It's getting boxy around here!

Today marks the first day that people start arriving for my party! I'm extremely excited to see friends I haven't seen in a long time. Finally me, Dari, Gina, and Brando will all be in the same room at the same time. That hasn't happened in years! Mom arrives with the new Ford Explorer tomorrow. I'm so blessed to be able to have two cars and a beautiful home. It's often hard to remember the good things going on around you when so much crazy is surrounding you. Moving 1100 miles has been, logistically and psychologically speaking, the most difficult thing I have done. However, things have fallen right into place ... leaving me to believe that I am meant to be in Utah. 


I'm having a very hard time getting used to the mindset of those in Cedar. For those that are not aware, it is a very small town. For a girl like me, who was raised in the big city of Kansas City, it's hard for me to trust people like they do. I am working on it though. I got to speak to my new pastor at my church in Cedar which really helped me understand. I think once I get used to it, it will be easier. In the meantime, I am sure I have racked up quite the reputation in Cedar ... I may need to do some damage control when I get there. I feel bad to those who I have not trusted wholly (you know who you are), but trust is something I constantly have to work through. 


As I sat at Passionberri today with two good friends, I couldn't help but remember all of the good, yet hard times throughout our PhD program. The trials and pains of going through a doctoral program, the passing of my mentor and the chair of our department, and the many friends I have made while I have been here. We as a cohort have been through so much. It's hard to believe I am about to say goodbye. Don't get me wrong, I'm very excited about the new chapter in my life that is beginning. But what will it be like not to walk into my Burton Hall office ... to not have private door conversations ... not being able to just stop by my advisor's office and have a chat about chair colors and lakes vs. ponds ... I think I will even miss the fact that I can hear EVERYTHING that goes on in 205 ... and I'll miss Bob and Tom ... the two ghosts that always made Burton Hall interesting. Four years has gone by so fast ...