23 days

I just counted, and I have 23 days left in Chicago.  But in my head I really only have 16 days because W's family is coming in town for graduation and when they come all of our time will be dedicated to them. 

The next 2 weeks are filled with various goodbye dinners with friends and coffee/lunches with girl friends.  It's a little overwhelming looking at my calendar.  Meanwhile, I've started reflecting on my time in Chicago.  Questions like what has this time been about?  What have I learned during this time?  What were some things I did well, and some things I did not so well?  What things can I do better as I start a life in Columbus?

One thing I noticed is that I didn't do such a good job of reflecting over the last year, so I want to do more of that.  Even doing some light reflection last week was refreshing.

Looking ahead

I'm making a concerted effort to think positively about the move.  So here's a list of things I'm looking forward to in Columbus:

- Having a second bedroom & bathroom which I hope will entice guests to come visit
- I learned about CSAs recently and am thinking about subscribing to one.
- With another room, I will have reason to get some new furniture.  I can't wait to troll Craigslist, and check out the thrift store / antique market scene in Columbus.
- Re-decorating!  With a new space comes new arrangements.
- Gardening.  I have a small space to grow my own garden (I think).  I'm itching to garden guys.  My mom's visiting us in August, and maybe she can help me get started (I have no experience).
- An attached garage.  No more taking the elevator down and up to retrieve something left in the car.
- Apple picking.  There's a place my aunt goes to every year, and they pick enough fuji apples to last them 6 months! (Oh yeah, did I mention I have an aunt out there?)
- Change of scenery.  While I'll miss the city, I'm looking forward to being around more trees, open spaces and natural environments.
- Lower sales tax.  6.75% baby.

I think Columbus will have other things in store for me that I am unaware of as of yet.  I will keep you posted.

5 weeks left

W and I started talking about how we want to get closure and end our time in Chicago well.  Dinners and farewells are getting booked, and we are trying to conquer the logistics of the move one by one.  

It's been a little gloomy around here lately with rain and wind.  

Above is a photo from my first roll of film, which I didn't post on my photo blog because it's a little blurry, but I thought I'd share because I still like it.  Speaking of which, I had some drama in the photography department.  Fedex couldn't find the film that I shipped through them to the lab.  They finally found it like a week and a half later.  So I feel like I've been waiting for.e.ver for my film.  Patience!  I need it.