Simply Serendipitous

Just as many of the incoming freshmen are getting antsy and anxious about the upcoming weeks, I am too.  As a rising junior, you’d think I’d pretty much be a seasoned pro when it comes to moving back and forth from Baltimore, but the persistent butterflies in my stomach tell me that’s not the case.

I’m moving into my very first apartment in exactly ten days.

And it’s my own, too–I’ll be living completely by myself.  Yet, so far, I’ve packed just one box.  This is a drastic improvement though.  Because at this time yesterday, when I should’ve been packing, I was watching a movie while my pastry dough chilled.  In fact, I spent the entire day making a chocolate Danish braid when I should’ve been packing.  Before that, when I should’ve been packing, I went through my books from old classes to sell online.  And before that, when I should’ve been packing, I caught up on tv shows I’d heard so much about but never had the time to watch.

Apparently, one of my favorite coping mechanisms is avoidance.  I’m nervous about moving into my own apartment, so I don’t pack.  Instead I watch movies and bake ridiculous pastries.  Seems like an easy enough conclusion to come to.  Except for the fact that it’s absolutely STUPID.  Like it or not, ready or not, packed or not, in ten days’ time, I’ll be in that little apartment that’s going to be home for the rest of my undergraduate years.

I think that’s what’s getting me.  I’m about to move into something that I can make into a real home.  For the past two years, I lived in on-campus housing, which is certainly nice, but the 9-month contract, by it’s very nature, makes the residence a temporary situation.  It became a home away from  home, but it wasn’t a real home itself.   Comfortable, fun, and personalized, but still a dorm.

And now I’m moving into my own apartment–for the rest of my time as an undergrad (granted, it’s only a year and a half for me–but let’s not kill the drama).  I’m buying cookbooks and baking sheets and I’m going to have my own furniture.  In my own apartment.  This is so weird to me.

So, dear freshmen, if you’re reading this and feeling anxious, you’re certainly not alone.  All of your fellow freshmen are feeling it, and at least one overwhelmed upperclassman is, too.  My best advice would be to enjoy your time at home and NOT to avoid packing.  As for me, I think a trip to the grocery store might be in order–I’m all out of flour and yeast and thinking it’s about time to try making chocolate croissants.  (…and maybe I’ll pack another box tonight, but only if I can pretend I have more than ten days left before I have to start playing grown-up.  And clearly, based on this blog entry, I’m going to be SO great at that).  Bear with me, I’ll get there.