Saturday, April 30, 2011

Duarte, California, Duarte, California, not Louisiana, Paris, France, New York, or Rooome...



There are times, after I move, that I long for something familiar. Even when I'm only ten minutes away in the ghettos of Azusa, there are moments of doubt, of wishing for something or someone from good ole Duarte to remind me where I came from, and where my heart will always call home. The past few days have been terribly hard. I'm starting to crave the comforts of home. I'd like to sleep in my old room, hear the fervent gnawing of my rat, laugh with Chelsea over something one of her co-workers did, or just hang out in my living room watching whatever happens to be on TV at the time. Sure, I have my old bed, but it's still not the same one. I have Sawyer, but he hardly wants anything to do with me, I have Crysta, who's basically saving my life without knowing it (til now, I suppose), I have a living room. I have a TV that doesn't really get channels. I have the internet, I have Facebook, but none of it can exactly replace what I left behind 2,000 miles ago.

I know that soon school will start, and my volunteer work, and then hopefully a job... and I'll make new friends (God willing), and have people to hang out with, and start wishing for more alone time that I get too much of now. That still doesn't change my evenings of staring at photos with tears in my eyes, or watching TV shows that make me cry because that character is so much like Miles, or Jess, or anyone else. I miss my dad, my brother, my nephew... and no one here is going to fill those positions. Yes, I have Mom and both sides of Crysta's family, but I want my own, too.

I apologize if this sounds like whining, but it kind of is. I plan on sharing all my experiences in Michigan on this blog, not just what I did today, but also how I feel about it. And right now I feel lonely. I'm nearly overwhelmed with things to do here, but I'm lonely for home.

I -really- want my dog. A lot.


Other than that, things have been kind of boring. My school adventures yielded me two classes and a lab- English, a writing course; and Psych 101 plus its lab. It's a shortened semester, kind of like taking summer classes, so 6 units is about all anyone does, and I've got 7. Whee, lookit me, over-achieving like that. :/ But I go to school Tuesdays and Thursdays, the weirdest schedule I've ever had, but it leaves me with a LOT of time to work.

Although no one is hiring me. But I have faith in God that he'll provide.

I will also be attending my new church tomorrow for the first time. It's not a moment too soon. I really need some Christian friends. Which is not meant to offend my non-Christian roommate and friends, of course. I love them dearly, but I need people who share my faith, too. I'm not a very strong Christian when made to stand by myself. I like having the backup and talking to people who share my faith and worldview. Everyone needs people like that. I hope I can find some at the Ann Arbor Vineyard. I'm really excited to go. I've missed Worshiping more than I can express. I have a feeling my loneliness will wane once I have something to look forward to every Sunday morning.

Ugh, I'm gonna go watch Scrubs and knit my troubles away.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

In which there weren't actually any dinosaurs...

I have never had such a busy Easter! That was more family seen in one day in Michigan than I see in a week in California. Crysta and I went to Kzoo Saturday night after she got off of work. It would've been horrific to wake up early to make it to church and breakfast on Sunday morning. The night was uneventful, and I was really just happy to see dogs again. It really sucks finding out how much of a dog person I am now that I have two cats. I have a feeling I'll be at mom's house a lot to get my puppy fix. Labs are so much fun!

Anyhoo, the next morning mom, Crys and I were up suuuper early to get to church. That we couldn't find. Apparently Portage/Kalamazoo like sunrise services and late morning services, but 8 am? Nothin'. We and mom's friend Sandy drove all around looking for a church service. I've never gone church-hunting before. It was... strange. I realised how similar Christianity is between the denominations. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but I guess I take for granted not only knowing the different traditions, but being part of a specific denomination. Things like Easter are easy- service is a 9:30. Dress a tad nicer than normal. We'll take communion and it'll be great. Driving around made me a little homesick. I really miss my church.

It was my first time at a Methodist church, however, and even though the service was traditional, it was great! I will never be able to think of Jesus again without the theme from 2001 playing in my head. The pastor was a great and really funny guy. I'm sad we had to leave early, but breakfast called! That was pretty fantastic as well. I got to see a lot of Crysta's family that I hadn't seen since October. Thankfully this meeting was on a happier note than the last. It was relatively short, but very nice to be out with family.

