Change of Season, Change for Reason

Every season has it's changes, but spring time is the time to start over. All of those trees that lost their leaves are alive again, as are the flowers and plants. It's a prety magical thing if you really think about it. It's not like we shed our hair and it grows back prettier every year. And we don't die every winter and start living again in the spring time. Okay, sometimes it feels like we're barely surviving our awful Washington winters....

I like to think of spring time as the start of a new year instead of January 1st. Who is excited and motivated when it's dark and gloomy by 4 in the afternoon? Not me. But the sun shining and smell of freshly cut grass or flowers will put a big pep in my step.

This spring and summer are going to be very eventful. I start my new job this week, which I am extremely excited about! I also have a niece arriving in May... and if you know me, you know how unbelievably excited I am about that! One of my good college girlfriends is ALSO expecting a baby girl this June and on top of that I have three weddings this summer! Time is flying by.... I mean since when did it become normal for my friends to be getting married, engaged, and pregnant?!

With all of these wonderful things to look forward to, I am very sad to be sort of losing (distance wise) a good friend this year. Last September I began watching four amazing kids (Soph 6, Asher 5, Franky Boo 2, and Eva Bean almost 1), who I completely fell in love with from day one. These kids are the most respectful and loving kiddos, and they surprised me everyday with how well mannered they were. Where do you find such great manners? Great parents.

I knew from day one of meeting Katie that I would like her. Between her constant "F-bombs," Michigan-South Carolina combined accent, sense of humor and style, I knew she was going to be a riot. I'll never forget the first day I went over there to watch the kids after meeting Katie only a handful of times, she offered me oatmeal out of her cereal bowl and explained to me that she made enough for she and her husband to share, but he had to leave early. It was like that peace offering you make on your first day of school to make a new friend. I plopped down at the table and began chatting it up and getting to know their family.

With her husband being gone on trips (Air Force pilot), she often found herself going days, weeks, even months with it just being her and the kids. Is she brave? Amazing? Stressed? Blessed? Insane? Yes, all of the above. But do you ever hear her complain about it? Never. And when her husband is gone, he is still very much a part of their everday lives. And when he is home, he is 100% involved.

Together, this duo will forever be put on a pedestal in my eyes. They have been such a great example of being such amazing parents to their children and being such incredible partners in their marriage. It's so easy to see all of the bad relationships and think that's just how relationships are. That it's just normal. I will admit firsthand that I'm a little jaded when it comes to relationships. But I have changed my outlook on things because of the two of them. And it's not that everyone else is doing it wrong, it's just the way they do things that make me see how it should be done.

Enough of this sappy stuff... Katie, I'm going to miss the shit out of you!

Beginning a New Chapter

I am thrilled to say that I have landed a position at our alliance, doing similar work but for a women's health research study! Instead of working two different jobs, in two different cities, on the same day I will be working two jobs, on one campus, on the same day! Working two jobs has never been the ideal situation but I am extremely excited for the opportunity. I will be getting twice the exposure and twice the experience, in half the time! My new position is in the research center, while my current is in the treatment center. I received the call from the HR person who offered me my first job, whom I still have yet to meet. She said, "Well, when I saw the job I thought of you because with your references and the impression you have made, you would be a perfect fit!" I am feeling overwhelmingly excited, proud, and relieved because it has not been an easy road to get here.

Four years post-college and I finally have both feet planted side by side. As frustrating and exhausting as it has been trying to find the right job, or field, or direction to go, giving up was never an option. Because the feeling of relief has trumped the feeling of failure or incompleteness. I am exactly where I need to be.

On a lesser note, it is never easy to leave a job. I'm pretty sure every job I have ever left, I have cried at some point during the process. Whether it was the last day, the day I gave notice, or the day I thought about giving my notice. It has sucked.

I was fortunate enough to have found a job very quickly after I was laid off about a year ago. One of my roommates is the nanny for a couple who own a personal training studio, who so happened to be looking for a receptionist/ "recovery drink," maker. They took me in without hesitation and have been very understanding of me having to work a second job to make ends meet.

In my position at the studio I learned more about fitness and nutrition than I ever had learned in any health or nutrition class. More than any coach has taught, because they specialize in one on one training. I have learned a lot, met a lot of great people and watched so many people transform their bodies, minds and lives in their experience at the studio.

It is always sad to end one chapter, but it cannot overshadow the excitement that comes along with starting a new one!

So thank you to everyone who has helped me along the way!