A New Beginning

Ok, so it's been a long time since I've written anything.  I've been trying to keep up with everything you all have written, but honestly, work and life have both been so busy lately, that I've barely had the time.  (I know, I know, I hate excuses, too.)  And when I have had time, I haven't had the time to comment.

A few years ago I started a blog (not this one, obviously) and really enjoyed it.  I had several hundred followers (a few of you that read my blog today read then even) and really enjoyed writing about my life.  Then some things changed.  Some big things.  I stopped blogging on my former blog without notice or so much as a "follow my new journey."  When life throws you lemons, and believe me, I got thrown a big Lemon, it causes you to do one of two things: wallow in self-pity and misery of a life you always dreamed of that didn't turn out like you wished or start fresh, move on, and make lemonade.  I chose the later.

I've contemplated many times sharing my story on this blog, but I've shied away from it.  I guess a part of me feels like my past is my past and there's no reason to get bogged down in talking about it.  But another part of me is seeing how the things that have happened in my life in the past two years are being used by God for good. I hope that I've held my head high and shown dignity and grace through it all, and I also hope that I have been a positive influence on those who know me and those who don't.  I figure that if the things I've gone through can help my little sister and her friends and my friends not experience the same, it's worth it.

So will I share my story here?  Maybe.  Maybe not.  I haven't decided yet to be perfectly honest with you.  Sometimes I think I'd like to because it is my life and the things that have happened, though not pleasant, have brought me to a much better place and a much closer relationship with God.  They've taught me things I didn't ever think I'd experience and I've learned so much about others, myself, and God through it all in ways I may not have ever had the chance to had these things not occurred.

Whether or not I share on the blog remains to be seen, but please know that I'm more than willing to talk via email about it.  I guess one (or really the only) of my hang ups to not sharing on the blog is that a few people "in real life" read this blog and while they all know my story and have been here for me, sometimes I don't want to deal with questions.  The fact of the matter is, I am an extremely optimistic person and happy 99.9% of the time, but I'm also human.  Sometimes, I have days when I don't want to talk about things or answer questions.  I have a great career, wonderful family and friends, a bright future, but I also have worries and stresses.  I'm not one who likes to dwell on them and I guess my underlying fear is that if I do "vent" on the blog, it'll turn into explanations that have to be given.

So, there you have it, a new beginning.  I hope to be back to blogging regularly about my life and the things that interest me.  If not every day, at least every other.  Blogging is a great way to remember things and really share your thoughts and emotions, and it's also a great community.  Here's to blogging, bloggers, and the community they bring!

A Great Birthday Weekend for Me!

Yesterday was my 25th  birthday and I had a great time celebrating all weekend with my family and friends!  I'm always so on the go and busy that I feel like I don't have much time to relax and this weekend was just what I needed!

After a long week at work, I went down to Charleston Friday night thru yesterday afternoon.  On Saturday, I slept late for me (like 8:00 AM!) then PC and I went to lunch and to yobe.

Yobe is pretty much my favorite place at the moment.  I love frozen yogurt!

Saturday night, PC's sister made delicious spanakopita, Greek potatoes, salad, and a yummy cake for a joint birthday dinner for PC's dad and me.  It was so good!

Yesterday, PC and I ate Mexican after church and went back to yobe.  When I say I love it, I am serious!

To finish off the weekend, my mom made a delicious dinner for my birthday with my family last night.

It was truly a wonderful weekend spent with my favorite people minus PIC and CJP, full of wonderful gifts including tickets to see:

  

from PC!  

And even though it's not officially my birthday weekend anymore, my office is taking me to lunch today!

3 Years!

This week marks my third year with my company!  On one hand, it seems like forever, but on the other, I feel like I've just started. 

I feel really lucky and blessed in that I have a job that I love.  For the most part, every day is different.  There are so many different areas of concentration in my position that I am able to work on many different things all at once.  Take this week for example.  I've travelled to several of our partner offices, worked on a website, submitted two magazine articles, worked on a commercial and a TV show, had multiple conference calls, budget planned for our next fiscal year, drafted plans for two events (I have 5 major events between now and April 30!) and even shopped for new furniture. 

In this economy I feel so lucky to not only love what I do but also do what I love!

