Moving… Be Back Soon!

packed-up-potential2

At age 13, I wrote to my aunt (also named Julie) who lived in Arizona – announcing that I would move to Los Angeles immediately to become an actress. I had just seen Romeo + Juliet and fallen in love with Leonardo DiCaprio. Once in Hollywood, I planned to meet Leo, co-star in a movie with him and live happily ever after together. Aunt Julie was my “cool aunt” and I knew she’d understand completely. 

Aunt Julie wrote me back, delicately encouraging me to stay in school in New Hampshire for the time being. My 13-year-old heart was crushed. (And I’m sure Leo would’ve been crushed too, if he’d known “the plan”.  😉 )

Since then, I’ve dreamed many other dreams – some whimsical, some life-changing. Of course, I never dreamed of getting narcolepsy nor imagined that this illness would lead me to write a book or meet an amazing boyfriend, Alex.

On our 3rd date, Alex told me he planned to move to Los Angeles in the near future to pursue his filmmaking aspirations. I nodded “okay” quickly, thinking we’d cross that bridge when we got to it. Well, a year later, we are crossing that bridge. 

Tomorrow marks the beginning of a new adventure, as Alex and I leave Virginia on route to Los Angeles. I’m so inspired by Alex’s creative talents and courage to pursue his filmmaking dreams. I believe in him. For me, LA is all new. I look forward to the sunshine and meeting Leonardo DiCaprio (just kidding, Alex!).  

Although many things will change in the weeks and months ahead, my passion for narcolepsy and sleep awareness will not change. I feel so lucky to have found a unique dream to call my own and a community of friends and supporters all over the world.

During the transition from East Coast to West Coast – I will keep up with the NARCOLEPSY: NOT ALONE campaign but may not be as “in touch” as usual. Once settled, I plan to continue my efforts from my new time zone – full speed ahead! 

“May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome,
dangerous, leading to the most amazing view.
May your mountains rise into and above the clouds.”

-Edward Abbey

16 Comments

  1. Jo Pop on July 26, 2013 at 5:44 pm

    Good luck and have a safe trip!

    • julie on July 26, 2013 at 5:44 pm

      Thank you!

  2. Laura on July 26, 2013 at 5:51 pm

    Julie! Congratulations! I grew up in Los Angeles, went back for grad school at UCLA, and just generally love the city. I am there often to visit family, so this means we will definitely get to meet in person very soon! I’m thrilled! Good luck with the move, and I will see you soon. 🙂

    • julie on July 26, 2013 at 6:03 pm

      Thank you, Laura! I’m so glad to hear you love LA and look forward to crossing paths soon. 🙂

  3. Julie Ann Funk on July 26, 2013 at 6:07 pm

    Congratulations and best of luck for a safe, smooth, and low-stress move! I’m so happy that you and Alex are taking this next step, and am excited to see what new opportunities this will offer to you both! Lots of love and hugs! <3

  4. Alex Withrow on July 26, 2013 at 9:24 pm

    I’m so glad you’re going on this journey with me, sweetie. I can think of no one better to take over the City of Angels with. We’re gonna kill it 😉

  5. Mary Ann Poladian on July 26, 2013 at 10:07 pm

    Julie,
    Welcome to So Cal. Come see me in Orange County if you get the chance!
    Best of luck with the move!

    • julie on July 26, 2013 at 10:28 pm

      Thank you, Mary Ann! I’d love to visit Orange County. 🙂

  6. Geraldine on July 26, 2013 at 10:27 pm

    Congratulations! My best wishes for this new step for you guys!
    Have a safe trip! I’ll be looking forward for your news 🙂

    • julie on July 26, 2013 at 10:29 pm

      Thank you so much, Geraldine! I’m sure to have some fun new adventures to report back from SoCal.

  7. sara gorman on July 27, 2013 at 1:18 pm

    Wow! Congrats on the big move! Enjoy the sunshine and we’ll look forward to hearing from you from the west coast!

  8. Jill on July 27, 2013 at 4:56 pm

    Hi Julie! I’m just a few hours north of LA. Hopefully our paths will cross soon! Visit the Central Coast when you can! You’ll love it! If you need a guide, look me up. I’d be thrilled to show you and Alex around. Bring Leo too if you want. 😉

  9. TheDreamer on July 27, 2013 at 7:11 pm

    Best wishes on the move, hope to hear all about it….

    Actually, relocating as a person with Narcolepsy has been on my mind lately… wonder if this means DC area is off my list 🙂

    While moving has been a recurring dream. ’cause I didn’t start this journey of getting diagnosed, and learning to live again… until after I bought this home. OTOH, I also hate moving, and had some bad ones, so those dreams can also be terrifying.

    And, now if I had to, there’s lots of extra things to clutter up my mind.

    Something about the fact that I relocated to my first job in 1990, then relocated to my second job in 1998, and then relocated for to my third/current job in 2006….

  10. Liz on July 28, 2013 at 1:54 am

    Julie,
    My daughter and I are thrilled to hear about your move. We live just south of LA, and look forward to having you out here! My daughter is around your age, and was recently diagnosed. We are inspired by your writings and your life. Good luck with your move!
    Liz

  11. Kathy on July 29, 2013 at 4:10 pm

    Greetings from NE Ohio. Best of luck to you and Alex on this move. What you are doing for Narcolepsy is awesome. You never cease to amaze me with the ideas you come up with. I know your star will continue to shine brightly. You go Girl!!!

    • julie on July 29, 2013 at 6:32 pm

      Thank you so much, Kathy! Your support means so much to me.

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