Potential Author Blog?

Ok, so it has been about seven months since I last posted.  Bad blogger.

I'm thinking about turning this page into an author blog, although I don't exactly know what that all entails.  Probably just talking about my writings and hopefully getting feedback.  So here goes:

I'm working on a manuscript that I would love to get published and make into a series.  Most of the characters have been in my head for almost 10 years, and I've revamped the story about three or four times until I actually had a concept that I liked and could really work with.  So far I'm 47k words in and probably a little over half way through the story I want to tell.

The working title at the moment is The Academy, but that will probably change, like it does.  The simplest way I can describe the concept is Mission Impossible The Wonder Years.  I always wondered how Tom Cruise's character because such a bad ass spy, so I decided to write this.  It's told from the protagonist's point of view and details how she goes from being a student in a military school in a Special Ops program to how she and her two friends become spies.  It's a lot of intrigue and action, with a healthy dose of humor, and a hint of romance.  There's also betrayal, secrecy and heartbreak; a journey of self-discovery and just where she draws the line.  She has to decide which is worse: to betray herself or to betray her country?

Hopefully that sounds interesting.

Any and all comments are appreciated,

xoxo

Busy Busy Busy

Whoops!  Totally forgot to post anything at all.  Life has been kind of busy lately.

But I have good news!  After living here for exactly one month, my DM calls me and wants to have a little talk.  Nothing bad, it was about all the changes that were happening around our district.  One store manager was leaving, another wanted to go from being a dual-store manager to a single store, another manager wanted to be closer to home and two people were getting promoted to fill the spots.  So, who has two thumbs and got promoted to store manager?

This girl!

I was so excited, I called everyone I knew.  My sister was the first person (obviously) since she was the one who knew what was going on the best out of my people and she was the one telling me to calm down before my meeting because I was so nervous.  But this was a great thing, because it came with a huge pay increase, which will definitely help in getting me set up in my own place.  Now I just need friends so I can get a room mate.

I'd rather just have Haruko move down here.  Then I'd have my BFF/Twin around to share in my road rage over old people driving.

Speaking of Haruko, she's going to be back at the end of July for my birthday!  I'll have my Twin here for a whole week!  Unfortunately, I'll have to work while she's here, but she's fine with that as long as she can lay out and there's food in the house.  I also plan on letting her use my car while I'm working as long as she comes and gets me so I can go home.  I have a feeling that our reunion will be a bikini clad booze infused celebration.  It will be good times.

But yeah, I turn 25 this year.  Depending on how well 25 goes, I might just keep turning 25 until I decide otherwise.

Not really much else has happened.  All I do so far is work, gym, and sleep.  Oh and watch my niece occasionally and the dogs.  But it's mostly work and sleep.  I need some better supporting shoes.  My knees keep popping while I'm at work and it's not a good kind of popping.  I'd kill for some arch support inserts.

Until something else happens that is worthy of being shared,
xoxo

Home Sweet Home

I made it to Florida!!  So excited!

Lindsay's wedding was absolutely beautiful.  She was just stunning in her dress.  I was maid of honor, so I was with her all morning, but when she came out with her dad into the sunlight the other bridesmaid Tori and I just broke down.  We were almost to the point of bawling.  So so so beautiful.

By the time I got home I was exhausted but I had so much to do before I could nap.  I was running around my house like a crazy person trying to get all the last minute things done with my packing.  I was getting a good workout with it though, doing squats, lifting heavy boxes, sprints to and from the car.  It was interesting.  I popped two Benadryl and tried to go to sleep.  Normally that knocks me out for the rest of the night and I'm groggy until the late afternoon the next day, but I got maybe a 3 hour nap out of it.  I woke up and all I could think was "I have to get the car packed."

The car ended up being stuffed to the point of almost not being able to see.  The trunk was full of boxes and the back seat was full of laundry baskets and bags and other stuff piled up on  top of each other.

I only started crying when I left because my parents started crying.  How can you not cry at a time like that?  But I was really upset about leaving my dog.  That is my child.  He sleeps with me, cuddles with me, I'm the only one who can catch him and knows how to hold him properly.  I was more torn up about having to leave my dog than about leaving my parents.  Is that bad?

Haruko drove down with me, and we decided to drive down at night so we'd have more vacation time.  It's a 10 hour drive and we switched off about every three hours.  There was no all-night dance party, there was barely any talking.  We stopped a few times to fill up and for bathroom breaks and to eat some breakfast.  We also stopped at the state line at the "Welcome to Florida" sign and took pictures.

I've made a lot of trips into Florida, but they were never one way.  I thought it deserved documentation.

We got here in exactly 10 hours.  So tired I was delirious almost all day yesterday.  By the time I got to bed I hadn't slept in about 24 hours, so I was really tired.  The day seemed to go in slow motion and 10 PM just couldn't get here fast enough.  But everything is unpacked now, my car is clean, and now I just have to remember where I put everything.

Today was spent at the beach and doing some other stuff.  I have always wanted to live by the beach  ever since I made my first trip to the ocean when I was 12.  And now I do.  I'm 5 miles from the beach.  I will be there every chance I get until it gets really old.  Which I don't see happening any time soon.  It's very calming and I love the sun.  I get tan and vitamin D.

I met my new store manager, I'm on the schedule starting Friday.  So I have a job!  I didn't find out which store I was going to be in until this morning.  Seriously, I thought I was going to have another anxiety attack if I didn't hear back from the DM.  I even texted my old DM to make sure my PTO had been approved and he kept asking me questions about if I made it ok and if I'd met my new boss.  I didn't know how much he liked me until I left.

So, I'm at the end of the country in one piece, I have my best friend with me until Thursday.  Life is good.

xoxo

Bon Voyage Bonfire

My friends are awesome.  Let that be known.

Haruko and Charlie (mostly Haruko) planned a bonfire party as my going away party, which was last night.  I had way too much fun.  Seriously.  I started the party off early by heading straight over to Haruko's house after work with Lindsay in tow.

 I was going to go to the grocery store before her house to grab stuff for s'mores and ice, but I ended up having to change my clothes before going back out.  I had forgotten that I put my water on top of my car and started to drive out of the parking lot, windows down and sun roof open because it was warm outside.  Well, one of the security people driving around started honking at me, so I stopped.  And then my water came flying into the car through the sun roof and all over me and the dash.  "That's what I was trying to warn you about," says the security lady.

"Yeah, thanks," I say back, still in shock.

At least it was just water.

So I change clothes at Haruko's and Lindsay and I go get stuff.  When we get back Charlie is the only one at the house and he's about to leave.  I find out that Haruko has gone to Total Wine with Sam and will be back shortly.  Well, it's 5 by now and they're taking longer than expected.  Lindsay and I start taking jello shots. (Everyone at this party is over the legal drinking age, so everything that happened was legal.)

The way Haruko made them was not how you usually make jello shots.  Normally one would put half water and half whatever alcohol.  Haruko did a half cup of water and the rest vodka.  The jello shots were not jello flavored at all, no matter what color one you picked up.  They were vodka flavored.  And so were the vodka soaked gummy bears.  Those things were lethal.  You'd take one of either, be ok for the first few seconds, then start breathing heavily and making weird ninja moves with your arms.

Needless to say, by the time Haruko and Sam got back to the house Lindsay and I were toasty.  Then Sam made blowjob shots.  And after that we had mixed drinks.  We got a little silly.  I ended up with Mardi Gras beads, glowing plastic devil horns, a flashing light up ring, and a stick on mustache.

All before 7:30 PM.

We, and by we I mean Lindsay, made drunk cupcakes.  I tried to climb a tree in the back yard and scraped up my arms for it.  I got to see a bunch of my friends whom I haven't seen in months, which was great, and two of my coworkers (including my boss) showed up, which wasn't as awkward as I thought it'd be.  Although I was at the point where everything was funny and my speaking voice was set at "yelling," I must apologize if I was obnoxious.  Which I'm sure I was.

I got Lindsay to take me home though because she was sober, she drove right past my house to get home anyway, and I really wanted to sleep in my own bed.  I had just enough presence of mind before passing out to wash my face and text Sam that I made it home ok.

For some reason when I decide I'm going to partake in adult beverages I wake up at the ass crack of dawn the next morning.  When I did wake up around 7AM all I could think of was why I couldn't breathe, my eyes were crusty, and that I had to pee.  Closed my eyes again and got the spins.  Decided that I was still drunk and went back to sleep.

Lindsay picked me up and we went to our nail appointment where I recuperated.  After that we fetched my car and went up to Chattanooga.  She drove, I slept.  Had a consultation for her hair and makeup for her wedding this weekend, which looked beautiful, and the lady decided that she'd do my makeup too!

Good weekend for me.  =)

xoxo

Hen Party!!

One of those Netflix and nails kind of days today.

Last night was Lindsay's Hen Party, hosted by me, but it wasn't my best planned party.  I totally forgot all the penis related items you find at a bachelorette party, I forgot a sash and/or crown, and we missed the drag show at Blake's.  But she did have fun at Cheesecake Factory like she wanted, got lots of lingerie, and someone gifted her with penis pops.  Problem solved.  

Last night was also prom night for a lot of schools, apparently.  My dress was pretty, maybe a little young for me, but I don't look my age so I went with it.  Pretty strapless coral color with pale gold floral detailing with a sweetheart neckline, empire waist, fluffy skirt that ended at mid thigh.  Paired it with turquoise H-strap stilettos with rhinestones on the strap.  Top it off with  a pink clutch and turquoise nails and that's my outfit.  I got asked 4 times if I was going to prom.  No, but thank you for thinking I'm really young.  =)

Some people are just so tacky.  Really.  While we're waiting for our table we decided to sit outside so the rest of our group can find us.  Not 15 feet away is where the really really nice cars get parked for valet.  There are two Bugatti cars in a row and about 40 people standing around taking pictures of them.  You've never seen a Bugatti before?  I haven't, but all I did was look and think, "Wow, that's a really nice Italian car."  You are in Atlanta, land of hiphop moguls.  There are a lot of people with a lot of money in Atlanta.  Please, show some restraint.

Here endeth my rant.

Our waiter was funny, and tried to humor us.  It seemed like everyone and their mom decided to have their birthday at Cheesecake Factory.  We asked him if they had a song for lingerie parties, and if not, could he make one up?  There was much build up, and then no delivery.  What a tease.  But I think he put just straight lemon vodka with the tiniest bit of lemon juice in our lemon drop shots, so that made up for it.

Atlanta is famous for a lot of things, one of those things being drag queens.  Blake's On The Park does drag shows on a regular basis so that's where Lindsay wanted to go.  When I called to ask about the show, the guy just said that they start around 11 and nothing else.  Not how long they go or if there's more than one person doing it, just that it's standing room only (like any good bar usually is).  Someone in our group has been to this particular place before and said that they last a while so we didn't need to rush out of dinner to get to the bar.  We get there at 12 and the show's been over for about an hour.  Sad face.

To make up for it I plied Lindsay with booze.  I watched the bartender make my drinks and I kid you not, he put in just enough cranberry to give it the slightest pink color, the rest was straight vodka.  A couple people came up and asked if we were with a party or something, since we were 6 straight girls in a gay bar.  Everyone was very nice and gave Lindsay congratulations, and no one cared if I bumped into them while dancing. Whoever told us the drinks were strong was not joking.

 There was only one person who got bitchy.  "Why are you here?  You're straight."  Because it's a public venue and I know there will be no douche bags hitting on us.  It went on from there, but I stopped caring after that opening line.

We did see one friend of ours there for his birthday and he gave Lindsay a lap dance.  Good times.

Lindsay kept saying she couldn't feel her buzz from the drinks I kept handing her.  Then she stood up.  Haha!   It's a good thing she took her heels off and put on flats to walk back to my car because she couldn't walk a straight line.  Then she drunk dialed her fiance.  

Over all, it was a good night.

xoxo

Interesting Turn of Events

T minus three weeks and counting until I am in Florida!  I'm very excited, past the point of anxiety and onto adventure-mode.  This past Sunday was Easter and since the mall that I work in is closed on Easter, I got a given day off and so did Haruko.  Lindsay almost always has Sundays off, so that worked out perfectly for my plans.  I had the girls come over and help me go through my stuff to pack it all away, and I supplied wine and pizza.  We got all my clothes down to three tall shipment boxes I brought home from work, not including my shoes.  That is quite a feat considering I had two closets full of clothes and shoes.

Lindsay went home with a bunch of my clothes, since we wear exactly the same size in everything.  Mostly jeans that I hadn't worn in about a year and a couple tops.  I think she got a couple pairs of flats as well.  Haruko took home a couple tops of mine as well, so I know that my clothes are going to good homes.  I also purged about three big bags worth of clothes that I'm donating to Good Will or Salvation Army or someplace like that.  And half of my shoes.  Or what feels like half.  Either way, I got rid of a lot of stuff.

I was worried there was going to be a lot of crying that day but we were all too busy figuring out what to keep and what to throw away and getting everything packed up to do that.  There was one instance where I thought I was going to break, but I held it together.  That is until I saw Lindsay's FB post before she came over.  It was along the lines of, "Going to help my best friend of 10 years, who has never been more than a 30 minute drive away for as long as we've been friends, pack to move 700 miles away.  Super sad face."

I cried for an hour.

The only thing that distracted me enough to pull it together was playing Draw Something.

The day before Haruko took me on an adventure around metro Atlanta.  I went to the Color Run with her, not actually running because I didn't want to pay $50 to run a 5k and have people throw colored corn starch at me when I'm supposed to be saving money, and got color bombed anyway.  She ran up and gave me a hug after she finished, so I decided to just have fun with it and went nuts with the color myself.  Then we went to an indoor trampoline place called Sky Zone, but I call it Jump Jump.  That was intense.

In between Color Run and Jump Jump we kind of drove around Gwinette and she decided that we were going to get Korean ice.  It's like Hawaiian Ice but with actual fruit and other stuff on it.  The way she explained it before I actually tasted it was kind of odd, so I just had hers in case I thought it was gross.  It was delicious!  Also, she pointed out I was the only non-Asian around.  "How's it feel to be the minority?  Haha!"  Yeah, well, Haruko says herself that she's a bad Asian because she's white on the inside.

After Jump Jump we went and had pho (pronounced "fuh"), which I had never had before.  Total noms.  I got cultural on Saturday.  

The only thing that is bothering me right now is that I have no idea what store I'm going to be in once I move down there.  The transfer has already been approved and we've talked about my hours, pay rate, all that good stuff.  I know what mall my new DM wants me in, just not what store.  

I like to have a plan.  I like detailed plans so I know exactly what to expect.  That's my Type A personality coming through because I was texting my sister almost flipping out about it.  She calmed me down though.  It's only the 10th and I don't actually start working until the 5th of May I think.  Plenty of time.

I just want it to happen.  Three weeks goes by so quickly, especially when you have a lot of stuff planned, and I want to savor every minute of it.  But there is that little part that can't wait for this new chapter in my life to start.  =)

So until next time,

xoxo

PS This is what I looked like at Color Run about 10 minutes after Haruko hugged me and before the color toss that I got seriously bombed in.

Readdressing Anxiety

So the anxiety I was talking about last post, has absolutely nothing to do with me wondering if I'm making the right decision or not.  I know I am doing what is best for me at this point in my life.  I have a job waiting for me, I have family, and a support system.  It's about time I had an adventure.  And if this turns out to be a huge mistake, then I can always go back home.

My anxiety is more focused on not being able to see my friends whenever I want to anymore.  That and the first time I move away I decided to move two states away.  That's a really big change.  But mostly about missing my friends.

The people I'm going to miss the most are going to be Lindsay and her soon-to-be husband Jamie and my "twin" Haruko.  I've known Lindsay for about 10 years now and we've been very close the entire time.  We were the weird kids in high school who bonded over being the weird kids (except we were pretty and not really all that weird) and she's become family.  I'm going to be maid of honor in their wedding right before I move and their imaginary kids will be calling me "Aunt Bekah."  Every year we go to the Atlanta Ballet at least once and make a day of it.  Lindsay and I will have girl dates and just hang around watching movies.  We won't get to do that anymore after I move.

I haven't known Haruko nearly as long as L&J, but we are practically the same person.  We're always on the same page, have the same taste in most things, and we share our road rage.  H and I aren't actually twins, since she's older than me and six inches shorter than me, but we do have amazing twin powers.  It all started when we began showing up to work in similar if not the same outfits.  The phrase "We're friends because we hate all the same people" really was how we started being besties.

Thankfully, H is driving the 700 miles to my new home with me so I don't get bored out of my mind while driving.  Plus she wanted to go on vacation and I'll be a 10 minute drive from the beach.  So I get my friend for a little while longer before I start work and she gets a beach vacation for super cheap.  It's a win-win situation.

The way I've been handling this anxiety has been in taking over H's kitchen and cooking enough to feed a small army once a week, and in very strange dreams.  As in Tim Tebow has made a couple appearances where he's just hanging out and I'm looking around in my dream thinking, "Wtf are you doing here?"  Last night I had a freaky dream where people were turning into zombies.  You know how in zombie movies people start off really sick and then they go into a shot where you're inside their body and you see their cells breaking down?  That's what happened in my dream.  Then we zoom back out and people all over the place are zombies and I'm yelling for my sister to save me.

Watching Zombieland the other day might have had something to do with that dream though.

My mom and sister are hoping to convince H to just stay down in FL with me so I have my twin and an automatic roommate.  Which would be awesome.  Her boyfriend already said I could have joint custody of her anyway.

Oh yeah, a better definition of "quarter-life crisis" would be nice, probably.  That's where when you get to twenty-five and you aren't anywhere near where you thought you'd be so you either: A. change careers, B. pack up your stuff and move far away, or C. both.

So until next time,
xoxo