Leaving... on a Jet Plane. Don't Know When I'll be Back Again...

Well its all packed up. 8 weeks of my life crammed back into a suitcase. I was actually quite surprised at how quickly I was able to repack...I guess that's kinda like my life right now though - finishing up one thing and moving right onto the next faster than you can turn your head. I swear I am shocked I haven't gotten whiplash from all of these transitions lately! And the scariest (yet most exciting) transitions are yet to come...

I was talking to Mom last night when she asked me "Well, is there anything else in New York that you haven't gotten the chance to see?" And while there are a pretty significant number of things that I could have run around to see one last time, I never let myself do that...by "saving" a few things, it subconsciously reminds me that this won't be my last time here. I know that I will be returning back to this wonderful city soon enough, and I want there to be something special waiting for me to do once we are reunited. I have fallen in love with this city, and just like any good relationship, I am anxiously awaiting the next time we can be together so I can get to know it even better.

In the meantime, I will miss my "new boyfriend" so much...I will miss this city's people. The crazies and the friends I've made and the strangers I never met. I'll miss the walk home from work each day when I had the chance to unwind and watch the city gear up for another night out. I'll miss dodging big yellow taxis and real-life frogger. And most of all..PINKBERRY! Haha it will definitely be a huge adjustment moving home to a whole new way of life! 

And then there's the other half of me...I cannot tell you how excited I am to see the South again. Ohhh Southern gentlemen and country radio. I have missed you more than you know! It has been much too long, and I hope to never be gone this long again. Tonight, Mom and Dad are picking me up from the airport and we are driving directly to...SUPERIOR GRILL! Shocking, I know...I can taste the margaritas now! It will be so great to see my family and friends again that it almost eases my sadness over having to leave...almost.

So there you go...8 weeks come and gone. Time to put my life into one of those big yellow taxis and move forward onto the next big adventure. And if this experience has taught me anything, it has given me the confidence and assurance to know that when the next big one comes around, I will be able to take whatever comes with a smile on my face and a peace in my heart. Thank you Jesus for this opportunity.

Goodbye, Big Apple. See you again soon...And Hello Sweet Home Alabama. Its been much too long...

A Break in the Silence.

Dear Blog World,

Yes. I know. I have been a terrible blogger for the past two weeks. I am a slacker. But when you're wrapped up in a city as busy as New York, it can be kinda hard to sit down for a minute and take the time to write out your thoughts...especially when, at times, it can be pretty difficult to even HAVE a coherent thought other than "wake up. eat. work. eat again. sleep. repeat" or  (and probably most importantly) "avoid that big yellow taxi!"...but the rat race really is wonderful. Seriously. There is no place on earth like New York City. I am learning, little by little, just how much I really am capable of. New York is a sink or swim kind of city. It will either take you down or make you great. And it is my goal to let it teach me everything it can during my short time here. I am becoming more independent and self-sufficient by the day, and it is the most fulfilling feeling in the world. My "delicate Southern skin" is getting tougher and tougher, which is something I really needed. By necessity, the learning curve is light years faster in the Big Apple.

I should probably talk a little bit about work, because as we all know, that is the really the reason I am up here (hey mom and dad!). I could not have asked to work for a better company or group of employers. I have the utmost respect for each of them, and it has been such a blessing to work in a place where people are so willing to take the time to teach you. I have gotten to take such a hands-on role in this internship, and I learn 100 new things each and every day. I could not have asked for a better group of people to work with. The other interns are great, even though they are all a bunch of yankee (or british) boys! It is super.

Last weekend, we took a short break from Manhattan to travel to our nation's capitol. It was incredible. I truly enjoyed being surrounded by so much history! I loved all of the monuments, but I have to say that my favorite is a toss-up between Lincoln, Vietnam, and WWII. They were each so unique and special, and it is amazing how an inanimate object can draw such strong feelings of pride and emotion. I loved it. I also had the chance to catch up with Andy and Will, two really great Auburn guys who are currently working in DC. We had a wonderful dinner and then went out to some local bars in Georgetown. It was such a treat to be able to hang out with them and hear about their experiences outside of Auburn! I really did love Washington, but I missed the big city. I remember sitting outside waiting on the guys to go to dinner, and all of  a sudden feeling this weird sense of self-consciousness! I kept trying to put my finger on what was wrong, and realized that I really did miss being surrounded by all of the craziness in New York! I missed the city where just about anything goes, and you can be exactly who/what you want and nobody even notices. It was definitely a strange feeling...I can only imagine how much it will be magnified when I cross back over the Mason-Dixon :)

This weekend, we will be celebrating the Nation's birthday an hour north of the city at Susan's home in Katonah. We are going to spend the day at her pool, grill out, and then drive a little ways to West Point to listen to music and watch the fireworks! I am very excited and I cannot wait to slow down a little bit and enjoy a long weekend outside the city!

So there you go...my life over the past four weeks, very condensed. I will try to do better to update more regularly from now on. But no promises :) I love all of you at home, and miss you so much! Happy 4th! 

Over and out.