Today marks one year from the day that I drove out to Los Angeles to meet my roommates and talk our rental contract over with the management company. At that point, I do not think I could have pictured all that could happen with these ladies in the year to come.
As I tried to navigate the twisted, hilly, horribly paved roads of Westwood, fearing for my life, how could I have known that I would become a CSO and get a random Class B license so that I would end up navigating those streets for several hours each week?
Or as we were all moving in and meeting our neighbors, I probably would have thought it ridiculous if you told me that we would all have our first taste of the real world as we went to court twice to deal with an unruly schizophrenic neighbor. But… it did happen. And… it all worked out.
When I got my Annual Pass for my birthday, I figured I would go to Disneyland a few times, but a few months later, I have already gone over a dozen wonderful times.
When I walked into my British Lit survey series the first day of class, absolutely positive that I would fail the class, I would have never imagined that I would tear up as the Professor spoke his last words to us last week (lame, I know), because I really felt like an phase of my life was coming to a close.
Today I really sense that. As I worked the move-out shift up at the dorms yesterday, the same shift that Kimberly was working when I came to grab the rental application from her, thinking she was insane for working with the police department. As Kimberly and I are packing up our things, wondering what will come of the next year. As I say goodbye to Michigan-bound Kendra, while Manu Chao, the band we love and went to see live just a few weeks ago, is playing in the background. As I watch the first season of Gilmore Girls and think of how I got Sylvia hooked–then look around and see some of Sylvie’s belongings and admire her for following her dream and spending 6 months in Alaska.
Now this week, I have seen students who are graduating wearing their graduation caps to undie run, having drinks while standing in the inverted fountain at the close of their finals, and packing up their things to move out of Westwood… I cannot imagine what life will be like in this next year. I am definitely excited about going to Catalina this next week, a new apartment with great roommates, continuing to build wonderful relationships, taking interesting courses, friends who are transferring into UCLA, continuing to work, and all of those things, but I am definitely sad to see this year come to a close.
God is as always, amazing. I have been blessed so much this year. I was terrified of moving out here at this time last year, but God pulled me through. I know he will do it again in this next year.
I guess that as of 7:15 tonight, when I finish my last shift of work (well, for one week), I will consider my first year at UCLA to be successfully finished. Thank you, Jesus.
