Here's to you, kid.

I spent close to an hour on the phone with a dear friend yesterday; however, the circumstances were slightly different from our usual phone catch-up sessions - it was a "see ya later" of sorts. As we were swapping stories from the last couple of weekends, laughing, and sharing our plans for the immediate future, I couldn't help but feel overwhelmingly proud of the young lady on the other side of the phone. Proud, and also envious (in the best way possible).

You see, this friend, she's following her dreams. Born a traveler in every sense of the word, she is jet-setting to Spain today where she will spend the next 10 months teaching English to students in Madrid. In my opinion, that is scary. And that fear is what held me back from doing something similar - from leaving the people and places that I know to go on a short adventure while I'm young and without major responsibilities. I may have wasted my chance, but Stephanie is taking full advantage of hers and for that I am so proud of her!

I'm making 23 cooler than 21

In honor of my BFF Brooke coming to Atlanta to celebrate my birthday with me and some of my closest friends:

I can't wait to ring in 23 tomorrow night like Katy Perry. 

And I am certain that I will say something like...

"I'm not sure, but I'm pretty sure I'm in a dance-off." -Andy, The Office

Time Flies....

It is absolutely amazing to be able to look back at where I was this time a year ago, and see what a transformation I've made! And honestly, a year ago feels like yesterday.

Mid-July 2010, I was a mess. A break-up left me empty and devastated. I was taking my very last undergrad class with graduation just around the corner. I had absolutely no plans for my post-grad future. And I let all of that define me. Mid-July 2010 (and many months after) was a tough time. 

And here I am, Mid-July 2011 and I feel like a completely different version of me. I've become a goal-setter. I am incredibly ambitious. I look forward to the future, but not too far forward. I have changed some of my outlooks to be more positive and more self-centered (and I don't think that's a bad thing). I have a job that I absolutely love (even if I am just an intern)! I go to church more. And I pray A LOT more. I have decided to start running again, with a goal of running a half marathon this November. I am about to move out of my parent's home and be truly independent for the first time in my life. I have accepted and learned to appreciate that it's not imperative to marry your college love. I read more. And watch less of the mindless television shows that consumed many days and nights in college. But don't get me wrong...I'm still the same Ansley...I haven't rid myself of all of my flaws. I'm still stubborn and I do still procrastinate. I'm still a bit irresponsible. I still sometimes get upset and bothered by trivial matters. And yes, I do still let my laundry and the mess in my bedroom pile up.

But I think the biggest change that has occurred from last July to now, is that I am happy. And while I can attribute many of the changes and my happiness to just a change in the way I see things now, I honestly do not know where I would be or who I would be if I didn't have the support system that I do. I have the most amazing family who has been there for the ups and the many downs, the celebrations and the cry-fests. And my friends have been so gracious to always listen to me drag on about the past and download my feelings, and also share in the triumphs and the joys that I am so excited about. I truly am blessed with such wonderful people in my life that make me want to be better, but love and support me when I'm at my worst. 

So here's to now, the future, and appreciating the past! Not letting the negative things that happen to me define me. And to seeing how things continue to unfold.

Uhhh, I have to pay for that?

Here it is folks, a huge surprise....I have lived a pretty sheltered life. 

Whew, it feels good to get that off my chest.

But seriously. 

Here is today's dialogue between my roommate (aka my mother) and myself:


Roommate: "Oooh, you got some mail! Oh this is great that you got this!"


Me: {Thinking to myself what wedding/shindig/engagement party/baby shower do I have coming up?} "What is it?"


Roommate: {Ripping open my mail with a mischievous grin.} 
"It's your license plate payment!"


Me: "Uhhh, I have to pay for that?"


Roommate: "$81.00 to be exact."
-----
I have come to realize that while I have recently taken over any and all payments that have anything to with me (excluding rent, bills, groceries - the joys of living at home, thanks mom & dad!) every time I start to feel a sense of self-pride that I'm on a great track, something new comes out of thin air. Who knew you get a bill in the mail for your license plate?!...Not me!...And $81.00?! ARE. YOU. KIDDING.


I took this sweet little surprise as today's reminder that just when I start to think I've got things pretty figured out, I get a random notice in the mail that tells me that I don't.