Enchanted.

Between all of the gloomy and morose blogs that I have posted lately, I thought it might be nice to post this blog as sort of a disclaimer. Just to say, that truly, despite everything:

I am more enchanted with life than I feel I've ever been.

I think that I've had to do a lot of growing to say that. These past few years, I have loved where I was in life. Truly. I also didn't know what was awaiting me  here in this big, grand adventure that has become Atlanta. Moving to Atlanta has been one of the big events in my life that is among the most important. Thinking back on the last couple of years, I can summarize the most important events of my life into just a few short bullet points:

- Starting gymnastics
- choosing to homeschool
- enrolling at Smith Prep (homeschool school)
- going to VSO Summer Camp in 2008
- being diagnosed with Diabetes
- choosing Mercer for PT school

All of these events have, in some way, shaped the course of my life. Gymnastics introduced me to some of my best friends - that I still have today. Gymnastics introduced my mother to the homeschool community, which introduced me to it, by extension. Gymnastics led to my decision to homeschool, which shaped my education... and introduced me to more amazing  people, while developing my love for learning and strong relationship with God in the meantime. Smith Prep introduced me to the very best friends that I would have, even to this day. Smith Prep introduced me to my friend Erica, who implored me to go to VSO camp that summer on the very last day of school, which gave me ties to Macon, which introduced me to Wesleyan. Living in Macon gave me my first  taste of spreading my wings away from home, implored me to start a business, helped me to grow, and helped me to again appreciate the place from which I came - Orlando, which I had been so ready to leave as a highschooler. Diabetes changed my personality and gave me something big to stand for. It taught me how to fight and reminded me of why I appreciate life. Diabetes, believe it or not, even prompted conversations with people that have led to incredible relationships. And choosing Mercer, finally, even though I didn't think for a time that I would get in - that experience in itself humbled me, and beginning at Mercer has helped me to learn to embrace change. It is helping me to experience a bigger and brighter world than I ever would have been able to imagine on my own.


Atlanta is changing me. I am realizing what an immense place the world is. I can't imagine currently living anywhere else. I am realizing that Wesleyan taught me about myself, but now is time to truly shape myself and embrace the life I am living. To embrace new experiences, and go with the flow, and grow up into the person that I am supposed to be.

Before moving here, I thought I would hate it. All you have to do is read my posts to see how much I was worried about this move. I thought the city would be too big, would make me feel too lonely. But the contrary happened - this city has so many niches, so many secret places, I have just the mix of social interaction and introvertedness my psyche needs. I have discovered my favourite nooks, new coffee shops, little parks no one knows about. I can ride my bike around the park, try new shops with every outing, discover new friends and be myself without facing judgement in a city so big that self expression is as natural as breathing. In this city, life is happening everywhere, and you don't have to force yourself to fit in anywhere There is so much here that there is a place for everyone. I feel at home. I feel at peace. I feel brand new.

And I love life, so much, for every perfect and imperfect facet that it is.