Packing=Misery

Yes, that is a mac and cheese pyramid.

Here's the thing about mac and cheese. I really like mac and cheese. I grew up on the blue box, then, when I went to high school, I switched to Budget Gourmet. My friends can attest to the fact that I ate it for lunch ALL the time. And yet, I am overwhelmed by the sheer amount of mac and cheese amongst the things I have bought for college.

If you're wondering how I ended up with 14 packages of blue box, it really boils down to divorced parents, miscommunication, and grocery sales. Beyond that, I don't really have an explanation.

As you can tell, packing and buying for college is a really hectic process. Here are the two lists I used: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/plan/college-success/9763.html and Sallie Mae's College Answer Off to College Check list (in PDF form!). Needless to say, going to college is a nightmare to the disorganized. Welcome to my nightmare.

In college, you will need duct tape. And a sewing kit. And hanging files (wthisahangingfile?). And hangers. And sheets--extra long because colleges feel the need to be DIFFERENT. And a million other things. My mother compared it to creating a new mini household. She's so right. Even worse, you have to buy, and plan, and pack, and MOVE all that stuff. Then, just my luck, I will be living on the third floor. With no elevator. My life is a tragedy, comparable to the Titanic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmbw8OycJrE...

Now, there can be some fun in packing and shopping for college. For example, I have this really cute little alarm clock that's purple because my school color is purple (WHOO! GO PRAIRIE FIRE!). And, I have a towel with a giraffe on it. My life is complete. AND I got a microwave as a gift! And, because of college, I am typing this blog on my new computer. However, on the whole, this college packing thing is my own personal hell.

One problem is who has the time to buy all this? I was too busy lying around or saying goodbye to people this summer to go shopping. The second problem is money. Excluding what I call the big ticket items (computer, printer, microwave, comforter, etc.) all those small items add up! The worst part is, after you shop, you have to PACK. In fact, I am writing this blog instead of packing. I rather walk over hot coals than pack, to be honest. You have to configure how to fit things in as few boxes and suitcases as possible. And I'm just moving across the state. Some people were going on trains, taking them across the country. Brave, brave souls.

And, if you thought that this couldn't get any worse, you realize you have to choose clothes. Maybe I am just being a girl about this. Or, a stereotypical girl. But narrowing down my wardrobe sounds awful. The thing is, I tend to wear the same set of clothes over and over, but every once in a while, a shirt will just look DIFFERENT to me and I just have to wear it. Well, that can't happen in college. I have to economize. Translation: I have to stifle spontaneity. At least, that's how I have chosen to view it. The man is just trying to put me down. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xmckWVPRaI&ob=av2n (BTW, I was just linking it because it seemed appropriate, but the video is actually the weirdest flipping thing I have seen today...)

Well, this blog is coming to a close. Really soon. Almost ending. I'm just finishing my thoughts. Closing statements. Wrapping things up.

"You're still blogging???"-My mother.
...
I'm gonna go pack now.
Much love,
Celinda

Saying Goodbye

Heather and I stood in my driveway. It hit me like a ton of bricks that I was saying goodbye to one of my best friends. I mean, we have been friends since Subbie Orientation. I broke out crying the minute I was inside my house. I just sobbed my little heart out.

Throughout the summer, all I could think about was YES I graduated, and YES I am leaving. Then, all my friends began leaving. Maybe it was especially hard because I am one of the last to leave in our class. I think it's hard for all of us though. Your class, those sixty people, have been with you for the roller coaster of Uni. Even if you didn't like Uni, you still liked people. Even if you didn't like most people, you had those special few you called friends. Saying goodbye is so damn hard.

I am excited for college, truly. But that doesn't negate the fact that I cried when my friends left. It doesn't negate the fact that I feel really lonely this week. It doesn't negate the fact that meeting new people and starting fresh is as scary as it is exciting. The problem is, at Uni we are so focused on getting into college, we forget that we will have four years of college. I got accepted, I accepted to Knox, and all summer I've been waiting for college to start. Part of the problem is that I've always been a future minded person. I daydream about my life ten years from now, and I daydream about my life tomorrow. I got so caught up with going to college, I forgot that in order to go, I have to leave.

Just let me give you a picture of last week. I said goodbye to Simone on Saturday, Heather on Sunday, Chris on Monday, and Revathi on Wednesday. That was just last WEEK. God, I want to cry just thinking about it. The only thing I can tell you Class of 2012 is, treasure this year. Go to games, to performances, to parties, to class activities. Hug each other, be kind to each other, listen to each other, laugh with each other. Enjoy those moments, so that when you are standing in a driveway, hugging one of your classmates, you can tell yourself that it's really see you later, not goodbye. Well, tell yourself after a good cry. The cry is earned, because having someone to miss is a beautiful, heartbreaking thing.

Much love,
Celinda <3

(Left) Rachael and I, Subbie Year
(Right) Jenny, Simone, Fiona and I at Wet Seal, Senior Year

 

See you later, Class of 2011!

                                                               

College Corner: Part II, 2 College 2 Blog, College Corner: Back to the Blog, The Return of the Blog...

Hey there Seniors!
You all thought I was gone, huh? Well, I'm back! I only have three possible explanations why:
1. I have found my true calling in self help blogging
2. I'm the loser graduate that NEVER leaves
3. This JUST might be a great followup to the College Corner Blog

This blog is about what happens after you send in your May 1st enrollment fee, after you laugh and cry while repeatedly hitting the school bell on the last day of school, after you receive your diploma, after you go to all the graduation parties, and after you receive your last yearbook. This is the blog that explores that summer in tandem, the fears and the joys of packing, registering, and moving, and of the first year, AFTER Uni.

I'm really excited to share my story. I already have a blog in mind about rejecting other colleges, about packing/buying supplies, about saying goodbye to friends, and about meeting your new classmates. This coming weekend will be a blog about moving, then we'll explore orientation, first impressions, and registering. Then, who knows what I'll write about!

Keep posted, because my first blog should be coming really soon (possibly today, possibly tomorrow).
Love,
Your DCC (Distant College Counselor)