Dear Diary,

I can’t say that I’ve written those words since I was a prepubescent middle schooler at summer camp. But with life swirling the way it is at present, it seems that writing may be the only way to drain my cluttered head.

Life is great. It’s a strange thing moving to a new city…at first, it is novel and different, like a vacation to a strange place. But as the novelty wears off, slowly, I begin to settle into my new normal. And I have to say, I quite like my new normal. Mornings where my apartment smells of freshly brewed coffee and my favorite perfume, days spent at work…learning, adjusting…and evenings cooking dinner, shopping, going to the movies.

But there is still a strange air of unfamiliarity. I drive with the only Maryland license plate in Austin, I’m convinced. (I don’t think I’ll switch to Texas plates too quickly; people are more forgiving when I cut them off thinking that I’m not a local.) And I dress differently, like an East Coaster, more preppy than the people around here. But overall, the strangest piece of my life’s current puzzle is the fact that I don’t own a microwave. Not owning a microwave is a lot like not waxing your eyebrows. It’s not all that noticeable at first, but the longer you go without, the more clear it becomes that it’s a necessity.

Because of my microwave-less kitchen, I’ve been Little House On The Prairie-ing it, heating up leftovers in a cast iron skillet (I’m serious), frying eggs in a cast iron skillet, toasting bread in a cast iron skillet. The reason for doing everything in a cast iron skillet is because I don’t actually own any other piece of usable cookware. And until I receive my paycheck this Thursday, I will continue to cook everything in a cast iron skillet. Thursday night? A microwave and several pots and pans.

With all this colonial cast iron strangeness, I’ve found solace in that which is familiar to me. My favorite t-shirt to sleep in, my favorite shampoo in the shower, my favorite mug in the morning. And I’ve watched more Disney Channel more than I’d care to admit. Something about the background music and canned laughter are warm and comforting, maybe because watching Disney reminds me of growing up at home, curled up on the couch with my siblings, or laying in my bed before I fell asleep.

My pace of life is perhaps the biggest point of difference from my previous life. It’s slow and steady instead of quick and chaotic. My responsibility is to myself (and the Lord) and no one else. I must be at work each day, but every other hour is up to my discretion. It’s strange, really. To have thought I was independent for the past four years in college only to experience complete freedom and independence now.

I can’t complain. Decorating my apartment has been both amazing and bank-draining. Work is full of kind and smart people. This is the new life the Lord has ordained for me, and it’s in His perfect plan that I rest my head.

Because at the end of the day, I’d cast iron cook every single day to follow God’s plan for my life. Through Him, all things truly are possible.

{That’s where I am in life. What have you been up to?}

PS–Don’t forget to enter my first giveaway contest!