It's beginning to look a lot like... my home :)

Hello all! Just writing a fun little update about the whirlwind called my life. The past week was crazy and amazing.

I got all settled in my new place. My dad says that I am officially Mary Tyler Moore (her character on the show, that is). I live in the upstairs of an old house, I work at a TV station, I have brown hair...all I need is a beret to throw in the air with some funny music playing in the background.



I tried at graduation haha.

Anyways...I'll work on finding a beret that fits my large head...will be quite a daunting task.

Here is my new house...built around 1906 in the historic downtown district.




After getting settled into the new bachelorette pad, I started at my new job. Producing requires a lot of organization and a lot of juggling about 5 jobs at once. If you don't know what it means to be a producer at a TV station...here's a little outline of my new workday: meet with reporters to get story ideas of the day, create a rundown (outline and order) of the show, write the stories in the show, create all of the graphics that you want the production crew to build, gather all of the tapes (we're old school here :D) - edit some tapes, record tapes from network, bring in video from bureaus, etc. - go back to the script and make sure everything is timed correctly (I time the show too), and then print scripts, get last minute stories in...and then go to the control room. Once the show starts, I have to make sure the show runs the way I planned for it to, make any last minute changes, make sure it is on time, and any other little tidbits that need to be put together. Phew...isn't that exhausting? Me likey :)

After learning the ropes for three days, Thanksgiving was here! Luckily, I got Thursday through Sunday off. I met up with my family at Bald Head Island. Every other year, my mom and stepdad get a house down there for the week. My stepbrother, his wife, and their two sons join us (they live in Denver). Also, for the past two times, his best friend, wife, and three kids joined us. My brothers each brought their ladies with them, so we had a full house! I was the 11th wheel - baha. I was everyone's photographer. As a favor, I tried to get really cute pictures of the kids. Here were my adorable subjects:






I also got out and got some great scenic shots of the island. It is absolutely beautiful.






I tried to soak in as much relaxation and vacation as possible. I have to work Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I also have to work the weekend before...when we normally celebrate Christmas with my dad and sister. It's worth it, though. This is definitely where I want to be. I love my apartment, I love my new job, and I need to get a Christmas tree to make my place perfect for the holidays. The crazy November is gone...and Santa's on his way.

It's the End of a [Snuggie] Era

Well...it's finally here. November 19th marks my final day at Canvas On Demand. Over the past 4 months, I have made a lot of memories and friends here. To start off...I met my roomie and my "person" (Grey's reference...) here - Cat. Here is the evidence of the day we bonded:



Charlie's Snuggies



Swimming in a Snuggie Sea

I am also going to miss my cube neighbor, Ryan, who liked to shoot me with ther little nerf gun. No joke. We're a professional (and quite successful) canvas printing website. I probably won't miss the gun?


Ryan's little eye hurt that day...haha...

I also wanted to give a shout-out to the rest of the ladies - Rika Suave (Marika), JennaLovesCanvas (Jenna), Nene (Renee), and AnaBanana (Ana). AND - I can't forget my partner in outbound-call-crime, Sarah! I am going to miss our fun times together...and I'll miss our post-work dinner/drinks even MORE.

This company does so many great things throughout the community and for the troops. I am very honored to have been a part of the COD Fam. To check it out and order a beautiful canvas - www.canvasondemand.com

In two days, I will be making the big move to the little town of New Bern. I got the Uhaul and three manly men to help me lift all of my crap. Wait - let me rephrase - my HEAVY crap. It's amazing how easy it was to entice them with pizza and beer. Oh boys...gotta love them. My dad, aka Terry of Apex, and my stepmom are going to also help me with getting my little car down to New Bern as I drive the Uhaul. If you are on HWY 70 after lunch time on Saturday...get the hell out of the way! I've driven a 2-door coupe for 7 years...the Uhaul might be a tad different. Maybe I'll have Jackwell (Jack) do the driving...that might prevent me from having to USE the insurance policy that I bought with my Uhaul rental.

I am sad and nervous to leave the Durham/Raleigh/Apex/Chapel Hill area. I've been here my whole life and I know everything there is to know about the area:

Raleigh = NCSU (eww)
Durham = Duke (bigger, smellier eww)
Apex = Bojangles (clearly, the epitome of southern charm)
Chapel Hill = Heaven (...with a smidge of arrogance) :)

BUT - I am so excited to begin this new chapter. I am ready to discover and learn all there is to learn about the eastern side of NC. Here's what I already know about my new area:

Camp Lejeune = marines (hmm...run away?)
Emerald isle = 45 minutes away from new apt (yipee)
Bojangles = oh yea it's there (phew)

Once I get all settled and decorated (that's what I REALLY care about...nesting...), I'll take a bunch of pictures to show yall my new place.

New Bern, New Bern!

Happy November!

I absolutely LOVE this month. Few reasons why...

A - fall is in full swing, and therefore, I am very cozy in my cute sweaters and jeans. Plus, the humidity is gone so my hair begins to look fabulous all day :).

B - November strikes the beginning of celebration time with family and friends. I'm ready to be with the people who I love post Halloween craziness. No more slutty costume...time to bring out the crazy Christmas sweaters! By the way...my Halloween this year consisted of watching a movie with my parents and going to sleep at 11pm. Don't make fun.

C - Along with celebrations come GOOD FOOD! Mama's cookin is in full force for the next couple of months...and me likey.

D - This year, my family is going to Bald Head Island for Thanksgiving. My step brother, step sister-in-law, and two nephews are flying in from Denver to join. So exciting! Ethan and Kade are adorable...can't wait to see them. Bald Head Island is also my happy place. Just to make you jelly (jealous), take a look at this:





E - E is for Elizabeth...because November is the great month of my birth! Naturally, this will begin to not be a highlight of the year...but hey...since I'm turning 23, it is still exciting to celebrate! It's the year of the Jordan and I'm pumped (if you are confused...google Michael Jordan's bball number...)

BUT....

This November is different. After three days...this November is going to go down in the books.

After months of trying and ultimately giving up on the idea of finding a job in journalism nowadays...(yay economy)...I got an offer as a Producer at WCTI in New Bern, NC. Naturally, I was shocked and thrilled, but I also got an immediate knot in my stomach. What do I do? I have a full-time job at a great company, I have a fabulous apartment with a lease and great roomie who I don't want to leave, and I have to pack up my stuff and move to an area I don't know much about. Of course, I called on good ole Moms and Pops for advice.

Basically, I needed to weigh the pros and cons. Pros to staying where I am: don't have to move, know the area, get to stay with roomie in great apartment, and get to stay in the area where I was born and raised. Cons to staying where I am: feeling like something is missing - like what I went to school for and worked my ass off for was for nothing and my pretty diploma from UNC-Chapel Hill is a wall decoration.

Now, the pros for taking the job: I get to finally work in the field that I want to be in. Foot is in the door and I'm ready to take off. Also, I'll be moving to a new town and get to start a new chapter and experience in life! Being 45 minutes away from the beach aint too shabby either. The cons for taking the job: moving away from my friends and family.

I also needed to get a feel for the historic town of New Bern, so I took a trip down with my mom and stepdad Halloween weekend. What I found was a beautiful old town full of culture, fabulous southern architecture, and water.








At the end of the day, the choice was pretty clear. As much as I love what my life is right now, I'm not 100% satisfied professionally. I want a career in broadcast journalism. That's what I went to school for; more importantly, I've wanted that before I was even in college! I know things are going to be difficult and potentially lonely at times, but I know I'll make friends quickly and learn the ropes in this beautiful town.

Also...I've already found a place to live! I am going to be renting an apartment on the second floor of a home in the historic downtown area. It was easily built in the early 1900's and has been restored and kept up very well. My bedroom even has a stain glass window in it! I am such a southern belle :-). My apartment has a large living room, bedroom, kitchen and bathroom (featuring a footed tub mind you.) The house also has a wrap around porch complete with swing and is ONE BLOCK from the waterfront. L.O.V.E.

But now comes the annoying and stressful tasks of finding a sub letter for my place...and moving. UGH! This better be worth it!

<3, E

Signs that you are getting old...

Holy canolies...it has been TWO years since I've blogged. Since not many people know I even have a blog...this little statement doesn't really matter...but oh well.

I think it's best to restart this blog because I have a completely new life. I am out of college and in the workforce. I pay bills, work overtime, and have to schedule my OWN teeth cleanings - how crazy!

I am also starting to realize that my body, soul, personality, and mind feel a lot older than a few months ago when I was a "careless" college student. So...in effort to understand the new me, I've decided to make a list of things that make me believe that I am slowly but surely headed to "Old Ladyville." Hope you enjoy as much as my roommate Cat and I enjoyed thinking them up at work one Friday afternoon. Oh - these are in no particular order.

• Oh dear...10:30pm...must go to bed.





• Man! My diploma is a great pretentious wall decoration!





• My new BFF is a mini coffee maker.





• Wait...your mortgage is only $200 more than my rent? FML.





• "Sleeping-in" = 9am...yay!





• Sweats: no longer appropriate clothing...in public at least...





• "He's just not that into you"...duh...I don't know where HE is





• I REALLY have nothing to wear...to work.





• I wonder if they have gel inserts for my 4-inch spike stilettos?





• Seeing friends requires a lot of planning...and sometimes air fare...





• Hey Destiny's Child...can YOU pay my bills?





• Four drinks didn't USED to make me drunk...





• I now understand and appreciate lumbar support.





• The wedding bells are ringing in my ears and giving me a migraine! Why is everyone engaged/married/preggers?!

If you have any more that you would want to add to the list please let me know! As for now, my lowered-energy-capacity is rearing its ugly head...and I'm exhausted. Nap time?.....No. More coffee?......too lazy to walk over to the break room. Sit at desk and listen to my country station on pandora.com?......I think that's the winner.

Adios amigos. Must conserve energy for the bachelorette party I am throwing tonight. See - I TOLD YOU...I'm getting old.

<3