In fifty-five days, I will be in Michigan. There will be inches of gorgeous snow on the ground, Zingerman's and Pizza House will be within driving distance, and I will be on my way to see dear friends from a past life. I will be able to get fresh apple cider, surround myself with fantastic Midwest accents, and sit around a fire pit with family and neighbors. One month, three weeks and three days.
I have wanted to visit since I left, of course, but I could never justify the cost of traveling. Then, it occurred to me earlier this week that if I wait too much longer, all of my friends will have graduated and Ann Arbor won't be quite the same without the people who made it a memory. Twenty-four hours later, I had plans to be in Michigan from December 13th through the 21st.
(I'm stopping in Ohio on the 13th; I didn't miscount the countdown.)
I'm still trying to wrap my mind around it. People always ask me if I miss it, and yeah. How could I not? The minute I moved to Ann Arbor, the stars aligned to create the kind of environment that allows me to flourish. Limitless opportunities for involvement and networking; pride in academic excellence; cultural richness; gray skies and snowy weather (I am the only one I know who loves this); a sense of belonging with my studio, my fraternity, my coworkers, fellow art and music students, my church, and everyone else who loves the University of Michigan. It was completely surreal.
I don't regret transferring; I hope my other posts raving about the magnificence that is SCAD (and everything else in my life, really) are evidence of my confidence that I made the right decision two summers ago. But Michigan is a big part of me. My friends and family get tired of hearing about it, the football schedule is my desktop wallpaper, and I still light up when I see U of M license plates. I wouldn't trade my time there for anything in the world. The anticipation of going back to visit has made me aware of just how much it means to me.
Fifty-five days.
I have wanted to visit since I left, of course, but I could never justify the cost of traveling. Then, it occurred to me earlier this week that if I wait too much longer, all of my friends will have graduated and Ann Arbor won't be quite the same without the people who made it a memory. Twenty-four hours later, I had plans to be in Michigan from December 13th through the 21st.
(I'm stopping in Ohio on the 13th; I didn't miscount the countdown.)
I'm still trying to wrap my mind around it. People always ask me if I miss it, and yeah. How could I not? The minute I moved to Ann Arbor, the stars aligned to create the kind of environment that allows me to flourish. Limitless opportunities for involvement and networking; pride in academic excellence; cultural richness; gray skies and snowy weather (I am the only one I know who loves this); a sense of belonging with my studio, my fraternity, my coworkers, fellow art and music students, my church, and everyone else who loves the University of Michigan. It was completely surreal.
I don't regret transferring; I hope my other posts raving about the magnificence that is SCAD (and everything else in my life, really) are evidence of my confidence that I made the right decision two summers ago. But Michigan is a big part of me. My friends and family get tired of hearing about it, the football schedule is my desktop wallpaper, and I still light up when I see U of M license plates. I wouldn't trade my time there for anything in the world. The anticipation of going back to visit has made me aware of just how much it means to me.
Fifty-five days.
I don't get tired of hearing about it, but then, I'm the only other non-native Texan in our immediate family (not including those related by marriage). Yes, life can be very enjoyable outside of Texas, even in the North!! :)
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