Leaving Baylor Behind

I thought I had left Baylor behind when I went to Washington, D.C. this summer. For eight intensive weeks I stayed at Georgetown University where I took clases at night and had an internship at a campaigning public relations firm during the day. Most of my close friends stayed in Waco for the duration of the summer taking classes or working. I had the time of my life in D.C. I made friends with peers from all over the world, learned about politics and was able to hear from prominent D.C. names in high profile locations. It was a little different (aka liberal) there than it is here in the Bible Belt of Texas. I'm from a conservative family with six children. My experience in D.C. both expanded my mind and my database of contacts and close friends. It was hard to return. I am finding it even harder to leave again.

I missed being away from my Baylor friends even though I made amazing friends in D.C. I had a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but being away always makes you feel like you missed out at least a little. My dearest friend Lauren got a new boyfriend and my future roommates moved into the new house. A house! And soon I will be leaving again, for a more distant place and for a longer period of time. I will be leaving for a semester in Florence, Italy.

Only a couple hours ago I arrived back home from visiting Waco to say my good-byes. I was only there five days for a fast and furious carousel of visits before they start class on Monday. I felt myself readjusting to the slow pace of life at my University. I stayed in the new house and visited friends' new apartments. I remembered just how much I loved all my friends in Waco, Texas. It was hard to leave today. That old feeling that I had in D.C. that I will soon miss out kept seeping back while my best friends told me that I will soon have the time of my life. The thing is, I know that I will have the time of my life in Italy just like I did in D.C. and even more so. It is just hard now that I have seen what I have missed and will miss at Baylor. God's timing is perfect and I know I am leaving this semester for a reason.

I will leave for Florence on August 29. I really don't know exactly what to expect. I know that my roommate will be my dear friend Zena and my suite mate will be my friend Amber from Baylor Dance Company. All students studying in Italy live in random apartments throughout the city. It will be nice being completely on our own and I am glad that I already have accountability. Now I just need to find some males for protection. I have been warned extensively about the forwardness of Italian men. One of my coworkers from my internhip in D.C. said she was groped when she studied there one summer. It will take some getting used to and it is my main concern. I have several other concerns and I am sure more will evolve as the date for my departure draws near.

My sister leaves for her freshman year of college at Syracuse University in New York two days before I depart. I am as excited for her as I am for me. I think her preparations will take everyone's attention, including my own, away from my own destination. For now I am watching my darling Audrey Hepburn with my sister Faith in "A Nun's Story." How much I will miss these American moments of laziness in the future I cannot know. Right now it only takes away the pain of knowing I have already left behind those that I love...at least until next year.