And I was right.
I am conceding defeat to this attempt and giving myself a D- for the effort I did put forth.
This was fun, truly. I really enjoyed looking back at these pictures on occasion and remembering days and events that struck a chord with me. My journey was documented nearly the entire year and for that I'm grateful, despite the...
I began the year in a relationship that I should have ended the month before, subsequently had my worst birthday to date (even beating the one where my best friend dumped me; but Ana Paula's wedding was gorgeous and I'm so glad to have been there!) and finally ended it officially in April though things had gone very far South by that point. Despite everything, I am very grateful for that relationship. It taught me a whole heck of a lot about myself and about commingling your life with someone else's.
I got to meet my second niece (third niece/nephew), and first baby of the brother, on her third day of life and I fell head over heels in love. Watching her grow over this past year has been beyond imagining. She is stoic and contained, but a goober who loves to laugh with this low sort of chuckle reminiscent of a love-struck Looney Tunes character. She is an absolute ham and I love, love, love her!
 |
| See the stoicness? |
I passed two more parts of the CPA exam bringing my grand total to 75% done before failing the last one I needed and therefore dropping my total to 50%. Fail. The decision is yet to be made whether I'll be a CPA or not in the end. We shall see!
I switched jobs in February, following the dollar signs, and the thought of working with an old buddy I had audited and lo and behold, it turned out to be not the best decision in the world. It was a challenge from day one and had it not been for what happened on the first day, I doubt I would have lasted as long as I did.
Scene: Walking through the new job hallway and see the back of the other new hire. She turns slightly.
Me: "Nikki?? No way!"
Nikki: "Oh, my gosh!!!" Commence hugging.
Had it not been for Nikki being there, I think I would have lost my cool and gone ape-ish in that place! Therefore, I made the decision I was ready to move on. Despite the potential destruction to my resume, I decided it was time to make my leave. I swapped jobs again in October and could not be happier, through and through.
I found out I got the job on the Thursday I flew to San Francisco to visit my cousin's. I had an amazing weekend and thoroughly enjoyed the time off and relaxation it provided. Upon my return, I had an inkling of a thought, one that had been there before but had been lying dormant: I'm ready to move out.
Don't misunderstand me, I love my parents. I would absolutely not the be the best Becca that I am today if it were not for them. I was more ready to have my own kitchen, my own supplies, my own space to call entirely my own and to take care of.
I told my mom this on a Tuesday night and asked her for her help (she's a whiz at finding stuff on the internet; it's her Cajun luck. She can walk out to a field of clover's and immediately find a four-leaf or more clover...insane!) in finding a place with these parameters: Parking close to my front door, small complex, safe and good location. Originally I had been looking to buy in the Heights area but decided ultimately that I am definitely not ready to be a homeowner. No way!
An hour later, my mom walks in to the study and says, "What about a townhouse?" I say, "How much?" Haha. Turns out her friend at work's husband and MIL co-own a townhouse that had recently been entirely gutted and re-done. New appliances, flooring, paint, etc. "Got any pictures?"
The first picture I saw was of the living area with its rich earth tones of browns, tans and creams embedded in the flooring and painted on the walls and doors. Gorgeous. And when I saw the built-in shelves, I was done in. "Who do I contact?"
The next morning, the day after I'd put in my notice at work, I called the Realtor and set up a meeting for the afternoon. Well, as a short-timer, I had it within me to sacrifice the afternoon hours. I walked in with my mom, who met me there, and immediately felt at home. It was reminiscent of when my mom and I toured the campus of Stephen F. Austin State University in the Spring of 2003, deciding that it felt perfect there. And it did, despite my leaving after one year. See a pattern emerging, y'all? :-/
Here's the funniest part about this afternoon in particular...I had already driven to my new job twice for interviews on separate occasions and noted where it was. When I was driving to the house to meet the realtor I puttered past my new job and waved hello and as I put my hand down realized I was practically at the exit for my house! What, no way, I thought to myself. There is no way this place is directly across the freeway from my new home. Oh, yes, it was.
"Give me the papers, I'm ready to sign."
I then spent the next week and a half wrapping up my old job and writing instructions for my work buddy I was hating to leave behind and ordering cable, internet, phone, electricity and movers. Not to mention organizing the delivery of the abundance of furniture I bought from RoomStore (thanks for helping, SIL!).
The morning arrived and, thanks to my mom, I was packed and ready to go. My dad didn't help much except to grumble because I think he was unwilling to accept the fact that his baby was moving out. Love my Dad!
The movers showed before 8AM and got to work. I want to put in a plug for The Cajun Movers, formerly Navarre Moving, because they are incredibly fast, diligent, run by great people, and were a wonderful price! They began the process of taking everything out and it was interesting the feeling left in their wake, that of a cleared house and you could honestly feel the space opening up. And the dust settling since I wasn't much for dusting, sorry Mom!
At about 9:15AM my phone rang, as I had expected it to do more than an hour beforehand:
Me: "Hello?"
RoomStore: "Uh, hi, this is RoomStore and I wanted to let you know your window is from 9-11AM and we'll be there in 15 minutes."
Me (freaking out because I'm approximately 30 minutes away at this point): "Uh, okay. Um, thanks."
Thank you, cops, for not being on the road and for people to be speeding along with me.
I pulled on to my access road for my parking and right behind me came the RoomStore truck. Talk about excellent timing! But it didn't stop there with the timing. They moved my furniture in lickety-split and were gone right after my mom showed up. A few minutes later I get a phone call from my movers saying they were at the gate. Less than an hour and half later, I was moved in and the trucks were gone and my mom, dad, and brother were left in their wake to help begin the unpacking process. I have to say, I've never been part of such an efficient move in my life. I've moved myself or my brother and his wife in combination 10+ times. 5 for them and 5 or 6, I lose track, for me. But this one takes the cake.
It makes a difference when you've got movers...and not just the sweat equity of your sister.
By that night my mom had stayed while my dad and bro went back home for the evening and we broke down every cardboard box in the house. No little buggies for me!
The next morning dawned bright and we began the cleaning and clearing process again. Where do things go, where do things hide, where shall things stay because they are so heavy? That afternoon my sister and nephew stopped by to see the place and the first thing she says...
"How do you already have enough stuff to fill this place up?"
To give you an idea by what she meant: I live in a two-story, two bedroom, two and a half bathroom townhouse. Filled.
While I'm not quite ready to show my entire house, my living area is quite nice.
 |
| Couch and lamp, RoomStore. Tree, lent. Chair, Home Goods. Coffee table and footrest, all mine! |
I started my new job the next day and have yet to regret the decision.
I am head over heels in love with my new home, too. It has been fun to decorate and organize, to clear out wasteful items and keep it clean. Clean lines, clear areas, comfy seating.
And hopefully by the time I host my housewarming/Birthday party on January 21st, the house will look even more fabulous.
Here's hoping. :-)
