring in Tammy. Pics to follow.   

I also had an amazing opportunity to save a 1972 VW hightop bus. Thanks to Jim. This thing will be a massive project but I am so excited to get started. I am also excited to dive in the VW scene since James has sent our entire friendship hyping it up. She doesn't have a name yet but once I spend more time with her I am sure it will come to me. Also pics to follow.

I wanted to do a high level recap of the past few weeks but really I have just been working and processing how fast the world is changing at the moment. I will definitely be documenting more as things develop. I am hoping to maintain the van builds but part of me is worried those will have to be on hold for a bit. As of today I have 75 days before I am out of my lease. I am not worried about making the jump to vanlife, it just might mean I will have to finish some things up while living in it. Makes the adventure more exciting I guess. Regardless vanlife must and will happen one way or the other.

90 Days to #Vanlife

Monday Feb 24th
This week started the last of me traveling around to auto clients. I spent Monday in Bellevue with Kristin and Megan. Probably the best duo to work with in the firm. I was super tired that day and I remember being extremely quiet and literally falling asleep in the conference room we were in. Kristin had made a comment about me being so quiet and she has made comments about it before so I know it's a concern of hers, especially when working with the clients. I just honestly hate small talk so much. And if its not someone I will be around a lot or making a genuine connection with I just don't care enough to put in effort. This is something I am trying to work on more. I would like to just strike up a conversation with anyone I run into without it being weird or awkward. Maybe going on more dates will help with that. Once I am in the van I need to make it a point to be out and about more often and not isolate myself. That will have the reserve effect I want.

Tuesday Feb 25th
Another day in Bellevue working with the dream team. This day I was in a much better mood and the day went by very smoothly. One of the next steps for the van is getting my water set up. After work I went online and planned out what I want to do. I bought tanks for my fresh water, two quick attachment pieces for the hose, and a little electric water pump.

Wednesday Feb. 26th
I was back in the office for the day. Many of my coworkers are so extremely stressed out from busy season. People aren't sleeping, they're in bad moods, and running out of patience. That is the worse way to get during this time of year at work. I have been in really great moods and trying to encourage and help them as much as I can. Some have been questioning how I am so positive all the time. I tell them that being negative only makes it worse and it consumes you making you depressed and takes all the joy out of life. Why would you let that happen if you can help it. I understand that it is easier said than done. So I have been reaching out to some people who really struggle to hopefully brighten their day and help even if its just a little. I think it has been helping and I think I am rubbing off on some of them which is great. It's such a good feeling helping out and being someone they can look up to. On a less positive note.. after work I had to run 4 miles and when I got to the gym I realized I forgot my headphones.. I almost just went home without running but I wanted to stick to my schedule and I just went and did all 4 miles on the treadmill without any music or show. I survived but will never do it again.

Thursday Feb. 27th
Brian (the partner at work) and I went to Bellingham for an auto client. He picked me up and drove. I was pretty relieved that he offered because I really didn't want to put more miles on my care since its a lease and I am already going to have to pay extra for excess miles. I enjoy working with Brian, he always has stories or knowledge to share. I think his story is what I use to envision when I was in college. Just getting the job in the city, put in the hours to keep moving up, and eventually you're partner living the high life. I always thought I had a very similar life ahead of me. But now when I listen to his stories about where he came from and how he got to where he is I think about all the missed opportunities. His best stories from his 20s and 30s are mostly work related. Sure he has an awesome life now and can do anything he wants like fly to Miami and go to the Superbowl, but I keep asking if that's worth it. He is going to be 60 next year, that's a long time from where I am at. I think next time I am with him I will asking if he had any regrets, or if he would change how he did something.

Friday Feb. 28th
Austin had some of his coworkers come over after work for Twilight night, which is exactly what you think. We watched all of the movies in that series and drank. But really we only made it through the first two before people started leaving. Maybe we will have a round two later. Somehow Austin got really lucky with his coworkers. They hangout outside of work all the time and are all best friends with each other. Even with ones that aren't in accounting, they hang out with people from marketing and HR. I never even get a chance to talk to none accountants at work. And they are always down to do stuff together. Maybe its because they are all single? Or because his firm is a lot smaller? I mentioned work friends before and I can't be a little jealous of his.

Saturday Feb. 29th
Being in the office Saturday dragged on because I was so antsy to leave to go see James and Chey. They were in town to look at the van on Sunday. I went straight to Tacoma as fast as I could so I didn't miss a chance with them. Colin and James were looking at a van for Colin earlier that day which is so awesome that Colin is wanting to get one too. I just hope we aren't peer pressuring him too much. We all hung out at James's parents condo just talking, laughing, and catching up. It was very much needed. Then Chey's mom and the twins came over for dinner. I love seeing them too. Rosa loves me so much for some reason, she is always so sweet to me and I truly cherish that. The twins are always fun to see and I don't even know how or when we became close with each other but I love that its like that. There's just no weirdness or awkwardness with any of them and me. Audrey came over after we ate, words cannot describe her. Every time I see her I am surprised, but she is the perfect example of someone who is just being the purest form of themselves. It's really admirable. We all drank wine and played charades. It was the best Saturday I have had in awhile.

Sunday March 1st
Sunday was the big day. James and Chey (and me) saw the van. There was some skepticism and concerns from both, understandably, it was a big decision and a lot of money to spend at one time. But in the end they bought it and I don't think they regret it at all. The adventures ahead will be more than worth it. They sadly left right after buying it but they had to get across the state and with the old van they needed time in case there were some hiccups. There were some but all in all they made it with no major issues. I am sure James will touch on it in his blog more. After they left I went to my dad's and started tinkering around with Tammy. Doing some planning and measuring for the next big steps. Sadly, I didn't have a lot of time there because I had to do a 10 mile run with Hannah for marathon training. The run went way better than I was expecting. I hadn't eaten much that day or really drank any water. I was concerned while driving over to meet Hannah. But I powered through and honestly felt great. It was by far the best 10 miles I have ran so far. On my way home that night I called my mom and just talked to see how she is doing. I feel awful that I don't see her more. I really really need to be better about that.

James and Chey's new child Berty and my water tanks (only new pics I have for Tammy)