It's almost 12:30 AM here in the Midwest, and I'm not sleeping. Why? I'm not sure. I was tired, I went to bed. I reclined there for over an hour before I felt like I wasn't getting anywhere, and decided to get up and do something, in hopes that it would tire me out. I guess we'll see.
It is now almost the end of May, and in 2 months, I'll be packing my belongings and moving 3 hours away from my husband. All will not be roses and sunshine, but I imagine we'll make it through. I'll be there for 18 months. Whether or not he moves after the next academic year is yet to be determined. For now, I'm just trying to enjoy having him around, we're looking for his new apartment, and otherwise getting me ready to go back to school. I've registered for classes, signed an apartment lease, and accepted and assistantship with the University. I'm pretty well set, with the exception of actually physically relocating and then purchasing my books.
I'm so ready to be going back to school. So ready for the last 3 very difficult years of my life to be over. Even though the 'mart and I have had a love-hate relationship, I know for a fact there will be things I miss. Like a several of the employees I've gotten to know well, especially the girls that work in softlines with me. Two or three of them have promised to road trip to visit me, though, if I promised to take them to Cold Stone Creamery when they come (which, gosh, was a hard thing to promise). But other than the people, there's not much I'll mourn about my adventures in retail.
As far as leaving the town I'm in--that will be quite the adjustment. I'm leaving not just my husband, but my parents and younger brothers, some friends. I like this town. I always have. Even growing up when most people hated the small-town, not-much-to-do atmosphere, I still had a soft spot for it. It's such a great place to live. It's small enough that you can let your kids walk home without worry, or play in the street (in some cases). But it also has a lot of the things bigger cities have to offer: movies, theatre, sports, festivals, music. Sure, we move a little slower here, but the pace suits me just fine. I think the one reason I'm reluctant to leave is because I'm not certain I'll ever move back to this area. That will be hard. I've spent the majority of my life here.
But if staying here means staying in 3 part-time jobs, still barely able to make ends meet, well, it's not worth it to me. Change will be good. Change will also be hard. Here's hoping I'm built strong enough to handle it.
