Lately

Lately, I've felt that everything is happening at once.

Lets recap because I haven't blogged for awhile. Jake was accepted to 3 grad schools. Emory, Fordham and USC. We were so sure he was going to Emory because we both loved the program when we visited the school in Atlanta and were certain that USC would feel like much of the same. So we started making plans to move across the country. We told all of our friends and family. I told everyone at work because DUH!, I would need to find a job. It was all falling into place.

Fast forward a few weeks and Jake visited USC's Admit Weekend by himself and then I met up with him in LA for dinner. He walked out of the building and said, "I think I'm going here." I was like whoa! really? Dont get me wrong it has its advantages like being close to home and will allow me a much easier job search. But we had made all of these plans to move so far away and now we have to un-tell everyone.

So I go back to work the following Monday and my boss wants to know right away. So where are you going? What are you doing? Can you tell me the verdict? He wants to know just like I did, I guess. Jake had to figure out a few logistics so I didnt want to un-tell people that I didnt have to. I told him it wasnt official, but that it was looking like staying in LA would be the decision. More waiting, waiting, waiting, drama, then...........

FINALLY, Jake decides its USC!

We were so happy this whole process was over. And now my work begins. Enter job and housing search hell. I knew I was going to have to do it sooner or later, but it just sucks having to go through it. I have been pleasantly surprised by the amount of opportunities I have found. I dont want to get into specifics on here, but I have a few interviews lined up in LA in the coming weeks. We are going to spend all day Saturday in LA looking for places to live. We have 4 appointments and 4 open house type things, so hopefully we find something!

And in the middle of all of this happening, my grandpa fell and broke his hip and has been hospitalized. I have had another time consuming family issue that has been very emotionally draining. Jake and his parents have been arguing. Our garage door and kitchen sink were having issues. I have to train new people at work and finish up all of my outstanding projects before I leave June 30th. Un-telling people about Atlanta has also been time consuming because I have to explain the process all over again. I feel like I tell it at least twice a day! So like I said, everything seems to be happening at once.

I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, however. Thank goodness! My grandpa is doing better, I will hopefully soon have a new job and a new place to live. In the moment it seems like a lot, but I know looking back on this time in my life, I will have come out a better person for it.

I do believe that staying positive and giving to others in any way I can has truly blessed my life. For instance, the strangest thing happened to me. On Monday, I came into work and was feeling tired from weekend festivities and somewhat uneasy about my new job prospects. I hadn't really had any solid leads or interview invitations. I opened up my email and 2 people had gotten back to me about my resume submissions. Sweet! And then I got a call, from a recruiter at a company I had applied to. And then my boss sent me a new lead. By the end of the day, I had 7 new opportunities in front of me! I couldnt believe it. I had come in with nothing and left with 7! Never mind that 7 is a lucky number, but I just felt very validated and that my efforts hadn't gone unnoticed.

Even though I've been stressed, I've made time for my family and my friends' important moments in their life. You can never underestimate the effect you have on others when you are truly just there for them. I try to do just that for the important people in my life in my own way. Whether it be visiting my grandfather in the hospital or attending a friend's graduation party, I know my actions and thoughts affect others. And now, I have felt the benefits of that positive energy!

I am going to try my hardest to keep things more updated on here with pictures and all. Stay tuned!