Check Out What I Did!

I would call myself a Pittsburgh expert. I have been here for a solid week. So, that settles it.

But really, I have been here for an entire week?!?! Is that not crazy?!?!?! Man, I am still as stoked about the city as much as I was day one. Again, probably still in the honeymoon phase, but nonetheless, PGH has been so, so good to me. I figured there would be no better way to blog about my first week in the city than to show pics of what I did, and apply some captions to them. After all, the real fun begins tomorrow (Prayers please! )

Picture Journal Week 1:

My Humble Abode

It took me a few days to find a place for everything, but I eventually got there. I loved being able to decorate with a variety of plants. I cannot seem to have enough of those little guys (more pics below). There is a lot of space for just one person, but it means I have all the more room for dancing, right?! Also, I live in such an amazing complex where I have been blessed to meet a few neighbors already!

Art

This is a mural piece called "Urban Flora" by Katherine Young and can be seen alongside an old restaurant in my neighborhood. This past weekend was the Shadyside 20th Anniversary Arts Festival and although this was not a displayed piece per se, the fact that I get to see it whenever I want is pretty awesome. Getting out to see what artists all around the city are doing was super inspiring to me [and served as a great study break for the pre-school reading assignments].

The Wheels

When I tell you that getting around the city has been interesting, I ain't lyin! I have been struggling to learn the bus and how to ride a bike in traffic, but I will also admit that it has been extremely humbling. I have respect for all of my cyclist friends more than ever, and also cannot believe I am guilty of placing a lower socioeconomic status label on those who use the bus. It is not easy and quite honestly, I am thankful that I do not have a car. It is so freeing! Sure, I am doing more walking than I have ever done in my entire life, but I am taking more in around me because of it. Living on the bus and bike has required me to open my eyes, and I could not be more thankful for that challenge. I am learning the beauty of this new city I live in, all because I do not have my phone glued to my hand, while I am in a car. Who would have thought?

Neighborhood

There are so many neat places to check out, but one of my favorite so far has been the plant nursery! Just a few blocks away from where I live is this cute little place where my heart jumps for joy! When I rode over there this week, I had not intended to leave with my hands full! It made for a very interesting bike ride home-that is for sure. I met one of the employees, Travis, who was super outgoing and just talked to me for forever about plants. I was thrilled to know that I am not alone in my obsession. He gave me freebies to take home and put on my windowsill! Seriously?! YES PLEASE! What may be even cooler, is that the nursery hosts Sunday evening family events for everyone to come out and enjoy. Have I mentioned that I love where I live?

Community

I know, I know...lame to screenshot my snapchat, but I have not taken any other pictures of my church since being here and it would not be a true blog post about my week in PGH if I had not shared about one of the most important pieces! Getting connected to a church is one of the hardest things to do in my opinion. It requires embracing awkwardness and being bold. I love it- mostly because I am a combination of those characteristics, and so it works for me. Today was my third time going to North Way, and I am already deeply committed (at least in my heart). The relationship building and involvement in the church will take some time, I know, but I am super excited. There is nothing that says "home," to me, than to have a place to worship aside fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. I cannot help but get super giddy for Sunday every week.

Family

This week brought many phonecalls of the faces and I could have not been more overjoyed. These are a few of those who I snuck pictures of, and others that I wish I could describe the magnitude of what it meant to hear their voices and see their faces. Intentionality is a huge passion of mine and my loved ones know how to do it best. I know that relationships will last with them, no matter the distance, because of this right here- checking in, randomly, just to say hey, I love you. That is the best.

Then when new family welcomes you in, there is nothing, absolutely nothing, to do but praise God. Seriously, how did I get to be this blessed? I move to a whole new city, only know two people, and then, boom. More! Connections! I get caught up in the blessings most times, but that may just be where God wants me. I canNOT wait to grow close and closer to this family. I love them so much already.

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There you have it. My first week in Pittsburgh, in a nutshell. Hopefully that did not bore you to death :) Tune in next Sunday for perhaps a different outlook on Pittsburgh living as tomorrow, I officially start grad school. This should be fun. No, but seriously, I am striving to have a positive outlook going in, because I am claiming success and victory in Jesus' Name. Not my will, but Thy Will be done.