Lo and behold, an actual Friday five.

Five questions I am growing weary of answering despite the fact that each time I am asked I get more and more excited about this decision, and their answers, in no particular order:

• Q: Why Portland? A: Varies among the following... I've always wanted to spend a good chunk of time there... I'm tired of sun... I'm tired of it taking me 30 minutes to drive .15 miles... Everyone I know thinks I would love it there... To borrow a quote from a friend, I want to live in a small town without having to live in a damn small town... Whaddya mean - why not Portland?
  
• Q: Do you have a job there? A: Not yet. I'm going to start looking in February (ack, which is officially now!), but to be honest, I would be happy and financially comfortable working at Peets for a few months while I figure it all out.
• Q: Are you going to apply for a job with [current organization]'s Portland affiliate? A: I will be more than happy to volunteer with [current organization]'s Portland affiliate, but no, I am not seeking employment with them. I am, however, looking into [previous organization]'s job postings. Could be an easy in for the first year while I figure it all out.
  
• Q: Do you know anyone there/Do you have a lot of friends there/Do you have family there? A: I know one person there. I know a lot of people who are planning to visit! I knew no one when I moved to the Bay Area, and that's worked out pretty well so far.
  
• Q (more of a statement): It rains a lot there. A (more of a response): Varies among the following... I like rain... Really? I had no idea!... Yes, I am aware - but the other 7 months are lovely... Not as much as Seattle!
  

I've gotten mixed reactions about the "do you have a job yet" question. I guess in some peoples' opinions, it's slightly inappropriate for an established 33 year old professional to pack up and fly by the seat of her pants - this privilege seems to be reserved for 23 year olds. And in other peoples' opinions, they are incredibly jealous of my lack of ties/mortgage/kids and my ability to just pack up and fly by the seat of my pants - these are the people I will likely keep in touch with.

This weekend I think I'm going to share the news with my parents. I've been dreading this immensely. I fear that Mom will cry because I'm not announcing that I'm moving back east. What she doesn't know is that this is a mid-step before that decision (which is possibly inevitable) - if I move to Portland, and end up moving back east, even temporarily, I will know whether Portland is worth going back for.

But don't tell Mom any of that.