Adjusting.

Okay, okay.  So I know it's been two weeks since my last post.  And it was originally my goal to post at least once a week, but that was before I really dove into my new hectic schedule.  Honestly, I actually sat down last weekend to make a post but my heart just wasn't in it.  I think I was still in homesick mode and decided to sit and pout instead of write.  Thankfully, that time passed.

Speaking of time passing, holy moly I can't believe this coming Monday will be the start of week #4 with school.  Classes are going well.  I'll tell you what, this professional school deal is on a whole different level.  As my wonderful father-in-law emailed me this week, "Professional school is a bit more serious because you're playing with real ammo now."  Which is a great, very true point.  My typical day consists of lecture and labs from morning to late afternoon, and then about 3-4 hours of studying at night on top of that.  On Thursday we had our "White Coat" ceremony which I guess I felt a bit indifferent about.  At first I'm thinking, hey isn't this a bit premature?  I mean we just started the program.  I kinda felt that this should be something we go through once we complete the program and pass boards.  But at the same time after listening to a very inspirational, wake-up time speech from the president of the university, it's time to get serious and realize what kind of responsibility you are taking on here.  Now don't get me wrong, I definitely knew beforehand what kind of business I was getting myself into, but it did feel good to hear that message and for it to really sink in.  It really reassured me that I am definitely in the right place and I couldn't be more excited to learn and be challenged on a daily basis for the rest of my career.  I figured the only bad thing that could of happened out of all this is that I would feel the exact opposite.  And boy am I sure glad I don't feel that way!

My apartment is finally starting to feel more like my "home away from home".  I know the pain I get in my chest from missing my real home when my mind is taking a break from studying is only temporary.  But I am surrounded by a great area, right smack dab in the middle of a nice residential neighborhood.  There's a beautiful park with great walking paths right across the street, complete with soccer fields and baseball diamonds usually filled with small children and their families during the week.  DuPage University is right in my backyard.  I'm about a mile away from a wonderful Whole Foods store, and when I need some fresh air I just open my patio door and gaze out at the lake just to my left.  But I must admit, I sure do miss my wonderful little patio in Wichita, the smell of pinon pine drafting from our cute chiminea, watching the leaves change...and of course the company of my wonderful husband and our sweet dogs.

The view of the lake from my patio

A must have in my apartment

 I'll end this post with some inspirational quotes I found from the wrappers of the awesome Dove dark chocolate minis I must eat everyday.  I know they've given me a little boost of energy and confidence, just when I needed it most...

"Inspire others to be their best by being your best."

"Learn something everyday."

"Don't stress.  Just think, and this too shall pass."

A new adventure...and all of the feelings that go with it!

Wow, what a week.  School, new town, being away from the most important people in my life.  Talk about major life adjustments.  I'm pretty sure I've never felt so many emotions in such a short time frame.  There have been tears (ok, lots of tears).  But there have also been laughs, feelings of accomplishment and joy from making new friends.  Let's start at the beginning of last week...

On Tuesday, August 31st, my parents and I completely filled a little U-Haul trailer with most of my belongings that would be making the trip up to Chicago with me.  Tim is still living at our house in Wichita, so it was nice to not have the pressure of trying to pack EVERY little thing up in that trailer.  Trust me, we wouldn't have been able to get everything.  So Wednesday morning we left Wichita, with my parents leading the caravan and Tim and I trailing behind in my car.  It was a tough morning, not only because I was leaving Wichita and our house, but I was also leaving my little doggies behind.  But I tried to stay strong, and I held my feelings in as we started on the road (which ended up biting me a little later that evening).  Wednesday night we pulled into Naperville, a town just south of Wheaton (where my apartment is located).  After a wonderful dinner with my parents, we were heading back to the hotel and the emotions suddenly overwhelmed me (the few glasses of wine at dinner must not have helped).  So, here I was, not even moved into my apartment yet and already the tears were flowing.

Well, mother earth must have been feeling my pain because sure enough it was raining Thursday morning when I was supposed to be moving into my new apartment.  So we waited for a break in the rain, thank goodness for radar maps, and as soon as we caught a break we hurried all of the furniture and my belongings out of the trailer and cars.  We spent the afternoon unpacking and getting settled in.  I must say, I have the absolute best mom, dad and husband that a gal could ask for.  They worked so hard to help me make my apartment a second home.  Brings me to tears just thinking about it now. 

Friday I got to meet all of my classmates and get the low down of what to expect during school at orientation.  I was surprised to find out that most people in my class also moved from out of state to start the program, and many had moved here by themselves as well.  It was reassuring to know that I was in the same boat with a lot of people, and it definitely gave us something in common.

Saturday and Sunday I spent hanging out with my family.  We had a lot of fun making dinners at the apartment and watching movies.  Sunday we went downtown and had lunch at the Goose Island Brewery and did the tour after.  Monday morning we had breakfast together before mom, dad and Tim left to drive back to Wichita.  I only shed a few tears then, but I was feeling pretty strong.  However, the first few nights after they left, I didn't feel so strong.  But thank goodness for Skype, after seeing Tim and the dogs I started to gain my strength back.

And now here I am, I've made it through my first week of school.  I'm taking 25 1/2 credit hours, so I spend most of the day in class and then most of the evening studying.  I know I'm right where I need to be, the professors are wonderful and the program is great.  I've worked very hard to get where I am, and as I quickly learned this week, this is the beginning of my career.  The rest of my life.  So when the nights get lonely and I'm missing home tremendously, I just remind myself of that and I also remind myself that I've got the most amazing support system of friends and family back home cheering me on.  And I hope everyone knows how much that means to me.