Bill and I have something in common, and that is that we don’t waste time going from point A to point B once we know what we want to do. This happened, for instance, when we first met in 2000 in Havana, Cuba. A week or so after that first encounter Bill was back in Havana to spend some more time together as a couple. We both knew that we were meant to be together.
A month later I was with Bill in Vietnam where he was producing this film. The idea was to get to know each other better. A few months after that, we were already in LA, living together. A year or so later we got married. Then we had Natalie. When Natalie was a little over a year old, we went to see our Dr. to hear what she thought about us having a second baby. She said that we should wait, but we did exactly the opposite. Diego was born 9 months later. We were not getting any younger so time was precious. Why wait when you know what you want?
When Bill and I started thinking about leaving California in order to find a special place in upstate NY, closer to nature, we both said: Let’s do it! The first concrete step was visiting the area, which we did last December. Then we thought about when was going to be the best time to do the move (we are planning for August of 2014), but before that we have to sell our cabin in Idyllwild and our house in LA. The cabin is already for sale and we are now in the process of getting our house in LA ready for sale as well. Yay!!
Big changes, such as moving from one state to another, take tons of planning and work, specially if you need to sell your house before leaving, and if you have young children. Extra work is needed if one of your children has special needs. And did I mention the cost? There is one million reasons to stay in the comfort zone, but when you have a dream to realize, not even an out-of-state move will stop you. Bill, Natalie, Diego and I are extremely excited about moving to upstate NY.
As Bill and I get less young, we more than ever understand the importance of making sure that we are living the kind of life that we want to live. Los Angeles has been a great place to us, but it is time to move on to the next chapter in our lives. There is nothing more exciting than having something to work for, a project, a plan, a dream to make happen, no matter how small of big the dream is, that is what keeps your soul alive .
So I wrote this post to let you know that I can’t wait to share our dream in progress with you on this blog. It is going to be fun! Dreams are like cakes, they are more fun and enjoyable when we share it with our friends.
Let’s blow the candles and start eating some cake!
Stay tuned.
Elsita 🙂
Yay!! So happy for you guys! My family and I are moving from Nebraska back to California!!So excited! ! 🙂
Congratulations, Mariella! happy moving back to California! 🙂
Elsa Mora recently posted..Packing my Studio. Getting Ready to Sell Our House in LA.
I am so pleased that you will be moving to the northeast! It’s inspiring to read about your family’s dreams and willingness to leap forward into a new life. I look forward to hearing updates as your plans unfold.
Thanks, Salley! I can’t wait to share updates. 🙂
Elsa Mora recently posted..Packing my Studio. Getting Ready to Sell Our House in LA.
I am so excited that you are heading East! What an exciting time for you and your family. Wishing you the best in this journey of making your dream become your reality. I look forward to hearing your updates.
Thanks a lot, Lucy! We’re so excited over here! 🙂
Elsa Mora recently posted..Packing my Studio. Getting Ready to Sell Our House in LA.
This will be fun to watch virtually! I’m sure the next place you plant your family will be just as beautiful of a space as the one you created in L.A. I’m excited for your family. The packing and moving part isn’t great though 🙁 We just went through it in May. But with any new “birth” there comes a little pain hahahah.
Hi Elizabeth! The packing has been OK so far, we already put 200 boxes in storage. We left only the things that the house needs to look nice. The movers that picked up the boxes were so fun! They kept making jokes all the time and that made time go really quick. As you said “with any new birth there comes a little pain”, so we’re focusing on the positive side of this experience. The pain is very small compared to the happiness of going on a new adventure 🙂
Elsa Mora recently posted..Packing my Studio. Getting Ready to Sell Our House in LA.
I am nothing, but impressed and admiration. Moving is always a mixture of few dashes of sadness and a ton of excitement. Leaving the past always leave some traces behind, but can’t help smiling on the road ahead. Saying good luck seems to be an understatement, but sending you good energy and best wishes, new happiness to new and exciting adventure. To this I raise a glass, salud!
