The Hunt

"pull"...  I sheepishly turned around and met eyes with the guide.  "Sorry" he said, "I didn't hear you".  I turned back around, took a really deep breath and yelled "PULL!" My eyes scanned the horizon where I briefly caught glimpse of the orange disk flying through the air.  Well, here goes nothing - I pulled the trigger which prompted a blast from the .28 I couldn't believe was cocked to my right shoulder.  Although I missed the target (and I'm pretty sure by a lot), I turned back around, a grin plastered on my face.
"You were right there, almost" he said. 
I love when people are encouraging. All I could think was, now I know why I shoved those orange ear plugs in my ear and this is only target practice.

There are few things more thrilling than a first time in life.  Or at least, that's how I feel.  There's a sense of adventure, of not knowing if you'll like it or hate it.  Whether its food - like the first time I ate an oyster.  Or something that pushes your physical limitations - the first time I swam 100 yards of butterfly (that's four lengths of the pool doing that stroke where you dolphin kick while both arms fly out of the water simultaneously... seriously, who thought of that).  Or maybe it's the first time you meet someone truly special in your life.  Firsts are something to be thoughtfully treasured and always remembered.


As you can probably see where I'm going with this, I had a new first this past weekend.  Well two actually. The first time I went hunting and consequently, the first time I had ever shot a gun.  Now I'm not sure how I felt about hunting in the past.  If anyone in my family has hunted (prior to my marriage:-) ), I was unaware of it and I had never thought of doing it.  Frankly, I knew nothing about it except for the less desirable stereotypes often associated.  This hunting expedition was definitely eye opening and I'll admit, downright fun.

The adventure was embarked on with Eric's family.  Their very dear friend had graciously invited us to hunt quail on a guided trek at their hunting club in Southern Georgia.  So my mother-in-law and father-in-law, my sister-in-law and her husband, Eric and I went hunting.  A family affair.

As mentioned, we were hunting quail which involves highly trained dogs that actually locate the birds and point once one has been tracked.  This particular location where we hunted was a preserve with farmed quail that had been set loose.  The guide would let loose two dogs which would leap and bound through the brush, elated to be running in the outdoors and along for the hunt.  I was absolutely in awe of the dogs.  Their ability to find a camouflaged bird in fairly dense brush is truly something exceptional. These dogs have been bred as pointers - their purpose in life fulfilled to be doing just that. 

Surprisingly, I actually got a few birds, something I wasn't sure would be possible for this first time.  Although it was a good time and I really did like being in the great outdoors practicing one of human's oldest pastimes - I couldn't help but think of long ago when humans hunted to put food on the table.  Of course, we would be eating all we hunted as well, but there is a difference in hunting out of the necessity to provide.  To me, being out in the fresh air and experiencing the hunt was exhilarating, challenging and sparked in me a new kind of appreciation for nature.

All in all, this first time experience is right up there in my log of memorable moments in life. I already looking forward to my next "first time" adventure which at this point I am confident wont be as challenging as hitting one of those orange flying targets...

The Little Things

I have a friend who came up with a fantastic idea.  Why not start writing down and sharing the "little things" that make you happy or that you come across and think - wow,  now that is really great. Now I'll try not to get too sappy or sentimental; however, those of you that know me well know that those two adjectives often define part of me.  Its a foggy day here in Columbia, and in sitting at my desk pondering what to write about, I decided to make a small list of the little things that make a difference to me.

Columbia

Driving - Understandably, Eric and I NEVER missed driving while living in NYC.  It does present a whole set of responsibilities and work that is easily eliminated when you're able to travel via foot.  However, since moving to a new town, Eric has really shown me a new side of driving.  We often take drives around town and through neighborhoods, always pleasantly surprised at the many beautiful places and scenery we simply didn't know were there. Weaving around town in a car is one of the best ways to site see - I guess now I know why those big red city tour buses do so well... There is often the humorous self-guided tour moment - like yesterday when I apparently found that naming a shopping center 'Boozer' was something to laugh about... no really, it was called 'Boozer'

Our purple chariot...

