Big boxes, little boxes, square boxes, rectangular boxes

I find moving somewhat of a therapeutic process. There are times where I do get sentimental about things and it also forces me to evaluate what I really do NEED in my life. While we are on the topic of NEED, I probably don’t need 60% of the things I own! I am definitely not a minimalist but I am definitely not a pack rat and don’t like a lot of knick-knacky things. I fall in the middle somewhere.

There are some items that I have been holding onto for quite a while for various reasons. For example, there was a dress I wore, right before Adam and I started dating, to his brother’s wedding. It was a spicy little number. I asked Adam last night if he remembered it and he definitely did and was able to describe almost every detail. This is rare for Adam because he has the worst memory (self-admitted), especially with clothing items. I have been holding on to the dress for about 6 years now and I have finally decided to give it away. I have worn plenty of dresses around him since then, but there was something the way he looked at me when I was ready that made him seem completely blown away! It was the first time I have ever seen him look at me like that and I think that is why I have been holding on to it for so long!

Last night, as we were getting deeper into the packing process, I took a moment and stood in the middle of our apartment with boxes all around me, bare walls, and thought to myself how depressing it is to see my life packed away in boxes! My pictures, candles, china, photo albums, linens; everything that makes a house a home, is all packed away. But, Adam and I will be able to create a new home in Nebraska and really my home is with him and the memories we create in it.

25 for 25

Instead of being down in the dumps that I am turning the dreaded 25 I am going to celebrate how wonderful my 25 years of life have been! At this point in my life, I really don’t have much to complain about and I have had a pretty good life overall!

To celebrate my birthday, I am going to list 25 things I have learned in my 25 years!

1. Parents really do know more than we do! Although I thought I knew it all from the age of probably 14-21, I finally realized that is probably in my best interest to hear what they have to say!

2. Just because you have two college degrees, doesn’t guarantee the “ideal” job!

3. But, never settle! Keep going after what you want and deserve!

4. I can never make everyone happy. If I try, I lose myself and that is the worst of it all. I can only do what I believe is best and if makes people happy; great! If it doesn’t, it isn’t the end of the world.

5. There are ALWAYS two sides to every story and it is important to hear both of them before passing judgment.

6. There is no need to push others down in order to be on top! There is certainly room for everyone and you will get there quicker if you work together!

7. Always find a reason to laugh and smile every single day!

8. Dreams are long-term goals that you have for yourself if you let them be. I daydream all the time about future trips, homes, kids, etc. Sometimes I need those dreams to get through the day!

9. “We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.” Joseph Campbell. Anyone who knows me knows that I am a planner. While I have learned this quote, it is hard for me to still grasp at times. It is alright to life interject and let you live what was intended.

10. Choose your battles.

11. You are responsible for who you are. Not your parents, not your past, and not your friends. You determine who you want to be.

12. I believe any combination of chocolate and peanut butter can cure anything from a broken heart to a cold!

13. Never stop educating yourself. Even though I am out of school, I continue to educate myself through a variety of informal fashions. Whether it is through podcasts, professional associations, the news, etc. find something that makes you want to learn!

14. While I have my own home, there is nothing better than “going home.”

15. And, even though I am married, no one can replace my mom when it comes to being taken care of when sick.

16. Have the ability to find enjoyment in everything; including a rainy, gloomy day! That is when you actually do have an excuse to lay in bed all day, dozing in and out!

17. While I probably hated my brother for about the first 15 years of my life (we did have the occasional good moments), I wouldn’t have it any other way. I am happy to not have been an only child. Looking back on it, there would have been SEVERAL bored summers if we didn’t have each other!

18. My definition of “fun” has definitely evolved. What was once a great Friday night 4,5, or 6 years ago doesn’t seem so great anymore! Yes, I do enjoy getting together at local establishments once in a while, but the thought of doing that 2, 3, or 4 times a week doesn’t sound appealing whatsoever now! I am perfectly content staying at home on a Friday night making dinner with my sweets and watching a movie with a good glass of wine!

19. Try to live in the present. A friend recently posted on his Facebook, “Today is the tomorrow we worried about yesterday.” I am very guilty of worrying too much about the future and it causes me to miss out on the present and not remember the past.

20. Giving feels much more rewarding than getting.

21. I find it perfectly acceptable to watch a marathon of useless, trashy, drama-filled reality TV!

22. I also find it perfectly acceptable to watch the same move 20+ times because it is just “One of those movies.”

23. As messy as I was as a child and teenager, I really can’t stand clutter and messes now! In that respect, I truly am my mother’s daughter!

24. Never really know what you have until you no longer have it. I live in good ol’ Maryville for 6 years and even though it is quite a bit smaller than Rolla, I miss a lot of things about the city and the University that I never thought I would. Such as, a good grocery store is hard to come by and I was definitely spoiled by the Hy-Vee in Maryville! Why I never took advantage of the dinner theater at the Hangar before grad school is beyond me. I could go on, but I won’t!

25. I am sure the next 25 years will have its highs and lows! Bring it!

Watch out Nebraska!

That's right, we are moving to Nebraska! I was able to secure a job at the University of Nebraska-Kearney as the Assistant Director of Student Life for Greek Affairs. My start date is July 1 and I already have so many ideas for when I get there! I can't wait to start meeting with students, staff, and graduate assistants! I know that the first year in the field as a full-time professional is, undoubtedly, the hardest one, but I am ready to take on the challenge!

It has been great living in Rolla for the past year and being so close to my family, but I think it will be good for Adam and I to move away for  awhile. He will be able to go back to school full-time while I work and by the time he is done, we are hoping he will secure a job in the Kansas City area.

While Kearney is in the middle of Nebraska, there are a lot of things going for it. The city itself is about 30,000 people. There are lots of great restaurants, shopping, and outdoor activities. Kearney is about 3 hours from Omaha, 4 hours from Kansas City, and about 8 hours from Rolla. Since Kearney is located further west, I am looking forward to the travel opportunities that will be presented such as the Black Hills and Mount Rushmore (4 hours away), Denver and surrounding area (5 hours away), and the Grand Teton National Park (12 hours away).

One benefit to the position as that I am required to live on campus. The University will provide a three bedroom/two bathroom apartment for Adam and I. That's right, no rent or any type of utilities! This will also be a great way for us to save a lot of money so that when Adam is done with school, we should be ready to buy a house!

I know it will be especially hard for me being so far from my family. But like I said before, it will be good for us to be more independent and it won't be forever!