Life update!

I can not believe it has been over 2 weeks since my last blog post!  So much has changed over these past few weeks.  I am back from my Maine vacation, officially moved back to Hartsville, and started my new job. 

One of the biggest adjustments since being back in Hartsville is moving back in with my parents.  After being out on my own for 3 years, I never would have imagined living back with them.  Don't get me wrong,  I get a long with my parents very well, but I would much rather have my own place.  I have just gotten used to having my own space and my own routine.  Not to mention, I like being completly independant.  Right now, during this transition of my life, the smarter thing for me to do is to stay with my parents and save up some money.  I am very grateful that my parents are willing to help me out to be able to do that. 

I am also having to face the fact that I am 2 hours away from some of the best people in the world.  I knew it was going to be hard moving away from my friends in Charleston, but I did not realize how difficult it would be until the time actually came.  There have been several times where I wish I could have called up one of my friends and meet them for dinner or just to hang out and talk.  I am doing my best to establish and build my life back in Hartsville again, I am just having a hard time actually coming to terms that I am not in Charleston anymore.

On a positive note; I have finally started my new job as the Program Ministry Director at Wesley United Methodist Church!  I am so excited to be working here at the church I grew up in.  We have a wonderful Pastor and I am excited to see some changes coming up in our church.  I have been able to spend some time with the children and the youth and have had a blast.  To be honest, little kids are not normally my cup of tea, but I have really enjoyed spending time with them.  One little boy in particular has captured me right away.  He is one of the cutest kids on this planet.  I am super excited to be working with these adorable kids and lively teens.  :) 

My Goal :)

Since I have had so many new things going on in my life, I feel as if it is only appropriate to blog about another change that will also be taking place during this next year.  By blogging about it, maybe I will be held more accountable with following through.  I want/need to lose weight.  Weight has been a struggle of mine since entering my preteens.  Not only do I want to look better, I also want to feel better.  I want to live a very long, healthy life.  In order for me to do that, I need to make changes.

I am most definitely a yo-yo eater.  I have my moments when I eat a very healthy diet, then I have the moments where I could care less what I eat.  My problem is I LOVE food.  I went to culinary school after graduating high school.  Being in the kitchen comes very natural to me.  Over the past year I have not been cooking like I used to.  I used to love it!  Although I loved culinary school, it unfortunately turned me off from cooking.  I think I was more turned off by the lifestyle of being in the restaurant/culinary industry than anything.  Because of that, I did not find cooking as enjoyable as I once did.  I have just recently begun to find my passion and happiness while I am back in a kitchen.  I most certainly will view cooking as my hobby rather than a career choice.

Because of my lack of interest in the kitchen, I was not preparing meals like I used to.  I became very dependent on restaurants.  We all know that going out to eat all the time will not help the waist line and certainly not the wallet.  I hope that my interest in being back in the kitchen will give me more motivation to cook for myself again.

Not only do I want to eat a healthier diet, I also want to get into a workout routine.  Working out is NOT something that I enjoy.  I am not one of those who goes and works out for an hour then when I am finished get that feeling of accomplishment.  Instead, I normally feel like throwing up. I am one of those who likes to see results instantly.  I never give myself enough time in a workout regiment to start seeing results.  I am going to stick with some type of workout routine.  I am hoping that I will learn to enjoy it very soon.

I want to make these changes for me.  Not only do I want to look better, but my main goal is to FEEL better.   If anyone has any tips/suggestion on exercising or eating better, please feel free to share!!  I would love your opinions  :)

Emotional

My little vacation here in Maine is quickly coming to an end.  While I love it here, and cherish every moment I have to spend with my grandparents, I am really looking forward to coming back home.  

This vacation has been good for me.  Like I have said in previous post, I have a lot of changes going on in my life.  I am moving back home, and starting a new job.  I am leaving so many memories and friends back in Charleston.  I have been a bit emotional about this change only because of the fact I am leaving Charleston and my friends.  Even though I have been struggling with my emotions, I am still at peace with the decision to move away.  I know that God has opened the doors for me in this job He has provided.  

While thinking of flying back home on Tuesday, I can't help but feel as if I am going home to Charleston.  Instead, I am going back and packing all of my stuff to move out of Charleston.  It is hard for me to imagine being back in Hartsville and staying.  I am used to going for a few days and then heading back to the Holy City.  Hartsville is always going to have a piece of my heart, but over the past 3 years, Charleston has been my "home." 

My sister now lives in DC,  my brother will be a senior in high school this next year then heading to college,  and my parents will be moving due to my Dad's job within the next year.  It is so strange for me to think that all of my family is moving away from Hartsville and I am moving back.  My parent's have lived there for 22 years and that it all I have ever known.  My parents having to relocate makes me want to cry but is also a blessing.  There are so many people who have been laid off and not able to find work.  I almost feel selfish for being upset that they are having to move.  Instead of feeling upset, I should be grateful he still has a job.  It is something that I have been struggling with and very hard for me to come to terms with.

As I have said, I could not be more happy, blessed, excited, and ready to start my new adventure; but it would be a complete lie for me to say that I am not scared, sad, and uncertain as well.

I find comfort in knowing God will never move away or leave me.  I know that no matter where I am, He is there right beside me leading the way.  Following Him may not always be easy, but I know that His path is the easiest path to follow.  I know that I will never be alone or lost as long as I stay on His path.