An email, note or phone call - In the age of new media, I will be one of the first to admit that I often use email as I would a phone call.  To catch up with friends, send a funny thought, or just to say "hi" and stay connected.  Since moving away from friends and to a new place where we know no one in town, I have come to cherish and truly appreciate emails, notes and phone calls from my friends and family.  The effort in staying connected, at times, in this fast-paced digital world seems difficult but always, and I mean always is completely rewarding.

Straws - I love straws.  I know its a wierd simple thing to love.  But I'm drinking out of one right now and I'm telling you, it makes my glass of water ten times more enjoyable.  Most people wouldn't agree, but hey, this is my little things list and I like straws. :-)

Mystery Books - As an English major, I had to read a lot of books, and I mean A LOT.  These days I prefer reading the entertaining stories, ones that are quick reads, light and not difficult to comprehend.  Turns out my grandmother enjoys the same.  I returned from a visit to her house with a huge shopping bag full of books.  What's better than curling up and enjoying a good read, especially one where there is mystery involved? And thanks to my grandmother, I will be able to indulge in my guilty pleasure for quite some time as I take on the rather large bag of hand me down books awaiting me.

Saturdays - Undoubtedly the best day of the week.  They're a bit different for me these days since our business operates on Saturday so what once was a guaranteed lazy morning now means waking at 6 and out the door to work.  Still, Saturdays are the best.  It's that day of the week where you know tomorrow is Sunday, you can hopefully feel great about a full week completed and can start to look ahead to the new week upon you. 

Smiling - Partially a tribute to my sappy side, smiling is like chicken soup for the soul.  It's amazing what effect a smile has when it's exchanged between strangers.  I've noticed this especially living in smaller towns versus a large city.  Passing by people on NYC streets doesn't often warrant a warm exchange.  And with millions of people passing by each other each day, it seems justified.  I've noticed however that when I do smile at a complete stranger on the street, most of the time, a smile is returned.  I think I'm going to try harder to not only smile at others but just to smile more in general.

Admittedly, this is by no means a comprehensive list.  Just the thoughts that came to me first.  In thinking about these little things, I suppose they aren't little at all.   More, one size fits all things.  In any event, these are things that make my day brighter and they are definitely fun to think about.  Happy holidays, and here's to the little things in life!

Giving Thanks

There must have been thousands of hamburger buns.  Or at least it seemed like it.  A group of volunteers diligently transferred huge bags of buns from the crates they were sitting in to large boxes where they would await distribution.  This was our first assignment when we volunteered at a local food bank this past week.  Turns out a McDonald's truck was involved in a minor traffic accident (no one was hurt) on it's way to deliver these buns to a local Mickey D's.  Well when the trailer tipped, the most famous food chain didn't want the buns anymore so instead, delivered them to the food bank.  This is where our task came in of transferring the buns from the McDonald's cart to boxes at the food bank.

The 'bun initiative' sparked many thoughts in my head as I'm sure it might spark a few as you are reading this.  I couldn't believe that a twist of fate had re-directed that delivery truck from providing thousands of dollar menu meals to providing thousands of meals that probably would have been eaten (or not eaten) sans-bread.  Thank goodness.

I feel I should candidly state my naivety.  Before spending time at the food bank, I was unaware of what a food bank actually entailed.  I thought it meant that people without homes could come and get a hot sandwhich or bowl of stew, or maybe we would help put together bagged lunches to hand out.  I had no idea that these banks provided canned goods, baked treats and even fresh produce for families that were forced to choose between paying their rent and bills and putting a hot meal on the table. These banks provide relief for these families and truly embody the spirit of giving.  And it's not only during the holidays but year-round.

Growing up my family participated in adopting a family for the holidays.  We would bring them food and gifts that they could open for Christmas.  Those are the most humbling of experiences.  The families we brought gifts too were utterly grateful.  In return they would make us a homemade dish to take with us - an offering of thanks.  At my previous job, my boss would adopt a family each year and I had the chance to go shopping for one of the children's wish lists.  Sweaters, jackets, a new backpack - all she wanted was the essentials.

This year, we are helping out with sponsoring a child at a local children's home.  She is a 15 year old girl and on her wish list is a new bedspread, shower gel and batteries.  I was trying to remember what was on my wish list when I was 15...

Tis' the season for giving.  I love the holidays for so many different reasons.  I truly believe it brings out the best in people.What better time to tell family and friends how thankful you are and what better time to help out a stranger? From bun initiative to shopping for a new bedspread - I have realized I'm already learning a lot this holiday season.  I have much to be thankful for - my health, my friends and my family.  What better way to celebrate that than to keep giving thanks.

Metropolian Megatown

My right foot extended past the automatic sliding doors as I took a first step onto the cool concrete.  There's was a quickness in my step, an urgency that only comes out on certain such occasions.  We made our way to the line to await our yellow chariot - maybe chariot is a bit glamorized... yellow cab that would wisk us from the hustle and bustle of the busy morning airport to the hustle and bustle of the always busy metropolitan megatown of New York City.

As we rode in the cab on the way to the city thoughts swirled around in my head.   Ten weeks ago I called the island city of Manhattan home.  Would I miss it terribly? How long would it take to adjust to life where you couldn't walk everywhere but had to drive? Those and many other apprehensions subconsciously came to my attention before the big move.  Now that the move had really happened, and this was no longer home, I looked out the window as we whizzed by other cabs and cars, happy to be going back to the city for a visit. As we continued our automotive journey over the Quensboro bridge and into the City, I immediately felt the edge and buzz of the city penetrate my skin and liven my senses. I anxiously watched the meter as it crept higher and higher and could literally feel the hole begin to take shape in the bottom of my wallet.  I hadn't forgot the price tag on everything in the city...

With luggage in tow we finally reached our destination, hopped out of the cab and assumed full Manhattan attitude.  Crossing the street before the light turned, weaving in and out of people all on their way, like us, somewhere important.  We entered the small cafe we were to meet my sister-in-law at, who was already waiting.  She looked fantastic.  The three of us talked and caught up as much as we could in the 20 minutes we had together.  When time was up we exited the cafe and met the still bustling city streets, she was off in a cab on her way to the airport to embark on her own weekend adventure.  There's one thing I knew I would feel when we moved and it became a pinch in my gut when we saw her off - I miss the people here.

New York City is an anomaly.  With about 1.6 million people in about 23 square miles, there is a constant flow and commotion of people moving in, moving out, traveling, visiting, living, working, doing just about everything.  The energy is contagious yet at the same time you stop every so often and wonder, why am I rushing?

The rushing sentiment was a bit different this time since we were visiting the city instead of living in it.  A smile crept across my face as I thought, right about now I would be taking the subway ride to work.  Why don't they build subways in every city? I mean, I know why, but what a great public transport system the city has.  We continued on with the day walking from midtown to upper east side and back down to the east village, meandering through the concrete jungle and reminiscing about all the fun times we had when we called it our home.  The brisk November air was a bit colder than I remember, I've found it's incredibly easy to forget how it feels to be cold.

There were two surprise birthday's we were lucky enough to be in town for and celebrating in New York City is really something spectacular.  With different bars, restaurants and sites to see around every corner.  We visited with friends and at the end of each party were grateful to collapse into the back seat of a cab who would screech through the city streets back to our awaiting hotel.  Another detail I forgot about the city is the roller coaster ride you get when you risk getting into a cab...

Sunday morning arrived and greeted us much quicker than we would have liked.  It would be back on a plane to South Carolina Sunday afternoon to return to our new home in what seemed like worlds away from this illustrious city.  I couldn't help but reflect once more on how I felt about being back in the metropolis.  The only conclusion I could come to was one of conflict.  I missed the lights, sounds, and excitement that always greeted and sometimes bombarded me each day I would set out to tackle city life.  The convenience of restaurants and stores of every type around every corner is definitely a force to be reckoned with.  Yet living amongst 2 million other people, often was a daunting task to deal with.  And let's remember I grew up in Southern California, a far cry from the bitter northeastern winters. I suppose the city was somewhat of a love and not like relationship for me.  Yet I also know that it's the type of place that is full of learning and challenges that strengthen, encourage and develop one's self.  No matter how I might feel about the hustle and bustle and every other component, both good and bad, that make up New York City, I will always know it was home for three years of my life, and with that - I felt good about leaving.

Thoughts on Gastronomy

Breakfast, lunch, dinner... maybe a snack or two in between.  There is one thing I think about every day - multiple times a day without fail: food.  Since moving to a new town and running our own business, we stay home and cook at night much more than was customary in the past.  Okay, maybe it's also the fact that we don't have every cuisine imaginable offered within a two block radius from the doorsteps of our Upper East Side Manhattan apartment.  Or maybe it's that we used to be able to have that cuisine delivered to our doorstep if it seemed too cold, snowy, rainy or we just didn't feel up to battling the city sidewalks.  As you can imagine, one gets quite spoiled with that kind of gastronomy available at any given hour on any given day. 

Last week we were sitting at home after an exhausting day of work.  I had only gone to the grocery store four times that week but for some reason there seemed to be nothing in the kitchen to make for dinner. I still can't figure out how that happens...  Well naturally, we thought, let's order out?  A quick search on Google and we found ourselves vastly disapointed - no delivery?!?! It seems like just about everything is on demand in today's world... you can chat with someone halfway around the globe from your couch, you can order movies, you can watch a show recorded from last week, write a letter to be electronically transmitted, all from your couch... but alas, I couldn't order delivery.

Delivery aside, I have actually found that I really enjoy cooking.  Being in a new town and trying to save money where we can, cooking is a perfect solution to provide an entertaining night at home.  Something else I've discovered since moving to this new town... southern food.  And it is delicious.  I've been fortunate enough to have traveled internationally.  During college, I studied abroad in Italy during which time I traveled to Germany, Spain, Czech Republic, Austria, France, the Netherlands.  I also had the opportunity to travel to Israel.  One thing decidedly spectacular about traveling to different countries is trying the different cuisines offered.  Each country and city prides itself on a type of cooking, the ingredients and the lifestyle that surrounds eating.  So what about this same notion in the states?

I think sometimes the cuisine of America is somewhat overlooked.  From California to New York to South Carolina, I have recently thought about the very different food each state and region embraces.  Of course there are obvious standard dishes.  Who could live without pizza and burgers in America?  But take seafood for example - In California, halibut and swordfish are regular staples in the grocery store.  Travel east and it changes a bit to Atlantic salmon, lots of tilapia and sometimes easier to find lobster.  Down south - crawfish, lots of shellfish and a fish I have come to love, catfish.  It becomes a curious subject when you think about a town or states' food.  In Columbia, South Carolina where I currently reside, there are a few staples, or rather specialties, that can be found around town.  One category I had not been aquainted with before - barbecue.  Growing up in Southern California, barbeque is usually synonymous with Fourth of July burgers and hot dogs.  Here, think pulled pork, brisket, lots of sauce and oh yeah, hush puppies (aka fried cornbread).  Another saucy delight the town isn't short of is chicken wings - hot, spicy, mild, you name the way it's made, and it's one finger food that is fiercely competitive from one restaurant to the next.  And yet a third example of a southern treat that I certainly wasn't aware existed in California, grits.  Which I actually tried a hand at and it turned out pretty well.

Whether traveling abroad or moving to a new city, I love to embrace the culture and of course, the food. I think food even helps a person get acquainted with a new place, literally offering a flavor for the culture and people that might not think twice about what they are eating.  So for now I'm going to keep "cooking around the world and country" while the actual travel is on the back-burner and look forward to discovering even more regional delights.

Adventures in PODS

It's a white box.  Not just any kind of white box.  It's eight feel tall, eight feet wide and either seven, twelve or sixteen feet long.  Among it's many features the box is weather resistant, close to indestructable (unless you plan on digging a forklift into the side of it which has been known to happen), it has a steel frame with aluminum skin panels, the top is translucent durable polymer allowing for light to come in, and it has a light-weight steel roll up door. 

No, I did not make any of that up.  What I just described was a POD.

I almost forgot one of the most defining features: each one has a red and white sign prominently displayed on each side of the container. 

People move for many different reasons and at various stages throughout life.  I recently moved to South Carolina from New York City.  Seems like quite a move, and it definitely was.  What did I move for?  PODS.  Those big white containers are now my livelihood.  So what do the containers do? Well, you can use them for storage on your property, or in our warehouse.  Or, you can use the containers to move to another town, city or state.  Sometimes the best ideas are the simple ones.

Since Eric and I took over the PODS franchise in Columbia, South Carolina, we have encountered many challenges, scenarios and downright funny happenings.  Example #1: just how do those big white boxes make it off the truck and onto a driveway? There is one word - PODzilla.  And no, I didn't make that up either.  PODzilla is one crazy and ingenious invention.  It basically works via hydrolics to lift a container up off the truck, the truck then drives away and the container is very slowly lowered down to the ground.  Reverse this process and you have a game plan for getting a container off someone's driveway or street and back onto the truck.  By using the lift, the POD always stays level so whatever you have packed inside will have minimal shifting.  Pretty neat idea.

It sounds simple, but in fact operating the machine is really an art form of sorts.  I'm convinced that just as someone can master jujitsu, one can master the PODzilla.  I for one, have decided it's probably best I leave the mastering up to Eric.  However, I often ride along on a delivery to offer him moral support.  Just the other day we were delivering a donation POD - actually to the apartment complex we live in.  Now this POD was to be placed in a parking lot.  Wide open space = piece of cake with the PODzilla.  Well they wanted it in the last parking space in a row, right up against the curb.  Eric and I arrived in the big red PODS truck with POD on the back in tow, ready to tackle the task.  As Eric meneuvered the PODzilla via five joystic controls I bent and ducked and leaned (yeah, this is the moral support part...) and every so often shouted - "you're doing a great job!".  All seemed fine after some pretty difficult maguiver moves - we were ready to drop the POD and take the PODzilla off.  But as Eric walked the machine off the POD there was a moment.  Albeit a brief moment, but we looked at each other with slight panic in our eyes - oh no... there isn't enough room between the POD and the dirt wall behind us, which leads up to a busy street, to get the PODzilla out.

I'll make a long story short.  It might not seem like a problem, but the PODzilla weighs something ridiculous.  I'm not sure any jujitsu move, let alone superman or any other form of brute strength could help a person move it and most of the machines have a mind of their own, if it doesn't want to move that way... well it doesn't.  It took about twenty minutes of sweating, maneuvering, running back and forth to retrieve any kind of runner to free the machine.  At long last, Eric was able to jimmy it through to a clearing and we were safe! Two hours later that is...

Making these deliveries is just one small facet we are learning as new business owners.  Aside from the challenges of learning to operate the PODzilla machine - delivering a POD to someone is really a fun task.  Whether someone needs the storage because they are remodeling their home, or maybe the customer is moving across town, the constant revolving of white containers throughout the Columbia area is quite interesting.  I suppose there is always someone moving, or changing something that requires furniture to disappear, or has some need to clean out their attic but has valuables they aren't quite ready to part with.  What I've come to realize it that these white boxes can do much more than they might seem. I'm looking forward to the many more adventures that PODS has in store for me.  Until next time, I'm off to offer more moral support - and maybe I'll even take up a little jujitsu...

What do you do with a BA in English?

While living in New York, I had the opportunity to see quite a few Broadway shows.  I love Broadway - the lights, the excitement, the small and intimate theaters.  Times Square and Theater District is one of the most overwhelming and fantastical places you could visit for entertainment. Among the many Broadway shows I saw was the musical Avenue Q - actually, I saw the show not once but three times.  It was that good. 

If you haven't seen the show, I'll set the scene.  The production cleverly intertwines actors with puppets who are the main characters.  The opening scene is one I could relate to far too well - not for the fact that it starred a puppet but because of what the puppet had to say. The main character, a young puppet-man supposedly the age of 21 enters stage left and belts from the top of his lungs "what would you do with a BA in English" to a very catchy tune.

