A Month of Pajamas, Friends, and Farewells

The countdown continues to grow smaller with a mere 30-some hours left. It is amazing to me how fast this month has flown by, but while in the thick of it time felt as if it was standing painstakingly still. Getting used to the slow lifestyle of Greensboro compared to my jam-packed life in Boone has been the greatest challenge for me... And of course having parents as roommates again. My intrusion in this house is a stress factor I am positive my parents are looking forward to living without.

For the better part of this month my daily routine, in hindsight, was disgusting. With so much to do, not a clue where to start, and what seemed to be all the time in the world, I would just stay in bed as long as I could then pace around the house in my pajamas or sweats and un-showered until 4 or later. There were even days that I ended up keeping my pajamas on so long that I ended up going to sleep in them again that night. I know, so gross! This goes to show that my interaction with the outside world was slim to none and I feared I might not survive the month and come out on the other side with a head of hair free from my pulling. But alas, my giant to-do list gradually got shorter and the literal mountain of things brought back from my apartment shrank with the constant, shall we say, "encouragement" from my mother. Her patience with me is greatly appreciated because my anxiety has turned me into somewhat of a brat.

But, my time in limbo was not a loss by any means. In the end, I've learned to deeply appreciate this idle time because it has not only given my mind body and soul a chance to rest, but also made me ready to go go go. The whole month wasn't entirely pajama filled as I did eventually make my way out of the house and get the chance to spend quality time with some really awesome people.
Highlights include:
•1/7-1/10 Trip #1 to Boone with Mandy when we got to board with Amber, Kailey, and Lindsay.
•1/10-11/11 Impromptu Chapel Hill visit for a night out with Abbey and Eleni and a wonderful brunch the morning after.
•Meeting the Englewood crew and becoming instant best friends (at least in my opinion).
•Snow fall that hit every part of North Carolina- Boone to Wilmington.
•Inauguration of the 44th (and most rockinest) President of the [Re]United States of America.
•1/21-1/23 Another snowboard sesh in Boone with precious Lindsay.
•1/23-1/25 Chapel Hill to celebrate Eleni's birthday with the Blue House girls and a night with Bo and Alex's wonderful hospitality.
•Apple's genius bar reminded me of why I am a Mac girl. They hooked me up with $300+ worth of repairs, including a brand spanking new battery for my Powerbook, FO FREE. I seriously love Apple.
•1/30-1/31 Final visit to Chapel Hill for the Lake Inferior cd release show.
•1/31 Epic night at the Englewood manor.
•2/4-2/6 Final Farewell trip to Boone -
•2/6 Back to Greensboro for the last night out hosted by my big bro and other really wonderful friends

The last two weekends have made me feel blessed to have so many wonderful people in my life. I've never before felt so loved and it's the perfect tone for me to leave on. Knowing that no matter how bad Australia could be (but probably wont), I will always have some killer friends back home that I can count on.
Chapel Hill for the Lake Inferior cd release show was a night to remember as I got to reconnect with an old friend, then watch 3 of my close friends make a huge step closer to making their dreams of making music as a career come true. The night was a blur of dancing, laughs, and really great music. Bo, Dax, and Logan- I'm so proud of you and all of your accomplishments! You guys are going to do really great things.
The morning after the show Abbey and I spent the day together traveling to Raleigh to pick up my computer. One on one with Abbey is always a blast and it was a really great way to spend our last bit of time together. So from the Hill I trekked back to Greensboro to spend the evening with the most fun group of guys I've ever met. Their presence in my life has kept me sane and happy while living here!
3 days later I turned around and drove right back to my home in Boone. I was lucky enough to go snowboarding in a blizzard with John and Luke (and hardly make it out alive) then hit the slopes again the next day with Sean! Next, an evening with my boys at the Do It To Julia show, and then of course my surprise-ish going away party where I crowd surfed! I hit the road one last time back home to spend my last night out with Evan then meet up with other good people downtown. My friends are the best and it's hard to find words for how much I appreciate their love and presence in my life.

I have a serious problem saying bye to people. I've been in denial about this trip being a reality since day one, so giving someone a hug and having the lighthearted "see you later" statement be false has been a real struggle. The hardest goodbye of course was from my very best friend. Lindsay and I have lived together for 4 years and shared the best times of our lives with one another. Our routine became so natural and warm and living without her is a huge fear of mine. I know that I will be okay, but not having her shoulder to cry on or the couchbed wine/tea sessions for catching up will be a severe handicap for me. I've been through a number of fairweather friends in my life and I am positive that Lindsay will never be that for me. The goodbye was not previously thought about by either of us because we had put it to the back of our minds like it wasn't actually going to happen. When the time arrived it was similar to ripping off the bandaid fast so that the pain wouldn't linger. This trip for me is absolutely essential after the heartbreaking year I had in 2008 and I have even contemplated figuring out a way to stay, because this being my last semester in school, there are very few reasons to come back to the USA. Lindsay and our future out west is one of the reasons I shall return. I'm going to miss her the most, hands down.