SOURCE

I did everything I was supposed to do.

Go to college, they said.

You need a degree to get a good job, they said.

This is the mantra when you enter high school, what you are told over and over again. I accepted it and also saw it as my way out coming from a small town.

I'm meant for bigger things and college will get me there, I said.

There I was, in 2005, packing more than half my belongings up and moving into a concrete walled room, hopes and dreams high for my future. My future job was in my grasp. The job I wanted?  To be a journalist. I loved writing and that's all I wanted to do.

After being on the school newspaper for a year, I found it just wasn't for me. Writing those stories, not my style. I explored my options with my "advisor" and switched over to public relations. I decided I wanted to be a PR person for a company or big shot celebrity. I had the writing down just needed to fine tune it a little.

I excelled at my PR classes, loved writing press releases and putting that spin on a story. I eventually picked up a minor in event planning. With PR, you are responsible for planning events and launch parties like the big people do. Or so I was told.

Then came graphic design. I had to take a beginning course as a requirement for my minor, but ended up loving it. I could whirl my way around Photoshop and Flash like a pro. OK, I exaggerate but a pro in college terms. It was too late to drop my event planning minor and pick up this instead.

Put it as a concentration on your resume, I was told.

My grades were decent, not straight A's but not straight C's. I had internships, worked my way through college and was in a sorority that gave me leadership and event planning experience. I was ready to take on the world the fall of my senior year. I was ready to go out and work for that dream job.

What no one could tell me.

You're mom won't be there on graduation day.

Your last semester of college will be turned upside down.

My last semester of college was the best definition of a blur. My family insisted my mom would want me to go back, and I agreed but there are days I can't even remember from my last semester. I was struggling going to class and adjusting to my mom being gone.

While everyone was finalizing resumes and going on job interviews, I was trying to heal the biggest hole in my heart. I also had to make different decisions then I had planned. I would be going back home indefinitely to get my mom's house in order.  Not my original plan. I had planned on staying there with her that summer while I searched for a job.

May 2009, I received the degree everyone told me I had to get. I also received hefty student loan bills and a whole mess of no jobs near the middle of nowhere where I had to back to. I was on my way to broke, no job and living in the house I had shared with my mom.

I fell into a job to pay the bills, still having hopes I would find something else. Something I really wanted to do. As those jobs didn't come, the promotions at this job kept coming. Months turned into years. 4 years today. 4 years I have been with this company. 4 years I have given so much to be stuck.

Going back into what I went to school is almost a whole new start. At 27, I have to make a new start?  But staying where I am, requires me to work somewhere that doesn't deserve me anymore. They have used up everything I can give them and keep beating me down. I am unhappy and do not enjoy my job anymore.

As you can see, the path I took after college determined my future. It wasn't the path I chose, God chose it. Now it's time to accept that where I am is where He wants me to be. He will show me the right way. Just have to keep reminding myself.

Smelling the Roses at Thirty!

Well hello everyone! I love finding new blogs and especially new fun link-ups. Today I stumbled upon the cute Lovely Little Things blog and the Smell the Roses series. Because let's face it we all need to smell the roses every once in awhile. I am just sorry I didn't find this sooner because some of the past tasks would have been so fun.

The task for this week is...

Write yourself a letter to yourself...to read 5 years from now.

After having written a letter to myself 5 years ago...I know I couldn't pass this up. It is basically a time capsule for myself that I will be opening or reading on August 6, 2017. And it goes a little something like this...

Dear Krista,

First off, this is you, now.

You better still be this hot. Just saying.

Well, you have made it to your 30th year. I hope you crossed off at least 3/4 of your 30 before 30 list(which right now is still in progress, so I guess I hope you also finished it.) So if all is done then you will have gotten married, bought a house, done some pole dancing ;) have another tattoo that you currently do not have and you enjoy your job...just to name a few. And if you haven't, then it might be time to break out the list and ask yourself why not. You should always remember to do what you truly want because you want to. Kids or no kids, never lose your passion for trying/doing things that make you happy. Even if others are skeptical and nay sayers. 

