Change Ahead

That couldn't be a more loaded statement.

Let's begin with saying how difficult it is for a twenty-one year old to pack up her life in 50 pounds or less. I have packed and repacked my suitcase everyday for the past two weeks in hopes to embrace my inner minimalist, taking only the clothes that I can't imagine living without. I've had to take out several dresses, scarves, and -worst of all- shoes. Total nightmare.

I can't believe that I'm flying out this weekend! Time is a strange thing. It's scary, intimidating, and painfully slow, but when you look back on it, it seems like it went by in a blink of an eye. I have become somewhat obsessed with time now that I've been in a long-distance relationship for six months. I constantly check my countdown app, recount the days on my calendar, and try to find a comforting way to make the time seem like less than what it is; for instance, when I had seven more weeks I would say that I only have six more Sundays. I don't know why, but it weirdly made me feel better. So needless to say, it will be such a relief to not worry about counting days anymore because I drive MYSELF crazy doing this!

So change. Lots of change. I see my UNA friends moving back to Florence, my Phi Mu sisters preparing for recruitment, and myself moving 4,000 miles away. I mean it when I say it's bittersweet to leave for the year- I will miss so many of my favorite events, places, and people. I'm in a comfortable routine in my life, and for that very reason alone, I know that I HAVE to go. Don't get me wrong, I want to go (refer to the countdown soliloquy), but it comes with the price of giving up everything I know to be replaced with the unknown. I have always believed that change is good, but nevertheless, a time of adjustment.

That's all this is anyways, a new adjustment. Exciting adventures (and my boyfriend) await on the other side of my plane ride. I'm so blessed and excited going into this experience. Being away from home will be incredibly hard, but traveling is one of the (if not THE) most rewarding things a person can do. I look forward to returning next year with many lessons learned, places explored, and most importantly, a more improved version of myself. I just hope to learn a little something from each person I meet and place I go will- that alone will undoubtably change the way I view life.

So this is where I am on this Wednesday night. I'm thankful for a fun, relaxing summer and ecstatic to hop over the pond and into the arms of my hunky boyfriend. If anyone wants my address while I'm in England let me know because I love snail mail. I move to Germany in the beginning of October, at which point I will send out my new address.

Thank you all for reading!

Bethany