work for it

This morning I got the official word that I will brought in on a really cool project at work, where I will be involved from conception to execution. The event involves all-things Atlanta: a Foundation, athletes and a great downtown venue. Needless to say, I'm thrilled!

For those who have the pleasure of hearing about my "work woes" (cough: my dad and my roommate), they will surely understand my excitement. I have just short of begged to be more involved in a wider variety of things at work, with an emphasis on hospitality events. And thus far, nothing has worked out in my favor. I felt like I was going the extra mile to show that I was ready to take on new projects and more leadership, but was feeling overlooked and discouraged. Now my time has arrived and I'm so excited! It goes to show that hard work and patience (though I have very little) do pay off.

"A dream doesn't become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work." - Colin Powell

Brand New Year

Orlando is where it began. 2011, that is. I rang in the new year with some of my best friends and we had a blast! Not only that, but the first day of the year was spent watching Alabama beat Michigan State in the Capital One Bowl. And for the last two days, the South has been hit with a snow storm which gave me an excuse to lay around, drink hot chocolate, and be lazy. Oh! And what snow day would be right without building a snow man?! A great start to what I hope to be an extremely fulfilling and exciting year.

Which brings me to my goals for 2011. Many people set goals and resolutions on January 1 of each year. I must admit that if I have ever made resolutions, they are generally forgotten by February. I'm hoping, however, that this year I can make it all the way. In an attempt to hold myself accountable I am posting my goals for all to read. Maybe you can help keep me accountable as well :)

Read at least one book each month. (I got this idea from my Dad. He has done this in the past, and I really liked it!)

Go to the gym, work out, and get in shape! And not complain while doing so. (At least 4x a week)

Become better at consistently keeping in touch with friends and family.

Cook or bake something new once every week.

I am hoping that by making a conscious effort to accomplish these goals, they will not only be "those things I did in 2011," but they will become my lifestyle. Only time will tell.

2015 ? Uhhh....

In a job interview the other day I was asked "Where do you see yourself in five years?" Of course I should have anticipated that question, but I didn't. And it caught me off guard. So I gave a vague answer and a bit of a different approach--I described how I hoped I would feel in five years. Happy, successful, and have opportunities to learn and experience new things. Then I got to thinking, if a friend or family member had asked me the same question, would I have given the same answer? In the past, I would have given a completely different answer. But now, I would have answered similarly to the way I did in the interview. 


Truth be told, this summer I stopped making plans for my future because it only led to incredible disappointment. During my years at the University of Alabama, I met so many wonderful people....one being an incredible guy. We were together for the the last 3 of my 4 years in school and we spent a better part of those years making plans. So when our relationship ended in July, it felt like the future I had imagined came and slapped me in the face. And after my August graduation I was asking myself "What now?" That is when I made the conscious decision to just go with the flow. I realized that if I just tried taking things one day at a time, I wouldn't feel the level of sadness, disappointment, and uncertainty I felt before.  


But now I am asking myself, "what does this make me?" Am I a cynic? Am I bitter? Or have I just stepped back into reality? I'm hoping the answer is the latter. I feel like this way I am setting myself up for surprise and contentment rather than disappointment. I can focus on myself and really think about what I want and when I want it.


Trying to live in the now is hard, but I feel like now I have more ambitions than ever before. I stay focused on my goals, and just hope things turn out well. So for now, I'll let someone else take care of the plans and I'll just relax. 

I want to go back....

In May, I traveled with my family to the most amazing city on Earth--London. This city has so many wonderful things to offer: an incredibly fun and relaxed culture, great people, and a big city with a not-so-big city feel. And so.....I want to go back. I told my parents and my best friend B, I wanted to move there after graduation. Well, it's after graduation and I'm still living at home. Why? Fear. I am terrified of moving somewhere completely on my own. I cannot think of anything scarier. Even though London is home to some of the friendliest people I've ever come across, I can't imagine packing up and going overseas to LIVE. But, I have been thinking that maybe I should go back for a visit....Get a better feel for the city, make some connections, and then consider once again moving there for a year or so. Other than my amazing family and truly wonderful friends, I've got nothing holding me back. So, here are just a few things I love so much about London. Maybe reliving these memories will give me a push in the right direction. Annnd maybe these photos will convince you to come with me....

Need I say more? The most amazing one-stop-shop. Right in the middle of the city.

The Churchill Arms is such an amazing pub! It was packed with young happy hour-ers when we went for dinner and drinks. And the Thai food was superb!

I love relaxing in the beautiful parks.....

....and then hopping on the tube and heading to the 

busy 'Times Square-esque' Picadilly Circus.

No, it's not just in Mary Poppins...there are real live women who "Feed the Birds"

It is normal for tourists and businessmen alike to enjoy a beer at lunch. 

Can't do that in America.

The bathroom is called the "loo." Gotta love that.

The Wright Start

I love reading blogs. Friend's blogs, stranger's blogs, any kind of blog. And it got me thinking, would anyone read my blog? I'm hoping yes....because, folks, I'm writing one. In the words of Audrey Hepburn, "As a matter of fact, I rather feel like expressing myself now." My intention is to share my thoughts and opinions on any (and every) thing that I come across, and to put into writing all of the obstacles and adventures life throws at me. Essentially, I'm writing on all the things that make me, me. Through my happiness, sadness, struggles, decisions, travels, and even my style, I hope to accurately portray the journey I'm taking in this thing we call "life."