Ending and Beginning

Today is the day! It's 1am here in Nashville and I'm determined to finish this post. I'm hitting the road in about 12 hours. Last 12 hours to ponder what college life will be. Last 12 hours to roam around my room, the house, and the neighborhood until I come back in about 4 months. College life is still all a mystery. I've only heard mere rumors and tales of how college is the best part of your life but also one of the most stressful times. However, after I get to Davidson on Sunday and start college life, I guess the mystery will dissipate.

It's funny how we always want to grow up fast. Don't you remember the times when you were out at a restaurant and your parents embarrassed you or pissed you off, you automatically defaulted to the sentence, "I can't wait until I'm away at college!" In fact, you screamed it with so much passion. Don't you remember the times when every single day seemed to be the same in high school. You wake up around 6am, go to school, go to practice (sports/instruments), go home, do homework, and then go to sleep (what little that is was). Days blended together and you needed something new so you thought, "I can't wait until I'm at college." Well, now that's all gone. No more pestering parents tampering with your temper. No more high school days and nights. We're going to be in college! But wait, it really just hit me about a month ago. I am going away to college. I'll be 7 hours away from my home and what I've always known. I remember it distinctly when a sharp pain shocked my heart. I broke down. I'll be leaving people I love behind. I take for granted seeing my mother in the kitchen every day cooking meals when I got home, my father coming in through the door after a long day at work, my siblings annoying me with every pet peeve, and every single friend passing by in the hallways. Looking back at it closely, I really will miss these memories even though they weren't something I really though about at the moment of occurrence.

I'm so sorry for not being an active participant this summer but I've been really busy filling my days with wonderful memories with friends and family. At the beginning of the summer, I compiled a list of activities I wanted to venture out and do titling it "Summer 2012 Bucket List!" To my surprise, I actually completed 19 out of 28 items plus more that weren't on the list to begin with. A lot of them were new experiences and I'm glad I got to do them all with at least one good friend.

Friends, I've had too many. Too many who were so close to me. They've shaped me and pushed me to do what I did. They are great. There's a Girl Scout song, "Make new friends but keep the old. One is silver and the other's gold." I plan to keep my old friends and I hope that I don't lose touch with any of them. I am definitely excited to meet new friends at Davidson! Even though I am excited and I try to carry that on with me, I couldn't resist the thought of leaving my old friends. I've known most of my friends for 6 years. I've known my best friends for 7 and 8 years. They were the hardest to see go and I couldn't stop crying profusely when I realized it was the last few minutes I'd be seeing them before we all leave for college. There are still so many emotions that I can't process. I'm just letting them go haywire for the time being. Hopefully, I can sort it out soon. I bet once I step on campus, it'll all make sense. As I always say now, "All is well!"

Bye Nashville and all associated with this wondrous place. I love everyone! Now Davidson here I come! :D

By the way, I finished packing (did it all by myself) and put everything in the car around 10pm last night. To my surprise, it all fit! Good job me!

~ Lauren