Packing

Book by book, shoe by shoe, box by box, my things have been packed away. It's funny how much stuff I realized I have once I started putting it all into boxes and deciding what would come with me and what would be shipped back to my parents' house. All the purses and shoes and clothes, an ever-increasing pile since my stint in a retail corporation, had to be sorted and examined. Some are being donated to charity, others are coming with me, and still others are being put into storage, either for winter or until I need them again. Hard to say if I will ever wear my jumpsuit in the next couple of years, although hopefully I can before it falls out of style again. So all my things have been sorted, lovingly packed away by my hands or my parents'.

(Sidebar: Speaking of which, if you aren't already aware or haven't had the opportunity to meet them, I pretty much have the best parents on the planet. They are loving and supportive and genuinely want me to succeed and will do just about anything to see that happen. They are two of my best friends and most trust companions. I never have to worry about being judged or feeling like a burden to them. They have given me so much over the last 25 years, from my education to my morals, my motivation, competitive drive, curiosity and knowledge. I have learned a lot from both of them, as individuals and as a unit. They provided guidance and structure to me a child and have allowed me to become an adult in their eyes and treat me as such. Not to mention, they are helping me to pack and move (again) for the third time in four years. And this time, it includes multiple trips and being in a car with me for seven or so hours.)

Tomorrow, I will start a new adventure, one that is 400 miles from where I currently am and about 600 miles from my immediate family. I have a ball of fear and anxiety settled in my stomach. But my heart is full of hope and excitement. There is always an amount of uncertainty when beginning a new phase in your life but this will be the biggest change I have gone through since I made my move to college almost seven years ago. Seven years, has it really been that long since I was a freshman showing up to Bentley's campus? Hard to believe.

This time, I will also be going to school, one that I have admired from afar for many years. I am so grateful for this opportunity and all the pieces seem to be falling into place. Step by step, I have registered for classes, received my financial aid, located housing and now the move is finally here. It was bittersweet to leave my job but I don't think that reality has fully sunk in yet. I was sad to go and teary-eyed during several goodbyes but I haven't gone on a crying jag yet. I think my boss was right, I think Monday will come and I won't be at work and then I will realize what a big change I have just made in my life. While I will greatly miss everyone I met and was able to work with over the last year and a half, I know that I am taking a big step forward in my personal growth. I hope that this will help to let everyone know that I'm doing okay and stay updated on all the new things I have in store for me.

So here is what I hope to accomplish with this blog:
Staying in touch with all my friends and family
Keeping all my previous coworkers entertained and updated
Recommending some good books
Making people smile

What I'm reading: The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey
Progress: about halfway
Reaction: Intense post-apocalyptic (I know, I know, I thought I was done with those for awhile too, but here I am) featuring a brutally honest heroine and inter-weaving plot lines that keep me turning those pages, or at least clicking the arrows on my kindle.

One good thing that happened today: I got to have hibachi with one of my best friends who made the trip out to see me one last time.

One bad thing that happened today: I tried to change a lightbulb in my bathroom and ending up dropping it, shattering glass all over my bathroom floor.


And PS-my bookshelf without books is probably the saddest thing I have ever seen.