After a bit of rest, Crysta, Jay and I ran off to see their cousin and her kids and a lot of other peoples' kids hunt for eggs at a really pretty park. Those kids hit those eggs like wildfire. I blinked and they were done! But they were all so adorable doing it. <3

What came next..? Oh! Dinner! That was awkward. For reasons I can't give out here it was awkward. And hilarious. And everything I'd never had in a family dinner before. I love open people. And I love snarky uncles.

I also got to be Ran last night, a good friend of Crysta's. He's a super fun guy. All that's left is to meet Derek and I think I've got my bingo card filled.

Phew! That was a long Easter, not including the drive home. And this is a long blog, so I think I'll save the Detroit Zoo for tomorrow. What I can tell you, however, is that I GOT CLASSES. I'll be taking a psych class and an English class this quarter. There are only 7.5 weeks to it, so they don't recommend taking more than 6 credits. Not a problem for me since I'm still trying to find a job. But I've got my ID, my classes and parking pass. School starts May 3rd, and I cannot WAIT!

Now, to figure out where my classes are...

Monday, April 25, 2011

Goths just wanna have fu-un...

I'll talk about Easter tomorrow, for now this is still fresh and I want to make sure I get it down.

I love Midwestern Goths. Especially when they only have one club to go to within thirty miles. Tonight, Crysta, her boyfriend and I went to Factory at Necto, a little club in downtown Ann Arbor. It's a little hole in the wall (well, by my standards as an LA Goth) with an average-sized dance floor, and a bar upstairs. There's a smoke machine and a little stage with two poles for the braver patrons. It was not the layout that caught my attention, however.

I've been to LA Goth clubs, and it's all about how you look. Making a good impression is key, although I'm not sure why because they're all going to be snooty and pretentious anyway. If you look off, people notice. If you dance differently, people notice. If you try to be nice to them, or say "excuse me," or give them any kind of smile, they notice and they don't like it. Going to Goth clubs in LA isn't actually a lot of fun for me. I'm not skinny, I don't dress like a slut.. and in LA, those are problems.

Tonight, however, I was definitely not the biggest girl there. Nor was I the most conservative. Nor was I even the most under-dressed. When all you've got in a big city is one Goth club, you get all kinds. There were ravers, industrial kids, zombies, regular ole goths like me, lolitas... name it and it was there. And it was great! We all danced on the same floor, to music that cycled through to fulfill everyone's dancing needs.. and my drink was $2. You heard me right. Two #*^% dollars. For a vodka cranberry. I am blown away! I know where I'm drinking for the rest of the year. And it was goooood.

I promise, I only had one. Everything in moderation, yes?

I'm so excited about that place. I finally danced how I wanted to without having to worry about what I looked like. I even accidentally bumped into a girl, and she was totally cool about it! No dirty looks, no nothing! She smiled, even! Until now, I thought the only smiling Goths lived in the South.

And I looked GOOD tonight, let me tell you.

Saturday, April 23, 2011

I make a good housewife

I have been in Michigan a week and a half, and it feels more like a lifetime. I have adjusted very well. Michigan, though I have only been here twice before, has always felt like a home. There is only one other place in the world (so far) that has felt like this- New Orleans. This is a very good sign. When a place feels like a home I can focus on more important things... like school and finding a job. I don't have to worry about making friends, or making sure I get out of the apartment enough. This might change once I actually start school, but that's a whole different can of worms.

So far I've just been cleaning, organizing and taking care of the cats. I am an excellent housewife. If only I could just keep doing this and go to school instead of getting a real job. That would be lovely.

School starts in a little over a week, and I am admittedly nervous. I still need to turn in paperwork and meet with my advisor. The paperwork would have been in already had I working printer. Her printer doesn't sync with my laptop, and my printer is completely out of ink and paper. Lovely. Financial Aid does have that paperwork in the office, however, so I'll fill it out there.

I don't get to meet with my advisor until April 28th. School starts May 2nd. This is a problem. I have a feeling my class schedule will be pretty terrible this Quarter. I don't expect any good classes, or even any classes that I actually need. I wish schools would let students plan out their own academic careers and classes. Advisors don't know much of anything about planning classes (they are just teachers themselves, not actual advisors), or take the time to learn students' individuals goals. I would much rather just plan it all myself.

I keep applying to jobs, but no prospects yet. Pray for me, people. I need one fast. I did, however, turn in my application to the volunteer writing center. I'm pretty excited to start doing that. At least I will get out of the apartment more.

