Happy Anniversary to Me!

It's officially my one month anniversary as a New Yorker.  Well, let's face it.. I'm still not a New Yorker, so I should say... it's my one month anniversary of residing in New York.  I'll always be a Kentucky girl.

I'm still amused at how much everyone I meet loves my accent.  I'm still not used to hearing people say cawfee (coffee) and I don't think I ever will get used to it.  I also don't think I'll ever get used to the insane traffic and crazy drivers.  One day it was raining slightly and it added a good 20-30 minutes to my commute b/c people had no idea what they were doing.  I'm told that it's even worse in snow.  Great.

Besides traffic and crazy accents, I LOVE it here.  There's a whole lot to do (obviously) and I am so ready to be completely settled so I can start enjoying the scenery more.  My job is incredible.  I am loving being an analyst because it really allows me to be the nerd that I am.  I literally dreamed about a spreadsheet last night and woke up happy... I'm not joking.  I know I'm not normal.  The best part is that I'm not stuck behind spreadsheets and numbers ALL the time.  I get a lot of interaction with others and there's definitely a big teamwork emphasis, which I love.  When I chose to study business, I envisioned my career to look something like me sitting in a room with really smart people coming up with awesome ideas and then going off and implementing them.  Now that I get to do that... I'm loving it.

My apartment still isn't anywhere close to what I want it to look like. It's been a long process with getting furniture delivered, etc. and I still have basically nothing decorated.  My couch is being delivered tomorrow so I'm trying to get the last of my things unpacked and organized so I'll have room for everything.  It's definitely interesting having so little space when I was used to having my own house.  I like it though. Cleaning is SO easy and quick.. and frankly, I'm just one person.. I don't need a ton of space to live.  I plan on getting a lot of my decor, etc. when I go home for Thanksgiving this week, so that will make this place feel more like home.  Also, I'm just REALLY excited to see everyone at home.


I know this blog is super long (I wouldn't have this problem if I'd update more through the week, right?!) but I also want to briefly talk about HOW MUCH FUN I had at a Foo Fighters and Social Distortion concert this week.  It was this past Monday at The Rock (Prudential Center) in Newark, New Jersey.  The Rock happens to be where the New Jersey Nets play currently, but they are moving to Brooklyn next year.  We had general admission floor tickets so we got to stand pretty close to the stage.  I was worried that people would be all crazy and pushing/shoving but it wasn't really the case.  A few people were, but for the most part everyone was pretty calm.  I don't know a lot of the music, but I enjoyed the show anyway.  Dave Grohl, the lead singer, is an incredible entertainer.  The highlight for me was the the drummer was wearing a "Wildcat Pride" t-shirt!!! It was really cool.  I literally made it my mission to get a good picture of it but he was moving so fast with drumming it was hard to get a good one.  Here's the best one I got...

For now I'm off to go get my car detailed (for $25.. thank you Groupon!) and drop off my laundry.  I know, it's an exciting Saturday! Tomorrow is my big day, though.  Going to make Kevin one of his favorite meals (chicken fettuccine alfredo) in exchange for him being so kind as to take me to see Breaking Dawn Part 1.

I Haven't Forgotten About You!

I keep telling myself that I'm going to post more, and I have really good intentions. It's just really easy to let it slide when you get caught up in the day to day routine.  

I just finished up my second week of work.  I'm genuinely loving it.  I feel like I learn something new every day and I get to do all of the nerdy things I love to do.  

My commute to work is a bit interesting.  It takes me almost 30 minutes exactly to get to work which isn't bad at all.  I leave pretty early even though I don't have to be to work until 9:00 so there isn't much traffic at all.  On the way home, though....wow, it's crazy.  It has taken me upwards of an hour to get home due to stand still traffic in certain areas.  Of course, the efficiency nerd in me has analyzed about 4 different ways to get home now and I'm in the process of figuring out all the fastest shortcuts.   

I've got a lot of exciting countdowns going on right now. 

• 1-3 Days:  Receiving my TV and comforter set in the mail (what was I thinking leaving those incredibly important things at home?!)
• 2 days:  Foo Fighters concert with Kevin
• 6 Days: Breaking Dawn Part 1 opens in theaters
• 8 Days:  My new couch is being delivered!
• 12 Days:  My first visit back to Kentucky since moving! Thanksgiving weekend!
• 16 Days:  Kevin's birthday! (I am in desperate need of gift ideas for a guy who couldn't care less about STUFF.)

So Thankful

If you've logged onto facebook at all in the past few days, you know that a TON of people are posting each day in November something new they are thankful for.  Frankly, I don't have enough time or discipline to do that every day; however, there are tons of things that I am thankful for... especially now.  I'm going to consolidate and do one post with a list of the many things I am thankful for.  You're welcome.

God's incredible displays of grace and love in my life
I do not deserve the many blessings I have received, and I am so thankful he provides anyway. 

Both of my parents

The relationship I have with each of them is so different yet both provide so much love and support in their own way.  Love you both!

Kevin

I am so thankful to have met such an amazing person to have in my life.  He's one of the most thoughtful and kind people I know.  

My friends

I have so many friends from throughout the years whom I cherish so much.  While I always appreciate them, moving away from home really reminded me how many great people I have in my life.  I was so overwhelmed with the love and well-wishes from everyone.  Also, I enjoyed every minute of the time I got to spend with you guys in the past few weeks I was home.  I miss you all!

My old job and coworkers

I would expect that typically when someone leaves a job, they don't miss it much but that's definitely not the case in my situation.  I think about my old coworkers often and I'm dying to hear how everything is going with them.  I've kept in touch with a few, but already need to do a better job.  Also, the job itself provided me with such great experience and taught me so much.  I'm so grateful.

My New Job

I just finished up my first week on the new job yesterday, and I must say... it was incredible.  It's a whole different atmosphere than what I am used to given that I'm now working in a corporate office of a company and previously was working in a field environment.  I love dressing up every day (we'll see if I'm still saying that in a few months).  I also am really enjoying learning about a different industry.  Going from construction to vitamins is an interesting transition to say the least! I'm even in a different position than I was with my old job.  Previously, I was a Purchasing Specialist (buyer) and now I've moved into an analyst position.  I've learned SO much about excel and data analysis in the past week, it's crazy.  I'm learning actual useful outcomes from all of those weird formulas we were taught in college. 

Thanksgiving Break

As much as I love living here and my new job, I am really excited to come home and visit my family! I'm looking so forward to seeing everyone! I'm particularly excited to meet my two new little cousins, Thomas and Truman.  My uncle Scott and aunt Mindy just had twins! They're precious.

There are a ton of other things I'm thankful for, but none are more important than the ones I've written about already.  I'm going to leave it at that for now. 

As Promised.... New Apartment Pics (Before)

It's been kind of hectic for me lately.  I've stayed in my apartment two nights now so far, and I'm basically still living out of boxes for the most part.  As such, I will only be posting before pics today.  Hopefully this weekend I'll get some things accomplished and will be able to post some after pics next week.

I really like the new place. It's way different than what I'm used to, but I'm adjusting well.

Basically, it's in a house that's separated into two sections.  It's not a traditional duplex, it's basically just a small apartment attached to a house.  Here's the outside. The apartment is the small part on the left side of the picture. It's in a safe, quiet neighborhood which is really close to shopping and restaurants.

The rest of the pictures were taken as the old tenant was moving out, so there were still some things lying around.  Here is the kitchen/living room combination.  It's kind of weird that there's just a little row of cabinets, etc. in the living room... but it works.  I really like the hardwood floors.

The bathroom is one of my favorite parts.. I like the tub and there is lots of cabinet space.... lots of room for my thousands of types of lotions, hair products, etc.

The bedroom is carpeted.  The walls, ceiling and even the carpet are grey.  I like the color, but it's definitely a LOT.  The carpet almost looks purple compared to the wall color.