Chapter Two

In which this author discovers higher education.

Hey family, friends, and the occasional stalker!
All summer long I've been slowly collecting things and stock-piling them all over the house; a little of the old, a little of the new. All so that I can make the transition into Chapter Two as smoothly as possible. You see, before he left on his mission, a friend of mine divided life into chapters, and I'm rather fond of the idea.
Chapter One: Childhood/Adolescence. The time to learn and grow physically and mentally.
Chapter Two: Young Adulthood. The time when some of the most important decisions are being made, like: where to go to college, what to study, what new friends to make, etc. Also the time to learn important life skills necessary for living out from under the parents' roof, like cooking, cleaning, budgeting, etc. Considered by some to be the time to decide whom to marry.
Chapter Three: Married With Kids. A time for young families to learn and grow and to learn to work with and love one's spouse.
Chapter Four: Retirement. The time after kids have left the home. A time to spoil grandkids, maybe serve a mission, and be of as much service as possible.
Chapter Five: Eternal Life. See: Gospel Doctrine

So, this means that I have left Chapter One behind. My things are all packed, my car is completely full, and my room is a bit hollow, but still full of me. In one week, I'll be the new kid in school, with new roommates and crazy classes. I'll be living 900 miles from my parents, my brother and sister, and my dog.

The most common question I've been getting is: "So are you excited?"
Blanket answer: Not really. I'm definitely not bouncing up and down in sheer excitement over what the next four months will hold. I'm kind of scared, kind of happy, kind of sad, kind of nervous, kind of excited, kind of just a little bit of everything.

The most common bit of advice I've gotten: "Now, don't go getting married your first semester there!"
Blanket response: Oh, I don't intend to. I mean, obviously if something happens, it happens. If I meet him, I meet him. However, I JUST got out on my own. Let's leave it at that for a while, shall we? Give me a couple years, ad then I'll start looking for my eternal someone.

What I want to say to everyone:
Thank you. Thanks for helping me through the hard times, for helping me graduate, for helping me get into college, for always being ready with advice and warm words to help me along my way. I love you all and am so grateful to have you all in my life.

Love,
Katie Helen