Someone's Been Taking the Puppy Pills!

I can't tell you how long I have wanted a dog to call my own. High school? College? Both... yes. The past 8 years I have been longing for a pet to call mine. ALL MINE. And with my recent move to Charlotte and the accomplishment of securing a job that will ultimately support myself (and a pet a wee one of my own) I believe I have earned the right to become a doggie's momma! And growing up with only one kind of dog, I can't imagine any other breed to come into my life at this time...

What do you think? Cuteness overload, right?! Do you think this young twenty-something is ready to adopt my new best friend? Have you adopted a new little bud and care to share your experiences? 

Finally Employed and It Feels So Good!

Pop the champagne! Spray the confetti! This girl has finally been offered a ticket to ride the real world roller-coaster.

So to all of you who stuck with me through my search for a job, no matter how much I embraced failure or complained about the process, I thank you for all your support and well wishes! I am officially the newest Product Support Specialist for Premier Healthcare Alliance.

((Thanks to my  friend and future co-worker, Jordan over at Southern Hospitality! She was able to capture this snapshot of me just before my interview last week! Hope I don't look as nervous as I felt!))

I can't wait to start working for this amazing company, meet new people, and get immersed in a possible career that will be oh-so-fulfilling! But in the mean time, I am heading somewhere to enjoy my last couple weeks of acceptable laziness before pulling up my big girl panties... 

Can you guess where I'm heading for the last hoorah?:

Best wishes for a good week, east coasters! Stay cool (literally!) Is it Fall yet?

Hey It's Ok... I'm moving today!

Today is the day!! Moving day has finally arrived. I remember the day like it was yesterday. April 1st, posting a hypothetical facebook status "Anyone looking for a roommate in Charlotte?", getting an instant reply from a friend I met back in January, and signing a lease four days later.

For weeks I have been going to swingsets, running down trails, and walking at dusk- reflecting on my current life and anticipating this new adventure as part of my blooming adulthood... And now, I am on the road with a horse trailer filled with my life belongings. As excited as I am, I can't help but feel a bit stressed... maybe even a little nervous? Am I really heading to a new city with no plans, no jobs, and no agenda?

YUP! That would be oh so correct. But after visiting the city briefly (A total of 2 times and only for 24 hours each) and hours and hours of praying that God would lead me to a post-graduation destination, Charlotte NC was ringing a bell loud and clear.

Perhaps the hardest part of leaving is looking in my rearview to see a beautiful farm and my family that I love more than life itself. Their support and guidance, not only through this moving process, but for the last 22 years of my life just brings a tear to my eye. They are beyond wonderful and I couldn't have asked God for a more perfect image of his grace and humility than what I see from my mom, dad, and brother.

But on a lighter note, I leave you....

Oh Darling, It's Ok!
If you forgot that "You Got Mail" is your favorite Meg Ryan film because of the quirky grandmother comments and the nostaligia you reach when you hear that "*weeooohhh reeeowwwww* DINGA DINGA *Kaching!* You got mail!" sound in every scene.

CRED

Your BEST FRIENDS are named Monica, Chandler, Pheobe, Joey, Ross, and Rachel

Before looking up directions to your new apartment, you search the surrounding restaraunts to see where you'll be dining your first night in town.

If you place all of your stuffed animals in the back seat of your car for the moving trip and buckle them up. Hey! Safety first!

If you come across an old photo from your high school's senior prom and get a pain in your heart when you realize you miss an old friend so so much, even if you haven't kept in touch with them as much as you now wish you had...

Have a great weekend, lovelies! Next time I write you, I'll be in the Queen City!

Still On the Prowl... for a Job

Still awaiting to hear back from a few locations about future jobs, I am learning to listen and indulge in the ever-daunting task of being patient. But as many people have said over and over, I am trying to enjoy this downtime as much as possible. On my third book since I graduated in December and plans to visit McCutcheon's homemade, mason-jar-packed food store downtown, I know today will be another good day to research more job possibilities, drink coffee, and plan more adventures.

Dog sitting in VA all weekend, I'll be tempted to explore the surrounding area and look into more opportunities I HOPE will wander my way. Here is to Hope and Adventure!

Moving Forward

 Just like the motivation to work out, to get out and run and better your pace, your body, your spirits, so comes the need for motivation in other areas of life (Duh... right?)

If you are working for that something you desire so badly... if you are putting forth your best effort, there is no way one could look in the rear view and experience regret. You are no closer to failure than you are to success. Because until you give up completely, give in to the idea that you have in fact nothing left to give, you are within an arm's-length of achievable greatness. Closer than you could see in front of you to an adventure, to opportunities, to endless possibilities.

Don't ever give up the drive to succeed and work for something you know you deserve. Get out of your own way and carve your ambitions in stone rather than scribbling in the sand. Because if you have the strength and courage to face life in the face, you can stare it in the eyes and say "Give it to me." If you truly believe it's out there, it will be waiting for you. You just have to commit to find it...

If you could go anywhere right now...

With a lot of different things running through my mind such as future jobs, relocation, and finding new passions (aka, cooking until my limbs fall off) I can't help but squeeze in a few wishful thoughts of a vacation!

Where would i go if I could go anywhere in March?

I'll take a train to Dublin and explore Ireland.St. Patty's day, anyone?

I loved the Northwest so much, I'd really love a tour de coast with stops in Portland....

Seattle...

A quick trip to Vancouver...

 And stop right bout time for coffee in Sitka, Alaska

Of course, somewhere tropical would also tickle my fancy. Perhaps... Bali?

Where would you like to travel if you could go ANYWHERE?

Charlotte in the Morning

Today is the day for my big follow-up interview with American City Business Journals, headquartered right here in gorgeous Charlotte, NC.

After spending a fun-filled (sleep-less) weekend with my lovely cousin, I must complete my tour-de-carolinas weekend strong with an interview that could ultimately bring me back to this bustling city.

I hope this interview yields a prosperous outcome, but after praying and realizing that everything is not in my hands, I feel relieved to know God's plan will prevail no matter what.

"She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future."- Proverbs 31:25

It's a bit chilly, but the sun is shining as I will be spending my morning exploring the city by wheels and by foot until I meet my interviewers. Next stop?

Well... Trader Joes, OF COURSE!