A Year in Review...

My blog posts have been few and far between these last few weeks for a handful of reasons:
1.) I have been traveling like crazy! New place every 4 days, new group to meet with and work with. New reports to fill out. Laundry to do, weather to battle. Sleep to try and catch up on.... Not likely though on the sleep part.
2.) During my last visit at UC Santa Barbara, the sun was out. I haven't seen the sun for what feels like months, so I spent every opportunity I could outside. How wonderful is the beach in February? It was sooooo wonderful- see the posting below for pictures!
3.) I've been doing a little job searching on the side too... Free time is consumed with resume building and online networking.

So dear Reader, I have missed you and have thought of so many things to share with you. I was at the Denver Airport a few days ago, awaiting a flight that would eventually drop me in Charleston, South Carolina. Well, one massive snowstorm later and I was driving down from Charlotte, North Carolina, because my flight had been cancelled. Thankfully though, I met up with some Elon alum to celebrate Valentine's Day over the long weekend. We walked through the streets of Charleston, catching up with one another, and searching for lyre’s that were hidden all over the historic city. During all these adventures though, I got to thinking about where we all had been in the last year. In retrospect, it is so strange to think about where I was a mere year ago from this month...

This time last year, I had just interviewed for my current position with The Organization, and was preparing to fly up for an in-person interview in Indianapolis. I had an 8am yoga class at Elon – in fact, I had five class periods! I had three jobs; working at the art gallery, babysitting frequently and working on campus at the local Greek Apparel store. I was single and celebrating Valentine’s Day with girlfriends, spent tons of time with my school friends, and was rarely alone.

I may have still spent Valentine’s Day with my girlfriends this year, but things are in a whole new place then where they were last year…. They say time flies when you're having fun- well, I think once you get old, ie. 23, things just fly by- fun or not! Yes, my travels have been fun, yet always challenging and intriguing. Class and studying has been replaced with meetings and reports; my job is full time and takes me all over the country, not just all over Burlington, North Carolina. I'm still with friends, new friends though- and most of the time I’m with them, but it is not the same. All in all, this last year has been one of extreme change and challenge. But, I’m not afraid to admit that it has been an amazing challenge, one I’ve looked forward to every step of the way, one I’ve appreciated, and really… a challenge I’ve come to love.

It will be a few more weeks before I celebrate the one year anniversary of landing this job with The Organization, but at the same time, it will be only a few more weeks before I’m done with this position all together. I find myself in this strange void, where will I go next? But, I have faith that, despite the uncertainty (and crappy economy), these last few months of traveling in my Patent Pumps will prepare me for “whatever” comes next. And really, “whatever” could mean moving on to the next big city and starting a new life, new job, or moving back home and working part time (please cross your fingers it's not the latter though). Regardless, I’m thankful, as always, for the opportunities I’ve had, the relationships I’ve cultivated and the miles I’ve logged on the road. Next stop, Salt Lake City... but before then, an update on my weekend travels to come!