5.04.2011

Four.

I haven't posted on here in a while. I would like to say it's because I have been very busy...but that's only half true.

I spent this past weekend in southern Ohio visiting friends and celebrating Tony's birthday. I was some of the best fun I have had in a long time and it was much needed. It was nice because for the first time in a long time, I really let myself go. I felt like me. And maybe this move to Kentucky was the thing I needed just to get me back on my own two feet again. I know there are many days that I wake up and I ask myself why I did this and if I made the biggest mistake in my life, but there are more times than I can count that I simply feel at home, even if not in my location yet, definitely in my own skin.

Back to this weekend. I had an amazing time. I partied just the right amount on Friday night and met some amazing people. I rode a motorcycle for the first time since I was a child. I had great talks with old friends and I laughed more than should be legal in the state of Ohio. Overall, it was a weekend unlike any others. I wouldn't erase it for the world.

It's funny how one weekend can turn your life so upside down. In all the fun that I had, I realized a few things. FIrst, that I have the most amazing friends in the world. It's so cliche to say that, but what I mean is that I have found the most wonderful people who compliment me in ways that I have never found in others. They are my soulmates. I also realized that my gut feeling is always what I should trust. I usually am always right the first time and the second guessing is what messes it all up. Like the first thing I put on is usually always what I end up putting back on and wearing. I knew myself and who I wanted to be in high school and in college I kind of played around with that, but in the end, I came out being the person I went in as. I wanted to work for a magazine going into college and then I switched so I could do styling, when really, I want to be an editor still. Little things like that, I should always trust my gut feeling on. So, hopefully this new mantra of trusting my first instinct will make me a better person. I'm crossing my fingers.

During my time here in Kentucky I have comprised a "TO-DO" list of things I want to accomplish. I am hoping to partly use this blog to document those things as they come and cross them off accordingly. So far , it reads:

1. Get a new job
    Forever 21 isn't cutting it. Not enough hours, not enough pay, and it didn't turn out to be the dream job I wanted it to be.

2. Enroll in classes
    While I'm still not sure the process of how to get classes for my major, I am still going to enroll somewhere (community college? Louisville?) and get all my other requirements out of the way and from there, I suppose transfer to UK or some other place that will offer me what i need.

3. Save up for presents for myself
    Tattoos, Auto-harp, this one pair of shoes..you know

4. Do some traveling and sight-seeing
    kentucky, and especially Louisville has some pretty awesome things to see and do. I hope I can manage to do most of them in the appropriate time. Also, Kentucky is pretty close to a lot of other places, so hopefully I can pull off some day and weekend trips, too.

5. Make some friends
    They don't have to be best friends...just some companions.

6. Work on my guitar-playing and harmonica-playing skills
    Any takers interested in forming a folk band (or Bob Dylan Tribute band lol) apply here!

7. WRITE!
    As much as possible and not just silly things like I am doing now.

So far, that's it. I'm sure I have left off a few things from the list, but they'll come to me later, and I will need more stuff to write about (seeing that my life is not all that interesting) so it will come in handy. Well, I'm off to try to enjoy the sun and make plans for DERBY weekend!

-g

4.22.2011

Three.

I apologize for not posting the past few days or so, I haven't been in the mood, I suppose.

I have great news and bad news. I think I will start with the bad and end with the good.

My bad news is that Kentucky drivers are the worst in the history of driving. While they may be a very kind and welcoming people, Kentuckians are the most ruthless and rude on the road. I have never had road-rage prior to moving here but I am seriously considering developing it. I was run off the road by a semi yesterday who sped up as I was getting merging on the highway. I have been cut-off multiple times. People don't let you over when you're in the wrong lane and I witnessed 10, yes 10, people go through a red light today. Let's just say, if you ever want to have a peaceful driving experience, do it somewhere else.

In other news, I spent the day with my mom yesterday as it was her day off. We had a lot of fun together. We did what we always do when we get together--went thrifting. It can never get old and we get a couple really good talks in. So it was nice. Don't worry so much about me because I have at least one of my best friends down here to keep me company. :) While shopping I did get some killer boots (Ginger save this for your other blog....)


They're gold, and they're gorgeous and all the lame-os down here in Kentucky can eat it because I'm wearing them every day of my life!

And now for the GREAT news, my friends. You're friend Ginger is the newest employee at Forever 21. BOOYAH! I'm really excited because A. out of all the jobs I applied to, this one has the possibility for the most friends, B. the discount!, and C. I really miss working retail. As stressful as retail is, I really do love it and I can sell pants to an alligator if you let me ;)

So, things are really turning around. I was really down on myself for a couple days because I hadn't achieved what I had wanted to in the first week of my stay here, but it's just like Ginger to turn things around last second. So I'm really thinking this whole northern-girl-in-Kentucky thing might be going in my favor. 

Anyways, TGIF and have a couple beers for me! Love/Miss everyone!

-g

4.20.2011

Two.

And the job-hunt continues...

I had an interview at Forever 21 today. A GROUP INTERVIEW. This seems really easy for everyone else in the world but for me, it's painful. First of all because I hate that if you have anything good to say everyone else says it too or someone says it before you and you're stuck in the rut of trying to figure out how to not just say "yeah, what she said." Secondly, because as much practice as I have at it, I'm still awful at speaking in front of groups. And thirdly because I'm not sure I shine in a group. I get all professional and "this is why you should hire me.." and my personality doesn't come out...

