For those of you new to this blog (or to my personal story), my name is Victoria and I moved to Atlanta (Georgia) about two years ago from overseas, where I was living and working. In that former life, I was a professional in the upstream oil and gas industry. In other words, I worked within the section of the oil and gas industry that actually searched for the stuff, developed the stuff, and helped strategize how best to use the profits from the sale of the stuff to benefit multiple generations. It was an exhilarating experience, especially since, being a non-renewable resource, the pressure to get things right the first time around kept many of us devoted to our jobs. After all, the goal was to use those profits to enhance socio-economic development in such a way that citizens five generations down the line would still feel the benefits of that extractive project. I’m proud of the work I did, but as with most things, I made the decision to course correct and explore new experiences.

It was this thought/ desire (call it what you will) that brought me to Atlanta. For me, the first conscious understanding of the innumerable facets of Atlanta was its healing properties. Working in the high pressure environment of the upstream oil and gas industry, certainly had an effect on my health and (at the risk of oversharing) I suffered from constipation for decades. It’s something I always blamed myself for – like there was something I wasn’t doing right. Atlanta cured me of that thought because (and I am not even joking) the very day I landed in this city, I became regular (and remain regular to this day!). I laugh with amusement every time I think about this because it was the sign that I needed to make the decision to move here.

The sunrises alone are enough to make your heart sing. I took this in winter on my morning walk in Piedmont Park.

Now, how has my experience been so far? Well, honestly, I have mixed reviews. As someone that hasn’t spent much of her formative or adult years in the United States, everything is new and somewhat of an adventure for me. I’m used to being in new environments, so that is not a problem for me. However, for all the South’s marketing of being warm and hospitable, I found it to be the exact opposite – with pockets of kindness and relief. In fact, I will go so far as to say that the local community in Atlanta has been outright disgusting in the behavior I have observed, not only towards myself, but towards themselves. It’s’ actually quite fascinating to observe – and the funny thing is they still live in a fantasy bubble where they think of themselves as ‘holy’ and ‘God fearing’… all the while doing the Devil’s work. It’s so comical sometimes that truly all you can do is stand back and laugh to yourself before swiftly diverting your eyes towards something more productive.

In spite of this (admittedly) harsh criticism, there are pockets of joy, peace and love for community that, when you consider the history of this place, make it rather special. I love it’s parks, the city’s buzzing arts scene, as well as it’s diverse culinary selection and adventurous night life. .l666Let’s be honest, the history of slavery (as well as the remnants of small groups that seek to bring slavery back in a revised way) has caused a deep tear within the fabric of this Southern society. So much so that, for me, I’ve observed that this city (and country) lacks the focus and clarity of priority that so many other less blessed, and less ‘successful’ countries possess. And even within the face of all this adversity, there are people thriving and striving for the better achievements of their community’s future. 

When I first landed, I was convinced that these blessed individuals were in the minority, but after two years of struggle, of avoiding the traps set out by those that wish to enslave (yes, they’re a lot more rampant than one might realize), and of finding grace in the most unlikely of places, I’ve come to the conclusion that actually these quiet, understated, but energetically powerful people are indeed in the majority here – and personally I think it’s about time that we all crawl out of the woodwork and take care of (and manage) our community properly. 

In spite of everything I’ve experienced here, I know that Atlanta is my forever home. It’s the place God delivered me to and I plan to do my best to brighten the corner of this world where I live. I may not be able to change the world, but am able to change that – and I’m committed to doing that to the very best of my ability. I’m definitely falling in love with this city – the good, the bad, and the colorful – and plan to thoroughly enjoy documenting every moment.

If you enjoyed this post, you’re definitely going to enjoy the others I’ll be publishing on an almost daily basis, as I fully immerse myself into this city I call home. Please subscribe and if you’re feeling generous, make a donation to my coffee fund (as I spend most of my time writing in coffee shops).

Lots of love and positive vibes always,

Your random friend on the internet,

Victoria