Home Sweet Home

I am officially moved into my apartment in Louisville!

I feel like I should have let people know I made it sooner, but this journey has been even more bittersweet than I expected. I arrived in Louisville on Sunday and have been moving in since. Luckily, I was able to order and have the furniture for my room delivered the first day here! It was such a stress reliever to have that done. Yesterday I ordered and had a couch and dining room table delivered, and today my car arrived (we shipped it) and I was able to get it all unpacked and finalize my room. With those three big accomplishments and many many trips to Walmart and Target, I can happily say I am blogging from my fully furnished apartment in Louisville :)

Louisville is great. Different, but great. I think if my dad wasn't here I would have had a harder time adjusting. Unfortunately, he leaves on Friday. There are not a million difference between California and Louisville. I don't live in farm town, although the streets at night are so dark! I do live in a big city, there is lunchtime and after work traffic, there are a million of restaurants to eat at, there are a lot of similarities. I think the biggest difference in the two places are the people's attitudes. There are two main attitude types I have met here: the laid back, yet hospitable type, and the type who have terrible customer service. I'm sure there are more, I've been here less than a week. Don't get me wrong, I like it here. There is a lot to do and a lot to see and in these few days I have made a few major realization:

1. I cherish my family more than anything.

-This is something I have always known, but choosing to move away from them for another 4 years, to an even farther location is breaking my heart. I know they support me more than anyone, but right now I feel like I would give anything to have them out here for this experience with me, having big family dinners, laughing, joking and just being in each other's presence.

2. After school, I want to move back to San Diego.

-This is something I thought I would never want, but after this week it is all I want. Why wouldn't I want to start a career, raise a family, and spend a lifetime as close as I can be to the people who have helped shape my life, impacted me so positively and who I love more than anything? Exactly, so San Diego in 5 (hopefully 4) years it is. It is not that I don't like other places, but I want to be by my family.

3. Five years isn't THAT long.

-I am going to complain on this blog how long five years is. I am probably going to do it weekly. But in the grand scheme of things and where I will be at after I finish school, five years is a small piece of my life.

4. Communication is key

- I am far away from so many people I love, plus there is a 3 hour time difference. It's hard on everyone. But effort and communication are key. For example, I had a great conversation with a friend for two hours last night and at first it was hard to figure out when to call, but we made it work and it was an awesome conversation. And today, we text. When people are away from each other effort, intentionality, communication (and technology) really are key. This is something I plan to work on to help keep and build relationships.

Some of these were obvious, but they have impacted my week and my thinking. More than anything I realize what a huge blessing and role my family is in my life. And that my parents are basically my best friends at times. I don't know what I would do without them. I am really dreading my dad leaving. I feel like a little girl, but he is honestly the best guy I know. It will be hard without him. Shout out to you Dad and Mom and sorry for the long, somewhat depressing, ramble. (If you cried reading this, totally understandable, let it out.)

Besides the moving and the life epiphanies I also have been on the job search (and gotten a gym membership). I have been called for two interviews already and am going in to see if there is an opening at another place tomorrow. This is great news because I need some money if I want to be able to visit and enjoy all the cities and states in the South and Midwest- and go home to visit!

I have a week off before I start school. I am excited, but nervous for how tough it may be. I think it is going to be very hard and at first being away from my family is going to make things even harder. To be honest, I had an amazing summer. Part of me is wondering why I decided to come out here and move away from everything and everyone I know and love, but another part of me reminds myself that 5 years is not that long in the grand scheme of things (epiphany #3)  and it is for my best interest, it is going to better my future. Everyday I have to remind myself I am here for a reason, that time will pass fast and to have fun and enjoy this new adventure of life that I am starting. I am going to learn to love this new place I call home.