It says "hold on and take this ride"

I decided a while ago that I would save my 100th post for a special occasion. I’d say this is as special as any.

I’m typing this from the family van, and there is lightning over Atlanta. Yep, I’ve left Tampa for good. It’s crazy knowing that it’s completely over although I’m sure it will fully set in once I’m home. But I’ve spent enough time on this blog covering the decision and leaving Florida…instead, I’d like to look at what I have to look forward to.

First of all, freedom. Yeah, it does seem a bit contradictory that I’d have more freedom at home than I did when I was 1500 miles away from my parents, but that’s misleading. Sure, I was able to make all my own decisions, but I definitely felt a bit trapped from time to time. Without a car the feeling could get pretty confined. I guess the best illustration of this is how I had to stock up on groceries when my parents visited (twice), because I couldn’t ever get them on my own time. Just having a car to use will make such a difference. I can do things on my own time now!

On the flipside of that is responsibility. Yep, time to get a job. I’m really resigned to it to the point of almost looking forward to working all summer, but it’s going to be a big adjustment. When I consider that last summer I did whatever I pleased and wasted many days away, it’s going to be completely new to me. I only really have applied to jobs that I wouldn’t mind doing, so it’s not going to be Culver’s bad. Just a lot of work – but I’m ready for that I think. I’ve picked up a better work ethic from a year of college.

Good times! I’m definitely anticipating some of those. Like I said, I’ll be working a lot so I won’t have nearly as much time to replicate last year’s super summer, but there’s some classy stuff on the docket. I am primarily looking forward to the US soccer game in Chicago, but I’m sure this summer has a lot more to offer too – ’09 grad parties, golfing, and hopefully an MLS game to name a few. I feel like I’m going to really savor this summer.

And here’s a paradigm shift to look forward to – upon my return to Wisconsin, I am back on the market…ladies. I don’t have anything particular in mind, but I at least feel like I’m free to have my name back out there for the first time in 8 months or so. If the previous 17 years of my life in Wisconsin are any indication, they might not exactly be all up ons, but who knows. I think maybe all I need to do are meet some new girls who don’t have any notions about me already from my less appealing days and can just take me for who I am. It worked before. I’m not too broken up either way though – my first new year’s resolution was to make wise relationship choices, and I’m actually trying to stick to those this year.

But ya know what? It’s summer! Today I did my last school assignment for 4 months. I want to take a break from worrying about how each question I answer in school affects my future. I want to stop feeling guilty for relationship decisions that weren’t even irrational. I want to stop taking everything so seriously! Yeah, I’m still going to try to get my grown-up 9 to 5 job this summer, but I’m living with my brother in an apartment downtown, I’m more responsible for myself than ever before, and I’ve got all but 40 hours a week to do everything in my power to make this summer unforgettable.