By now you should have a little nugget or maybe multiple, God willing and I am sure you are the best mom ever. If it is any indication of how much you love Lily and spoil her these days, it only goes to show how amazing you are with your own flesh and blood. Even Brian says your crazy cat lady skills will carry over into great mom skills.

Speaking of being a momma, how's it going hot momma? Because I know you have started to get the MILF thing going. Highlights, tanning, boobs. ya know, the works. No? Not there yet? No problem. It's your past self telling you to start today. Seriously, go. Even get a workout in, eat healthier. The simple things will help in the long run. 

Your closest friends are still there for you and Brian. (Yes, I am psychic actually) They still come and go in your gigantic house with many bedrooms (and I am also a dreamer) You still rely on them to pick you up even on your craziest days. I know this because your friends now are the friends that have stayed. Stuck with you through every crazy thing in your life and will continue to be there. If you have lost a few, maybe try to reach out. Never too late for a reunion and catch ups. 

You will have been married 4 years, together 11...yikes! You better have celebrated properly! And I know you two are living so happy and still having laughs. Because there is never a dull moment in your lives together. Just remember this time 5 years ago. You were planning a wedding, just learning about living together and  getting excited for your future. Remember this feeling and time. I say take a big vacation this year. Maybe as a family, maybe just the two of you. I know you two always spend, spend on little things and it's time to splurge on a big vacation. Think tropical, relaxing. Because you both need it. I just know this even 5 years from the past :)

It's just crazy thinking 5 years into the future. If I had done this 5 years ago, my letter would show just how much you can't predict anything. You are just on this ride wherever it takes you. Excited to see!

Make sure to head over to see Jessica's blog and start smelling the roses, definitely a fun time!

Sunday Social!

And there you have it folks. Come back tomorrow for a fun weekend recap!

Time for another Sunday Social since it's well, Sunday of course!

This week it's all about


1. What is your dream job?
Well, ladies and gents. This is a wonderful question. I know it most definitely is not what I am doing currently. I would love to have a career in social media dealing with celebrities. Yes,  I am obsessed. Orrr just being at a job where I could write all day, everyday. I would be cool with that too.


2.If you had just won the lottery and didn't need to work for money, what would you do with your time?
I would volunteer and work for non-profits. Might even write a book since I would have so much down time. So many thoughts up in this head that I'm sure if I had copious amounts of time I could come up with something good! And I would of course throw in some nice tropical vacations on occasion.


3. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
This one is so funny for me. Why you ask? Because I wanted to be many things at different stages in my life. It started with a veterinarian because as a small child you just love your pets and want to work with all kinds of animals. Yea, shoving thermometers up their butts and cutting them open was the deal breaker.
Then it was a teacher. I remember playing teacher on our Little Tikes board. Not sure what stopped that dream. 
Then I had the genius idea to be a dentist. I think I stopped that when I realized how much I loathed sitting in that chair myself. 
Somewhere along the road, I decided I wanted to write. I was good at creative stories and loved writing on road trips in the car. 

4. What piece career advice would you give to someone just starting out in your field?
Well, this is a downer question for me. I don't really have a field. Which is sad. So my advice would be, live somewhere where media is prominent right after college or be willing to relocate. Due to other circumstances I couldn't and I think it ultimately hurt me in the long run. Such is life right?


5. Biggest Pet Peeves either in life or in blogging or at work?
Bad grammar is such a big pet peeve for me. Whether it's speaking, writing, yelling, what have you. Almost like nails on a chalkboard in my head. 
People who drive in the left lane going the speed limit or below. Move the heck over people. 
Bad manners and overall bad etiquette make me want to scream. Please and thank you go a long way. As does not being a complete douche. Google is always there is you aren't sure.


6. Biggest Fears: sharks. losing more people close to me.