Always A Good Idea

Exactly one year ago today I got an email so devastating to me it inspired me to write one of the most popular and true and wrenching pieces I've written. It took me quite a while to move on from that devastation and utter incomprehension of what to do next. 365 days later I know without a doubt that was exactly what needed to happen to me because it got me to where I am right now, and to where I'm about to go.

I've been thinking about my life and my future. About how in 5 months' time I'll live in a city with more inhabitants than the entire state of Utah; in an apartment the size of my bedroom, closet, and bathroom combined (and that's if I'm real lucky); about how I probably can't take my darling little cat with me. She'd hate New York and me for relocating her there. She likes to play outside and chase leaves and catch critters. She also likes my parents, more than she likes me I'm afraid, and as much as I know I'll need her with me, I also know it's better for her to stay with my parents. They do really love her.

I think of my dreams: the things I want to do, places I want to go, career I want to have... It's all possible now. It became so with a phone call, an email, and a letter. I know it'll be so much more difficult than I'm giving it credit for. And scarier. I'm going to be so broke. And a little - maybe a lot - lonely. I'll really miss seeing my sister a few times a week. Going to movies with my cousin. Emailing my best friend all day at work. Having dinner with my parents. And a lot of other people and things.

But the things that are the most difficult, the scariest, the most uncomfortable, those things are always the best to shape you and your life, and most often show you where to go and what to do next.

"New York is always a good idea." I saw that on Instagram tonight when I looked up #ColumbiaUniversity. Reality struck as I looked through pictures associated with that hashtag. Dreams can come true. A few of mine have in the last few weeks. And a few more are exponentially more plausible with an Ivy League education. Endless potential is what I see.

I've accepted my place, paid my tuition deposit, and sent my official transcripts.

I am a lion. I'm going to Columbia.