Also, I adore Meijer. It is literally the BEST store I have ever been to in my life. I'm also craving DiBella's again. I could it their sandwiches until I die.

...Which they would probably be the reason for.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Long distance relationships are hard.

Hey. Hey you.

PSST... did you know that if you click on those ads next to this that you make me money? Real money! So go on. Click. You know you've always wondered where those little ads take you. Now you can find out AND support your friend!

Go on. All the cool kids are doing it.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

This is April, right?

Yesterday morning I woke up to snow. I was amazed! Snow in April? Apparently Michigan hasn't gotten the memo saying it's Spring yet. I didn't mind at all, of course, but all I heard from the good people of Michigan was how terrible this was. It melted very, very quickly, so I don't see what they're complaining about. I see it as my little "welcome home!" from Michigan herself.

Sunday night was game night at Josh and Katie's house just outside Detroit. They're two of Crysta's BF's many friends who are just amazing people. Everyone is hilarious, and it was extremely comforting to get to meet soooo many good-natured geeks. The arrival was awkward, as it always is, especially because it seems I had been talked about quite a bit. I have been known for a while as the "once and future roommate," dubbed so by Crysta's boyfriend. What I did not know was that everyone else knew me by that name, too. So, the meet and greet was nerve wracking. It always is when they know all about you, and you know nothing about them. The good thing, however, is that geeks always have something to talk about. We bond incredibly quickly over our various fandoms and obsessions, and it never takes long for a group of newly introduced geeks to start up chatty, even boisterous conversations.

In a few weeks we will be starting a new game of Vampire: The Masquerade. If you've been around me long enough, you know that I used to Live Action Role Play, or LARP, Vamp: The Masq many moons ago. This time we'll be doing it table top style (ala Dungeons and Dragons), and I'm actually pretty nervous. It seems incredibly different from what I'm used to. I have a fear of making a fool of myself, and something tells me it's going to get played a LOT. On the plus side, I'm an official nerd because I have my own set of shiny new dice and some extra d10's. All I need is a pocket protector and I really can be Queen of the Nerds.

Today I turned in my application to 826michigan, a volunteer writing center and workshop in downtown A2. It's where the Robot Supply and Repair shop is. I really, really hope they accept me as a tutor. Volunteering there will help me meet a lot of new people (the guy I met at the counter is a huge Doctor Who fan, so I have a feeling I'll fit in), and if I can't find a real tutoring job, at least I have an outlet for my weird desire to teach. I'm excited to volunteer there, even if it is only a few hours a week.

Speaking of... the job hunt is slow, but sure. I've applied to several, and made my face known at a few places downtown. I'd love to work in one of the coffee shops or the comic store. Again, I'd meet new people and have a totally awesome job in a gorgeous city.

Other than that, not much has gone on. Sawyer still doesn't like Memphis very much, and Memphis still loves his new playmate more than anything. Crysta goes off to work and I play housewife, something, it turns out, I am very good at. In the next few days I hope to find a job, get fish in that fish tank and have this apartment completely clean and sparkling.

Oh, PS- UGH. The only problem I had with Eastern was getting an appointment with an adviser to get classes for this semester. My appt. is April 28th. Classes start May 2nd. This could be a problem.

Saturday, April 16, 2011

On the third day of moving, my roommate gave to me...

Today we moved the last of it. Everything Crysta owns is now in our huge apartment. I've spent the last three days unloading, putting away and arranging the place to make it a home. I think I've done a spectacular job. I make a very good housewife. Memphis is curled up in the chair next to me, and now this place feels like a real sanctuary, not just a couple of rooms stacked with boxes and upside-down furniture.

Not much has happened since I've gotten here. I've missed home a couple of times, but the longing eventually passes and I find something new to discover either inside the apartment, or outside with Crysta. She and her boyfriend (I'm calling him that even if she's not. They're so mushy.) and I went to downtown Ann Arbor yesterday for lunch after getting a few more things moving into the apartment. We went to the Jolly Pumpkin, my new favourite bar and restaurant. It's got a great dark wood decor, with lots of old family photos and odd nicknacks adoring the walls and ceiling. Not to mention that they have the best burger I've ever had. Why anyone gets meat any way but rare or medium rare is beyond me. The medium rareness made it so juicy and soaked the bun perfectly. There was just the right amount of cheese, and even the bacon wasn't too much or cooked too crispy. It was heaven from a cow.

