A working girl retires

It is Monday morning and I'm sitting at a tiny wooden table in my new (but old) apartment in Bloomington, Indiana! Somehow I drove 630 miles in 10 hours by myself all day yesterday to arrive back at school.

It was very strange to gradually drive from fast-paced living by D.C. to the middle of America, where things are slow paced and much less polished. Who knew that people could drive a car other than a Land Rover or Mercedes? Apparently there are people in America who also drive Fords!

Anyway, I arrived at my little apartment I'm sharing with my friend Cindy this next year. It's a pretty tiny, sort of old place, but it's very cozy... and we are surrounded by Chinese neighbors! I think it will be a pretty good year. Maybe I can describe the place more once I get settled in. Today I have to move all of my stuff from another friend's apartment to this place. None of my friends have arrived and Cindy is out of town, so hopefully I can it all on my own. Thankfully I have a fold-up Ikea bed and other tiny, foldable things that should be fairly easy to chuck in my car and carry up rickety steps.

Overall, I had an extremely blessed summer that I wouldn't have traded for the world. Well, maybe I would have, but it was still a great experience. I learned an incredible amount, especially through interactions with so many different people. There are some things that I had to say goodbye to, but there are also so many things to look forward to.

Goodbye to:

-Way too comfortable suburban/rich people living.
-An awesome adopted family and dog.
-Going to work everyday and being productive.
-Making a living and some money.
-Being at the doorstep of D.C.
-The spectacular church I attended.

Hello to:

-New friendships and adventures.
-New classes and loads of projects and papers.
-Going back to work with the city during the school year.
-Job searching for graduation time.
-Heading up service and outreach with InterVarsity's graduate chapter.

Thanks for all your many, many prayers! Oh, and maybe I didn't mention it, but my wonderful mother is back from China! Thanks for your prayers for her too. I'll be heading home to Kansas tomorrow to hang out with her for a whole week.

Okay, I really better start moving stuff now. Maybe I'll be able to recruit some Chinese neighbors to help me?