Out With the Old and in With the New

Change is good, right? Or is it something you fear? Moving to a new town or state, a new haircut, or even something as simple as changing your shampoo or lotion. Changes can influence life for the good or the bad. I tell you this because lately I have been thinking of doing a lot of positive changes myself. It is a new year and I think it is time to try to declutter my life. Out with the old and in with the new, as some might say.
Before I begin to tell you my first step in change, you first have to know I am a sentimental person...probably one of the worst you have ever met. I like to think back on the good memories, keep items because of its importance to me and only me, and I take pictures of everything. Now that you know this, the next thing you should know is I tend to keep all of these particular items in the thing you may know as a closet. To me its a keepsake storage space. I could not see the floor of my closer nor were there any room on the shelves. I had things packed in on top of each other and I would be completely embarrassed if anyone outsider had seen.
So, I came to the conclusion to go through everything and clean it all out. It kind of looked impossible but the more I jumped into it, the more fun it actually became. I found things I forgot I even had, like my first Vera Bradley bag from high school, pictures from camp when I was in elementary school, and even old posters my friends have made me over the years that I had stuck in the back. Certain things made me laugh and others made me a little sad. It is all visual evidence of my life and how much has changed. I came to the point where throwing away things had become slightly easier, that was until I ran into a box with things from my sweet sixteenth birthday. I had stored away deflated balloons and cards. I also had my old favorite pair of jeans I wore that night and happened to rip while dancing. Where did my jeans rip, you might ask? Use your imagination...yes, right down the back. I am talking about a foot of tearing left me running to the bathroom with my best friend right behind me. After thinking back to this terrifying yet hilarious memory, I had to really ask myself, "Will I really want an old pair of ripped jeans when I am thirty years old?" We all know the answer will be no.

So after three hours of fighting with myself and four garbage bags later, I decluttered not only my closet but my mind and my life. I can not tell how much better I felt after everything was cleared out and organized. If it were up to me, I would encourage everyone to take the time to have a day or two like this a year. Take this time to reflect on the good memories of your life and declutter the bad. Try something new. Experiment with a new recipe or schedule an appointment for a new haircut. I made mine for Friday...2011 is a new year and it is up to you with what you're going to do with it.

See You Soon

It has been a few weeks since I have last written and for that I apologize. I have spent the past two weeks living out of my green, polka dot suitcase in Somewhere, Texas; spending my days eating enchiladas like they were going out of style and holding the newest addition to our family, my baby cousin. Yes indeed I was HOME for Christmas! Don't you just love Christmas breaks? No school, no work, laying around all day with the man you love most in this world. Sounds perfect huh? Unfortunately, it all ended just a little too quickly.

You would think after all of these years of short term visits that I would be used to packing up my things, say goodbye, then head on my way as if it were simply business. That, however, is not the case...at all. I am attached, I am as sentimental as they come, and most importantly, I am in love. Therefore, no matter how many times I have to say goodbye, or in Chris and I's words, "See you soon," it never gets easier. It is both emotionally and physically exhausting spending your days missing the person you love most in the world.

So, as an update on where I am now: I have now traded in my old suitcase for my own closet, and have gone from inside jokes with family members and friends to blank stares from fellow classmates. And for the past few days of being at home I have been completely at loss for what to do with my time. I have not focused on this semesters classes or even thought twice about preparing for work this Friday. No, I have been letting my mind slip into thoughts of loss and worry. My time is now consumed of thinking how much I miss Chris and my family, and most importantly-how much I wish I could already start the rest of my life with him. Life would be if we lived in the same town. Wait, town? I'd settle for the same state! So, I tell you this, if it were up to me, we would never have to say goodbye to anyone we love. We would not have to worry about long distance relationships or living in a different state than our family and friends. But since I am in a long distance relationship and my family and friends do live in a different  state, I ask you this, appreciate those you get to see everyday. Let them know you love them and don't take the time you have with them for granted. And while you are doing all of this...I will be making my countdown until the next time I see them, starting...NOW...

THREE MONTHS AND ONE DAY.