Webster's Dictionary states that an immigrant is "a person who comes to a new country to take up a permanent residence." Though I am not from a different country, I have recently moved from the Portland/Vancouver area to a new city in the Seattle area.
The purpose of this blog is to document what it feels like to live in a new city where one does not know a single person or place. I also want to share some of my adventures, and what I am up in my new life. Maybe others back home who have nothing to do, will find enjoyment reading it. :) I hope to learn from this experience, and hopfully have a heart for others who are new. I can't wait to feel like I am not the newcomer.
So, the question I am posing today is, "How DOES one make friends in a new city?" I have picked up a flyer from the gym, found a few grocery stores, and have researched women's consignment stores. All of this is in the context of trying to find a new home to live in. I'm not convinced I will meet friends there, but I do know that I really like my realtor, and believe that after long hours talking "house" and life (she is a strong believer) we just might become friends.
One thought I have about making friends is to be VERY open to anyone and anything. For example, when I stopped in to a Christian school today to learn about a possibility of working next year, the secretary looked at me with big puppy eyed compassion when I told her I was new to the area. She told me, "I'm going to call you. What is your number?" I willingly gave it to her wondering if any further interaction will come of it. At any rate, I feel very thankful that SOMEONE took it upon herself to be kind. I thought about my friend whose back was in serious pain and a receptionist was very unkind to her. It made my friends' pain all the worse. Taking time to be kind to a stranger REALLY does make a difference. It really makes me think about the every day interaction I have with others.
I am off to help clean dinner dishes in our tiny Residence Inn Kitchen. I will post pics soon! Hugs,
R
Our family
Dave, Lily and I
