Value Village, Fred Meyer, and Target

Yeah, I guess this is kind of a crappy title, but um, these were the shops (in this order) I went to so I could furnish my apartment. Mainly went to Value Village first because I was trying to make what money I have last until financial aid comes in. But it still seemed funny because I’ve moved into a brand new apartment. But I thought I’d at least check it out. I did find a good plate, bowl, spoon, and fork. But the other things I was looking for looked pretty cruddy.

So, it was on to Fred Meyer. I don’t know. Maybe it was because I’d just been to VV, but it seems like Fred Myer has become pretty posh. Didn’t sell many dishware items individually, so was good that I got those at VV (that’s not lingo, I just don’t want to write it out.) Got a pot and pan, spatula, etc. Then made a few trips back for food.

…Did I mention Fred Meyer is across the street from me? I’m walking distance to, like everywhere – the bus transit center, St. Martin’s (that’s where I’m doing the teaching program. Can’t remember if I’d mentioned that.), a potential high school I could end up teaching at, and shops. This is not coincidence. I scoped the area out before finding a place to live…

After I’d bought stuff at Fred Myer, I noticed a Target was nearby. So went there to get the remainder of stuff for my apartment (well, actually, I went to Office Depot, too, to get a desk and chair. The chair is nice, but the desk was hell to put together. I think I’m doing Ikea from here on out for that type of furniture.)

Target was quite decent. As I was walking though the aisles today, the song, “When I’m Back on My Feet Again” (that Michael Bolton song) and it just seemed appropriate. I’ve had those words in my thoughts for the past, like, year now. I just keep thinking of what I’ll be able to do once…well, once I’m back on my feet again.

But I also had thought off and on over the past year, what if I never get to that place I’m imagining? Like, what if I were never able to leave Tacoma and pursue something that was important to me? Could I be happy with it? I considered, when I had those thoughts, I had better be happy with nothing, especially if as much time as a year of my life could go by and I wasn’t going anywhere.

I’ve mentioned this before when I first got back from Taiwan. I have vision and drive to pursue something that’s off in the distance, but I have a harder time seeing what’s around me now. And I wonder, again, if I can change this about myself, or if I should learn to accept it. I’ve made decisions to keep myself from being stuck in the situations that others were in, but now it seems to me that I’ve become stuck anyway in the life I’m living.

Well, I kind of went in a different direction with this than I’d intended. I was primarily thinking of where (once I’m finally established) I’d want to shop on a regular basis. And what I’d want to own. I mean, I don’t want a lot of “things”. But only buying things I need…it doesn’t feel like I’m living. I mean, it doesn’t feel like…take for example this unfurnished apartment I’m in now…Having nothing in it saves me from having things I don’t need, but it also doesn’t feel like a home. I don’t know if I’m saying this clearly. It’s just something I was thinking about the past few days as I’m selecting things to put into the apartment. Between even the three stores mentioned in the title, I don’t know which store would have something that says, “This is me”.

Please note, I’m not talking about buying into consumerism. It’s something different. Anyway, I’m tired, and I want to put up one more post.