Oh, PS- it's been too hard to keep up being veg during this trip. There aren't enough places along I-70 to sustain a vegetarian, so that had to be sacrificed. I'll start again Monday. Promise.

Afterward they showed me the best comic book store ever. It is bigger than any I have ever been in before (first floor AND basement filled), and I get to go back in about a week to buy myself some dice for the Vampire: The Masquerade tabletop game we're joining. More on that once it starts, however. Last, but certainly not least, was the Robot Supply and Repair shop. It's a front for a writing center, but it has everything a robot enthusiast or steampunker could want. There were vaccuum tubes to chattering teeth- anything and everything to make your own personal robot butler, minus the snooty accent. It's a volunteer-only place, but I think I'm going to apply anyway. Besides that, the guy behind the counter and I talked about Doctor Who for about seven minutes. I call that place the ultimate win.

Since then I have gone to Meijer, the BEST store in the world. Think of it as a better, cheaper and non-evil Wal-Mart. I have gotten to see Mom, and gotten a new hand me down dresser that I am absolutely in love with and never giving up ever. It's a dark wood, very tall, with gold, ornate handles. I adore it SO much, and can't wait to see it in my room every day. After moving the very last of Crysta's things, she, mom and I went to DiBella's Submarines, and I have found my last meal. All I want before I die is an Italian Assortment on everything bread with lettuce, pickles, black olives, mayo and olive oil with a Cherry Coke on the side. Ugh. I want to marry that sandwich. In fact, the veggie sticks snack I'm eating right now just lost some of its flavour when I thought of that sandwich. So. Good.

Called dad and Camron, too, just to see how things were and I'm a little sad that things are not as they left them. But c'est la vie. I'll provide support where I can, and love them all anyway. There's not much I can do from here anyway, and I trust them to do their very best for the situation. I should probably call my sister, too, so she doesn't feel left out.

I'll just get another glass of apple cherry juice first.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

I have finally arrived...

We got to Ann Arbor, and our new apartment, yesterday and have not stopped moving things in. Crysta has a lot of stuff. Our apartment is a mess, the kitties are slowly acclimating to each other, I finally have my own bed and I'm always exhausted... but I'm here. I'm safe. I'm not too sad. And now I can get on with my life.

The last (and longest) leg of the trip took us through all of Illinois and Indiana, two of the most boring-looking states in the US. There wasn't even a fire to look at. Our journey took us through many tiny towns, villages and townships, but I think I have fallen in love with Elwood, Indiana. You know those quaint, charming little towns that pop in the middle of nowhere in old movies, where even the most surly-looking of men stops to say hello, or help a little girl capture her lost puppy from the perils of the narrow streets? This is that town. Brick, brick everywhere and how I love it all. There had to be only four or five main streets to complement another low number of alleyways and side streets, and all along them were brick buildings that held homes and mom-and-pop businesses. No chains here, minus a fast food joint and a gas station (both of which we stopped at). Elwood is the cutest town I have ever seen. I could have sworn we were on the Universal Studios backlot tour, but I was also pretty delirious from driving across the country in four days.

We also found the only place named "Swayzee" in the world. The sign said so. I said that couldn't be right, Patrick probably calls his house Swayze Mansion, but Crysta pointed out that it was spelled different, so I guess Swayzee can keep its title.

Oh! And we passed four buggy carts! That's right, we were in the heart of Amish country. Apparently there are quite a few of them in Indiana. For safe driving their buggies have flashing lights and reflective signs, which are fantastic, because without them we would have hit a lot of Amish people. I have no idea how many points they're worth, but I don't really want to find out.

The night we got to Michigan we stayed at mom's house (Mom is Teri, Crysta's mom, by the way. I don't think I have ever called her by her name, though. It's always been "mom"). I really missed the labs, Baggins and Higgins, and it was nice to see Memphis, too. Sawyer stayed in my bedroom for the night. It wouldn't have been a good idea to introduce them then. We spent a quiet night, and then packed up and shipped off to Ann Arbor yesterday. We moved most of Crysta's things in yesterday with the help of three of her friends and coworkers from Trader Joe's. By the end of the day I was exhausted or beyond. My arms could barely lift the covers over me while I lay on the air mattress. The same air mattress that, three hours later, decided to wake me up by showing me it was slowly deflating. When I woke up again at about 7:00am, my upper half was on the ground, and my bottom half was up in the air. So I got up, 'cause that's no way for a person to sleep.

