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Showing posts from October, 2013

Turning 24

Oh hey, I also had one heck of a birthday last weekend. It started with house hunting with Amy in Jacksonville on Friday. We got a quick beautiful view of the beach and a tasty lunch in San Marco before heading back to Gainesville for the night.  That night, we went to a Halloween party rocking some Dispicable Me themed costumes. It was a fun night with a great crowd.  Had birthday breakfast with two of The Bests. Great start to the day.  Finding convenience out of inconvenience, my mistake that Chelsea's babyshower was on Saturday when it was Sunday just allowed for more time with Charlyn. And me forgetting my wallet in Ocala worked out due to several "it's your birthday! I got you!"s.  It was so good to see Charlyn after way too much time apart. We indulged in some  serious over stuffing of our faces at Reggae Shack. Go there. Just do it ! Right after turning down a delicious looking dessert because we were too stuffed... we finished off our fries. When the waiter

Chompin at the bit

Where's Abby now? Feeling ridiculously blessed sitting on my new front porch steps from the beach. Update time?! I was offered a job in my field that I'm super excited about. I'll be starting as a residential counselor at a great children's organization in Jacksonville next Tuesday. I finished all my paperwork on Wednesday so I've been extremely enjoying this free time before work starts. You might think "she's been unemployed for like four months, how much more free time does she need?" Not so. That was so stressful and just plain not fun. But patience pays off. Turning down job offers may have seemed like a bad idea, but I'm glad I kept trying for what I wanted. Sorry, Dad for prolonging that period! ;) But I got the job, found a place to live, and am so excited about what's happening. I mean, this week I moved in with a roommate and his cuddly cat, Chomp (go Gators!), in a little apartment in Jax Beach. The place (plus the older man roommate

State of Mind

Run River North : My new obsession right now. I mean listen to that voice! So, I finally had a night of not only realistic, practical thinking, but I also finally got back to my dreams, values, and opinions. For a while there, I felt like I didn't have a strong preference to any option and lost sight of what I even wanted. I'm still not 100% set on one goal (which is not my way of thinking anyway, as I've learned that just makes disappointment so likely). But I do have a better idea of what I want, how to get it, and where to do it.  For a while, I was so set on Colorado and wanting to make that happen as soon as possible. But with my economic and job situation right now it was simply not possible. So, I was thinking of just getting whatever job to save and move there ASAP.  BUT, this monumental, practical, clear thinking set in the other night, and I realized that I need to just go ahead and get grounded here. I actually ruled out the NYC/Chicago nanny option

baseball commentary of an impartial fan

Thanks to a new friend, Charlie, I got to go to the Tampa Bay Rays' playoff game last night! I thought it was my first pro game but apparently the Jacksonville Suns count. I, of course, had to partake in the traditional baseball festivities, indulging in Cracker Jacks, nachos, AND a hotdog. Yeah. Kinda cancelled out my paleo breakfast and lunch.                                                        Favorite things about the night?                             1. Getting the best mahi mahi sandwich ever and drinks before the game              2. The crazy fans we had surrounding us, making it even more entertaining, a little risque, and quite                                                                                   humorous.                 3. The sarcastic, mixed sports chants like "Blue forty-two!" "Slam dunk!" "Carry!" and singing the                                      soccer song. This, for some reason really amused me.     4. T

Ms. Ross

This week back home could be described as tiring, trying, and eye opening. It was my first week as a substitute teacher and it went pretty well! I taught science to 6th-8th graders... the grades I always said I would never want to teach. