It's true. My current relationship is officially my longest relationship.
As of August 26, 2010, I have had a serious relationship with the city of Pittsburgh. I moved to the 'Burgh on August 26, 2006, as an incoming freshman print journalism student at Point Park University. I had a pixie-style hair cut with black low lights and a new nose ring. A lot has changed, and I have been thinking about these changes more and more over the last month.
Since I moved to Pittsburgh, these things have changed:
- My hair is halfway down my back, curly and back to my natural red color.
- I am graduating from Point Park University with a B.S. in Business Management.
- I have no nose ring, nor a scar from my former piercing.
- I am now a size 0/2, and when I moved here I was a size 12.
- I got a breast reduction, equal to 3-5 pounds removed.
- I am now the EE/In-store Trainer at Sephora Shadyside, and when I moved to Pittsburgh I had never been to or heard of a Sephora.
- I am single, but in a very healthy dating relationship at the moment. 'Just dating' wasn't a concept I understood in 2006.
- I have so many new and unique friends! I can't imagine my life without you guys!
- I have grown very close to my grandparents since moving here, and I am so thankful for every moment I spend with them.
There are many more changes I have made, and this list could go on for hours. If you're really curious, you can ask me in person. But, overall, I have become more aware of myself and my own actions in the world around me. I am more aware of my attitude and my actions, as well as more aware of the impact I can have either positive or negative with the people I encounter. I have overcome a lot of heartbreak and financial hardships, but I have learned so much about myself and how strong I really am. I am a fighter, and I never thought of myself like that with complete certainty. The world can throw its worst at me, and I feel totally prepared to take it down brick-by-brick. I look at my apartment, my education, my career and friends, and I am so proud of everything I have created. I am completely responsible for everything I have done here. And, I am so proud of it all.
These 4 years have been the most important in my life to date. I can't wait to see what the next 4 years and beyond have in store for me. Pittsburgh, you have taught me a lot and will always be in my heart. Thank you for your hospitality.
So, does anyone else have a sappy love for Pittsburgh? Or, maybe you just have something you'd like to share that has changed in your life over the last few years, or even since yesterday? Let me know! I'd love to hear from you.
To celebrate my 4 years in Pittsburgh, upon the visit of my cousins from California, I had my very first Primanti Bros. sandwich. I am officially a Pittsburgher, I think.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
It's Been A Long Time Comin'
Hola folks!
I know it's been a long time since we last had a chat. Some of you have pointed this out to me on a few occasions, and I am finally hear to respond to your requests! Yes, I am here to write a blog today.
Get excited!
So, what exactly have I been up to the last month-and-a-half you ask?
Good question. I have a long answer. So hold onto your hats!
OK, so I had an icky breakup right before I wrote my last post. That wasn't too fun, but I'm definitely not dwelling on it. Luckily for me, Sephora sent me to Sephora University and Corporate Headquarters in San Francisco the nine days following the breakup.
And, it was AHH-MAZING!!!
In true Emily-style, I took the shitty cards I was dealt in my life and made them the fuel for my success. Train the Trainer July 2010 in San Francisco was a wonderful, life-changing experience that I am still incredibly grateful for and will always remember. I learned so much, not just about training, coaching and managing staff, but also about myself. I learned that what I do as a 22-year-old almost-college graduate is not what all 22-year-old almost-college graduates do. I do amazing things every single day. Anything I have accomplished in my life is attributed to myself and the people around me. I am truly blessed, and I have many more exciting things to come down the road.
So, in San Francisco, I met great people. I ate the best food of my life to date. I wore some fierce suits and a really slick ponytail. And, I officially became a traveling businesswoman.
Whoo hoo!
When I came home, however, there was little time to be excited. I had to give (yet another) presentation for my macroeconomics class just two days after getting back on the East Coast. I turned in my final paper and took my final exam also.
Done.
When that was done, I realized I was three weeks away from school starting again. I only had to work! I was excited. I was beyond jazzed. I couldn't stand my excitement.
Then I got sick.
The last two-and-a-half weeks have been spent either on the couch, in the doctor's office, or at work in pain. I suffered from a bladder infection that was restricting the blood flow and oxygen to my kidneys. I still have not heard all of the details of my infection, but it was painful and very scary. There were a few nights I wasn't sure if I would be okay. Lots of pressure, nausea, pain, and medication. I was popping pills every four hours and on antibiotics for about two weeks. I feel much better now, but I haven't had this much discomfort in my life, aside from my breast reduction last summer.
Summers seem to be good luck for me.
Anyhow, my doctor saw me for two hours the day we decided this infection was more than what we originally thought. Kidney stones, cystitis of the bladder, infection, anatomically irregular. These are all good terms to throw at an otherwise-healthy 22-year-old woman. Needless to say, I have not been myself and I have not been feeling well at all since I returned from the West Coast. I am feeling much better now. I do not need any painkillers or antibiotics anymore, and I have been eating more every day.
I have my follow-up appointment with my doctor on Friday. I am extremely curious.
This brings us to this week. This week has been terrible and wonderful at the same time and in very different ways. I have had a pool of downright nasty clients this week. Nasty, rude, condescending, ungrateful and mean.
All of the above.
That's enough to dampen any good feelings toward the day. I've also had a few bumps this week in attempts to get ready for school starting this Saturday. My air conditioner has leaked all over my wall and it is starting to mold. HH Properties does not seem too concerned by this fact. I swear I will flip a lid if they try and charge me when I move out in December for the water damage to the wall.
I have called them three times about this situation in the last few months.
But, a few good things have made me stop and smile this week. Bekah is back from Costa Rica, so I get to see her soon and catch up on her travels. My cousins are coming to visit from California tomorrow. Even if it's just for the night, it will be a nice end to an eventful and tough Summer. I have also had a few successes at work recently and in my love life. No further details until otherwise indicated, folks. I have learned my lessons about blogging while dating the hard way!
OK, so school starts on Saturday morning. Yes, Saturday morning. I have four classes this semester, and then I will be a college graduate! I have to be in class four days a week while maintaining a full workload, but I will keep you all informed and up-to-date as best I can during this semester.
I am more than 100% positive that I will have plenty of not-so perfect life experiences in my last semester, so please stay tuned!
Oh, and I can't wait until my first pumpkin spice latte of the new season. Just giddy.
I know it's been a long time since we last had a chat. Some of you have pointed this out to me on a few occasions, and I am finally hear to respond to your requests! Yes, I am here to write a blog today.
Get excited!
So, what exactly have I been up to the last month-and-a-half you ask?
Good question. I have a long answer. So hold onto your hats!
OK, so I had an icky breakup right before I wrote my last post. That wasn't too fun, but I'm definitely not dwelling on it. Luckily for me, Sephora sent me to Sephora University and Corporate Headquarters in San Francisco the nine days following the breakup.
And, it was AHH-MAZING!!!
In true Emily-style, I took the shitty cards I was dealt in my life and made them the fuel for my success. Train the Trainer July 2010 in San Francisco was a wonderful, life-changing experience that I am still incredibly grateful for and will always remember. I learned so much, not just about training, coaching and managing staff, but also about myself. I learned that what I do as a 22-year-old almost-college graduate is not what all 22-year-old almost-college graduates do. I do amazing things every single day. Anything I have accomplished in my life is attributed to myself and the people around me. I am truly blessed, and I have many more exciting things to come down the road.
So, in San Francisco, I met great people. I ate the best food of my life to date. I wore some fierce suits and a really slick ponytail. And, I officially became a traveling businesswoman.
Whoo hoo!
When I came home, however, there was little time to be excited. I had to give (yet another) presentation for my macroeconomics class just two days after getting back on the East Coast. I turned in my final paper and took my final exam also.
Done.
When that was done, I realized I was three weeks away from school starting again. I only had to work! I was excited. I was beyond jazzed. I couldn't stand my excitement.
Then I got sick.
The last two-and-a-half weeks have been spent either on the couch, in the doctor's office, or at work in pain. I suffered from a bladder infection that was restricting the blood flow and oxygen to my kidneys. I still have not heard all of the details of my infection, but it was painful and very scary. There were a few nights I wasn't sure if I would be okay. Lots of pressure, nausea, pain, and medication. I was popping pills every four hours and on antibiotics for about two weeks. I feel much better now, but I haven't had this much discomfort in my life, aside from my breast reduction last summer.
Summers seem to be good luck for me.
Anyhow, my doctor saw me for two hours the day we decided this infection was more than what we originally thought. Kidney stones, cystitis of the bladder, infection, anatomically irregular. These are all good terms to throw at an otherwise-healthy 22-year-old woman. Needless to say, I have not been myself and I have not been feeling well at all since I returned from the West Coast. I am feeling much better now. I do not need any painkillers or antibiotics anymore, and I have been eating more every day.
I have my follow-up appointment with my doctor on Friday. I am extremely curious.
This brings us to this week. This week has been terrible and wonderful at the same time and in very different ways. I have had a pool of downright nasty clients this week. Nasty, rude, condescending, ungrateful and mean.
All of the above.
That's enough to dampen any good feelings toward the day. I've also had a few bumps this week in attempts to get ready for school starting this Saturday. My air conditioner has leaked all over my wall and it is starting to mold. HH Properties does not seem too concerned by this fact. I swear I will flip a lid if they try and charge me when I move out in December for the water damage to the wall.
I have called them three times about this situation in the last few months.
But, a few good things have made me stop and smile this week. Bekah is back from Costa Rica, so I get to see her soon and catch up on her travels. My cousins are coming to visit from California tomorrow. Even if it's just for the night, it will be a nice end to an eventful and tough Summer. I have also had a few successes at work recently and in my love life. No further details until otherwise indicated, folks. I have learned my lessons about blogging while dating the hard way!
OK, so school starts on Saturday morning. Yes, Saturday morning. I have four classes this semester, and then I will be a college graduate! I have to be in class four days a week while maintaining a full workload, but I will keep you all informed and up-to-date as best I can during this semester.
I am more than 100% positive that I will have plenty of not-so perfect life experiences in my last semester, so please stay tuned!
Oh, and I can't wait until my first pumpkin spice latte of the new season. Just giddy.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)