Today was the Ikea trip and more unpacking. Ikea was fantastic, and I bought my bed + mattress, a side table, towels, a clock, some kitchen utensils and a shower rack for $307. I worship that magical land of cheap furniture and really good food.

And then, after mostly assembling my bedframe it dawned on me- I forgot the blasted slats that go IN the bedframe. So, not only was it my first full day in Ann Arbor, but I got to drive myself back to Ikea in Canton to get the slats. I'm not going to lie... I don't understand how left turns work in Michigan. Why do they need FOUR different kinds of left turn signals? There's the regular green arrow, and then the solid green where you wait 'til it's all clear... but then they get crazy and have both flashing yellow lights and flashing red lights. It makes no sense. Just make it all the solid green and stick a sign up. It's a little ridiculous. I made it home, however, and now my bed is all lovely and waiting for me. My room is nearing completion and after I get my (free) dresser on Saturday I will take pictures.

For now, I am going to rustle up some dinner and catch up on TV shows.

Monday, April 11, 2011

Kansas is on fire, and other amusing anecdotes.

Just one of the many things I learned from Kansas today. Another is that the people of Kansas could not think of a creative name for anything in their gloriously flat state, and have stolen names from all over the US, from Lexington to Minneapolis to the Garden of Eden.

Oh, by the way, the Garden of Eden is in Kansas. Just so you know where Biblical life on Earth got started. Adam and Eve came from Kansas.

And I learned that the people of the Czech Republic lay eggs. No joke, the world's largest Czech egg is in Kansas. I hope it doesn't burn with the rest of the state. There are fires roaming all over the eastern side. Probably controlled burns, but one was awfully close to the highway. Much too close for my comfort. I left California to get AWAY from the fires, not to have them trailing after me on I-70.

Aside from that, Kansas is as boring as the farms that dot the landscape, and the cows that chew their cuds along the fences. Actually, the cows were pretty damn adorable. They were the most interesting sight along the highway for a good hundred miles. And so far, Missouri looks to be much of the same. Kansas City was actually rather huge and quite pretty, but only on the Missouri side. Never go to the Kansas side. It looks like a small town. Missouri is where it's at. Unfortunately we're still running late and couldn't stay to check out any of the sights. Tonight we sleep in Concordia, in a little Travelodge in a too-dark side of town. Our motels seem to be declining. Thankfully our next stop is Kalamazoo to see mom and stay one last night before heading to our new apartment.

I'm more than ready to be done with this trip, but that's probably because everything is so flat. I don't like seeing the curvature of the Earth.

Also, there's a town here called Knob Noster. Say what?

PS- Saw the hometowns of Eisenhower, astronaut Hawley and General Custer. Only one of those is worth seeing. Guess which.

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Over the Rockies and through the woods...



We almost didn't make it. Seriously. My car was in second gear and only making 30 mph by the time we hit Vail Summit. Sure, I've now been to 10,603ft above sea level, in the snow, with a cat and with flats on... but we almost didn't make it. Both Crysta and I (and probably Sawyer) agree that it was only by the grace of God that we made it through the Rockies.

Thinking of traveling East before May? Don't. It looks like January up there. January in a blizzard.

However, it was absolutely gorgeous the entire way. The landscape changes so drastically in the blink of an eye. Utah and Colorado are two of the most beautiful states in this entire country. How come no one told me America was this gorgeous? I'd have cut back on badmouthing it ages ago.

But way before that there was Utah. And it was glorious. There were, and are, no words to describe what I saw today. What I walked on today. What I took pictures of. They do no justice, of course, but I had to try. I stood on a cliff overlooking.. well.. everything. I could see for miles, and the reds, yellows, oranges and browns of the landscape below me never stopped. They ran through the desert like spilled paint, covering every rock and plant. The wind charged through my hair, and I felt like Queen of the World. I joked to Crysta and asked, "Does this make you feel like King of Pride Rock, too?" That totally must have been how Simba felt at the end of The Lion King. It was spectacular.

Both of us bought pieces of jewelry from Navajo women who sat at the viewpoint trying to sell their handcrafted jewels and pottery. I got a beautiful silver ring with a large opal in it. Crysta came away with mineral stone earrings and a turquoise bracelet. But the best part was overhearing the women speak to each other in Navajo. I don't know much at all, just a few words from my American Indian History class, but it is enough to pick out the language. My ring is wonderful, and I know I'll keep it around as one of the best memories of my trip.

