So long PA!

What a crazy first semester and break! Living in New York has been full of ups and downs but it has taught me a lot. I have learned a lot about myself. I have learned that I am capable of doing many things and handling many different situations. Some days were hell. My second month living there I cried more times than not. I was constantly getting lost, I got followed at night, and I did not know how to handle certain situations. I was so homesick! I just wanted to be back in my parents' house and cuddled up with my mother! I went home for Columbus Day weekend and came back feeling a lot better. I'm not sure what it was but I think just being home for a weekend, back in my comfort zone, is what I needed. I didn't consider New York "home" until the 3rd month.Things still weren't perfect, but what home is perfect? What situation has no flaws? Life is full of flaws but it is seeing the good in the bad that makes something positive.

By the end of the 3rd month into the 4th, I was a New Yorker. I LOVED it. I was finally happy. I had established a great group of friends, I was involved in church, small group, Our Time, and yoga. I found my place just as Winter break was approaching. I was so sad to leave New York. My last weekend before break was the BEST weekend I have had. I spent a lot of time with my friends and had a chill movie day on Sunday which was needed with finals week. I left on a Tuesday and was incredibly sad.

Winter break has been...boring..but it has been good. It has allowed me time to chill and think about what I want. It also has given me time to move on from some people and things that have been causing me confusion over the past four months. The first week in PA, I caught up with a lot of my old friends. I haven't seen a lot of them since I moved so it was good to catch up. My sister was home as well and it was great to hang out with her. She and I bonded A LOT over break. We had so many heart to hearts and amazing conversations that left us laughing and opening up to one another. I love my sister. She left to go back to school a few days ago and now I am REALLY bored.

I went to New York for a weekend to be on the Our Time Alumni Panel and got speak to parents of kids who stutter about what it is like growing up with a stutter. I got to see some old alumni which was awesome! I spent the weekend with one of my best friends, Alison. She and I met when I first joined Our Time in 2010. She is like a sister to me. I tell her everything and it was so great to be with her family for the night. While I was in New York that weekend, I went to my church and then saw Memphis on Broadway with Adam Pascal. I had the pleasure of working with Adam on an Our Time music video. He got my family and I front row seats to see Memphis and it was so awesome to see him perform and go backstage and talk with him for a bit! Memphis was amazing! Go see it right now!
So I have been home for a month and have another 8 days to go. And, this is probably my last long period of time at home. Because....I am moving to New York permanently. In May, I will be moving from Pennsylvania to New York. I am beyond excited! A few things need to happen first like, finding a place, but if all works out, I will be moving as soon as the semester is over!

It's crazy to think that I will be living on my own in a few months. I am excited and nervous at the same time. Who knows what this summer will bring! Here's to new experiences and making New York my permanent home. So long Pennsylvania!