Moving out, Moving up, & Moving on

For weeks, I brought my belongings into work and put them in a box marked “Free” (which I later renamed "Pay It Forward"). I tried to bring new things in every couple of days. People started asking me if I was giving away my possessions because I was dying. I assured them I wasn’t. I just needed to get rid of as much as I could before moving to Florida.

I pared down a lot. As much as I could. I gave away my furniture to friends and people on Craigslist (I gave my bed to a man who had been sleeping on the floor, and my table to a man who lives in a trailer with his wife and three children). I sold books, CDs, DVDs, and clothes at resale shops. I donated gads of things to the Brown Elephant (it's like a Goodwill... It's in Boys Town and the proceeds benefit AIDS research). I threw out more than ¾ of my makeup collection (I’m now down to only one small Caboodles container, and actually threw out my massive tackle box altogether).

Despite all that, my tiny little shoebox of a studio apartment somehow converted into a massive amount of stuff. I ended up shipping 30 boxes (8 the first day, 20 the second day, 2 the third day) and a guitar. And I took two massive suitcases, a purse, and a laptop bag onto the plane with me.

My mom, fortunately, was able to come to Chicago to help me pack. If she hadn’t, I don’t think my move would’ve been possible.

I saw very few people after my last night of Tony n’ Tina’s. I think three friends total in five days… something like that. I was too busy packing my life away. Luckily, between my last days at my respective jobs and my going-away party, I got the closure that I needed in order to move on.

Moving away doesn’t feel sad to me. I feel like I’ve been waiting for this for so long, and I’m ecstatic that it’s finally here. I met most of the students in my program back in February, and I know they’re excited to have me. And I’m excited to finally get to be with them. Although I barely know them and have only been to this city once before, I almost feel like I’m coming home. I belong here.

Of course, I typed this from the plane. Who knows what I’ll feel like in a couple of days. Don’t worry, kids. I’ll do my best to keep you updated.

My mom says that whenever you move on to a different stage in your life, you should look at it as an adventure. Don’t be sad to close one door; look forward to what might be lying beyond the next one.

So I’m saying hello to my bigger, better, things and running gleefully towards my bright and beautiful future.


May you be excited to say hello instead of sad to say goodbye.

~A~


P.S. For your reference: if ever you are shipping things across the country, use Greyhound. Yes, the buses. It was cheaper than USPS would’ve been. And, since I had a student ID (I used my undergrad one), they let me buy a “Student Advantage” card for $22.50, and then I got HALF OFF all of my shipping. ALL. I saved HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS off of the already cheaper service. Highly recommend.