Read the full article: Movin’ on Up.
Movin’ on Up.
We made it!
3,063 miles across the United States, to the eastest of “eastsides”, and I couldn’t be more excited to arrive at our new home.
Our big yellow truck driving through Tuck upon arrival.
July 2010
It was early March when my fiance received word of his acceptance to Tuck and I agreed, sight unseen, to move our lives to the opposite coast. “Nervously excited” is what I would claim to be from then on out when anyone asked how I was feeling about the environment change. We had several upcoming life events to occupy our brain-space before thinking about leaving San Francisco (ahem, a wedding! a honeymoon!). I had just about enough time to wikipedia the town of Hanover before focusing on placecards, catering options, ceremony details, etc.
Hanover, NH – Population: 10,850
Um…ten thousand? What were we getting ourselves into? How was I going to meet people while my new husband was busy with school, classmates, and other events? Could I get a job? Would I last two long years in this place? What kind of shoes does one wear in the snow?
Mid-April had us traveling out to Hanover on a drizzly weekend for Admitted Students’ Weekend (ASW). As we drove north of Boston, I witnessed buildings/parkinglots/homes being replaced with trees/rivers/incredibleviews. Freeway exits became farther from each other and when we finally pulled off into town, I felt like I was in a completely different world. The Dartmouth campus appeared at the edge of the quaintest, small town of Hanover and I was enamored with its red brick and naturally verdant accessories…so many trees.
As my student attended sessions about curriculum and academic expectations, I sat with other partners in sessions about social events, employment opportunities, healthcare, financing, and even a photo filled session on “how to survive an upper valley winter”. Current partners, students, and administrators spoke of farmers markets, dinner parties, snow ice cream festivals, dog sledding. They told stories of open arm welcomes to all Tuck events, including those involving Tuckies of the younger or furrier variety (which I’m sure our dog, Hudson, will appreciate). There were handouts with important phone numbers, maps, and resources. I could physically feel my shoulders drop in relief as they proved to be a fun-loving group: embracing of newcomers, enthusiastic, and experienced. I immediately felt like I could be part of this crowd. I immediately felt like I wanted to be part of this community.
Two weeks later, our wedding guests repeatedly gave exclamations on how happy the two of us appeared. We were a couple of months from being without income, turning our world upside down, and moving to an environment so dramatically different from our metropolitan San Francisco. Going from living within one city block to living over 50 miles away from the closest Starbucks rode heavy on the brain (the one in the Dartmouth Bookstore simply does not count to this girl). But to look at our faces that day, you would have suspected us to not have a worry in the world. Sure, we were happy to get married, but I honestly think ASW quelled our biggest apprehensions and replaced them with feelings of excitement and happy anticipation. It gave us all of the tools we needed to understand that we would thrive in our new location. Starbucks, Schmarbucks!
Looking out of our living room window in San Francisco.
Looking out of our living room window in New Hampshire.
A deluxe apartment, indeed.
I think I’m going to immensely enjoy my time here in the Upper Valley. Like my friend Jamie P (TP’10) informed me, I have a feeling the next two years are going to fly by and I’m looking forward to sharing it all with you!