Just ONE OF THOSE THINGS...

Hello from the road!

So this is my first full week of travel for the fall 2007 season. This year it was a little different as I left home. Usually, I would have taken my dog, Abigail Amos (get it, Amos and Andy) to my parent’s house so they could dog-sit while I was out. This year, she stayed home. Why, because my wonderful fiancée would be there to take care of her. That is great, right? It is, but I didn’t know how tough it would be to leave Erin, my fiancée, to set out on a week of travel. We did it all the time when we were dating. We wouldn’t see each other for two or three weeks sometimes. But this was the first time in at least six months that we wouldn’t see each other for an extended period of time. I was sad, and a little apprehensive to leave, but then ONE OF THOSE THINGS happened that just makes you smile and realize that everything will be all right…Actually, better than all right.

Erin had surprised me with a travel care package. It brought back memories of the care packages I would receive from my parents during finals week at Simpson. She packed me up in the “red rocket” (see previous blog for details about my experience with the Kia) with everything from a lifetime supply of Starbursts to cough drops as I had lost my voice the weekend before my departure. It was ONE OF THOSE THINGS that was very sweet of her and it made me smile, and realize, that everything would be A-OK.

So I was driving along from my first school to the second, and I looked out at a stretch of cornfield. It was absolutely gorgeous. Yeah, I know, it sounds corny-but it really was corn, so I can be as corny as I want to be! The corn had already turned a beautiful gold and rays of sun were peaking through storm clouds making the stalks glow in contrast to the darkening sky. It was one of those moments that you felt a great deal of peace and it was ONE OF THOSE THINGS that makes you smile and know things were great with your world.

And another realization that I had today was ONE OF THOSE THINGS that helped me grasp just why I love the road. Although I miss being at home with my fiancée and the dog, I found that as I start my third year of admissions counseling, I have made numerous friends. These friends are the guidance counselors of northwest Iowa. I enjoy catching up with them and seeing how their year is going. The stories of TP’ed trees during homecoming week and the impromptu classes that they have had to cover are great. They make me smile, and make me realize that admissions counseling is a career that connects you with many people. Not just students, families of students, but also counselors, secretaries, the people that run your favorite diner in Hartley, IA and many many more. It is travel season, and travel season is just ONE OF THOSE THINGS that makes me smile!

So as you go from day to day, take the time to enjoy ONE OF THOSE THINGS. Actually, take the time to enjoy ALL OF THOSE THINGS because even though they may be small, they are what make life worth living and put a smile on your face!

I miss you Erin and Abi-I'll be home soon! :)

GO STORM!

Andy