Nearing the End.

It's official.  Two weeks until I leave Athens.  There are so many bittersweet feelings that accompany this move, and I'll guess I'll see how I really feel about it after it's over. 

Pro: OU is one of the most irritating institutions on the planet.  And if I'm lucky, I'll never have to be a student here again (unless it's free...then I may suck it up and deal with it). 

Con: There are lots of good memories here.  And friendships.  You know me, I'm always scared of losing those that are closest to me.  I know that it can be healthy for friendships to go through changes with distance and life experiences, however, I'm not quite ready to feel distanced from some of the women I've gotten to know in my time here.

Pro: I get to live a few months with my grandparents.  I think that's healthy as I go through this transition... it will be much less lonley living with those crazy kids than if I had to navigate student teaching on my own.  And, I won't have to cook or pay for laundry.  Win!

Con: It means real life is starting soon.  I no longer have the cushions that being a college student supplies. Friendships will have to be more intentional, my fiance will be far away, and my finances will be tight.  I know, all of you that have already gone through this time in your life are thinking, "Welcome! It will really be a pleasure for you to join us in this harsh, unforgiving world." As much as I've been waiting for this day to come, I'm just praying that the transition from student to adult goes much smoother than I'm imagining.

Pro: It means I'm getting married soon!  We'll finally be able to spend our lives together, after wishing that we could every single day of our engagement. Engagement is a funny time of "in-between-ness," mostly because you're so excited to spend your life with this other person, but you still have to wait to enjoy all the perks of marriage and start living.  Hurry up and wait.  What a tease.

I'm sure I can come up with more pros than cons, but for right now, I'm just focused on making the most out of the next two weeks as I can.  Dana and I recently visited TN to visit two friends - Jenn and Steph - from college.  They were recently hired as resident directors at Belmont (yay for jobs!), and hosted a girls weekend so we could all hang out again.  It was a blast! I loved seeing the sights, hearing the country music, and restrained myself from purchasing amazing cowboy boots.  Someday, I'll have a pair. Even though it was outrageously hot, it was a lot of fun to visit a new city and hang out with great friends.

I also had the rare opportunity to hang out with both of my sisters in one place.  Let's just say it was much needed - I  missed them A LOT. We helped my grandparents put on the garage sale they've been stressing about for three years. Even though I only got to see them for a day or so, it was nice to reconnect, and know that they're both getting through life safe and sound.  I worry about them a lot - and I hope they still know I'm always here to talk to. :)

I don't know what else the next two weeks holds - but I feel as though I have to experience as much as I can, while working, of course.  So my adventures will be limited; nonetheless, adventures will be necessary.