Tomorrow, I will embark on the nine hour drive from the Creek back home to Florida. I am so proud of how far I’ve come in the past four months. I couldn’t find an IOP program in my area that is suited to what I need, so I’m just going to try and stay busy in between therapy, psychiatrist, dietitian, and acupuncture appointments. Here’s what I’m doing:

• I applied to the local junior college, and once they mail me my acceptance information, I’ll be taking classes in photography and cosmetology.
• I’m going back to work at Publix next week. I called my manager today, and she said she couldn’t wait to see me, that everyone had missed me, and that she’d give me a big hug when I get back. I’m really excited to see all my coworkers, but nervous about how I’ll field all the questions about where I’ve been.
• I have been obsessively researching DIY terrariums, and I can’t wait to be the mother of tiny green babies! I looked at starter kits on Esty and other places, and they’re all really expensive, so I’m DIYing it. If it works out, I’m going to make a whole bunch and sell them at the local farmer’s market (or turn my room into a greenhouse).
• Speaking of all things -arium, when I was at Eckerd, I spent some graduation money (that should have gone toward textbooks) on an aquarium, which housed several beautiful fish that did not survive the drive home. Now that I’m staying in one place for the next few months, I want to bring my aquarium back to life.
• My brother’s high school baseball team needs a photographer, and I have an amazing zoom lens that’s collecting dust in my closet. I don’t like sports, but I love sports photography, and it would be nice to be around people my own age–even if they are a bunch of smelly athletes. (Hopefully my brother can bear my presence in the dugout.)

I’m really excited to go home and see my family and friends. I’ll miss my Creek family, but we all vowed to stay in touch. I can’t wait to see what this next chapter will bring!