Midday

So I have to admit that there are several blogs that I read on a regular basis. I have them all bookmarked so I can make sure I check in every once in a while. So if you need any good reading material, let me know! :)

There is one that I just discovered that is so fun. It is called Five Blondes. The blog is written by five sisters and they share about what is going on in their lives.

One of the sisters posted this cute poem:

The Masks of Love.

I come in from a walk
With you
And they ask me
If it is raining.

I didn’t notice
But I’ll have to give them
The right answer
Or they’ll think I’m crazy.

-Alden Nowland

Just a little midday inspiration to get me through this work day!

Successes and Goals

Because of the amazing field I work in, I had also two weeks off (paid!) during the holidays. I made it a point to still be somewhat productive. I knew that I wanted to set goals (not resolutions...because goals just sound more legit lol). But after browsing around the blogosphere, I was inspired to come up with a list of successes to celebrate from 2009. What a positive way to start a new year! Although there were some pretty significant negatives about 2009, it was wonderful to look back and see how blessed I am and how proud I can be.

So with further ado, here it is:

March:

Traveled to Costa Rica and was awarded a scholarship to pay for the trip

Ran my first half marathon with my mom!

Won the SunTrust Distinguished Leader of Merit competition

April:

Began to get more involved at Discovery through DC Kids and helping them with Step Into Africa

May:

Graduated with Crummer to receive my MBA

Offered opportunity to stay on staff at Rollins as a Hall Director

June:

Celebrated my birthday in Siesta Key with friends - brought back amazing memories!

Was accepted into Higher Education master's program at UCF

July:

Witnessed my brother get married to his beautiful wife :)

October:

Won the Master's Case Challenge with Taylor

Promoted to Assistant Director of Living Learning Communities!

November:

Developed genuine friendships with my fellow HDs and my classmates

Bought a new car and am paying for it on my own!

December:

Achieved a 4.0 GPA in the Fall semester

Lost 15 pounds

Moved into an amazing new apartment

Overall, I had an amazing year with a lot of transitions and it just excites me for 2010. Along with my reflection, I set goals for the year and really thought through how I would accomplishment them. Spiritually, I would like to become more familiar with the Word, become more consistent in my walk, and continue to discern God's will for my life. Personally, I would like to increase my confidence and continue to nurture all the relationships in my life. Professionally, I would like to have a strong and successful first year full time in my field. Academically, I would like to continue to stay involved in my program and maintain the success I achieved in my first semester. I am motivated to achieve it all!

Palace fit for a princess...

Just a few weeks ago, I received the keys to my new apartment. I knew packing and moving would be a lot of work but wow! Thankfully I didn't have to do it alone but it did take about 12 car loads.

This is what my apartment looked like when we finally got all my stuff in....



I had a couple weeks to get everything situated and when my parents came to visit for Christmas they brought some final touches. So it's time to start the tour...

As you walk in, you enter my living room:



Sharing the space with my living room is my desk/office area:


A bit further is the sun room that I have turned into my reading room. I highly suggest this chair to anyone looking for a comfortable lounging chair:



My dining room:


My kitchen:



My bathroom:


I now have a guest room that is open for anyone interested in visiting Winter Park :)


Lastly, my room, but more importantly my amazingly comfy bed!



I've had a great time moving in and finding the perfect place for all of my things. Of course, there are still projects I'd like to complete but it is really starting to feel like home.

Hello Sassy!

Although she has big shoes to fill, she's been doing a good job so far!

And I have to say I'm pretty proud of myself that I'm in a place where I can pay for her all on my own :)

Meet Sassy!




Posts to come:

• Tour of my apartment


• Successes and celebrations from 2009


• Goals for 2010

Bye Bye PT

Dear PT,

It was hard watching you drive away today. We had a wonderful 4 and a 1/2 years together. I remember not being thrilled about you in the beginning but now I don't know if another car can fully take your place. I'll miss you!

Epiphanies

Passing comments can really change your perspective on life. For the past couple of weeks, I've had some real epiphanies thanks to my friends. For so long the word "single" has had such a bad connotation to me. But why? Because I've always found myself in relationships, the word single was synonymous with "unwanted." The thought of being alone scared me. I've realized that I ground myself in my relationship. That was my source of security and stability. I was comfortable and knew what to expect. But looking back, it makes me wonder - was I losing myself in that process?

As insignificant as it may seem, I changed my facebook relationship status to single. I know some of you are thinking, "come on! it's just facebook!" And trust me, I know exactly where you are coming from. But I think another group of you understand the significance of declaring to everyone you know that you are now labeling yourself as "single." But it was the past couple weeks that I have accepted the greatness that comes along with being single, especially at this point in my life.

I found myself in a conversation about boys a few days ago (surprise surprise). We were talking about this very subject of being single. I declared, "Being single is exhausting!" In a relationship, I didn't have to worry about being engaging or interesting or flirty. By that I mean, attracting the opposite sex is not a priority. And I suppose I don't have to now but there is some pressure to show the best sides of you (inside and out) at all times. But I have to reframe my thinking from "single means searching for a relationship" to "single means searching for myself." My friend, Alexis, said something that was so poignant and I don't even think she realized it. She said something to the effect of, "I'm single and I'm okay with that because no one can make me as happy right now as I can." That comment hit me like a ton of bricks. It is so true - how can I expect someone else to make me happy, if I'm not the happiness I can be when I'm by myself?

I'm at a significant crossroads in life. I'm finally starting my professional career, I'm working towards financial independence, and I feel like a woman as silly as that sounds. It is equally as important for me right now to be looking inwards and be strong in who I am.

Being single isn't a bad thing - it is a powerful thing! Ingrid shared a fantastic quote with me from the ultimate single girl's source, Sex and the City: "Being single used to mean that nobody wanted you. Now it means you're pretty, sexy, and you're taking your time deciding how you want your life to be and who you want to spend it with." I will think of this quote any time I'm feeling a bit insecure and I'm sure it will perk me right up!

Dreading...

I did something tonight that I've been dreading for quite some time. I finally took the leap and removed any physical memories of my past relationship. It sounds easy but my heart broke a little more each time I took a picture down. I didn't stop there though - I tried to put away anything that reminded me of him. I found that to be a little impossible without taking everything down. It seems that after two years, everything reminds me of him.

I have to look at the positives though. I realize this is a necessary step in this whole process called healing. And it became clear to me that I can't just expect I will move on without doing anything. I know the saying is that time will heal everything so I have to keep moving forward. Another good thing is that I won't see us everywhere I turn. Maybe I will eventually stop thinking "Where did it go wrong? Look how happy we were."

But the unfortunate thing is that even though the pictures aren't around anymore, my memories will be around for a long time. It's just hard to face the fact that certain people are leaving my life, that certain traditions will no longer happen, and new memories will start to take their place. I look forward to the time that my memories make me happy rather than sad and confused. Well, let me rephrase...I look forward to the time that my memories do not include the emotions: sad, confused, and lonely because many times I can look back and smile.

So I suppose it's obvious I have a long way to go in moving on, but I'm slowly but surely making my way. I'm sure I'll have more milestones to share with you soon...