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Wide Open Spaces

Today marks my first week of life in Atlanta. It still seems unreal that only a week ago I packed up everything in an ABF trailer and hit the road in my Nissan Altima headed to ATL. Looking back, I don't regret anything…Well at least anything other than the decision to drive by myself for 13 hours. If you have ever driven anywhere from the great state of Texas, then you know that crossing the Texas border is generally half the battle! By the time I reached Beaumont, I was already wishing that I was on a plane. Being in a car by myself for that long gave me lots of time to think. With nothing but wide open spaces ahead of me I had time to think about what I was leaving behind and time to think about all the exciting things that I have to look forward to.

As I drove further and further east, the sites became less and less familiar. I was truly entering a new and different world. I have to admit that I felt a bit sad leaving behind my family, friends and all my favorite places but the excitement ahead of me outweighed all that. I kept picturing my great new job and the opportunity that I've been given to really excel and establish myself as a professional. I truly have a clean slate with no preconceived notions or assumptions about who I am and what I can do. I thought about all the new friends I'd make and hopefully the new guy(s) that I'll be meeting soon. I pictured fabulous shopping sprees at Lenox Mall and late nights partying at Compound and the Velvet Room.

Well…my first week has been a lot less glamorous than I imagined. My days have primarily been consumed with handling all the mundane details of moving like unpacking and paying lots of different people. I did make time to attend For Sisters Only with one of my new friends which turned out to be really great. I've also done some shopping and I have to say that Atlanta has some of the best shopping I've ever seen! This is coming from a serious shopaholic who has traveled all over! In Atlanta, they sell Gucci at DSW and Giuseppes at Marshall's. I am in heaven although my checking account might be in hell….

Next Lifetime

I've been packing all day and I have to say that moving is one time when it doesn't pay to be a Fashionista. I have 50 boxes packed and still have lots of work to do… I own 150 pairs of shoes so packing them all was a burden in itself.

When packing, you frequently have to evaluate the things that you choose to take with you. Some things might be old, outdated, out of style or they could be in good shape but just don't fit your lifestyle anymore. This becomes especially apparent when you have to pay someone to transport these "things" that you have accumulated. Wellllllllllllllllllllllllll *Antoine Dodson voice* let me be the first to tell you that my evaluation of what to take with me is extending far beyond my closet. There are some people and relationships that I am HAPPY to say will not be making the trip to Atlanta with me. You see, everything that I'm taking with me needs to be of value. I'm not gonna pay to transport things that are falling apart and/or no longer useful. That goes for people too… After all, if you know me, you know I hate fakes so all the counterfeits will be left behind. There will be no Goach or Fucci making this trip. You see, real bags stand the test of time. They hold on through wear and tear. They remain the same through thick and thin. They are there when you need them. Unfortunately, counterfeits are the opposite. They look good on the surface to floss a little bit in the club but as soon as you put a little pressure on them, the strap breaks and you are left picking up all your sh*t off the ground. They look the part from a distance but when you get up close you see it's just trash. It's nothing special or remarkable, just more of the same. To quote Jay, "You had a spark when you started but now you're just garbage". Think about it! And honey let me tell you, there are more counterfeit people than bags.

Well no counterfeits here and no counterfeits are coming with me on this journey. So to the inspiration of THIS post, who knows EXACTLY who HE is, BYE! I guess I'll see you next lifetime…but I hope that I don't.

Emotional Rollercoaster

The past couple of weeks have been super crazy! I can't seem to keep up with my schedule of doing a couple blog posts a week. It's getting closer to my move date…. Four days away to be exact. I'm feeling lots of things. Scared, excited, curious, scared, hopeful, happy, scared, anxious, full of anticipation, did I say SCARED?

As the date gets closer and closer I've experienced a roller coaster of emotions. I quit my job and the very next day I had a brutal wake-up call. I've worked pretty consistently since the age of 15 so the idea of actually being without a job (even temporarily) sent me into an unexpected tailspin. I started re-evaluating everything. Should I stay? Should I go? Should I go to Atlanta or pick another city? I've literally re-examined every single aspect of my decision at least 2-3 times. I became unsure about my choice… I started wondering about my new job. Would it come through? Would everything unfold as I planned it? I started doubting my choice for an apartment… Everything was up in the air again.

After taking a few days to get centered, I decided to stand firm on my decision. After all, I had thought it through and analyzed every aspect of it with a clear head so why let a minor emotional breakdown deter me? The fact of the matter is that even if I wanted to go back, I couldn't. In Houston, I'm unemployed with no immediate prospects. In Atlanta, I'm on to the next level of my career.

It seems that this whole journey have been paved with little signs of divine intervention. If you know me, then you know I'm all about "signs". I see them everywhere (even if there aren't any).

As I'm prepping for my going-away party but still full of self-doubt, guess who calls me? My new boss! She finally had my official job offer with salary, start date and an offer letter to be delivered on Tuesday! Well if that's not a sign, then I don't know what is.

Tonight I'm going to The Drake to pop bottles and party the night away with my closest friends and on Tuesday, I'm moving to Atlanta!