When I move to a new place, I want to be settled as soon as possible. Maybe this tendency to feel temporary in any place I live came from moving so often as a child. And even through college, and then back home afterwards... It never seemed permanent enough to really "set-up" my room, apartment, etc. But when I moved into my previous place, I determined to make holes and hang the pictures on the wall. Find a real place to put everything. And make the place feel as homey as possible. You know what? It felt like my own little home!
So now, whenever I move, I really settle in. And I don't like boxes anywhere, if possible. The only place they need to be seen is in the garage or way up high in a closet, filled with the kind of things you can't seem to throw away but hope someday your grandchildren will delightfully discover in the attic 50 years from now.
It may be extreme, but I've carried this over to traveling and luggage, too. Even if I'm just spending an single night, I try to set things out in a homey, usable fashion. (It's a lot more efficient, too, to not be digging in your suitcase trying to find things!) Making it yours, for however long it may be, lends to a much more comfortable environment.
Therefore, the last week has been a mad dash of cleaning and unpacking. And after all that hard work, it feels like home. It feels like a place welcoming me to crash after a long day on campus, or huddle up inside with good music and wine working on projects late into the night. :)
Bring on grad school! I'm ready!