2010: A Recap

I love the end of the year.  I don't know why, but there's something about reflecting on the past year and looking towards the future that makes me happy.  It's the goal setting, I think.  I love having goals.  Big ones.  Small ones.  Don't worry, I'll be sharing my goals for 2011 with you.  (I know you're interested!)  (No, I don't make resolutions.  There's no reason in particular other than the fact that I like making numerous goals.)

Here's a look back at some of my 2010 goals (those in italics are copied from a private blog I have for myself that's a journal of sorts):

• Save more.  I did well in this category.  I saved my planned amount, but unfortunately, had to use some to pay for some unexpected expenses like a new transmission for my car.  Oh well, I've been told that's the point of saving.
• Take better care of myself. Relax more. Read more. Be selfish sometimes (as in don't over commit. I find that I hardly ever turn down an invitation and it sometimes leaves me stretched thin among things I want to do, family, friends, work, volunteer things, church).  I definitely did this.  I am a pretty hyper, always on the go type person and it's hard for me to really relax.  I did that this year though.  I can thank PC for that.  He definitely balances me out and makes me relax.
• Spend more time with the ones I love and show them my appreciation.  I feel like I did this.  I want to do more next year.
• Be less critical of others and be less critical of myself.  I think I did better on the less critical of myself side (it's that Type A thing), but not so well on the being less critical of others part.  I'm definitely not one of those people who criticize people to their face, but I can be judgmental and share my not-so-nice feelings with PC, my best friend, and my family.  This is a quality I want to get rid of this coming year.

There were also two goals I didn't accomplish:

• Ask for a raise.
• Take a kickboxing class at my gym.

Here's to a new year!

It's Monday: A Hodgepodge

I hope you all had a great weekend!  Mine was nice and relaxing!

Friday night, we had dinner from the Greek Festival and then just hung out.  I didn't make a wreath on Saturday, but I did start cleaning out my closet and switching over to fall.  That's going to be a job!  Sadly, the Gamecocks didn't win, but it was a good game to watch.  Yesterday, I went to church and literally did nothing else the whole day!  I usually get really bored when I have nothing planned, but sometimes, days like yesterday afternoon are the best!  Plus, it'll be a while before I have another day that lazy as the next two weeks are extremely busy with a Board meeting and two day event for work plus our Junior League's holiday showcase next weekend (and I'm the chair of the Merchants Committee!).

That reminds me, I haven't said anything about work on here, and since we're still in the "introductory stage", now would be the appropriate time to do so.  I work as the marketing/fundraising director for a regional group.  I don't plan to give too many details away as my job is quasi-political and well, I just don't feel comfortable throwing it all out there.  Plus, I'm not one that likes to bring work home. 

Moving on.

I am turning over a new leaf this week.  A workout leaf.  You see, I used to work out all the time and run almost every day.  Lately, as in the past month, I haven't.  I've been busy, tired, and full of excuses, and it stops.  Today.  I'm going to the gym after work.  Working out consistently and eating right makes you feel so much better so there's no excuse for not doing it. 

One more thing: The Event.  Did you watch it?  Like it?  I watched it Saturday morning and I'm not sure about it.  I wasn't in to LOST, but I think I might like this one.  I need to give it another try.

Happy Monday!

Welcome to My Little Corner of the World

Hi!  Nice to meet you.  I'm so glad you've stumbled across my little corner in the blogosphere.  Proper introductions are in order, I guess, since I'm a sweet Southern girl, and well, you know how we like to do all things proper.

I love to smile, laugh, have deep conversations, try new things, read, run, and love. I look for the best in every situation and in everyone. I love politics and quotes. Anything whimsical is the best. I have quite the addiction to shopping. I read the Times, but People Magazine is my guilty pleasure. I love planning and constantly look for ways to improve myself. I love learning about practically anything, but I also like to just chill. Relaxing has never been my forte, but quite recently, I've been more relaxed than ever. I'm extremely Type A. I won't say I always use the right words, but please don't confuse "your" and "you're". I've always been fiercely independent and am extremely optimistic. I'm also quite individualistic. I want to make the world a better place. My eyes get teary when I read The Giving Tree. Jesus is my best friend and I know I fail over and over. I love the water and being near it. I could read books of quotations all day long. I like to debate and often take the opposite side just for fun. I want to be a better person - growth is an amazing thing. I believe you're never too old to grow, to learn, to dream and for that matter, say "please" and "thank you."

There you have it - me, in a nutshell.  Won't you introduce yourself?