As of January 12th, I started classes at the University of Central Oklahoma as a junior with a biology major. Classes so far have been a nice change of pace from those at UMKC, with smaller class sizes and a new campus to explore! I am excited to see where this new direction will take me in the coming months and years. I will say, because some of my classes are mandatory entry-level classes, being surrounded by freshmen is rather annoying... I wonder if I was that bad when I was just starting college. Oh who am I kidding, of course I was that bad; probably worse even.
The past year has been fraught with events that will have a lasting impact on my life and I can't wait to take them to fruition. As I am now in Edmond, OK, I am no longer living in Kansas City. To that end, and because I really did not wish to commute 5 hours to school every day, I am living in an apartment with a very good friend of mine. This too has brought about a shift in how I carry myself. Instead of a group of four college males (and between one and two girlfriends) often living in tighter quarters, sharing one bathroom, and not actually having a closet of my own, I have a much less stressful morning (yes, morning... thanks to an 8am class) preparation, my own bathroom, and my own closet! Such changes are very welcome in my life because I can now appreciate them more than I could if I had come from something less severe. A glass (or tumbler, you alcoholic snobs) of whiskey, good music and conversation, and relaxation are my evenings now. No TV in the living room to distract me (although I did watch a few episodes of Netflix of my tablet this morning before I got up), and plenty of fridge space so I can cook more healthy meals nowadays. Also, I can now enjoy much better coffee too... Freshly hand ground coffee that was roasted recently and purely brewed in a Chemex as opposed to an automatic coffeemaker. Enjoying the finer things in life as a college student is not something that I saw myself doing but now am taking the opportunity to experience (without spending money of course).
A very good friend of mine put what I am feeling into a tangible and honest form, like she most often does; "It is not the case that you're not wishing to be where you are in your life in Edmond, but that you are missing the parts of your life that are in Kansas City. Furthermore, it is not even the city that you miss but the emotions, feelings, stories, journies, and friendship that you share(d) with the people you met in Kansas City." I find it hard to believe that there are better summations of where I am in this area of my life. I yearn incessantly for the reunion of my separated friends and I... Even if some of them are not as in touch as I wish they would be. I cannot wait for my Spring Break when my plans include traveling to KC to do just that.
I look forward, as I have said too many times in this post, to the next semester and will make sure that I share as much as I dare with you, the one reader who checks this blog out. Until next time. Allons y!
