Mile Marker #31: Two Weeks To Go!
I’m not terrified, you’re terrified.
Today was my last day at work so I’m feeling very bittersweet, tired, excited, and stressed right now. In exactly two weeks I will be starting my drive. (Well, hopefully 3 hours into it, but we’ll see how long my apartment inspection takes.)
I’ve had a bunch of strangers traipsing through my home lately as I sell off furniture, which my dog has loved but has sapped my social battery quite a bit.
I’m feeling good about everything, though. I’ve got plans with family tonight (karaoke, who knew?) and tomorrow (seeing a show in New York)… and Sunday (my amazing brother is working on my car), so I’m looking forward to spending some quality time with them.
Then, next weekend, I’m having my yard sale AND a little goodbye party at an arcade near here. I bought some disposable cameras and a cute lil Polaroid.
I’m going to ask people to take a ton of pictures at the party and use whatever film remains to take more 90s grunge photos on my drive to Alaska. Then, when I’m settled in at UAF, I’ll get everything developed and make one of those cute fairy-lights-and-clothes-pinned-photos walls. You know, just for the true college experience.
It’s hard to believe I’m finally going to grad school. This has been a dream of mine since 2017, so it’s surreal to see the fruition of seven years of hard work and probably like four different mental breakdowns.
I’m really going to miss my family. I’ve been super spoiled living so close to my siblings for the last couple years, and with my parents coming up from Florida practically every six weeks. It’ll be a big difference to be so far away. I’ve done it before — four months in Ireland and a year and a half in Salt Lake City, but this feels bigger. Further.
(I just Googled it and it IS further than Ireland. Baltimore to Limerick was 3,259 miles. Baltimore to Fairbanks is, uh, 4,300.)
Whew. That’s humbling.
I know I’ll be back for Christmas. My flights are already booked and a friend in Fairbanks has already volunteered to watch Pig for two weeks. This just feels like the biggest thing I’ve ever done (because IT IS) and the true magnitude of this adventure has been hitting me for the last week or two.
Two more weeks to go, then I’m on the road. If only 2017 Maggie could see me now.
Til next time,
Mags