First off I want to thank all my friends from Humboldt County who gave me quite the send off. I have never seen so much food at St. Joes even when the administration and sisters brings it in. Too bad I had such a busy night, I was not able to see everyone, and thank everyone for their gifts, cards, food and well wishes. I don't think I'll ever be able to express my gratitude. Also, to those who made it to church on a holiday weekend, my thanks and love. All the prayers are much appreciated.
The drive to Illinois was not very exciting. I was surprised to see snow on the mountains in Utah and Nevada that were bare just weeks before. And it was rather boring, being alone and knowing that I had a time limit on the Uhaul. Otherwise there were at least a dozen places I would have pulled off the road to wander and take pictures. Therefore, no pictures.
When I got to my parents house I couldn't believe how much crap I had. When I got down to it, it was mostly books and craft supplies. Sure there were a lot of clothes, but I expect those to be pilfered while I'm away. Mom put all my furniture to work in their new house. Now she wants my artwork too.
On the other hand, I lugged in the 2 duffle bags of things I'm thinking about taking with me to the PC, and once unpacked looked surprisingly less than I thought. Sure I won't be taking it all, but it's nice to know it all fit.
Over the last week I feel like I have been incredibly lazy. Which is quite untrue. I am now an Illinois resident with the drivers license and license plates to prove it. I no longer owe any student loans, I've had a root canal, oil changed, driven to my sisters house and picked out a brides maid dress. I have to list it all, so I can see what I've done. I think I feel lazy because I'm not working. I sleep until 0900, and dawdle around the house for awhile. I've ridden my bike across town a couple times, and played more video games than is probably healthy.
But it is still hard to believe in 2 weeks I will be where none of this matters. I won't have a car, or money, or a bike, or free time probably. I won't be wearing fancy party dresses. I won't be able to communicate with the majority of the people I meet. But that is what I got into this for, the adventure of it all.
And to promote dental hygiene. I promised the dentist, because he and his assistants gave me a free root canal, because I'm pathetic. After riding my bike for 3 hours in the humidity, I locked myself out of the house, and have had a killer toothache for the last month. On my ride I saw a dentist office, so I stopped in to get a quote on an extraction, only to get the lecture "you're too young to have your teeth pulled" which I've heard twice before about the same tooth. So, because I have no insurance, because I quit my job, because I'm leaving for the PC, they offered to do the work for free. A "pay it forward" charity. And much appreciated. Now only my jaw hurts, instead of my tooth.
So now I pretty much sit and wait. I still have people to visit and things to do, but all in their due time. I can't dwell on the "what if's" and I can't think too much about what I'm getting myself into. It's overwhelming.
