Antique Work Station

I've been in Michigan now for the past 5 days, and I'm not going to lie: I love it here in Michigan during this time of year. The fresh air here just reminds me of my childhood growing up in the suburbs of Grand Rapids. Yesterday, the infamous Nonners, her super nice friend Cesar, and I did a late brunch at a very homestyle restaurant/diner called Woofgang or Woofgang's (not to be confused with Woofgang Puck). It's so wonderful to see familiar faces & catch up. Nonners (Whit) and I spent about 5 straight hours catching up on our lives at her new condo in the heart of Downtown GR.



It's been exactly one full year since we graduated from Michigan State University together. Now we're both urban living lol. Livin' that urban fantasy right Whit? Two "farm girls" who grew up to live in the city. I can't get over how much we have changed in one year!

I believe that anyone can achieve the lifestyle they want to lead in a surprising short period of time. You just have to set your heart out to do the things you want to do. There are some downsides to that road of achievement, or that road to the larger goals. You tend to find yourself isolated from your norm. I honestly will admit that my norm was being dependent. Moving away helped me grow & learn to be independent- and a little bit more.

It might be just me but I feel I have been distanced from old social relationships -maybe not literally distance, but distance of the heart, the mind. I think you have to make sacrifices in social relationships to work on yourself, and work on your career. I'm sure many have learned this as they've grown up. It's probably the same reason why we lose some of our high school friends after we've moved on to college.

My only fear is feeling disconnected from my once close friends & loved ones. The comfort level is never going to be the same once you are distanced. It takes time getting used to you being you again when you're put back in your old way of life. Living the last few days in my hometown has made me remember who I was before I moved away & "grew up." Sleeping in my old bedroom brings back so many memories of grade school & the memory of wondering what I will do with my life.

Looking out the window, I am reminded of my carefree childhood where my only worry was if I was going to be able to catch any frogs that day. It's hard to believe I'm the same person I once was. All in all, I can't help but feel good to be the old me this week. I have the love of my mom and dad so close. I'm having so much fun watching my younger sister be 17. I witness her excitement on her last day of high school. I get to see my 10 year old dachshund & 7 year old tabby cat sunbathe together on the same couch in front of our window. They live the GOOD life.