You'd think this would have all hit me by now.

I mean, in my head I realize that I'll be leaving for school in about 8 hours, but none of it has really processed we me emotionally. I haven't really cried.... at all. That is so abnormal for me it's not even funny. Maybe it's because today was so crazy? I don't know.

(If you want to know why it was crazy, let me give you the short version.  This morning I had my intern exit interview. After an emotional breakdown, I got the dealer to sell me the purple saturn for my offered price. I had a gelato/photobooth date with Kelly. Packing! Dinner date with Heather. Went to the dealer to pick up my car. Movie night at Chandler's. Fill the car up with gas.)

I am very glad, though, that I got to see so many of my loves today before I left. I had a wonderful time with Kelly this afternoon, even if it was only for a short while. I haven't had as much time with her this summer as I'm used to, so I treasure any moment I get. Dinner with Heather was so lovely; she is far too kind to me, also. We had delicious sushi while we sat and discussed several different life happenings. After looking at pictures in my house for a bit, she joined my mother and I for our trip to the dealer. That wasn't the most pleasant trip in the world, so we won't talk about it, but at least Heather and I got to laugh with Kenny and Jonathan (dealer guys) about the whole situation. Bless my best friend; she was with me from the accident to the new ride. Bahhh. I just love her so much!

Even though I was over an hour late, I went to Chandler's for movie night. I cuddled with Juliana on the couch while sitting next to Elsbeth and watched Despicable Me and The Ringer. Twas a lovely night :) I will always consider Elsbeth one of my dearest and most humorous friends. She just makes me so happy inside :) Juliana, as many of you may well know, is one of my most precious little loves. And even though I'm sad to leave her, I'm glad I got to say a proper goodbye. As for Chandler, he's the coolest asian ever, and I am going to miss him! Who knows, maybe he'll bike to come visit me.... Haha, probs not :P

Well, this was my last day in Richmond for a while. Well, until retreat, actually. It can't come soon enough. And for those who are wondering what the key to getting through separation anxiety is, it's skype. For real. I couldn't go without seeing the lovely faces of my darling friends for that long! Hopefully tomorrow won't be the setting of a meltdown. I can do this.... I can do this.... Goodbye sweet Richmond loves! I'm going to miss you terribly!

These suitcases can't handle me right now.

I'm trying to figure out how on earth I fit all of my clothes into two suitcases last year. I'm afraid the zippers are going to break... It made me think of this commercial:

Yeah, I'll probably have to sit on top of mine too. Woops! Also, I hope my closet is big, because I have A LOT of hang-up clothes. Who knew? Not me. But yeah, a good portion of today consisted of packing, since I have less than 36 hours left before I leave Richmond :/ It still hasn't really hit me yet that I'm going to be gone; it's weird.

Aside from that, though, I got to hang out with Rachel and Victoria today :) I'm glad I got to do that before I left, because I do love those girls, and I didn't really get to spend a whole lot of time with them this summer. My mom, Johnny, and I went to Maggiano's for dinner :) There were only two downsides: 1) We had to run through the torrential downpour to get into the restaurant, and I looked like some sort of wet animal. 2) They no longer serve the mushroom ravioli :( I was craving it! It's okay though, the cheese ravioli is good too. That was a nice "going away" meal. I enjoyed it.

While at the bank this morning, I ran into Gina and Juliana! That was cool :) And apparently they had just been talking about me when I said hi to them. Strange coincidence indeed! I wish I could tell you I now had a car, but I don't. This dealer is starting to frustrate me, and I have quite a bit to say to them if they actually decide to call me tomorrow.... Breathe in, breathe out.

Well, I am super sleepy, and I have been for about two hours now. Grandma status.... Sad day. Goodnight world! Tomorrow is my last day in RVA.... still can't believe it.

Probably the greatest season of life.

This summer, being a part of this internship, has been the most amazing experience. I was excited to be a youth leader, and I was stoked to be able to go on choir tour. However, I never imagined that I would forge the relationships and be given the opportunities that I did. Beyond leading in Bible study and Sunday school, beyond leading prayer time on stage and being in charge of t-shirt distribution at choir rehearsals, I was blessed with being able to reach out to people and offer them comfort,  advice, and guidance through prayer and one-on-one fellowship time. God is working in each and every life of every single person involved in this youth group, and I am so humbled and thankful that He used me as a vessel in this ministry. The relationships, the love, the compassion... it would all be nothing without His presence in it. And no, this hasn't just been about me; His work in the lives of these youth has spoken to me in volumes! God has taught me so much through each person I have come to adore. I did nothing to deserve the blessings that God has showered on me through this internship, and I will forever be grateful that He gifted me with all that He has. None of this will ever be forgotten, and I know it is just a phenomenal start to many years to come in regards to my involvement in Seek and Echo. Though school will put distance between us, I will never be detached-- not after a blessing as tremendous as this.

