On a Christmas Eve

Hardly your traditional Christmas Eve, this. The morning was spent lallygagging about and hitting snooze. Followed by a strenuous several hours of loading all of my stuff (plus some of Ross') into his car, driving the mile or so down the street to the new place and carrying it in one armload at a time. With the help of a third party who has quite the move of his own coming up in a week.

The new apartment is insanely close to the old place I shared with Allison. In some respects, it is a bit of a downgrade. I went from sharing a 2 bedroom apartment to sharing a studio for almost the same price. Of course this place does have its perks. For one, utilities are included. And while we wait out the holidays to set up a network for our own usage, they are many many more options to pilfer from in the meantime.

All in all I am very happy. Though as par for the course with every move I face it dawns on me I have far, far too much stuff. Mostly of the book variety too. Books will be sorted and shipped over the next few weeks. And clothing culled. All non-essentials scrutinized and new purchases sparse. The theatre will be getting a hefty donation once Ross and I sift through our apparel.

And Allison, in her own way, was an immense help with the move as well. She has been incredible flexible with the date which I was to move out, even with the innumerable comings and goings of her family as they arrive for her wedding this weekend. She's insistent on returning a portion of my December rent to me despite my urgings to apply it towards the last month's utilities. And upon returning to the apartment after the first large run of the day, she was already at work with the vacuum, broom and mob...attacking the dusty floor and window screens with the vigor of child hyped up on candy canes. I was certain I had mentioned I was coming back after three to tackle the room myself. But cleaning is like crack to her.

The timing worked out to every one's advantage it would seem. I returned from the funeral just in time to meet with the owner, sign the lease, hand over the deposit and pick up the keys before he flew back to the Big Island. Work was slow enough for me to take the few days off. Ross schedule accommodated. Granted not in the way he would like...but the closing shift did give us the morning and afternoon to get what we could done. And just in time for the arrival of Allison's mother who can now sleep in a bed of her own , in a freshly cleaned room of her own. Instead of camping out on an air mattress in the living room.

The studio is quite nice. Tiny. But with a full kitchen instead of the mini fridge and microwave offerings of many other studios. The 8th floor offers a gorgeous view of Diamond head, albeit partially obstructed by another high rise. And an occasional glimpse of water. The sun pours in the afternoon and evening. Tomorrow I suppose I'll find out how much light the curtains will truly block out. And despite the beating sun (in which I could probably get a tan by just laying on the bed) we have a decent breeze through the place...a blessing compared to many other one room apartments Ross and I perused.

And somewhere among the three buildings that make up Punahou Gardens is a pool available for our use...if only we could find it...

All in all, it was an odd way to spend Christmas eve, especially with Ross gone in the evening for work...but not a bad one. Having a new apartment is a worthwhile gift this year.