Change is in the air

At times during the winter, I was pretty sure life in Bloomington would just keep going on and on forever.  I would work hard at my job, attend small group Bible study, listen to my roommate practicing her viola, laugh and play with friends, cook simple meals, tentatively grow stronger physically and mentally, and always remain 26.  Now it seems that this existence of contentment is slowly fading.  Change is coming.

I'm not adverse to change--change is a part of my life, and usually I embrace it.  Lately, however, I feel a sense of loss.  Some of my closest, dearest friends in the whole world have recently packed up and headed elsewhere, even my roommate.  I, too, shall soon be moving elsewhere.  Sure, now I have more free time that can be spent applying for jobs, etc., but life seems quieter and less risky and colorful.  I thrive being around people, and now that I've had more than 5 minutes to myself over the past 2 days, my mind can start wandering to a million different thoughts.  Like what on earth am I really doing with my life?  Or thinking that 26 still seems so young.  Then a split second later thinking that 26 is extremely old.  Or dreaming about having an awesome studio apartment in San Francisco... or Prague... or Shanghai.     

So to break things up, I'm still trying to have little adventures for the remaining month I have here.  I continue to play tennis with friends and even random, handsome strangers I meet at Bryan Park.  And now that I have more quiet time, I try to fill my empty thoughts with prayers.  I pray for all those dear friends scattered in different directions, my mom's challenging and meaningful work, this crazy country, conversations with coworkers, and peace for all that has happened in the past year.  And now I even have time for novels!    

I've also started biking a bit again. This past week I rode my bike a couple of times across town to work.  It takes about 20 minutes.  With gas at $4.25 early last week, I decided it was time to enjoy the nice weather and pedal myself all the way to office.  It has been fun--minus the parts where I arrive at work all disheveled with helmet hair, or where drivers can't really see you in their early morning daze, or where you can't really time your arrival to work and end up either 15 minutes too early or late.

In other news, I'm still volunteering visiting my elderly friend.  Today's conversation centered on tennis.  I only try to bring up topics that I know I will somewhat enjoy, since we will talk in circles about that topic forever because of her dementia.  So tennis is a doable topic.  Topics that are not doable to me include cats, boyfriends, and more cats.    
 

Farewell!  All of these dear friends have now headed to all corners of the U.S.