And for now we are staying in Denver. We didn't make it nearly as far as I was hoping, due to snow and my car having a serious issue with elevation, that we'd be in Kansas by now, but c'est la vie. That's how road trips go. By the end of tomorrow we will be in Missouri. From there it's a day's drive to Portage, MI, and then finally home. I'm already exhausted, but looking forward to what adventures await me in the cornfields of Kansas tomorrow.

Saturday, April 9, 2011

From CA to UT in nine hours...

So this ends day one of my adventure into the somewhat known. It has been a long day, but not so long that I dread plopping down into the driver's seat tomorrow morning. I have seen the Mojave Desert, Las Vegas (and surrounding casinos, including the ones at the very border of CA and NV), the Arizona Canyons and what turned out to be the Wasatch Mountain Range, apparently. We've seen quite a bit these past eight, nine, ten hours. So far everything has been quite fun. We talked, listened to music, let Sawyer hide under the passenger seat for a while... It's been great. Until a certain song came on, or I saw a particular sight and the sadness of leaving washed over my all over again.

Not crying this morning was so incredibly tough. I managed not to do it, but I have a feeling that, after all this adrenaline has subsided, I have a bed to sleep on and Sawyer is curled up beside me that I will bawl like the day I was born. I already miss my rat, Jasper, I miss my dog, Kurdt, I really miss my boyfriend. The missing of family and close friends will hit in a week or so. It takes a lot for me to miss someone, actually. I have a feeling that may have changed.

But the spectacular views have made up for some of it. I can lose myself in the snow-covered mountains, or the impossibly red sheer cliffs of the Arizona Canyons, and listen to happy music and funny stories Crysta tells. I think it's best I keep myself occupied and my mind off everything I left behind in California. I've moved before, and the knowledge from that is helping a great deal. Also, Crysta being the one to drive through the snowstorm was a blessing. We saw the storm approach from the left, and it washed over us in a flurry of white. I have driven in snow before, but not while it was getting dark, and not in the kind of slush we ended up in. Nothing serious, I just learned that now I actually need snow tires come winter. Damn.

But now we're in a Holiday Inn Express, and I can finally use that joke and have it mean... well, still nothing, but at least now I can use that joke. It's a very nice room, and I paid good money for it (more, since I have a kitty with me), and now I'm a member of their priority.. thing, so we can check out late without penalty. Go us!

For now, however, I think it is bedtime. I am exhausted, and have three more days of this. Goodnight, world!

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Tuesday, four days before I leave...

This has been a long time coming...

No, not the blog, the move.


I have decided to blog my year (or so) in Michigan, however, just to keep note of what I'm going, where I'm going and to see just how far I've come. I don't want to miss a thing while I'm in the great Midwest, nor do I want you to miss a thing. This is kind of for all those that can't take this journey with me. All of you can at least share in my experiences through writing.

Now, let's just hope I remember to actually sit down and write about what's going on in my life.

So far, things have been busy. I never realised how much there was to do in Los Angeles until a month before I left it. Southern California really does have everything, and I have done it all, save for going to both the snow and the beach in the same day. I have been to the Natural History Museum, to Griffith Observatory, to the deserts beyond Calico Ghost Town. I have geocached and wandered. I have ridden The Haunted Mansion as well as the Red Line. I feel as though I've done everything there is to do in LA, but yet it is still not enough. It never will be enough. I've spent 22 years of life here, but never really lived in Los Angeles.

So it is with a very heavy heart that I spend my last few days as a Californian saying goodbye. It's been extremely hard. First with having to say goodbye to my real family, the Live Oak Vineyard, on Sunday, and today having to tell my students that I won't be gone forever, but I do have to move on. It's odd to think of any goodbyes as last ones. Some of the people I have spent time with this past week I won't see again until August, and some not until Christmas.

And then there are those few who I will miss the very second I turn my back to get into Serenity and start my journey. My boyfriend, my best friends, my family. That last kiss, those last hugs will kill me. I'm honestly worried that I won't make it down the street because I won't be able to see through the tears. But I'll make it. I always do.

But, unfortunately, I must go. I must drive down that street and turn onto that freeway on-ramp. God told me to, and so I have to go to Michigan. It may be only on His strength that I get there, but I will.

So, I hope you'll come with me in spirit, and maybe some of you in person in a month or two. I can't wait to show you around.