"We're Not in Illinois Anymore"
- Lexie Ruscheinski
- Jun 17, 2019
- 3 min read
Well friends in the famous words of my girl Elle Woods "We did it!".
Well, I guess I mean graduation, moving, finding a job and settling in before gradate school starts. Everything since graduation has been a bit of a blur. I'm normally such a huge planner/list maker and I'm always looking forward to the next big event, but I really tried to soak in being home in IL with family and hometown friends those three weeks. From birthday parties (my family alone has about a million within the month of May!), to coffee and breakfast dates and everything in between, I made sure to take it all in.
I've always been a walking contradiction; I LOVE new adventures and being able to flourish in new areas with new opportunities (this may also be the workaholic in me lol), but I also enjoy my family and friends and the memories we create and being the extrovert I am, I knew the move to Ohio was going to be tough stuff. I would call myself an adventurous homebody. I was so ready to leave and knew I had outgrown my own life in certain ways, but I was also sad. Why? because I loved my old life and where I grew up. I was surrounded by amazing family and fabulous friends and I created the best memories in Illinois, even Iowa too!
From Friday night lights to high school musicals and basically all of our High School working at the same place, Cary, IL was an ideal place to grow up in. I'll miss it dearly.
And to Ames, IA, I'll miss all of the tailgates at Jack Trice to Hilton magic, the incredible Sorority and Fraternity Community, and all of the trips down Welch and Stanton Ave. (looking at you Es Tas and Paddy's!)
I had to say goodbye to the things that "built" me to the next adventure that would help to further grow and develop. As I look back on these memories with so much happiness and joy (and tears because I'm a sap!), I am ready to ROCK Cincinnati and Graduate School.
NOW that we're passed the sappy and emotional stuff, time to move on to EVEN more sappy and emotional stuff!
What might I be doing in the buckeye state you may ask?! I came out here for a few reasons actually. In the fall, I will be attending Miami University in Oxford, Ohio to obtain Masters to Education Specialist Degree in School Psychology (maybe also getting my second Master's in Special Education to obtain my Intervention Specialist Licensure?). I am also working this summer as a Behavioral Skills Therapist/RBT to pass the time until classes begin and to expand my resume. I have a passion for working with children, especially those with developmental disabilities and behavioral problems. I could go on forever and ever on why I am passionate on this topic and why I am pursuing this as my life's work, but that's a post for the future! I am also out here in O-H-I-O living with my wonderful boyfriend, Alex, and our fur babies (We have 1 dog and two kittens!).
In the two weeks I have already been in Ohio, I have tried Skyline Chili (My review on that to come!!), went to my first Cabela's (Yes, really), and discovered some obscure breweries and tropical bars. I cannot wait to explore more of Fairfield, Oxford, and even Cincy! What's next? Indulge in more breweries? A Red's Game? A Bengals Game? Visit the famous Cincinnati Children's Hospital? So much to do and all the time in the world! I cannot wait to see where this journey takes Alex and myself. So much to look forward to and so much to go back to in Illinois and Iowa when I visit. Feeling blessed beyond belief!
Cheers to new adventures including this blog!
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