Ch-ch-changes

It's been exactly one week since I started my new job, and although that's not exactly a long time, I feel like know I made the right decision. I am excited about my first assignment, the potential opportunities, challenges, and whatever else lies ahead. I've also already met some really great people. Everyone is very friendly and super helpful. Most of all, I'm just so thankful for the opportunity especially in this economy. My future's so bright I gotta wear shades. ;) Hahaha, okay sorry.

Work isn't the only thing though. Life is just good and I feel so relieved that this is where I am in my life right now. You see, a year ago I was in a really bad place. I was extremely unhappy, depressed, anxious, unmotivated (except for running and working out), and I just felt stuck. I recognized that things were bad and that I needed to do something about it. All the changes that I needed to make seemed so overwhelming though. You know how scary the unknown can be and the idea of changing to get there seems insurmountable? You have all these ideas in your head of how things could be or will be, but for the most part it's all in your head. I think being stuck in your own head and not knowing is way worse then taking the risk to figure it out. Actually, I know it's way worse.

Well, I can honestly say I've never been happier because of the changes I made over the past year. Without risk, there is no reward. :)

On another note, I am old. Long gone are the days where I can go out three nights in a row. To be fair, I was out late Friday night (another 4am'er), but then Saturday rolled around and I was worthless. And not a hungover worthless, just a 'I am so tired, I just want to lie on the couch and watch TV all night.' My 22-year-old self is laughing my 27-year-old self.

New Beginnings

Welllll, my sister's wedding was amazing, vacation came to an end, and I started my new job! Life is good. Everything went well for Daryn and Jon's wedding; the weather was beautiful, albeit a little windy. They were married at La Grange winery in Haymarket, Virginia (my hometown, holla!) and if you haven't been there I recommend you check it out. The reception was also there and Ted Garber was the musician and he was so much fun! Mike and I had a blast dancing and hanging out. I can't wait to go to another wedding with him at the end of the month!

After being off for almost two weeks I was exhausted this past Sunday. How does that work?! Oh, dinners, hiking, lunches, happy hours, going out until 4am, running, yoga, and everything else under the sun. I started my new job Monday and it's going great so far. It's just orientation right now, but it seems like a great company. I am ready for the weekend though because I feel like I need to catch up on sleep. I haven't slept well the past few nights.

Oh and to top the wedding off, the Hokies won! Woo, homecoming this weekend. I am a little sad I won't be there. It's probably the first homecoming I haven't gone to... maybe ever! Tear!

Staycation

Everyday I'm hustlin'. What?! Okay, nevermind, that is playing on my Pandora right now. So my staycation is starting to wind down; only four days left. I start my new job Monday though so that's exciting. I have enjoyed my time off by getting lunches, dinners, and happy hours with friends. We were supposed to have a softball game last night, but that was obviously ruined because we live in a tropical rainforest now. Yeah, you didn't know? We were transplanted to the rainforest! So we had a teammate happy hour at Hunan One instead. What a cool place! I had never been there, but it has great happy hour food and drink specials.

I've also gotten to work out a lot, which is always nice. Running, lifting, and yoga today! I hadn't been to Dancing Mind Yoga in a good month, so today was hard! In a good way though. I feel great now.

This is a big weekend with lots going on. First of all, (but of course not most important if Daryn is reading this) we travel to Wake Forest. When I say we, I mean the Virginia Tech football team, which I'm obviously a part of. Anyhow, Wake Forest is doing well so I am worried about this game. Furthermore, our awesome defensive end James Gayle isn't traveling with the team because he is hurt! Some dirty Miami player took him out of the game early last Saturday. Weak! Did Nevin teach you those dirty plays? Secondly, my sister is getting married! I had to get some of the length taken off my dress (one of the cons of being short) and I picked it up after yoga. It looks great! All the real fun begins tomorrow. I will be sure to recap it on Sunday!

Whirlwind

Where to even begin?! I had my last day of work last Wednesday and it has been non-stop since then. Last night was actually my first night at home since October 3. I have to admit it was a little sad leaving the building on my last day. I guess because it's the end of another chapter and I worked there for over three years. We also had softball on Wednesday as usual and got pummeled as usual, but it's okay because we have fun and go to Carpool afterward!

The best part of this week and weekend was going down to Blacksburg of course! I went to the game and it was probably the best game I have ever attended. The crowd was awesome, it was a beautiful day, and the team played so well. And it's ALWAYS great to beat Miami.

Thomas and Taylor celebrating

Allison and me celebrating!

I also went hiking with Robby on Thursday, which was really nice and pretty. It was a good hike with quite a few lookouts. I love being outdoors in Virginia, especially in the Fall. People don't utilize hiking and the great outdoors enough! It's easy for most of us to access, and best of all, it's free.

Now I get to continue my time off getting to do whatever I want! I am going to lift today, and maybe run. Other than that I'll be playing it by ear! Happy Columbus Day!

It's the Final Countdown

I have less than two days left at work until 12 glorious days off. I know you're jealy. First of all, I will mention the nightmare from Saturday. It was my birthday, as well as Virginia Tech's! The university opened October 1, 1872 and then 112 years later the real fun began when I was born. I cannot believe I just found out that bit of news on Saturday. Anyhow, neither of those were the nightmare. The nightmare was that game, against Clemson, OMG. I have been a Hokie fan for nine years and I am pretty sure that was the most painful game I ever watched. Just awful. Our defense played pretty well, but that was the only bright spot. Our offense was HORRENDOUS as was the play calling. And the special teams was special, but not in the way you want them to be. I can't say I was that surprised though, judging how we played against our first four cupcakes opponents. Oh well, it's just a game. Hopefully it doesn't dictate the rest of the season. I am heading down to Blacksburg for the Miami game and I cannot wait!

So yep, work tomorrow, and a halfish day on Wednesday and I am done. I signed some of my resignation forms today and it felt so good. Today was just a great day overall. You know, just one of those days where you wake up and think, "life is great, today is going to be an awesome day." Then the guilty verdict was partially overturned for Amanda Knox, which just made me so happy for her. She gets to come home now. Say what you want about her, but she was railroaded by the Italian police and justice system. They botched the case from the beginning and the prosecutor has a very questionable past. It sucks that she had to spend four years of her life in jail and fighting this case, but now she gets a fresh start back home and she's only 24. Isn't that what life is all about?!

And I will leave you with my newest obsession, Lost and Found by Kate Herzig: