An Update

As many of you know, I basically do not work at the hotel anymore. My last day there was in December and they have not had me on the schedule since. Apparently this is due to the economy. The important thing is, I got a new job! As of the 27^th, I will be a merchandise consultant for JCPenney. I will be pricing items, organizing shelves, putting new products out on the rack, and making decisions on the store’s floor plan. Also, this is fantastic news for my future, since a lot of this depends on money. Money may not bring happiness, but it sure makes living easier. Therefore, this will be great for me. I will be working part time hours for a while, at least until this last semester is over. They said they may establish me as full time at some point soon after. I’m really excited about this new step in my life!

The only downside I have lingering in my head right now is the fact that I will have to cut down on participation in the podcast. :( I have to talk to my co-hosts and producer about this yet, but it breaks my heart knowing I will not be able to be a full part of it anymore. The reason being, my hours at JCPenney will be at night. And we normally record the podcast at night during the days I will be working. Although this will be sad and an adjustment, I know it will not last forever. Once I move, my schedule will change and hopefully will free my hours up for the podcast again.

My family is doing well. My mom is slowly starting to accept that I will be moving. She even makes references to it in casual conversations…”so when you move” or “when you get to Florida” so that is definitely a good thing. Also, my dad has a new job! This is great news as well. He will be working as a bus driver again, which he has experience in. And of course, Daisie is as ridiculously crazy but awesome as ever.

So there is an update for you all. My birthday is the 15^th so of course I’m excited about that as well. I will be 23…I certainly do not feel 23. And many of you realize I do not look 23 either. However, my soul is telling me that I am so I guess I should listen to it. My brother and his fiancée are coming over that night for cake and coffee. Then on the 19^th, we are having a small party at the house. Should be fun. I definitely look forward to spending my birthday next year at the Magic Kingdom! Yay for a birthday button!

For those of who you have been praying/sending pixie dust or best wishes/even just thinking of me … it is working. Things are looking up and I owe a lot of it to you fine people. Thank you for being some of the best individuals on this planet, and some of the most amazing friends I have ever been blessed with.

Decisions

A few days ago, I decided that October would be a good time to move. I’m still going in May to treat myself to a Star Wars Weekend and have a little “me” time after completing classes. I will miss Epic October this year; however, it will be entirely worth it to be there permanently and attend the many Epic Octobers after that. I am not sure as to an exact date yet, but I am hoping for the middle of the month. My parents’ 25^th anniversary is on September 26^th, so I want to throw a party for them. Then I will have some time to recuperate before relocating. Oh hey, I just realized I will be there for the WDW 2013 Reunion in January! Yay!

Two nights ago, I spoke to my parents. I decided to do this individually, because I knew I would be an utter and complete mess if I informed them of my decision while we were all in one room. First, I told my mom. We sat at the kitchen table, right after breakfast. Tears began to form in her eyes, and we both began crying pretty hard. We spoke of my future, coming home to visit, Daisie, etc. After a good half hour or so of discussion, we finally stopped crying and hugged. That was horrible.

Next, I approached my dad. I sat in the living room. This was far less intense. We both got tears in our eyes but did not actually cry. He told me to live out my dreams and to never let anything hold me back. I promised I would visit. (Sidenote: Praying that I can convince my manager of whichever company I will be working for at that time to let me go home for Christmas.)

Leaving everyone here in New York is going to be incredibly difficult for me. One of the worst will be leaving my dog. Coming to terms with this is not easy. This has definitely been THE hardest decision I have made in my life thus far. Being she is eleven and has seizures, October may be the very last time I hug her. I’m getting emotional as I write this, because I have lost a dog before and it is one of the worst things to go through in the world. However, she could live until she is eighteen! Who knows? Only God. Therefore, I cannot dwell too much on this.

October 2012. Nine months away. This is when I will be moving to Florida. I cannot even begin to understand this. It is really happening. I will be a resident of Florida, and be able to attend WDW on my days off from work, as well as see my dear friends often. This brings much excitement to my heart!

I will be posting updates on how everything is going. Being this is my final semester, I consider myself to still be in the beginning stages of moving. I haven’t even begun to look through stuff and figure out what to bring and what to leave home until my parents sell the house. I would like to complete this semester first, which ends on April 27^th! Cannot wait!

Changes

Other than Epic October, 2011 was not a great year for me. It was not a good year for my family either. My dad was out of work the entire year, and during the latter part of the year, my hours at the hotel were drastically decreased and my mom’s boss retired. Accepting these monetary changes was very difficult for us, as it would be for anyone.

2011 also brought much disappointment with the house. I currently live with my parents and the house has been up for sale for almost three years now. We all want to move to Florida…I want to be near friends and to hopefully become a Cast Member for Disney, and my parents want to be in a warmer climate.

In addition, this was the year that my dog, Daisie, began to show her age. She had about five seizures throughout the year. For those of you who have experienced this with a pet, you know how difficult it is. You sit there and feel helpless and desperate as you watch your beloved animal suffering. Thanks be to God, she has overcome all of these and is still as playful as a puppy despite being eleven years old.

Please do not think that I sound selfish or ungrateful during any of this. God has blessed me abundantly. I have my health, family, and friends who I wouldn’t trade for anything else in the world. My friends are the ones who brought me out of the lowest points in my life. They encouraged me to believe and look to the future for hope, which is exactly what I did.

Despite the horrible circumstances that 2011 left us in, I feel that I have grown tremendously from it. It is quite hard for me to put into words just how so. As with most people, this past year brought many emotions. Happiness, anger, sadness, confusion, etc. Unfortunately, happiness did not rank high among these. The only time I experienced the most happiness was during Epic October…which occurred while I was in Florida.

We are only on the third day of January in the New Year. However, a few weeks ago, I realized one major thing that I realize I seek. That is contentment. Recently, I have been waking up every morning dreading what is to come…”Another day in NY, are my parents going to fight about bills again, how am I going to manage relaxation during all of this ongoing stress?”

Something clicked in my head. I can certainly move to Florida without my parents. Besides, they will get there someday. The house must sell at SOME point. I know how much they want this as well, but I am my own person. And it’s not like I will not return frequently to visit them. Naturally, I will miss them terribly. However, I am almost 23 years old and an adult now. I need to start my future, and I cannot do that by being somewhere I do not want to be.

If I want to work for Disney, my journey must begin soon. Therefore, I have made a big decision. Between late this year and early 2013, I will be relocating to Florida. If all goes according to hopeful plan, the wonderful Todd & Cheryl Perlmutter will be moving closer to Disney, and they invited me to live with them for a while. Friends like these two make my heart joyous and thankful to God that He has blessed me immensely. From here, I will apply to Disney and be able to spend time with friends who I miss so much.

At the moment, I have to concentrate on my education. I will have my Bachelor’s degree in Business Management come April, followed by a weeklong trip to Florida planned for my very first Star Wars Weekend. After that, I can begin packing and sorting through what I need in order to move.

Goodbye, 2011. You were ugly and I am glad to bid you farewell.

Greetings, 2012. You represent my future and I have a great feeling about you.