Disarray

Do you know the feeling you get when you take everything out of your closet to reorganize it, and then you face the daunting task of putting it all back together? Sure, you fully understand that your efforts will equal more efficient closet space, but I'm talking about that sudden, discouraging moment when all of your stuff is in disarray, and you realize that a lot of work is required in order to make that closet work better for you. Well, that's how I feel about my life right now. But, as the saying goes (Warning: cliche ahead), "you can't make an omelet without breaking a few eggs."

Anyway, I passed BOTH the Illinois Basic Skills & Content Area tests (Woo hoo!!!), so now I'm just patiently (and by patiently, I mean nervously/anxiously/restlessly) waiting until the new AUSL applications are available so I can finally apply to the program that has been occupying 90% of my mind since April.

Also, I'm moving into a new apartment on Monday, and my current apartment is filled to the brim with boxes. I never realized until just this week how sad an apartment can be when there is nothing on the walls except the dust outlines where pictures once hung, and a mountain of unmarked boxes dominating the living room, just waiting to be hauled off to my new little corner in the world. Perhaps the reason my apartment is so sad is because my place at 420 W Surf is the first Chicago apartment that ever truly felt like a 'home' to me, and now it seems so strange that I'm suddenly abandoning ship. But, life moves on. Literally, and, well, literally.

Additionally, after several months, I've finally completed the process of jumping through all of the necessary hoops (and there were A LOT of dang hoops) to become a mentor with the Friends First program. So, now I'm just patiently (and by patiently, I mean nervously/anxiously/restlessly) waiting to get matched with my mentee.

So, all of the above, plus trying to complete all of my Top 10 Goals for 2010, has really kept me on my toes this summer. And despite sacrificing some summer fun, and accepting all the uncertainty that comes along with making big life changes, I maintain that every ounce of effort spent on reaching my goals has been worth every minute!

And as I look around at everything in my life that has been moved, removed, shifted, changed & rearranged, I take a deep breath and remember that a better, more efficient and organized closet is in my future.