Keep your Head Up and Your Eye on the Trophy

It's been three days since I have started to lay down the ground work to a new life, the ground work for whatever may happen because I don't know. All I know is that I need change. Today, I realized I will be tested and challenged from those who don't support me. Unfortunately, I am talking about my superiors and peers. For the next two months leading up to my vacation I will be questioned about my motives and choices. There was no congratulations or joy exchanged when I requested two weeks off to go to New York, it certainly was not embraced. Instead I received, 21 questions and complete unpleasantry. It made me feel horrible.

So instead of having it rain on my parade, I've decided to mourn the issue for a day or two and come back around to being me and positive in my plans. I will forget and move forward.

Good Morning America

I've decided to wake up an hour earlier each day to do some prep work and research - so far so good. I set up a desk area by a window in my living room and right now Teddy Bear is laying on my lap. Today I request vacation time for New York! Two weeks! Im trying to decide if I need to subscribe to the New York Times? Although I have been getting a lot of rejections, I do notice the job market is robust in New York leaving me with confidence I will find a job. The difference between 2008 and 2015 is the economy, what a difference! We are not in a recession. I don't think Ill be walking around with a lot of dark empty buildings. Have I mentioned how much I love walking? I can walk around any city all day and find a museum, park, library, mall, and be completely content.

Checking in - it was not easy requesting time off but I got it and that's all I can be thankful for.

Carmen Reinvented - New York Part II

Today, Monday, July 20, 2015 I gave my apartment manager a 30-day notice. This is something I did in summer of 2008 and it's not a coincidence. I have been planning to uproot my life in another city, most notably New York, for sometime now but with many job rejections for the better half of this year and with a combination of procrastination and fear, right now could not make anymore more sense. Leaving to New York on the same date I did eight years is bringing a sense of comfort, is giving my decision and strong sense of meaning because in a strange way, I feel the same way I did in 2008 after I graduated college. I graduated in May 2008 without a job lined up, I was working a meaningless hostess job at Mimi's Cafe and more importantly I was ready for a lifestyle change. I remember taking down posters off my wall, getting rid of silly nic nac's all for a mature and sophisticated feel in my college bedroom, no more football pom poms. I have caught myself doing the same thing this year in anticipation I guess. Except this time I am getting rid of anything access i.e. old clothes, old bedding, old makeup and not repurchasing more...  Back then, I wanted to move to the next level, to be a professional with my degree. This time around, I'm quasi professional with 5 years of experience in a career related field -  but with the same urge of change, upgrade in life. I have really found myself ready for a drastic change again and since I have given up my apartment before, threw my stuff in the storage before and left for a month without a job, I am less fearful in doing it again. This time, I have a lot more to loose ie. my dog, my salary, my cushy 1 bedroom apartment which has made it hard to mentally prepare to give it up - leaving me overdue for the next step in my career. I have outgrown my workplace and admittedly it's not something I can endure for another year.

On September 15, 2015 I will be on a plane to New York. I am excited and 100% certain I am doing the right thing. I have devised a backup plan that I will also be content with. Last but not least, I don't think I will ever stop chasing my dream of one day owning an apartment in New York City, even if it's just for vacation.

Read my 2008 New York posts here.