on other people's transitions

So, obviously, transition is a big theme of my life. So much so that I'm wondering when I won't find myself in transition. But in all my self-absorption and focus on my own transition, I forget that others are in transition, too. I'm remembering that their transitions can affect me, often in very bittersweet ways.

Exhibit A: Kathryn Rose moved to Florida yesterday.

Kitty and I have known each other since nineteen-ninety-I-can't-even-remember. She has been a constant, faithful friend through middle school & high school, when I moved away to college, when I moved away to Africa, when I moved back to the US, when I moved into the room across the hall.

Now Kitty has moved away to Florida, and although she's left behind reminders of her presence (read: Fluffy the cat, who sleeps next to me even when it's 95 degrees upstairs), it is my turn to be a friend-from-afar, as Kitty has been to me since we met.

My favorite memories will always be...

the weekend she and Ashley came to visit me at Wheaton in the fall of 2006,

Heather's bachelorette party summer 2009,

the birthday party she and Ashley planned for me last summer ("Raise your hand...")

and of course, the past 4 months of adventures living with her and Ash in the best townhouse in the world, including broken A/C upstairs and mice on the kitchen counters.

Also of note would be the number of times Kathryn has dressed me (often in her own clothes), like this rockin' outfit of hers I wore on the most important night of my life:
Kitty, you are so courageous. God will go before you, behind you, and with you. I pray your transition from Minnesota to Sarasota is smooth sailing, friend. I love you tons, miss you already, and plan to make a visit when the weather here is crappy!

All systems go!

It's official! My counteroffer has been accepted!

I'm moving to Abuja, Nigeria in 5 weeks!


A massive thank you to the people who have been praying for me since I found out about this opportunity. I truly believe that now is the right time to do something crazy and I'm going to be obedient wherever God leads me. Thank you for praying for me!

I'll be updating here as I get closer to departure (somewhere around August 22nd), and once I'm in Nigeria, I'll be sending an additional email newsletter with updates.

I'm so excited!

New Beginnings

First, the obvious: I am a Wheaton College graduate! Graduation weekend was an absolute whirlwind, but my family was all in town so it was very special. Goodbyes were pretty tough, especially with the roommates. I have so taken that part of community for granted. They shaped the way I experienced Wheaton, and for that source of solidarity to end so abruptly seems cruel.

After moving out of campus housing (has it really only been 7 days?), I went on a retreat with the 6th graders from church. We had a blast with our team-building games, bonfires, girl talk in sleeping bags, capture the flag, and ghost in the graveyard. Oh, to be 12 again. The retreat was amazing, and I hope as meaningful to the kids as it was for me.

When the retreat was finished, I moved into my new digs in Elburn. It's a sweet house (I have my own room) and the couple is really cool. The first triplet came home from the hospital today, and I'm really anxious for the rest to make it home, too...can't imagine how their parents feel.

So my life looks dramatically different now than it did a week ago, and while that's overwhelming to me, I'm also looking forward to the freshness. 4 years is enough in one place for me. Time for something different.

Making Decisions

A college graduate requires 2 things: a job and a place to live. I will be a graduate in t-minus 38 days, and I currently have neither a job nor a place to live.

Four weeks ago, I wanted to be an editorial assistant living in Lincoln Park.
Three weeks ago, I just wanted to be anything full-time living in Lincoln Park.
Two weeks ago, I wanted to be an admissions counselor in the suburbs.
Last week, I wanted to sublet in Wheaton for the summer to buy myself more time.
Yesterday, I decided to move home for the summer, so at least I can have 1 of the 2.

The goal is still to move back to Chicago in August so I can be around when Jake starts college at Wheaton in the fall. I just need more time to figure things out (and to save money).
I'm excited to have a "home base" for all the weddings and graduations and summer events, and to be in some place familiar. I'm also excited to have more time with my family and best friends, and to see my little man growing up (can't believe he's talking already!).
I'm disappointed that I'll be missing out on a summer with the college roommates and having to delay the "fresh start" I want so badly. I'm ready to put down roots somewhere, as Amanda says, to establish myself as a young professional on my own, and I really want that place to be Chicago. I'm just not capable of doing that immediately after graduation.

So get ready, Minneapolis. I'm coming home on May 17th.
And stay sharp, Chicago. I'll be back.

Efficiency

I love to make lists. I like itemizing, checking off, watching my progress, and feeling productive. I even add things to my to-do list after I've finished them just for the satisfaction of crossing them off. I do it with packing lists, to-do lists, textbook lists; I have an entire notebook just for "listing," as I have named this hobby. Part of it is obsessive-compulsive, part of it is organized, but most of it is genetic. Oh, how you wish your mom was Organized Audrey.

But getting back to listing...I made a "Don't Panic To-Do List: Pre-Wheaton." (Its counterpart is "To-Do List: Post-Wheaton" for when I roll into town on the 23rd.) It is massive and overwhelming and kind of sends me into a panic attack. But I'm slogging through it item-by-item (what good is an itemized list if you don't follow it item-by-item?) and making headway.

I started using my planner again, and have been delightfully surprised by the stability it brings me. I've had little use for it this summer, as all my appointments (or lack thereof) have been manageable and made less than 24 hours in advance. Today I made appointments and booked travel late into September, so it's time to start writing it down.

Alas, it seems that the more items I accomplish, the more things I find to do around here. Isn't that the way it always goes? It will be a miracle if I make it back to Chicago with my brain intact.