you ain't messin' with my dougie.

WHEW! Today was a great day. Just when I thought I couldn't get out of my [personal] rut with work, I get my act together and everything starts to fall into place. Now, that is not to say everything is running smooth but I feel more confident than ever with what I am doing... knock on wood.

Art show number one is under my belt and boy did was it interesting. I loved some of the pieces that were on display while others well just kept you walking. And boy! do you do some walking, I think it's great b/c of the exercise but my feet hate me.

I have realized how routine my life is becoming but I can't tell if it is from getting older or more boring. I know they can't be the same, at least they shouldn't be the same. I do feel like I am back in college trying to figure out my time management -- I have such a small social life now. I miss planning girls nights or going out for drinks and seeing people I know no matter the place. But since I decided to move, it's what I get. Maybe by May or June I can start making friends outside of work.

NOT THAT THERE IS ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE PEOPLE I WORK WITH! They are great but you have those friends you call up for coffee just to rejuvenate each other. Eventually, I will have more to talk about besides work but other than work and Noodle -- I got nothing.

 Oh wait! I did go to an MMA fight on Friday night and it brought back so many wrestling memories... haha it wasn't so bad, just do not expect to see this girl in a tapout shirt anytime soon. no way. And I did end up at a casino on Saturday but I really don't think that counts -- I lost $6 and was there less than an hour, I was just along for the ride.

I wish I knew a better way of meeting people than working all the time... I have done a great job of staying away from the "bar scene"  in WPB, after all, I think I wear too much clothing to even be considered appropriate for that street. [yuck.]

Just in case anyone is wondering about Noods -- he is great! We haven't had a chance to make it to the beach just yet but I can tell you he is not looking forward to it. He likes to run on stable ground and away from water puddles, cobblestone, broken sidewalks, and anything else that seems unsteady. He does have a new thing for frogs and thankfully they are stuffed.

One of the art exhibits featured at Art Palm Beach!

Ups and Downs and Ins and Outs

Ever heard the saying... or maybe it's in a song -- The more I learn, the less I know. -- or maybe I just butchered a famous quote, who knows? Anyways, how true is this statement?! It is amazing how much one can learn from just opening their eyes... trying something new... or even just by listening.

You might be wondering, what in the world is she talking about? So I will tell you.

I left my sweet, little college town for a big, unexplored [at least by me] city to be a part of something new. I left what I knew to do something I knew I could do. The hardest part of it all is proving to myself that I can do it, even after the shimmer wears off. I knew all the answers, no problem when it came to a question from a stranger... now, I AM that stranger.

It is so amazing to see what Florida and more specifically West Palm Beach has to offer this g.r.i.t.s. (girl raised in the south). I take one day at a time and just soak it all in and love comparing the old with the new. Don't get me wrong, I do miss the old sometimes but that doesn't mean I can't visit...

Everyday I see something new in WPB, I learn a new story about something (or someone) and I just wait for the chance to share it with friends or family that will eventually come to visit. But when I do learn that new piece of awesomeness, I can't help but think about the other pieces I don't know about. Which it's fine not to know everything but it leads me to wonder if I will ever have the same feelings about who I am as when I left Clemson...

When I went back to SC for Whitney's wedding and to spend Christmas with my family, I felt so rushed to do everything imaginable. So many people and places I wanted to go back and see, I just finally had to stop and say RELAX! I have the memories and unless I run myself ragged, I won't be able to ENJOY anything about this trip. By the end of the trip, I had so many regrets that I didn't leave my grandparent's house at all, everyone had to come there if they wanted to see me, end of story. Jess even made the trip to meet my family and prove that she did actually exist after all these years... She got lost coming over so Papaw went to meet her. Even though she hated being lost and no clue where she was, I knew exactly where she was. But she reminded me of how I used to be to how I am now and realizing that it's okay to be lost b/c eventually you find your way.

That's all we all are trying to do anyways, is find our way. But before we can lead we must follow the ones who haven't always known all the answers.  HOW AWESOME? (frustrating, yes) BUT AWESOME!

....
LIFE UPDATE: WORK WORK WORK! I haven't had much free time but Noodle is in Florida and enjoying every minute we spend together. He hasn't been to the beach yet b/c he didn't do so well in Charleston with it so we stick to what he likes for now :-) I actually get a weekend off coming up (not Sunday though) so it will be nice to actually get to see some sights... oh wait, I have to go in for a meeting on Friday, okay so I have Saturday off! Irregardless of all the hours I spend working, I still have a smile on my face and have no regrets about moving. Sure it could be a lot easier on me right now had I not moved but I wouldn't be happy. And that is what is important to me, being happy.

Still waiting to hear someone else would like to come for a visit (and mean it). So far Catherine, Alex, and Gregory gotten to see this face on my turf... who's next?!

first full day of 2011

So we made it through the first full day of 2011... yippee! Too bad I couldn't tell a difference in the past four days, let alone a whole new year! So many people are vowing to do things different this year, so stay clear of the gym at peak hours for the first month! (You won't find me there, don't worry)

I can't say that I will make resolutions because I have already made goals for myself and they started when I packed my car and headed north (yes, north) to Florida. My biggest goal in life that has no time limit is to be happy at every possible chapter in life. And even though there are those rough days, I can honestly say I have done that thus far. It's important to test yourself constantly, granted the world is already putting me to the test every morning, you have to understand those tests and learn from the wrong answers.

I started writing a post the other night but it was out of anger... so I deleted it. Okay, I didn't delete it, I created a word document so I could go back later and read what I was so frustrated about and allow myself to see how far I have come from that moment. I can't promise this blog to be full of happy-go-lucky posts or ah! the world sucks posts either... But it will be real and how I feel about me and this new chapter I have started in life.

So when you read it, keep this in mind: this blog is for everyone to read but it is mainly for my benefit. I could easily just have a diary but that wouldn't allow others to learn from or support/understand me. I will also use this as a way for friends and family to keep up with me since I am away from them all.

No promises you will love this and no promises you will hate what I have to say but hey! I am not the one making you read it :-)

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For those wanting a quick update about my life here ya go! 

Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus has taken over our building at work since Christmas... so I have yet to see family or celebrate Christmas. So on Wednesday, I will start my drive to Charlotte to see the family for one night... then head on down to Clemson/ Greenville for Whitney and Michael's wedding weekend! I am one of eleven bridesmaids and can't wait to celebrate their happiness! On Sunday, I will make my way to Atlanta to pick up NOODLE!!!! I can't believe how much I miss him. It broke my heart to hear he was not adjusting to living with Pike and Dakota -- I feel like a horrible parent that sent their kid off to boarding school (don't put that past me if i do have kids).

Then it's back to West Palm Beach on Monday and  back to the grind on Tuesday.... The hours are long and the job isn't for everyone but you know what? I love what I do -- even if I don't always know what I am doing. :-)


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