I got called mean by the guy at the car dealer...

Not seriously, he just understood very clearly that I'm not willing to budge on what I'm willing to pay. Should all go well tomorrow, that pretty purple Saturn will be mine by Thursday. My dad's going to the dealer with me tomorrow for an extra intimidation factor. Hard ball? Heck yeah.

Not having a car has almost killed my social life. I spent my whole afternoon/evening here at the house. Instead of going to the park with a friend or getting Starbucks, I was sitting at home doing laundry and packing a suitcase. I don't like this :( This wasn't quite how I imagined spending my last few days in Richmond, but there's a reason for everything.

Well, I wish I could tell you I had something more interesting to write about, but sadly I do not. Everyone knows about the earthquake, so that's no longer a topic of interest. I watched my first full episode of Glee tonight, and I only have one thing to say... Barbra Streisand.

It was pretty good, I'll admit :)

"Uhhh, Steph....." *Dad points out the window*

Yes, while sitting in Panera with my dad for a late lunch, we literally see my car being towed away to be demolished for parts. So weird! At first I didn't think it was my car, but the writing all over the windows gave it away. Haha. I am going to miss the love messages all over my windows....

But yes, today was extremely productive for me. I got interviewed by the guy from my insurance company who's in charge of my claim. So now I just have to wait to get a copy of the report (such a relief). I called and found out that my car had WAY more damage than was worth paying for, so I called and found a place that was willing to buy it for parts. And after I went and removed all of my belongings from the car, I arranged the towing and everything to get it to the parts place. I found out the Honda I mentioned in my last post had already been sold (or rather, Josh found out). However, I got in tough with the Nissan dealership about a pre-owned Saturn they have, and I set up arrangements to go look at and test drive it tomorrow! I really hope this works out! My mom is hoping too. She trusts Saturn, considering our family has had one for the past 8 years and it's still going strong. So, fingers crossed!

I was able to get about an hour-long nap in today, which was lovely. I didn't realize how tired I was until I laid my head on my pillow. After waking up and talking to my mom for a bit, Chandler and Juliana arrived to take me to Bible study. It was great, as always :) I love how awesome the conversations end up being; it is truly awesome to witness! Chandler also provided me with a ride home, and on the way he  sang some The Band Perry for Juliana and I, haha. It was a lovely sound :) Chandler just cracks me up! He was also sweet enough to treat the three of us to sweet tea, which is always a winner in my book :) A generous soul, he is! He probably the coolest asian I know, even in his hipster tanks, haha!

Well, today overall has been pretty good. It was mildly stressful at a few points, but I'm really glad I accomplished as much as I did. Now I just need to pray for the best in regards to tomorrow and the rest of this week! Goodnight world!

NTAHNDA

Well, let's start with this morning. I got to lead middle school Sunday school! I was actually really nervous that I would do terrible, because I just go into most things thinking that way. But afterwards Jamal came up to me and told me that I did great. He said that everything was well articulated and that I just did a really good job. That was seriously one of the biggest compliments ever, and it kind of made my morning :)

After church, Miranda accompanied me on a Panera outing :) I do love hanging out with that girl. She is so funny and spunky and I just love her! I'm so glad I got to enjoy my lunch with good company :) And after taking her home I myself was homeward bound. I ran a few errands with Jenn for encaustic supplies, so that was fun. When my mom got home, we discussed the potential new used car scenario...

Here's the thing, she doesn't think I can get one before Saturday (when I go back to school). Here's my thing... WHY WAIT?! Once I find out officially tomorrow whether or not my car's totaled, and if it in fact is, I want to be right on top of finding another car. I think my mom finally got it, though, because she drove me to two different dealerships just to take a look. She even scanned craigslist with me when we got home. Here's the funny thing... Josh found this Honda Civic that looks pretty promising. Yes, I said it, a Honda. Those of you who know me really well, you know that Hondas are my pet peeve car. And if I do end up buying said car, I want to eventually get personalized license plates that read "NTAHNDA." Ha! It's not necessarily that I'll be in denial; it's just the principal of the matter :P

Also! I got to hang out with Kelly for a bit tonight! It was the first time in a long time! We didn't do anything crazy; I just accompanied her on some errands. But I'm glad that I got to spend some time with her before I go back to school! It would have been a bummer if I hadn't!

Well loves, I have dawdled on the internet far too much tonight! Sleepy time :)

Only one more week?

Almost no packing done.
No car.
No clue how I'm going to afford a new one.
Not sure how I'm going to see people before I go.
Very little peace.
A lot of anxiety.