Hi, Jolly! Thanks a lot for the good energy and best wishes. Salud! Elsita 🙂
Elsa Mora recently posted..Packing my Studio. Getting Ready to Sell Our House in LA.
I can’t wait to see what happens to your art when you are in the Northeast.
Me too! 🙂
Elsa Mora recently posted..Packing my Studio. Getting Ready to Sell Our House in LA.
Love your enthusiasm for a new challenge and adventure! Hope all comes together smoothly.
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Thanks, Catharine! 🙂
Elsa Mora recently posted..Packing my Studio. Getting Ready to Sell Our House in LA.
This is my absolute dream space..I can see how carefully you have put it together – must be so hard to leave! How exciting though to start a whole new project, I’ve no doubt it’ll inspire you in many different ways!
Thanks, Cath! I will miss this space for sure, but I’m so excited about the new one! I don’t really know how it looks yet, but I know that it will be great 🙂
Elsa Mora recently posted..Packing my Studio. Getting Ready to Sell Our House in LA.
It will be fun watching you moving places and changing your life! I am travelling to the East coast of the States this July. What you said about bigger or smaller dreams is so important!For me it was abig dream and at last it is coming true!AriadnefromGreece!
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Great, Ariadne! Happy travels!
Elsa Mora recently posted..Papier Mâché Animals by Abigail Brown.
Well, that is a BIG cake to be eating for sure. Nothing more exciting than a fresh start. I wish you all the best Elsita, and hope you find the home of your collective dreams.
Lorrie xxx
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Thanks a lot, Lorrie! 🙂
Elsa Mora recently posted..Papier Mâché Animals by Abigail Brown.
Dear Elsa, congratulations for your courage and determination! I wish you all good health, peace and joy in this new life. I’m sure you will be as happy there as anywhere else in the world you chose, because true happiness lies within each one! I also hope that your art continue walking toward the ideals of the best qualities of human beings and nature that shelters us, which in my opinion are the curiosity, the beauty and harmony without prejudice. And if you need some help when you are mooving from California to N.Y.. … count on our little truck!
Thank for your words, Bernadete!
Elsa Mora recently posted..Papier Mâché Animals by Abigail Brown.
My version of this was a move from Long Island, NY to Florida, something that seemed entirely right and entirely wrong at the same time. Though I don’t love the phrase “lifestyle”, it was much more a lifestyle change in conception, but it turned out to be a life-changer. Just being somewhere new turned a switch back on, sent me to creative places I may never have found if I had stayed in place. It transformed everything, especially things I didn’t think needed to be transformed. I know your move will be amazing and full of mystery and magic – upstate New York is that kind of place, with all the drama of the seasons and the natural world. I can hardly wait to see what happens, in the life you so generously share with us, and in your art, which constantly amazes.
Hi, Amy! I’m so glad to hear that moving from Long Island, NY to Florida was a positive change for you.
Elsa Mora recently posted..Papier Mâché Animals by Abigail Brown.
Much happiness and creativity in your new home. I live in the wild in Agoura Hills, CA kind of the border line between LA and the end of the valley. We have rabbits, squirrels, lizards, coyotes, owls, hundreds of birds, and it is wonderful living with nature. It has affected my creativity. My husband (originally from Hungary) and I run two nonprofits and one of them is all about the wilderness. Your son might like to see and learn. My husband takes all the photos. Visit http://www.havasiwf.org
Your new home that is more with nature will certainly affect your art in a big positive direction. Life is a Journey–Enjoy the Ride!
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You are beading life pearls together, one dream to another… this will be a wonderful necklace in the end! Nature will give its best… sending warm wishes your way, life is adventure! Catharina
I have only recently “met” you through your blog, and already I am grateful to you for your generosity of spirit. Your openess, enthusiasm, courage, and creativity are inspirational, and I thank you!
also, Elsita, I am extra excited to learn of your grand adventure because I live nearby in upstate New York and I would love to come if you decide to do workshops! If you build it, they will come!
This is indeed a wonderful area and I hope that you and your family will love it here. Best of luck for a smooth transition!
<3. Martha
I can’t wait to see what happens to your art when you are in the Northeast.