heading (home? away? back?) ...east tomorrow

It's always weird when you leave a place that you've become familiar with, especially after you've come to appreciate it - be it a small town in the middle of nowhere or a big city, there's always a certain amount of remorse that comes with leaving. This time, I've been counting down the days until I'm back in Indiana, but now, with only a few hours left here in Colorado Springs, I'm dragging my heels.
It's not because I don't miss everyone at home — I really, really miss everyone at home. I've been musing it over, and I think someone at the paper said it best: I just dipped my toe into the giant ocean that is the Real World. And I like it. I like the feeling of being responsible for myself. I like having a nine to five. I like going out with friends from work.
I like feeling like an adult.
But it's more than that. It's also that nine or ten weeks seems like the amount of time it takes to adjust to a place. Everywhere I've been in the past few years, there's always been this period of uncomfortableness when I'm not used to the atmosphere or the pace of the city. Of course it's always a little different, but nine seems like the magic number.
So here I am, in my tenth week in Colorado, and I'm finally kind of okay with people driving ten under the speed limit, dressing like they just worked out, and walking around with their head in the clouds mountains. I'm starting to hang out with people. I like my job.
And now I have to leave.

Anyway, here's my travel plans, in case you're wondering.
I'm driving back with my mom, taking three days (or two, I guess, if we're feeling up to it). If we take three days, we're stopping in Salina, KS, and St. Louis. If you're following me on twitter (/beckyrother), I'll be posting updates as we hit milestones.
Wish us luck!
Cheers!