Ch. 2: 12-days of Southern Living

It is odd to think that I have only lived here for 12 days—it feels like so much longer. Everything is going really well. The weather has been really nice and Fall-ish. Classes are going well. And I am making friends like crazy (as predicted, the “new girl” appeal is in full effect).

Since my last post, I started classes, said ‘goodbye’ to my father (who flew back home on Monday), and received and unpacked everything I shipped out here. I must say that unpacking is one of the worst things ever. Next time I make big move, I might just pay the extra million dollars and get people to pack, ship, and unpack for me.

My first day of school was nothing like what I had expected. I did not have a schedule, so I got to school by 6:45 and sat in the admissions office with about 50 other students that were having scheduling issues. I was not seen until 10am. It felt like they were hazing me—seeing how much I could take. I then proceeded to sit in the academic advisors office for an hour and a half while he typed up a schedule for me. The end result was me walking out of his office with 11 classes and 3 audits, but somehow getting Fridays off this quarter. Here’s to 3-day weekends for the next 3 months. YAY!

My new school is a wee-bit larger than my old school. (read as: my Life University is massive compared to Cleveland.) And somehow, a number of the classrooms were incorrect on my schedule. By the time I had left the academic advisors office, I had missed my two morning classes and most of my 11am class. I slowly and awkwardly found my way to the room number that was written on my schedule, just to find that the room number was not correct. The professor I found in the classroom, Dr. Vanderslice, took pity on me and helped me find what room my actual class was being held in. This whole process took about an HOUR! Sweet Dr. Vanderslice walked back and forth across the campus to help me find this classroom. He also showed me where some of my other classes would meet. I felt like it was my first day of Jr. High—a day most of us do not ever want to repeat.

Tuesday felt similar to Monday. I was late to the majority of my classes because I could not find them, I did not have the materials that every other student did, I ate lunch by myself, and my dad had left the day before. It was a hard day.

But from Wednesday on, things started to feel like home. I am finally starting to find my way around Atlanta (with the help of my trusty phone navigation). I have gotten lost about two-dozen times, but I have seen some of the most incredible neighborhoods filled with massively beautiful homes. For those of you who know about my obsession with beautiful homes, you will understand how this adds to the appeal of Atlanta. The freeway system here is a series of circles. (WHAT!?) Yup, circles. Most of the streets are not on any sort of grid. Turning right to go South can have you going North in about 200 feet. It has been nothing short of an adventure.

I want to stop here to tell you a little story about my mother:  My mother is the most patient and amazing woman I know. So whenever she would miss an off-ramp, or we would get lost, her response would always be, “well, this is an adventure,” said in the happiest tone. And I swear I hear her voice every time I find driving around the streets of Atlanta, completely lost. **I know that this last sentence will terrify my mother. Don’t worry mummy; I only get lost in very nice and well-lit neighborhoods.

I was at a philosophy talk on Friday night, where 30 of my peers gathered in a very intimate setting to listen to our school’s president speak. It was phenomenal! The talk energized me about my profession, and really confirmed my decision to come out here. At the end of the talk I had students coming up to talk with me about my transition—all offering any support that I might need. Even the president pulled me aside for a few minutes to talk about my move, our alma mater (UCLA!), and how much I miss Los Angeles. I felt like I was being handed my 2-mintues of popularity, and I reveled in it. It was the best way to end my first week of school in a new city.

I have gone to North Point Community Church for the last 2 Sundays. For those of you who do not know, North Point is a mega-church in Atlanta. They have the main church, and several satellite churches. I have been attending the Buckhead satellite. This church is about 5-times the size of CA. The church shares a parking lot with a mall. They hire parking attendants to funnel us in and out of the lots. It is massive, and crazy. It is very different than what I am used to. But the pastor, Andy Stanley, is amazing.

Last weeks message had me in tears. The message was titled: When God is inattentive. It was all about God still being God, and still being faithful in despite of your personal circumstances. One thing I do love about this church is that they put up on the video screens key sentences that they deem important. I like it because it gives me time to write it down and internalize it. My favorite one from last week was: your personal circumstances do not necessarily coincide with how God feels about you. Anyone who has walked with me in the six-months knows that I have struggled with that statement.  Andy mentioned times when God leads you out into the desert and our response should not be to lose faith, but to look back at all God has faithfully carried us through. (!!!)  I felt like he had read my last blog (or my journal) and that he was talking directly to me. That is always such a wonderful reminder. I was telling a friend about a month ago that I do not have too many pillars in my faith (sorry for the Islamic reference), but there are two things that I inextricably know: There is a God. And he passionately and affectionately loves me. I think I might need to write that one on my bathroom mirror.

To finish off the weekend I did my first “HOTlanta” thing. I went to the Atlanta-Green Bay game. It was such a great game. And I was with some really great new friends. Oh yeah, and we won!!! My voice is still hoarse from yelling, “GO PACK, GO” for the majority of the game…and the majority of the walk back to the car.

My friend Brandon reminded me before I left that I am safe. So I will leave you with that. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers. I miss you guys all SO much. I miss CA. I miss the beautiful Los Angeles weather—it is raining here right now, and I know it is currently 90 degrees back home. And I am having to fight this feeling of loneliness that is starting to rear its head again. But I know that I am safe.

I cannot express how much I love you guys. All of your calls/emails/texts have left me feeling so uplifted. A day has not passed by where one (or several) of you have contacted me to tell me that you miss me and you are thinking of me.

I love you, I love you, I love you!

Miss Megan