Minus the Costumes, This is My Life

Before moving into my new place, I told myself I would try to meet as many people as possible and wouldn't refuse any invitations because, I have learned, networking really does make all the difference.

Since I moved in, I have only seen one girl outside for long enough to strike up a conversation. I complimented her purse (it was this awesome Dooney & Bourke) because who doesn't like a compliment? As it turns out, this girl either didn't care for them, or for me one. She scoffed at me, tucked the purse tighter under her arm, and walked away. Strike one.

Since then, I have made six new friends. All under the age of 9. I met two siblings, Naila and Cole, because Naila stomped up to fuss at me for parking at the opening of the stairs. It's where she and Cole ride their skooters. As soon as I told her that wasn't my car, we became fast friends. For the next couple of days, they would wait on me when I got home from work and occasionally come up to my apartment.

At the beginning of the following week, I got a knock on my door just as I sat down for dinner. I peeped through, and seeing six kids, thought they must be selling something. Cole then popped his head up and said, "Miss Keely, I told them you were really cool and would let us come in your apartment!" Before I could even respond, they all charged into my living room. After watching A Cinderella Story (because they deemed that something we would all enjoy. Evidently my Friend's episode was not.), drinking all of the Yoo-Hoo's my mom bought for moving day, and telling me all about their favorite subjects, friends, and sports, they finally went home.

I'm still working on meeting people my own age, but as long as I keep Yoo-Hoo's in the fridge, at least I'll keep my adolescent friends. Here's to growing up.

Things Do Not Change, We Change

I used to love Forever 21. Now I rarely go into the store. I used to hate my hair. Now I embrace it. I guess Thoreau was right. We change, not things.

In middle school I thought high school kids were the epitome of smart, cool and mature, and I was extremely intimidated . Once I was in high school, I thought the same about college students. Maybe I developed into the stereotypical college student that thinks she knows everything but really has no idea, but I truly did not feel intimidated of really anyone upon graduation. I have already met numerous executives and influential people that are considerably older and wiser than I am, and I comfortable with who I am and my KSA's (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. My teacher would be so proud that I remembered that). With those two things combined, I thought I was set to interact with anyone I might encounter.

This all changed when I walked into the luncheon for the United Way Loaned Executives program, wearing a suit I might add, with one simple question, "Are you in the right place?" All that confidence and comfortability I just mentioned? Out the window. I suddenly felt like the little girl in her mom's suit playing dress-up, but somehow I just giggled, nodded, and then proceeded to ramble at a high-pitch. Maybe I haven't changed as much as I thought.

Someone Give Me a Happy Meal!

Since I graduated, I have been looking for a gym to join because I no longer have the luxury of using the T-Rec whenever I want. Everywhere either has a contract that is 2 years or greater, or they charge monthly fees of $60 or more. For one person!

Furthermore, of course fruits, vegetables, and organic food are the most expensive items in the grocery store. I'll never forget when I was picking up a carton of eggs a year or so ago and this woman took my hand and said I should really buy the cage-free, organic eggs. She then proceeded to ask me if I knew how the chickens that created non-organic eggs were treated. Yes, woman, I do. The thing is, at this point in my life, I can either eat non-organic eggs or no eggs at all.

My last rant is about the restaurant industry. Why can I not order off the kids menu as an adult? And if I can, why do you charge me two dollars extra? Why can I not order a lunch portion for dinner? You're selling food either way.

All I want is to stay fit and active without breaking the bank. This adult wants a Happy Meal, too!

End of an Era: Moving Day

I left my apartment at the Woodland's for the last time this morning. Just saying that doesn't seem real. I have moved more than a few times in my life, so the fact that I have lived in the same apartment since the end of my senior year of high school is a big deal. Over the years, this apartment has become much more than a temporary college residence. I painted and put pictures on the walls; I grew herbs (well, one herb) in the kitchen. I made it a home.

Through the past four and a half years, 202 has seen its share of laughter, tears, friends, family, startling and unwanted occupants, and everything else in between. It has absorbed the spewed milk from fits of laughter while enjoying cookies and girl talk, the tears in the kitchen when life gets a little too hard to handle, the rain we tracked in every single time we went grocery shopping because we have stellar luck, and the love that was shared between two best friends, their friends, family, and occasional flings.

I can't help but think of the Friend's episode where they finally all move out and on with their lives. I bawled during the episode and have a feeling I will just as much in real life. It's the end of an era. 202, it's been the time of my life. I hope the new tenants love you just as much as I did.

My Wall of Fame

I will never have an interior designer decorate my house simply because I love when a house embodies the inhabitants. Who knows me better than me? I like to think that if someone saw my apartment, especially my room, they would say it looks like it would be my room. A big part of that is, as my friends have dubbed, my "Wall of Fame." I have been packing here and there in anticipation of my move on Wednesday, so the other day I used my free time to pack up my "Wall of Fame."

A house, or apartment, isn't a home without photos on the wall. At least mine certainly isn't. I didn't realize that when the "Wall of Fame" came down, it would completely change my entire room. It showcases my favorite people, memories, and events. It showcases everything important in my life. With it gone, it no longer looks or feels like "my" room.

One thing is for sure, when I get to my new apartment, I'm immediately having my mom hang up the "Wall of Fame." Lord knows I can't do it. Maybe that's another thing I should add to the list of things to accomplish for the year: how to hang things on the wall using that nifty, curved hook my mom uses. Nah, that would bring my list to 23. I can't have that jinxing my year.

Lady Luck Has Left the Building

As I mentioned before, I certainly believe in superstition. This has made me realize that I have been cursed, jinxed, whatever you want to call it. Despite firmly believing in my head that this would be my lucky year, it is simply not. This is still my birthday month, and all I have had are a series of unlucky events:

1. The night of my birthday, this drunk guy dropped his beer glass while I was mid-stride heading to another venue. Of course the glass would manage to shoot right into my shoe and slice my toe something awful and promptly end the evening of celebration.
2. I got towed while celebrating Lucy-Allen's birthday, even though we both parked in the restaurant's parking lot. Non-negotiable $90 down the drain to a company that operates from a trailer with la-z-boys on the front porch.
3. The following day I got rear ended on the interstate in the left lane. On the way to the airport.
4. Once in Orlando, my dad and I decided to go the casino and play cards. I really don't know why I even tried...
5. Just two days ago, I pulled out a box of shoes that I haven't worn in about a year. I will spare you from finding out just what was in the box, and the shoe that I had already put on my right foot.
   

I'm looking forward to seeing what fate has in store for me for the remainder of my "lucky" year. One thing I know for sure though, I'm never trusting the WSJ again.

Lucky 22

I have never thought of myself as a superstitious person. Even though I used to always wear the same type of socks for every basketball game, the same tennis shoes for over 2 years even though they had a giant hole in the toe, always listen to the same music before particular events, etc, I still believed I was "above" being superstitious. Recently, turning twenty-two really made me see that I am superstitious--and I like it!

Twenty-two has always been the birthday I have looked forward to the most. It's a family tradition to wear the number 22 on a jersey, and I suppose I always believed it would bring me luck. I know it sounds crazy, but I really do believe this is going to be an excellent year for me. And as it turns out, if I believe I'm lucky, I'm much more likely to be so! The Wall Street Journal says so: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703648304575212361800043460.html

With my undoubtedly lucky year, here is what I plan to accomplish:

1. Move into my own apartment and live alone.
2. Meet new people at the new apartment.
3. Watch my nephews play basketball together for the first time at Halls High School.
4. Learn to sew (a button at the minimum).
5. Study for the GMAT (and do really well since it's the year).
6. Go to Harry Potter World in Orlando.
   
7. Run the Disney Princess Half Marathon with my mom. Go team "Moore Fun to Run!"
8. Learn to play the guitar.
9. Go fishing.
   
10. Watch some of my very best friends graduate from college.
    
11. Save enough money by the end of the year so that I can buy a car.
12. Read at least two books a month.
13. Host poker night at my new apartment.
14. Start couponing!
    
15. Grow an herb garden in my kitchen.
16. Create a business plan that I am actually passionate about.
17. Finally fix my itunes so that if someone stole my ipod, or it died, I wouldn't die as well.
18. Force myself to start listening to the daily news, even if it's only while I'm brushing my teeth.
19. Take a cake decorating class.
20. Dress up for Halloween. No, I do not believe there is an age limit, and I never will!
21. Stay in touch with old friends--more than just through facebook.
22. Figure out just what I want to do next year and pray that the luck continues :)