One Chapter Ends....

There have been several times these last two years (since leaving New York) that I have felt frustrated with this "transition period" I've been in. It is a common symptom of the QLC. You start to feel insecure about your future because you have no idea where it is going to take you. 

My mom relates my situation to an airplane holding pattern: when an airport is too busy, so planes start circling waiting for their turn to land. I would say that is an accurate description of this phase. It is hard for someone like me because I'm not very patient and I like to make plans and making plans is impossible when you are "waiting to land." However, I have said several times that although this might be one of the most difficult times of my life, I believe it is also one of the best times. I have been able to do so many amazing things these last two years. 

Here are some highlights.....

I went on a month long tour of Europe with my bestie, Carmen

Threw a baby shower for my other bestie, Stephanie

Made several trips to Destin

Did A LOT OF tailgating

Was Beyonce for a day (major highlight)

Spent my Great Granddaddy's 103rd and final birthday with him

Relived the good ole college days in Oxford with my other besties

Made a trip back to NYC to see Lady Gaga at Radio City

Spent Valentine's Day at the Grand Canyon with Ed

Spent the 4th of July In NY/CT with Ed and his family

Got some rare Ed + Bestie time in NoLa

Made another holiday family trip to NYC

Rang in 2011 on a ski trip with Ed

Proudly watched my mom become one of the Top 50 Business Women of MS

And made some amazing new friends at work!

When I put it all down in front of me like this, I am able to see how truly blessed I have been. I can only hope my next chapter will be as amazing as this one was. Now... Time to go pack!!!!

It's Official... I'm OLD!

Ok, so the car crisis ended up being a false alarm and all is well, but I've already been hit by another crisis. My sister found my FIRST GREY HAIR while doing my highlights today. I couldn't believe it... And on top of that, a girl who was looking at bedding for her DORM at the store the other day called me ma'am!!!!!!!!! Why is this happening to me?!?!? :(

Bad Day

See the picture of the little girl.... That is what I feel like. I've been waiting for this to happen.... the annoying hiccup that can mess up all of my plans. Today, I took my car to the shop to have some routine maintenance done before my trip and was told that pulling a U-haul to Arizona may put the transmission on my 10 year old small SUV at risk. Apparently my car wasn't made to pull very much weight. 

The annoying thing about that is that I've already spent a good chunk of change having a hitch installed on my car that will be completely worthless if I can't pull a U-haul. Also, this whole time I've been planning on arriving in Scottsdale with most of my absolute necessities already there and being able to settle right in, but if the U-haul doesn't work then I'll be sitting/sleeping on the floor until I can afford to buy furniture. So, basically I think the world kind of sucks today. Hopefully that will pass soon.

I was referred to a transmission specialist who told me that my transmission fluid doesn't look too bad so I may be ok, but he wants to run some tests tomorrow to make sure. He also said that I didn't need to pull more than 3,000 pounds... The U-haul trailer only weighs 900, and I definitely don't have more than 1000 pounds worth of stuff I'm putting in it, so fingers crossed! 

Since I'm "becoming a grown-up" these days I'm trying to take this hiccup in stride and not act like the little girl in the picture.  Everyone please hold me accountable for this if I get bad news tomorrow! 

Song of the Week: Soak Up The Sun

You have to roll down the windows for this one... Soak Up The Sun

Places I'm Dying To Go: Cinque Terre

I've always been the exploring type. I want to see as much of the world as possible before I die. In 2009, I was lucky enough to go on a month-long tour of 7 European cities with one of my best friends. We documented this trip in another blog, Kay and Benay in Europe if you're interested in checking it out. That trip made my desire for travel grow into an addiction. 


So, since I'm not at a point in my life right now that I can do all of the traveling I want, I have decided to vent about the places I am dying to go to. The first is Cinque Terre. I've heard from several regular travelers it is one of the most beautiful places in Europe and the pictures above prove they aren't lying. The city is famous for its 5 historic villages that rest upon cliffs on the Italian Riviera... Two of my favorite things: beaches and history! I love the idea of being able to lay out on a pretty beach, stroll through old narrow alleyways, photograph beautiful landscapes and architecture that has been around for centuries , and gorge on some Italian food and wine all in one place! Mmmmmmmmmm!

Who am I?

Another symptom of the QLC is that you are faced with the question, "Who am I?" You have to figure out what makes you "you" and what is important to you and your life. I believe one of the best ways to do this is to move to a new city where you barely know anyone and see what you're made of. It allows you to meet new people with completely different backgrounds, get away from those you've always known and start new.

This picture is of a street I frequently walked down near my old apartment in New York. I may be a little biased, but I think New York is the best place to go to figure yourself out. There are so many different kinds of people there that you are forced to figure out who you are. If you don't, you just won't make it. 

I learned a lot about myself being away from the influences of my friends and family. I realized how independent, self-sufficient and tough I could be. Growing up as the youngest child, it has always been my nature to be more passive and let people tell me what to do, but in New York I couldn't be that way. Whether it was by someone at work or a stranger on the street, I would have been walked all over. I found that on some occasions it was even necessary to just be a bitch, and that it came quite natural to be one when those occasions presented themselves. 

I also became more of a day dreamer. I always have been, but those daily strolls down the streets (the one in the picture was one of my faves) with my ipod headphones in took it to a whole other level. Having that time to just be in your head every day is extremely therapeutic. It's one of the things I miss most about living there. 

Aside from becoming an independent, bitchy daydreamer, I also learned the importance of humility, empathy and acceptance of myself and others. Meeting so many people from all different backgrounds showed me that the little bubble I had always lived in wasn't necessarily the only way of life. Now, that absolutely does not mean that my core values and principles were changed in any way. In fact, I think they became even more important to me because they played such a key role in determining who I am. 

I definitely have a lot more to figure out, but here is what I have so far for the question "Who am I?" I am a Southern Christian girl who is confident, short-tempered, independent, stubborn, hard-working, tough, high-maintenance, optimistic, romantic, full of joy, extremely adaptable, and wishes she could dance like Beyonce. 

Style Crush: Leighton Meester

I can't decide who I love more. Leighton Meester or Blair Waldorf. Both have great style (but completely different), both have a love of fashion, and as much as I love Blair Waldorf's personality, Leighton Meester seems to be pretty cool herself. I love that she can be a goof ball like in the third picture. So cute! I think I'm having Gossip Girl withdrawals. Hurry up with the new episodes!!!