Big changes are in store for me in 2024. I’ll tell you about that in a minute, but first, an introduction.
I’m Cristina. My family – myself, my fiance, and our two kids (ages 8 and 23) – currently live in St. Petersburg, Florida. I’ve been here for 30 years now, since moving from Chicago to attend Eckerd College.
After college, I worked in marketing and copywriting for years, until I found my way back to Eckerd to work in the library. In addition to Interlibrary Loan, I manage the social media for the library, specifically our Instagram page.
My newest hobby is crocheting and I am OBSESSED. I made this hat and am working on an FSU-colors blanket. I am someone who often finds it difficult to sit still, and crocheting helps me to settle down and relax.
I am excited to be in this class and to finally learn how to use WordPress, my nemesis.
Now – back to my big news! My family (minus my daughter, who will live in my house in St. Pete) is moving from Florida to live on a 60-acre plot of farmland in Michigan. The land belongs to my aunt who, long story short, can’t take care of it anymore, so we’re going to move up there and make a homestead.
We will leave this summer, and I’ll still finish my degree online at FSU.
Mind you, I’ve never lived outside of a city, and I have no idea how to farm anything, but I have faith that we will figure things out as we go. Wish us luck and follow my personal Instagram to see what hilarity ensues!
Hi, Cristina! I also love to crochet, though I haven’t done it in a while. I’m from and currently live in St. Louis, Missouri, and I went to undergrad in Chicago. Are you excited to move back to the midwest? Your post had a very interesting title, and I like how you staggered your photos. Is the second photo a picture of the land where you will be living?
Yes, the second photo is a pic of the farm!
Hi Cristina,
Your title is very attractive which leaves me eager to discover what sensations a city girl from Florida might encounter when landing in the farmlands of Michigan. I imagine that life on the farmland can be as engaging and therapeutic as your hobby of crocheting, offering a haven for you to settle down and relax. The pictures of your cat, Jax, that you posted on Instagram are cute! I’m sure that with the companionship of family and such a cute pet, you will have a delightful semester!
Hi Cristina! Wow, you’re kind of about to live my secret dream! I’ve been consuming a lot of homesteading content recently, and while it’s obviously a lot of work, it seems like it would be so cozy and fulfilling. Good luck to you!
I worked in marketing and copywriting as well before deciding to pivot to librarianship. I found the work very draining and uninspired; I’m looking forward to using those skills in a very different setting!
AND, I also love crochet! Lots in common, ahaha. Would love to get a peek at your FSU blanket when it’s done! My most recent project was some ghost pillows that I made for Halloween, but I have a TON of free patterns saved on Pinterest (a great resource, FYI).
Lots in common for sure! I’ll have to check out Pinterest for crochet patterns, I hadn’t thought of that. 🙂
Hi Cristina! You posted very intriguing bits of your life story here, and I have so many questions! I am a Florida native, growing up ‘in the country’ outside of Tallahassee – which isn’t what you would call a city to begin with. My dad’s side of our family is from Tampa/St. Pete, so it’s nice to have someone in class from that area! What made you decide to attend Eckerd, and more importantly, what made you decide to leave such a big city as Chicago? Was it a particular undergraduate degree program that brought you to Florida? Did you have family here? Or maybe you were looking for someplace warm? That would certainly make sense coming from Chicago! And what took you from marketing to the library at Eckerd? Hopefully new infrastructure and broadband access will not only make it possible to finish your degree online but also to find a career that will allow you to homestead your aunt’s farm and work online once you graduate. I look forward to hearing more of your story!