Making a New Home

I can't believe its been almost three months since I last posted here. The semester has really flown by. I'm still going through the cultural adjustment, but things are definitely starting to level out. The seminary itself is beginning to feel like a second home and I'm making good friends, enjoying classes and learning a lot.

Back in October, I made a trek back to my undergrad college town to see friends and attend a couple concerts. The trip was too short and fast, but just what I needed. It also made me realize that as much as I love Fredonia, love the people there and miss them terribly, it is not really my home anymore. Not the way that it was six months ago when I was preparing to leave it. I will always be able to return and remember, even after all my friends are graduated and gone. It was always be a part of what I am today, but it is not my home anymore. Grand Rapids isn't quite yet my home either. It will never be home the same way Fredonia or Wappingers was, because they are all different places. I'm starting to understand that's okay.

My apartment is much smaller than anything else I've lived in, but on the flip side, a bit nicer. I will also not have any roommates other than my cat. I'm still lacking a couch, not finding anything within my price range that I like. In its place, I'm using a folding camping chair covered with a comforter. Its interesting and makes entertaining limited to the floor and dining room table. One of the wonderful things about my apartment is the working wood-burning fireplace in my living room. I've already used it twice this season and its quite lovely. During the Christmas season in Fredonia, the cable company provided a channel that had the Yuletide log burning and played Christmas carols. I remember many nights sitting in that living room with my friends with my Christmas records playing, while we all sang along, and the TV fire and Christmas lights twinkling away. This year, I can have a real fire!

For those wondering, I'm spending Thanksgiving with family out here, but will be back in NY for Christmas and New Years. As I've reminded my mother for the past three years, this may be my last Christmas in NY for a while. She just smiles and says, "We'll see." For this year at least, she gets her Christmas wish and I will be back.

Beannachd leat.