81 Days

This was the caption of my latest Instagram yesterday, and it seems appropriate to note here too: 

"There are 82 days left until December 16th. 82 days until graduation. 82 days to soak in learning in classes, reading, writing papers, Chicago culture. 82 days is going to go by really fast, I can already feel it. Bittersweet."

People tell you that college years are going to be the best years of your life. You come in with expectations, and are met with newness and yet another challenge to identity. You are faced with papers, assignments, tons of reading, and the overwhelming nature of dorms and being surrounded by your peers. Yet despite all of these things, now is a good time of life too. 

Is it the best? I'm not sure I would put it that way. But are these significant years? Absolutely. Just like life in any stage of life, there are yay's and yuck's, ups and downs, hard times and times where you can't help but smile. There's nothing glamorous about it. It's just day by day, where you struggle with your own sin and the brokenness of the world, and yet see the faithfulness and goodness of the Lord. That is life. 

Last weekend my roommates and I hopped on the train and went grocery shopping, and I realized that this will be changing before I know it. I don't like to dwell on the nearing graduation date, but I want to recognize this transitional season as well. 

The three of us have finally settled into "The Little Byt" (the little apartment, in translation). Some friends from my church out in Wheaton helped move our couch back to the city, and then we eagerly hung pictures, filling them with all of the random pieces of art that we have. Michelle and Michelle are gracious enough to go along with my "nesting" antics tendencies, and generously helped put the finishing touches on the apartment. 

We even have a painting on the wall opposite from the couch that Michelle M (the blond one!) brought back from her internship in Uganda. It's stunning. 

This is normal life for now. This is normal life for 81 more days.