Tuesday, August 26, 2014

One Year Ago...

One last look at my old apt.
August 23rd, 2013 was one of the days my life changed.

See here before reflecting with me.
(You might also want to grab a snack because this is a long one...
but reflecting usually takes some time :-)

I've been on my own for a few years. I'm a very strong woman who takes care of herself, so I'd also say I have this independent thing down pat. I wanted more for myself; I wanted better; I wanted something new and different. When I was in high school I'd always say, "When I graduate I'm never coming back!" Ask my mom...lol. That could've just been the teenager in me talking, but over the years I equated success with not being in or around my hometown. I'm at a point where I can pretty much do whatever I want whenever I want so it seemed like a better time than any to pick up everything and move away from the comfort zone I knew so well.

The Yards
The farthest from home I'd ever been was when I was in college; it was about 2 hours away. No matter where I was I could always make day trips to see my family and friends. Being honest, day trips seemed to always turn into extended stay trips...LOL! Not being able to do that has been one of my biggest challenges to deal with. I mean, sure 5 to 7 hours can technically be considered a day trip but when you're used to trips being 30 minutes to 2 hours long...a 5 hour drive is a different kind of beast. I can't tell you the many times I've driven home in monsoon storms, or been in extreme traffic after leaving straight from work and getting home at 1 or 2 in the morning; or been so tired after the drive but had only one full day to try and see and spend real time with everybody. Yeah...weekends aren't really that long when you're squeezing so much in so it's been hard!

Joe's Crab Shack for the 1st time
Over the past year my relationships with people have changed. Some for worse, some for better. I must admit social media plays a part in hindering my reach out efforts. Free time is like a unicorn! When I get it, I'm guilty of having a list of things I need to do but doing absolutely nothing! What can I say?! Being an adult is exhausting and I love my rest! As much as I say I want to do better with reaching out to people, I don't always do as much reaching out as I'd like. Sure that works both ways, but I can only account for what I do.

It snowed so much here last winter
Social media makes me feel like I'm keeping up with everybody because it makes things easily available. Through social media I still feel like everybody is a hop, skip, and a jump away. Face Time has helped me feel like I'm sitting at home in the living room with my family many a time. So, it's served it's served a purpose for me. However, it's also left some feeling disconnected whereas in my introverted mind, I'm thinking things are good and we can pick up where we left off whenever we get back together! Some of that is because of social media and some of that is because of growing up and apart. There should be a balance there regardless and I know I'm not alone when I say that's something I need to work on it.

Reppin' NC at work
I started my job a year ago today; August 26th, 2013. I've grown in my professional life this year and I feel as if I'm on a good track to keep moving up. Knowing I planned to move away, I prepared well for the transition. I'd just accepted a promotion, so my resume was nice and still is! The most important professional goal I have is to keep moving up. I'm not saying this in a ruthless manner, but I don't want to accept any position I feel is lower than what I'm doing now. I want to take in as much as I can and learn everything that's put before me. I'm a hard worker and I excel because I can. I want to continue to prepare myself so I'll be ready when an opportunity presents itself.

This year has been an eye opener. I won't say I have any regrets about anything I've done. I feel like experiences are lessons. Going through something first hand is the best teacher. That doesn't mean that I wouldn't have preferred to learn some of these lessons by word of mouth...lol...but sometimes you can't firmly grasp things you don't actually experience yourself. I get that.

The Washington Monument during Memorial Day weekend
I have desires and dreams for my personal future, like I'm sure the rest of you do. They're my biggest motivation. I make decisions for my present based off things I know I want for my future. I'm not one to try and force things to happen, or manipulate people or situations so the outcomes will be in my favor; neither am I one to settle. So as much as I see this picture of the future and how wonderful it'll be, I'm here for the plan God has for me. I can desire, plead, and beg all I want, but it can't match anything God can do!!

SO, as frustrating as things can get, as homesick as I can get, as much as I can want to be in the presence of my family and friends...I can go on and on with this stuff...lol! I know there's a design for my life and I know God's the designer. The best I can do is be grateful for the life He's given me, be grateful for where I am in my life and for the things He's done for me thus far (if I were to go into detail about how I got my job right now, you'd know how real He is)!!

Nationals Baseball
I've enjoyed DC. I've had a great time. I've enjoyed my relationship; the beautiful scenery; my job; the new people I've met; the activities I've gotten into; and the person I've grown into. Now that I've gotten into a "comfort zone" of sorts, I hope to get out of that in this next year. I hope to make my house more of a home, to see more of the city, and to create even more meaningful relationships here (top of the list...finding a good church home! lol). Last but not least, I hope life is gracious to me and sees fit to grant me beautifulness because there's nothing wrong with wanting what you want! I know everything will be alright. I have faith!

DC Living


Will I be here forever?!
No!!
But I aim to continue enjoying myself while I'm here!





Peace and Love!


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8 comments

  1. Well I am glad that you are having a blast in DC. I love DC, but I do miss you! But as long as you are happy, at the end of the day, that is all that really matters!!!

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  2. What a nice reflection, I went to University 4 and a half hours away from home, it was the first time I had ever lived away but it was fun. My sister went to University about half that distance so I would drive up to her University which was a big party town and we would have a blast with our friends. I made the drive home as much as possible which was almost every week! I love my hometown (a suburb of Toronto) which is actually a large city in itself but I didn't like my University town of Windsor Ontario which bordered Detroit. I wasn't use to those types of neighborhoods so I was pretty freaked out. I was engaged when I was in University, I was studying medicine, doing rounds at the hospital in various sectors, providing therapy at the Psychiatric hospitals and finishing my degree while planning a HUGE, elaborate wedding at a golf & country club back at home. It was hectic...not to mention my aunt got cancer and I was driving back and forth to be at the hospital with my family when she passed. Its amazing what we can handle when we have to. Right now I'm in a great place as well, doing what I love with people I love and traveling the world.

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  3. Now go on and Enjoy Your Life. . . . .

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  4. Oh, how I miss DC. I lived in the area for over 15 years. Treasure every moment in such a unique place...

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  5. It was nice to read your year of reflection. We must think alike, because my ultimate goal in high school was to leave my hometown too! I moved two hours away for college and now we're four hours away. Keep going for your dreams, and God will continue to guide you! We never know what HE has in store for us.

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  6. Love this post! What a reflection on change & growth. Blessings, girlie!!

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  7. Great share, awesome reflection. Best continued luck and success loved the pic share. I find myself in sort of reflection stage myself. I was born and raised in NYC never lived any place else but I am feeling like change is needed. I don't feel the same about living here as I use too in my younger days lol

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  8. Stopping by from #FHFridays!
    This is a great post. I moved from NYC to Florida so I can totally relate on the move and I've had some pretty rough things going on in my life but just like you mentioned, they are life lessons.

    Keep in Touch(ed),
    KG
    www.touchedmagazine.com

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