I love knick-knacks. Probably more than it is healthy — a part of me is so excited to be an old lady just because that’s when it becomes socially acceptable to buy multiple glass cases and showcase your dollar-bin souvenirs like treasures.

With my time in the CAPS program coming to an end, I’ve been in the process of packing up my things and, after going through all my things, I realized how much more stuff I’ve obtained during my time in Chicago.

These items document my summer almost as well as I could have if I wrote it all out. Some of the items include: A postcard from the Art Institute with Nighthawks by Edward Hopper printed on it. A small yellow waving cat I got from Chinatown. A box of chopsticks I also got from Chinatown, albeit on a different visit. A map for the Adler Planetarium. The poetry book Pole Dancing to Gospel Hymns by Andrea Gibson I got from a secondhand bookstore. A photostrip my friend and I got at a music festival in June. A skincare free sample from a booth at the farmers market. A pink sheer scarf and moonstone ring shaped like a heart, both of which my roommate promised were “my aesthetic.” A playbill for Come From Away. A food ticket from Taste of Chicago. Postcards my mom sent this summer. A journal and tin of tea I received as a going away present from my coworkers.

But, after looking through all these odds and ends, I realized there were so many more things I’ve gained this summer that I can’t stuff in a suitcase for move-out. These nonphysical things include: a steadier confidence, as well as a healthy amount of independence. Work experience by the loads. Connections with a career path I’m interested in. Insight into the nonprofit world, and what goes behind a successful organization (hint: it’s very passionate people). And while these things aren’t physical, they just as if not more valuable than the rest of the belongings I’m lugging back to Northwest Indiana.

Today is my last day of work and my last night in the city. This past week I’ve been allowing myself to splurge on my favorite city foods and drinks, as it’ll probably be the last time for a while I’ll have such easy access to it all. But even though I’ll be missing a lot about Chicago and my apartment/internship here, I’m so excited for my last year at Valpo. It’s gonna be a great year, and I’m sure I’m going to pack-rat even more knick-knacks and experiences.