this is life.

1. I've accepted a job as an associate optometrist at the Merritt Optometry Clinic in Merritt, BC. I'll be working with one other doctor at her clinic, which is the only optometric clinic in town. Merritt is a town of about 8000, and is about 1 hour from Kamloops, 1.5 hours from Kelowna, and 2.5 hours from Vancouver. I leave this Tuesday (October 13th) to drive there, and start work the following Monday (October 19th). I went there to check the place out for a couple days in September, and it felt right ... right enough to want to go back there to work.

AND, for all you country music lovers out there, Merritt is the "Country Music Capital of Canada"! I kind of think that it's hilarious that I'm moving there, given my small exposure to the world of country music. Maybe my horizons will be expanded somewhat?!

2. I own a car and a condo. Exciting.

3. I now have car payments and a mortgage on top of my student loans. Very scary.

4. I still have no guy in my life. Which I'm okay with ... at least for right now.

So, this is where life has brought me to right now. I can't say that having student loans, car payments and a mortgage is exactly where I saw myself right after graduation - but it is exciting to finally know what the next while will hold for me.

As I'm packing up, I can't believe how much stuff I have. Why does stuff accumulate so easily? But, I am very excited to finally set all my stuff up in my own place. I have some treasures that I've gotten through the years, many from other countries, that I'm looking forward to finally having hang on my wall, or take out of their packing. With that being said though, I'm trying to learn to not get too attached to all my belongings, because they really can be a pain to move. I'm trying to learn how to live simply and travel lightly, which can be difficult for someone who keeps things for sentimental reasons, and absolutely loves books.

I have a lot of personal stuff, but with getting my own condo, I also need lots of home stuff ... things I hadn't really given much thought to before, like spatulas and colanders. I said to someone the other day, that I should just get married because then I wouldn't have to buy everything, everyone would just buy it for me!

I feel a peace in my heart, knowing that at this moment in my life, this is where I'm supposed to be. Merritt is what feels right for me right now. I don't know where God will lead me in a year, or two years or five years time. Maybe it will still be in Merritt, or maybe it will be across the country, the continent, or the globe. I don't know, and life often takes unexpected turns - but I can rest in knowing that my path is guided by One much bigger than me. I'm excited for life right now, and for all the life that is still to come ... it's a pretty great ride, and I'm enjoying myself!