Blessings, affirmations, grace, and reflection

So, I couldn't just walk away. I have so many thoughts coursing through my mind right now. While establishing my new life has been a challenge, I am so grateful for the opportunity to be able to rebuild. There are so many others who simply give up. Tonight I reflected on how different my life is now from the one I just left. How there were so many close calls. Days where I had just gotten in the apartment before some fool opened fire on the street and took the life of someone. How I was just steps away. Focus. The key is focus. I was determined to leave that neighborhood. That existence. I did it and now I am faced with a new set of challenges. I am an overcomer and I will find my proper place in this world.

I guess this will have to be goodbye for now. Many of the hopes and dreams that I wrote about in this blog over the years are finally starting to come to fruition. My life has taken a drastic turn. I am busy, exhausted, still oppressed, but rising. Working toward the future that I always dreamed about. Working hard. Really hard. Getting very little sleep, but it is because I want to realize my dreams and they are virtually at my finger tips right now. I will still blog on other platforms when I find the time between my extremely demanding job and my extremely demanding grad courses. I am finally in a position to be able to make my life as convenient as possible. But with that comes having to put in the work. I am learning to love my new life...demands and all. I've wanted this (minus the demands and oppressive bureaucratic hoops to jump through) for a long time. Yet, when I look back from whence I came I can't complain. Stay blessed. I may be back once my wheels have stopped ...

I didn't get it all done, but I did quite a bit. I am tired despite taking a nap earlier. I will be getting up, cleaning up a bit, packing the car - probably packing the car first, then hitting the road (hopefully) before traffic builds. Lately what should be 3-4 hour drive has been taking about twice as long due to construction and accidents. Really hoping a make good time so I can settle in and relax before having to head out Monday morning. Monday I report to work and then have an orientation that evening for school. Tuesday-Thursday trainings and Friday not sure, but I will need to set up for next Monday. Ideally I would spend the weekend preparing, but I need to drive back up to finish clearing out the apartment and cleaning. So, this week I need to be uber focused and do all of my planning and setting up in the afternoon and evening hours so that Friday I can get back on the road (hopefully before traffic) and finish all of my unfinished business.That includes taking more ite...

Dear readers, I am so excited about this next chapter of my life. I was so busy "doing" until I couldn't process my feelings. I have finally reached the point where I don't feel like crying every day and many of the "unknowns" have been answered. Everything is feeling right. Well, most everything. I am on a two year cycle, so basically no matter what, I am only planning to have to deal with it for the next two years. After that, I anticipate having more opportunities available. Maybe it took me longer to reach this rung of the ladder, but I am so happy I am here. I have been friendlier. More at peace. Patient. I feel like a different person. I have a cute little apartment. Little is the key word here. Smaller than I anticipated, but all I need since I am starting over and getting rid of most everything. I have been paring down my possessions easily. I donated about 10 bags of clothes and other items to the charity and still have another closet to clean o...

So much has been going on with me. The roller coaster ride continues. I think I have an apartment. I say think because the leasing agent hasn't sent me the lease yet. My friend is going to help me financially with the initial set up. That is indeed a blessing. It is so expensive to live here now. I had no idea. After doing some figuring I determined that despite getting paid a boatload more money, because my rent is now double what I was paying I am actually not better off than I was was. My living expenses are so much more now. However, my lifestyle is much better here. I got a shorter term lease. A) because it was cheaper per month and B) because I am going to keep looking for something more affordable as soon as I get reacquainted with the area and can focus on that. In the meantime I am going to try to live as comfortably as possible within my means. I again, won't focus on the how, but will put the trust in God to take care of me. Many unknowns still out there, but they ...

So, things are starting to fall into place (though I hate to say that considering how up an down this journey has been.) I have so much to update but not able to right now. I will be probably be quiet on here for a while for a number of reasons. If anyone is reading (and there should be about two of you) I will be back to fill you in on what's  happening.