Think Different; Think Rachel!: My New Apartment!

So, the plan was to move out in January. Christmas would be over, we'd be starting out the new year, and I'd still be on Winter Break! When could be a better time to move into my first apartment than that?!?! I had been scoping out apartments and driving by ones I was interested in during the day, night, weekends, etc. to make sure they weren't too scary at any given time and finally, I set aside a time for my mom and me to go out and actually tour the apartments and ask my million questions so that I could really narrow down my options. I made a spreadsheet for each apartment complex (there were 6 on the list) that I was considering, so that I could fill in all the essential information and make sure I didn't forget any questions. Everything was mapped out, organized, January was 3 months away, and everything was running as planned. On the way to the first complex, which was my first choice, my mom asked me what I would do if they had something available sooner. Would I take it or was I firm on January? Um, really??? I was a girl with a plan from which I was not interested in deviating. I told her that I was firm on January, maybe I would consider the very end of December when I was on break, but definitely nothing sooner than that!

We arrived at my first choice apartment complex and went into the office and met with one of the people there. I started asking my list of questions and filling in my spreadsheet. This complex was looking better and better all the time! They had everything I wanted and, on top of that, I found out that each apartment has its own storage room attached to the balcony! The fact that apartments are severely lacking in storage space had been of great concern to me, so this was absolutely amazing! I felt good about this place and asked to walk through some apartments. She told me that they had models of their studio apartment and their two-bed, two-bath apartment, but that they didn't have a model of the one-bedroom OR any empty ones we could go through. So, I wouldn't be able to see the type of apartment I would actually be interested in living in. Before I go on, I should mention that I had two deal breakers. First, I was NOT going to live in something I hadn't walked through first; this was going to be my home and I needed to see it to make sure it felt like home and that I would love it there. Second, parking. I have been to so many apartment complexes where the parking situation is absolutely terrible. I didn't want to live anywhere where there wasn't plenty of parking for my friends and family. Deal. Breaker. I soon found out that this apartment had BOTH of my deal breakers! I went ahead and took the tour anyways and figured that, by January, they would come up with a vacant one-bedroom that I could tour. The parking situation was one that I would have to put some thought and consideration into.

After the tour, I went back to the office and went over different options with the person showing me around. I told her the options I was interested in and she went through her list of apartments that met my qualifications and their availability. When she mentioned one that was available on November 8th, I had the craziest, yet clearest feeling that I should take it. It was NOT what I had planned on, nor what I wanted. I was set on January, but suddenly all of that changed. So, I signed my lease, put down my deposit, and freaked out...just a little! haha My move-in date was no longer three months away, but just three weeks away! Also, I had just signed for an apartment I had never seen and the floor plan was not super great! All of my deal breakers were out the window and I now had my first apartment!

The next three weeks passed painfully slowly, but when it finally arrived, everything was ready! My parents, Steven, David and his boys, and Scott helped me move everything is and it all went super quickly! They were awesome! I've never actually seen a move that ran so smoothly. I was having my couches, washer and dryer, and cable/wifi installed that day and everyone showed up at the very beginning of the given delivery windows, except the cable guy, who showed up about 4 hours early and said that he was in the area and had a cancellation and asked if I would mind him getting the job done early! When does that ever happen??? But it did! Just more reassurance that I had done the right thing. It's amazing to me how we can have the best laid plans and that, in a moment, everything can change. I still don't know why it was pivotal for me to move now instead of in January, but I truly feel that it was. I love that Heavenly Father has a plan for us and that He knows what's best even when we have no idea why things happen the way they do. I've been in my place for almost a month now and I LOVE it! Everyday, I feel so happy to be in my own place!

Here's a little tour:

Welcome!

The front door is on the left side of the picture in the living room and I'm standing in the dining room.

This is the dining room, obviously, and the washer and dryer are in the closet with the white doors. I love being able to do laundry in my own place and not having to take it to the laundry rooms at the complex.