BUT..

Today, i kicked some group interview butt! Lucky for me I was stuck in a group of people who A. Didn't talk loud enough, B. Probably I had no idea they were interviewing at Forever 21, and C. wore sweatpants. SO THIS IS HOW YOU STAND OUT IN A GROUP INTERVIEW...

Anyways, Hopefully they call me this week, if not they will be hearing from me. Because let's face it, if you're me, why wouldn't you want to work at the LARGEST FOREVER 21 IN THE COUNTRY?? That's right. And honestly, why wouldn't you want me working there if you were the managers? Anyways, cross your fingers.

With that exciting news, comes more. I may have made a friend. I know it's really early in the game, but a girl I interviewed with (the only other competent one) stayed after for a bit and we chatted. She was small and asian and adorable and I really hope we both get hired so that we can actually be friends outside of the scenarios I have already thought up in my head. Her name is Michelle. Ginger and Michelle, Friends. God let's hope she never reads this. Then we will never be friends. :)

Anyways, today is Wednesday and with Wednesday comes the promise of actually leaving the house for the night to experience other people via dinner. I know it sounds nuts that a little thing like dinner would feel so exciting, but it does. I haven't been out of this place (minus the job hunt) in almost a week. I NEED this, guys.

Things beyond that (and the fact that I am obviously slowly going nuts based on this post) are normal. I miss everyone. It's nice though. I have never been a phone conversation person, at least not since the invention of texting, and its been so nice to actually speak to people. I'm so glad that I have friends that even from 500 miles or so away can actually find time to keep in touch. I'm a lucky girl.

My sinuses are killing me, by the way. It would be just my luck that leaving dreary Kent, Ohio for some place sunnier and fresher only made me sicker. Why was I not given the memo about how the Ohio valley ROCKS you sinuses? How have I lived 21 years without this information? Well I guess as often happens in my life, I'm learning from making the mistake. Hopefully my immune system learns as well.

Also, I feel like a foreigner. Which normally, would be hell, but here, it makes me so cool. I HAVE AN ACCENT. I don't dress like anyone. That, my friends, makes me the cool, mysterious new girl, and you best believe I will be milking that for what it's worth. I went to Walmart yesterday in a pair of jean cut-off shorts, a scarf, and my fedora (scrubbing it up, if you ask me) and I go so many strange looks. Some out of awe (THAT GIRL MUST BE FROM THE CITY!!) and some of HUH?? Both I took to heart, because hey, I'm not from Kentucky and you ain't never seen nothing like me! ;)

That's all the rambling I have for this sunny, 60 degree Wednesday. Maybe more will come to me as the night moves on but until then, there's always tomorrow.

-g

One.

I've decided to start a personal blog. Why? I'm not completely sure. I suppose it's this innate need to write and with the recent move (more on this later) I figured I could cover my bases and keep everyone informed on what's going on in my life.

First things first, I moved from Kent, Ohio- my home for 4 years- to Louisville, Kentucky. The move was pretty sudden but I think for the best. It's a scary thing. I don't really remember life before Kent, at least not until now. The day I left i thought I would never be able to shake the idea that Kent would always be my home, the place that consumed my heart, but it's funny how quickly you forget. It still holds a very special place in my life and always will, but it's certainly no longer home. That being said it's still the home of many of the most important people in my life so I will be there as much as possible. It's a nice memory but I'm ready to move on, maybe more ready than I could have thought.

Louisville just feels right. It's the place I'm almost certain I am meant to be at this point in my life. I don't feel like a lot of people can say that about where they are, me though, I have enough confidence in that being true. It's a little rough now, what with not knowing anyone but I'm patiently awaiting the turning of the tide. I have never had trouble making friends and I suppose now is the time to really put those skills to work. Until then, I am enjoying being alone for the first time in my life. I am managing to find time to do things that I always put second to the people in my life: reading, working out, enjoying the outdoors. It's surreal living the life you thought you'd have 5 years from now. But all that being said I can happily say I'm not content. I'm ready for a job, ready for school. Somewhat because it will help fill my days and make it easier to meet people, but mostly because it just feels like the next step in this whole empowerment process. So along with all the relaxing I have been doing, I'm also doing a whole lot of research. You're almost there, Ginger.

There are people I left behind in Kent that I wake up some days and wish could be here with me, experiencing this adventure at my side. My best friends and boyfriend are all included in that list. There are days though, that I know its great that I'm here alone. It's a little bittersweet having to share things with them from a long distance, but I know its for the best. The biggest things are going to happen for me this year and I know they wouldn't be the same if I weren't doing it all on my own. I miss everyone greatly though. I know I have many journeys ahead of me but I am grateful and proud to count Kent in a chapter in my life. I'm even more so happy to have met the people I have there. They are my backbones and my strength and some are even family. The people of Louisville have a lot to live up to.

I'm not sure what else to write in this entry, as this adventure has just started. I have high hopes for it and how great its effect on me will be. I'm going to do my best not to be let down. Stay Tuned, world, this is going to be a big year.


-g