Saturday, February 18, 2012

Maybe Change Would Be A Good Idea

Over the past two weeks, I've talked to two of my closest friends who know me better than almost anyone.  Sometimes even better than myself.  Friends that I often feel blessed to have because they are often the ones to push me out of my comfort zone.  


In the last month or so, I've gotten to the point where my job may not be the best place for me.  That I am, more or less, paying work there and that's kind of defeating the purpose.  So, one night, I spoke to my parents and suggested that maybe it would be a good time to maybe look for a new job and really focus on my writing...like looking into the new publishing program that Amazon now has. Shockingly, they were insanely supportive, throwing me off guard.  It made me realize that maybe I had underestimated their feelings toward my desire to write.  What an amazing feeling!


Back to my point...


Last week, I had a chance to have lunch with Amy and her little one and I brought this up.  Not only did she agree with me on my decision to move on from this job, but also really consider a change of scenery, which has been an idea that I have been toying with for the past few years.  When I came back from lunch and talked to Katie, another of my closest friends, she agreed wholeheartedly.  


Being a few hundred miles apart, they still managed to tell me the same thing.  If I could step out of my comfort zone in little ways, why not finish the year off with a new job in a new city and state, living for me?  


How is it that the next day, my brother and I were having the same conversation?  He had been feeling like now was the best time to change things up and really branch out on his own.  Coming from a strong and supportive family, we both have realized that if we are to stand on our own two feet, that it was time to leave. Even if it means moving in the opposite directions.


How is that something as minor as a single conversation becomes something so drastic and exciting?  Something as big as possibly leaving everything that I have ever known for a city that I have only been to for days at a time.  


So, here's my idea:
By the end of August, I want to out of Lansing and into an apartment with a new job in the Chicago area.


Am I terrified of this big leap?  Hell yes, but that means that you're about to do something great.
“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.”
– Victor Frankl
Have a great weekend!  

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Hmmm...

It has been a while since I've written anything here...


And even longer since I have written about my latest food attempt.


Since the last time I've been here, my two favorite characters have not let me forget that they have made a home in my heart and mind.  I'm either thinking about how to make my second book better or how to humanize them even more.  Or is that even possible? 


Tonight, I decided to try making a spinach lasagna with a cream sauce.  On and off for the past few months, I have been craving it.  As usual, I cheated a little when I used carrot matchsticks instead of shredded.  Then accidentally forgot a layer of lasagna noodles.  All in all though?  It turned out great and I'll be making this again.


Now to finish the week!