Just Another Growing Stage

Sometimes life is so incredibly busy that when you finally get the chance to stop, every minute seems to be in slow motion. Which is to say, because you have been living so breathlessly and not taking the chance to "stop and smell the roses," now you have run out of things to do each minute that was previously one that could not be spared. Now you begin to wonder why you were ever in a hurry in the first place. After all, if you had been slower and taken more time with each moment, then perhaps you would now have something to do other than stare blankly into space. I'm talking about school, can't you tell? Lately I have had quite a lot of interesting things to consider. First there's the fact that I finally decided to graduate high school a semester early. This decision, however, has thrown me more prematurely than I had previously expected into a higher level of growing up, which is making the transition into becoming a college student. Although I haven't yet become a college student at all, the advanced planning has surprised me in its quickness of which it snuck up on me. Now there's talk of where I'll go to college, saving for this pastime, where to stay, whether or not to travel, and many other stray and whimsical thoughts previously unthought of. My family has been considering moving to Alaska, where I would be welcome, but other parts of my extended family will still be here. While I am not particularly close with many people here outside of my unusual family members, I have grown quite attached to this state. I can tell you it certainly isn't the freedoms that attract me, because those seem to be very few and far between compared to Alaska, but rather this is the place I was born. It's the family, and a bit the warm climate combined with the fact that the few friends I do have here are very dear ones. Not to say I won't travel either though (anyone's head spinning yet? I believe that's the college spirit!). I think a visit to Alaska might be a fun experience. I miss it there a little. I want to see the little library where I spent so many hours volunteering, visit my favorite little Alaskan friend, Sophia, see our tiny little dry cabin and the other half of my collection of beloved books that stayed there when I left. In the end though, at this stage of my life I'm not ready to move there for any permanence, and I think perhaps this may be my time to show a little independence. I know I can handle it. My mother and I have also recently been looking into maybe taking a trip to New York for a few days sometime. I've never been there, and it could be a neat experience. On another note though, today is a day to celebrate for me. I got my permit again, and this time I intend to keep it until I exchange it for my license. I truly believe I can do it, and it's nice to take this step forward. Driving is no longer the obstacle and cause of frustration to me that it has been, and I don't intend to be driving a horse and cart as my grandpa Butch enjoys teasing me. (Although, they are entitled to share the road according to the drivers handbook, along with tractors and other strange vehicles. Just saying ;). I know these are just the first steps for me into a stage that so many have surpassed already, and honestly I cannot wait to tackle the obstacles standing in my way this time. I am extremely confident in my ability to come out ahead.