Grow Up and Blow Away.

(An album from Metric; worth a purchase if you're into Indie).

I have been very blessed this summer and able to take a step of maturity. I have been able to join a commune and rent a house. This step into adulthood has meant a lot to me. Getting the key from our superintendent, Hank, was one of the premier moments in my life as of now. I realize there are many downsides to this decision. I have been told countless times that the city in which I live is not a safe environment for a young lady to mature in, and I have experienced first-hand the terror of riding the bus alone and getting lost. Yet I have benefited more from this decision than I had expected, especially in lieu of the fact that I have yet to actually contact my potential employer and figure out where and when I should go to work.

Besides the psychological benefits of feeling mature, I have also been blessed enough to experience the rewards of living with more mature people. My dorming experience this year was less than rewarding. Living with five really irresponsible girls often left me in charge of tidying rooms, turning off lights and appliances and washing dishes. The most ridiculous part of all is that I am younger than each and every one of my dorm mates by a year or more. Therefore, it isn’t hard to see why spending a summer with fourth-year students and graduates is shaping up to be a nice experience.

The relief of knowing that dishes and chores will get done is beautiful. Even seeing dishes left in the sink doesn’t bother me, because I know that even if I wash these dishes I am not the only person tidying a mess that is not mine. And I know that often, these guys will clean up my messes. In addition to the beauty of a relatively clean living environment, I get to watch the interactions of mature people– meaning no cattiness. They aren’t clawing at each others' throats, aren’t forming alliances and spreading gossip, and aren’t blaming people for their own errors. In fact, these girls are modeling Christian love to each other in a way that I hope to learn and put into practice this summer and in the future. Even in the midst of disagreements, they are able to put their own feelings aside. It is a beautiful thing, and I am looking forward to the rest of the summer.