I have to admit, the first of the three times I saw the show I laughed immediately.  How bluntly honest and true - what do you do with a BA in English? Staring up at the stage, the words settled in.  Hmmm, this is what I achieved after four years of college: a BA in English.  The premise of Avenue Q is that this recent graduate has moved to New York City and is trying to figure out his purpose in life.  I suddenly felt there was a striking and eerie similarity the stuffed doll was going through to my experience when I graduated.

I remember when I was in college, my friends and I would worry, even stress about what our major was going to be.  After all, you dedicate about two solid years (after the pre-requisites are fulfilled) to studying just one subject.  After those two years, you walk a field in cap and gown and then are thrust onto the main stage of life and its time to find a job.  Now this is no easy task, and especially not now, but to find work where you can showcase the many skills you learned during school. So what the heck do you do with that BA in English?


During the search for my first job, I remember I had mentors and advice given to me by parents.  Time after time I was assured that your major in school does not define what work you will do.  This is a hard thing for a recent graduate to swallow.  Turns out, this is true. I was extremely lucky to have a friend who helped me get my first job.  What would I do with that BA in English? Learn to be an Investor Relations Account Executive.

I never would have imagined in my wildest dreams that I would in fact be a part of the "world of finance".  I remember the first day of my job like it was yesterday.  I woke up in my "cute" albeit small NYC apartment which I shared with three other roommates.  After a shower and dutifully putting on my uniform of a nice pair of slacks, a blouse and my new high heel shoes, I walked down the four flights of stairs and out the door meeting the illustrious city with every ounce of gusto I could muster.  After a twenty minute trip down town on the subway, I would emerge from the tunnel with the masses of Wall Street employees all ready to start our day and of course, hungry to make some money. I'll be the first to admit, when i started in my job I didn't know what market cap meant.  Clearly, there was a very sharp learning curve...


After three years as at the IR firm I now find myself in a very different city once again re-evaluating what I can do with a BA in English.  I often think about my friends and prior colleagues.  I have friends that were business majors, economics majors, sociology majors, psychology majors, fellow English majors and pretty much any other major you can think of.  We all embarked into the work force armed with the tools we gathered in college unaware that we were all about to enter another phase of even greater learning.  I suppose it isn't always the case that the career path you choose mirrors that one subject you diligently studied and buried yourself in books with for two years. 

I find myself again floating in uncharted waters.  Seven weeks in to owning our own business, each day holds something else to learn, figure out and get through.  I'm exploring and finding new perspective on what it is and what it means to work towards a career.  Seems to me it is a journey that continues throughout life - one that twists and turns and I'm not sure you ever reach a final destination but rather keep learning, evolving and looking for that next "career".  I'm sure along the way during this new phase I have embarked on, I'll find a few other things I can do with my BA in English.

Sister Sister

Sisters. I think this word stretches far beyond the definition of blood relative.  Out of curiosity for what the "academic" definition of sister is, I went to dictionary.com and this is what I found:
Sister
- noun

1. a female offspring having both parents in common with another offspring
2. Also called half sister, a female offspring having only one parent in common wit another offspring
3. Stepsister
4. a female friend or protector regarded as a sister
5. a thing regarded as feminine and associated as if by kinship with something else
6. a female fellow member, as of a church
7. a female member of a religious community that observes the simple vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience
8. British, a nurse in charge of a hospital ward; head nurse
9. a fellow black woman
10. a woman who supports, promotes, or participates in feminism
11. Informal, a form of address used to a woman or girl; esp. joculary or contemptuously
- adjective
12. Being or considered a sister; related by or as if by sisterhood
13. having a close relationship with another becuase of shared itnerests, problems, or the like
14. Biochemistry. being one of an identical pair.
Who knew the dictionary definition was so robust? 

I am the oldest of three girls.  Yes, that caused for a lot of emotion, some name calling and lots of barbies but also made for some fantastic memories and learning together as we've grown up.  I am three years apart from my sister Jackie and seven years apart from Sarah so as you can imagine, during some of the more "awkward" stages of growing up it seemed we lived worlds apart.  We are still in very different phases (not to mention we live in three different states) - I got married this past summer, Jackie graduated and is establishing herself in a city and at a new job and Sarah graduated highschool, and has since started college.  Through ups and downs and all the events of our life, we are and will always remain sisters.

