Things change.....

Change is a big part of life. I think the past few years have taught me this more than anything. And this week brought along yet another change.

Before I mention that change, I'll talk about a few other little changes.
1. Where I'm writing this. Usually, I write this blog from the couch in my apartment at Vista Way. I'd be using the black internet cord (because we never figured out how to set up our wifi) and would be scratching my head for hours before finally cranking out what I wanted to say.
2. The food I've eaten today. This gives away a big clue as to the change I will eventually talk about. On a normal day, I'd wake up, have a bowl of Honey-Nut Cheerios and a side of Morning Star Bacon Strips. By now, (if it were a work day) I'd probably be on my first break, and having a small snack consisting of apple juice, Laughing Cow cheese, and saltine crackers. This morning, however, I woke up and went to the kitchen, cracked open a sample box of Trix, and then stopped for a quick bagel from Bruegger's.
3. My weight. Yes, I'm going to be one of "those" girls and discuss my weight. Well, after going to the doctor's office this morning, I discovered that I weigh less than I have in 6 years. AKA since middle school. That's weird.
4. The weather. It's a cool 60-something degrees out right now, and I think it feels WAY better than a blistering 90-something with 80% humidity.
5. The seasons. It's becoming Fall right now, one of my favorite parts of the year for a number of reasons: A) My birthday is coming up soon [which reminds me of another change] B) The leaves change into beautiful colors. C) It's not too hot out anymore. D) Flannel season begins. E) I can eat Fall Foods like soup and mashed potatoes and not feel gross and overheated after. F) Jeans. Boots. Long-sleeve Shirts. Scarves. Hats. Enough said.
6. The change I mentioned with my birthday on it's way. I will no longer be a teenager. It's hard to believe that I will no longer be able to blame moodiness on my teenage years, or say I'm nineteen. I'll be 20. Twenty. The big 2-0. I will have lived two decades. Cars made the year I was born could potentially be viewed as vintage. So strange!

And the biggest change, which you may have guessed already. I'm no longer in Florida on the Disney College Program. Whew, that was a mouthful. Allow me to explain. It was not completely my decision, and it still feels like a dream, or a temporary thing. But as I write this, my roommates are moving out of our apartment in Vista Way and into a new apartment I'll likely never see in Chatham.

About 2 1/2 weeks ago, things all started to change. I started getting sick. First, I was just lightheaded and a bit nauseous, so I called in to work, thinking that I would get better in time for my trip to Chicago on the 27th of September. Then, when I wasn't getting any better, I decided it was in my best interest not to go. I developed a fever, and my body ached and felt swollen. A few days later, I went to a clinic where I was diagnosed with a respiratory infection, given some medication, and sent on my way. A few days later, the fever had not broken, so I went to the ER at Florida Celebration Hospital. They gave me some IV medication, and some other antibiotics to take, and sent me on my way. Two days later, and I was still not any better. I made my way back to the hospital, where I was admitted and kept for a week. This was the strangest week of my life. I was eventually diagnosed with mono, and the doctor said it was better if I went home to New York to recuperate. So, here I am. Back in New York to stay.

Of course, it was hard to leave Florida. I had made so many friends, and I was finally starting to appreciate where I was and what I was doing. However, I think that this might be for the better. It will be much easier for me to recover here. And I would rather not stay sick for another 3 months. I'm going to work on getting better as quickly as possible (without relapsing).

As a result, I'm pretty sure this might be my last blog post. It's been a wonderful experience, and I'd tell people to go for it. If you're independent (you have to be VERY independent and capable) and you're looking for an adventure, try working for Disney. It was the hardest but most rewarding experience of my life thus far. Even though at times I hated it, there were a number of times that I had more fun than I would anywhere else. And the best part? I got college credit for it.

My biggest advice? Don't get sick while you're there. You'll be going home probably a lot earlier than you had expected.