I have completed my latest transformation

August 2nd was a BIG day. I am officially a Floridian now! Got my drivers license, both Bobbie and Huey are registered, and I am now on the voting roles. Gathered up all the documentation required - birth certificate, marriage license, social security card, proof of residency, titles on both cars. Yikes. Especially with the move—now where are those pieces of paper? And getting my birth certificate—an official stamped one from New York took almost 2 months as they require official mail with my name and new address and how does one get official mail?

As I’ve spent my entire driving life in Massachusetts and am intimately familiar with the DMV I went prepared—brought a book and planned on waiting for hours before I would present all my carefully gathered documentation. First I had to find the local DMV which is held only on Wed and Thus in this town. As I drove around following Goggle Map instructions I began to wonder if the local DMV was a version of Brigadoon? Does it actually exist? I was lead on a wild goose chase. Maybe it was a treasure hunt. Or a scavenger hunt. Or a test of my navigational skills. After driving around and not finding the building I admitted defeat and went to the town hall for directions—where I was told “Bless you heart” for my perseverance.

When I finally found the DMV I was greeted with one of those deli take a number machines. The place was empty but the sign said take a number. I did. There was a long white counter with three women sitting behind. There was no one else in the room. Did I really need to take a number? And what am I doing to do with my book? No waiting?!?! Now how is THAT possible?

Worked my way thru all the documentation, got my photo taken, had an eye examine, and left registered to vote as well as with two shiny Sunshine State license plates! And yes I do have to go back for Lilly (trailer). She has special requirements I have not yet dealt with. 

Later in the afternoon Carrie mentioned she was going to be burning her paper trash pile and asked if I wanted to burn the documents I had thought I’d take to a shredder. Old financial records, mortgages, stuff that I didn’t want to just throw in trash, but wanted to be completely rid of. So around the bonfire we stood and slowly added the papers. Felt very fitting to burn them (Rob loved fires) and watch the flames consume them and charred pieces of paper floating up up up into the air. Another vestige of the past I am letting go of.

And finally that night, and no I had not planned this to be such a full day, I went to the Tai Chi school I found in Gainesville that does the form I learned all those years ago. They offer a practice session on Wednesday nights where there is no teaching, just doing the form. I had called to ask if it was alright to just come. No response so I went. Didn’t initially get a very warm welcome. Well not from the guy leading the practice. The women were welcoming. Did the form over and over and over. Of course it is slightly different. I’d say mostly the same but transitions being different. Okay that is the physical part of the form. I found I had to think and not just be while doing. That was exhausting. 

But the energetic aspect was different as well. Much more contained, closed in. More yin than yang if that makes sense. And of course I realize how the form I have been doing for the past 30+ years has become my own. Influenced by other teachers. Martial artists who express the purpose of the moves. And I laugh at that comment because my horsemanship is about the purpose of what “we” (Cici and I) are doing. 

And I also laugh as I realize that I went looking for the "form" of tai chi. Not the energy or the feeling but the physical form, order of moves, sequence of positions. And yes I found that. And found that it was not be what I was really looking for. My motivation with finding this school was that the form would be basically the same and I would not have to “learn” a new form. But that is not the case. I have learned that the physical is only one aspect of my form. And not such an important part I now understand. 

Well I have time. I don’t have to rush into a decision about continuing with there or not.  I need to figure out what works for me. OMG such a idea - for me. Now that I am a Floridian!