I also now have a sister-in-law, which I couldn't be more excited about.  I'm lucky that we have established a great relationship, and I consider her a very close friend.  I've always been the oldest in my family, so I have to admit its very fun to have an older sister to look up to and ask advice of.

I started thinking about sisters the other day because another word has popped up quite a bit lately: Sorority.  Now that's a whole new sense of the word "sister".

I was a member of a sorority during college - it was exciting and fun and I met quite exceptional women as a part of the group.  I remember joining this sorority, and it seems like it just happened yesterday.  After a week of parading around to visit the different houses where essentially each girl is interviewing one another - "do I want this person to be my sister?".  There is bouncing up and down, clapping, singing, collages, bulletin boards, dresses, perfectly combed hair and after a week of exhausting meeting and greeting - at last the moment you actual become a part of a sorority.

I poke fun at the whole process now, but admittedly I chaired the circus when I was a senior in the sorority house.  I took the job over after my friend in the house needed some help since she was preparing for the LSATS.  We planned the recruitment event together and all was well until a few days before rush was to start.  I remember it vividly, a room full of girls practicing and getting our house ready to show off to the wide-eyed and expecting rush candidates.  I felt some sharp pains in my stomach, after trying to ignore it, even going to the gym to try to "work it out" - my friends urged that it was time to see a doctor.  I'll admit I'm pretty stubborn but when my sorority sisters stepped in, looked me in the eye and said, don't worry, we got this - I finally gave in.  To make a long story short - I ended up at the hospital, it was appendicitis.  Yeah, I thought your appendix was that useless organ in your body too.  Well, when it wants out - it want out! Another of my friends rushed to be by my side - even holding my hand and helping me waddle down the hall after the medication kicked in (and boy does it kick in)... Experiencing an ordeal like that really draws attention to the great friends and sisters in life.

Sarah just went through the recruitment ritual at her university and I received an excited call from her with the news she had just joined a sorority.  Ironically, Sarah joined the same sorority that Jackie was part of at her university.  I suppose now they will reach a whole new level of sister.  I'm really happy for her joining a group of girls that she'll become close with and share friendships with over the years.  I had 14 sorority sisters attend my wedding - they flew and drove from all over to be there for me.  What an awesome thing to have so many sisters.

I suppose as you go through life, you gain close relationships with people, and when you are lucky, those relationships extend just that bit beyond friendship - the kind of relationship where you would bend over backwards, share stories and laughs, good times, embarrassing ones and everything in between.  That to me is the definition of sister.

Here Goes Nothin

I'm 25 and just trying to figure out life. But then, isn't everyone tackling that task, no matter what age?

This is my first shot at blogging. Why do it? Well, I've always loved writing and thought this would be a great way to "talk" about the many trial, tribulations, laughs and downright nonsense that life holds. Am I any good at it? Well, that's for you to decide.

Now first, to set the scene. I think it's only fair I give some background on myself. I grew up in Southern California and attended college at UC Santa Barbara. Now most people would think, why leave that sunny weather and sandy beaches? Like a lot of recent graduates, I felt I needed a "change". Naturally, I chose New York City. Okay, maybe not such an obvious choice. But I was a hungry young lady and lusted after a fast paced life in the glamorous city. I think I can partly blame shows like Sex and the City and Felicity, which I'm pretty sure every young woman admired and wanted to practically jump through the television and walk along the city streets with the characters. Needless to say, New York is an extraordinary city and a challenging one. Luckily I have great friends and had a great job at an Investor Relations firm and at times I am somewhat relentless which provided for some great adventures.

During my time in the illustrious city, I met and fell head over heels for an absolutely fantastic man. Three years later... we recently got married and moved to South Carolina. The move was prompted by us buying a franchise - I suppose you could consider me a nomad of sorts combined with a risk taker - at least in my recent adult life.

So that is the 50,000 foot overview of my life up until now. I plan to peel back the layers of these journeys which inevitably hold some fabulous memories, good laughs and a lot of learning on my part. Like I said before, I'm 25 and just trying to figure out life.