Always Welcome

I went to visit my professors and friends on Monday at Averett and I felt so welcomed!
I miss being at Averett so much but it was great to know that they are supporting me in my new job and are cheering me along.
It showed me that no matter where you go in life, those who care, will always be there for you and will support you!
It also showed me that I truly made life-long friendships and connections during my time at Averett.
The whole day reminded me what my purpose is in life... making others smile. :)

One thing that is hard to obtain

In my life, I have went for everything I have ever wanted and for the most part, I have succeeded.
However, there is one aspect in my life that I have yet to succeed in and that is.... my love life.
Strike after strike, I can't figure out the game... am I trying too hard? are all of the good guys taken?.... who knows?!?!
I try not to be bitter because I know that at this point in my life, I shouldn't be tied down with a relationship because I am looking to further my career to new milestones and new places. But it still would be nice to share my success with someone....
It's not that I can't get a guy to hit on me, but to get a guy to commit is like trying to find a needle in a haystack!
I have great friends and I have a great family, but where is my Prince Charming? where is my David Beckham or my Tim Tebow?
I'm sure he's out there..... but I'm tired of looking.
Life is a huge mystery and puzzle. Each day, I lose another piece and don't know how the puzzle will ever fit together.... I can do almost anything I set my mind to, but finding Mr. Right is something I just can't do. (sorry, Thomas the Tank Engine)

Once again, I went for it....

    On July 22, I auditioned for American Idol because it has always been a dream of mine to be on that show.
    The audition day was a grueling process with 13 hours of waiting until my turn! When it was my turn, I chose to sing Sara Evan's "A Little Bit Stronger." I felt like I nailed it! I didn't choke!
    Buttt, it was not what the judges were looking for and they told my group that we all had good voices, but just not what they wanted for the new season.
    I wasn't bummed at the time because I was just ready to go home, but now I am somewhat bummed because the Idol experience would have been cool, but oh well....
    I tried out not wanting to be the next "American Idol", I just wanted to give it a shot and know that I tried.
    Everything in my life that I've ever wanted, I've always went for... it may not have always turned out the way I wanted, but I look back at it and think "you never let anything stop you." :)

Update on life...

    Since beginning work, it has been a wake-up call for me... things don't come easy. The first few weeks were hard because I realized that the real world was all I had to look forward to... no more homework assignments due, no more hanging out in the dorms.. college was over!
  I have since realized that work can be a great thing and that I actually do provide a service to the community as a reporter. I enjoy my job (most days) and try to greet all the new people I meet with a friendly face.
   I do miss my college days though, but I also feel reconnected to my friends, family and my community.
   I do not let my job consume my entire life, which I always vowed never to do. I am still constantly working on my music, I have taken up dance lessons and I have taken on new roles at my church.
   I hope that these steps that I'm taking are setting myself up for much success in this thing we call life. :)

I got a job!!

My last blog talked about how my future was hanging in the balance and I didn't know what direction my life was headed in, but recently, all those doubts came to an end. I applied for a reporter position at my hometown newspaper where I interned in high school. The whole process worked like clock work. I applied one day, they called me to set up an interview the next day, I had the interview the following week, and they hired me five days later! I couldn't have been happier.
My dream has always been to be a reporter and that dream has come true! I will be working with the police beat, which is exciting. I think it'd be thrilling to cover a murder actually!
Since it is in my hometown, I will be moving back in with my parents until I get on my feet. I plan to live there for about a year to save up money for my own place.
My future for the next few years is planned, which is a huge relief!! :)
God has blessed me so much.

Realizing that REAL LIFE is fast-approaching

I am currently applying for jobs, which is a stressful process. There are the thoughts of where do I want to live, what do I want to do, where is life going to take me? It is a rollercoaster ride! I've applied for jobs all around North Carolina and Virginia. It is nerve racking waiting for responses, but it will all be worth it in the end.
I thought I'd like the mystery of where I'll end up, but I don't. The not-knowing of where I'll be at this time next year is making me a little anxious. There have been tears involved when trying to explain to my parents that I have not applied for any jobs locally because there aren't any, which wasn't taken well by them because I am the baby.
I am having to grow up and move out into the real world faster than most. I am starting to really feel my age when I face these issues with fear.
I honestly feel like I am mature for my age, but will I be as mature when the rent payment is due, the light bill is due, my car won't start, or I mess up on the job? I have been skipping through life for 19 years without a care in the world, but now, I have cares in the world.
For 19 years, every decision has been mine and I have gotten myself to this point because of those decisions, but now, it is all left up to the employer and not me. The fact that I no longer control my own destiny is the part I hate the most.

Open Mic Night/Debut

This Wednesday, I made my public debut as an artist. It was at an open mic night at Buffalo Wild Wings. I had sang before at events on campus, but with my largest crowd being only about 8. Therefore, with about 40 people in the bar, I was nervous. I began second-guessing my ability as an artist. I am comfortable with my singing, but it was the first time ever playing guitar in front of anyone other than my closest friends. I was also going to debut two original songs, so there was a lot for me to prove that night.
My name got called and I walked up, the nerves slightly went away. Once I started singing the first song, "Sparks Fly" by Taylor Swift, I felt in my element and I was loving it! I received great applause after each song. While singing my original songs, I could see people's feet tapping along to the beat, which made me feel awesome!
I have had so many people tell me that I should try out for American Idol or go to Nashville to pitch my songs, but that's just not in my priority list right now. I want to become a journalist first and just do small local gigs with my music on the side in the process. I would like to pursue my music someday though because it did feel good playing my music in front of an audience. By making my first debut, I had began chasing the dream of becoming a musician. :)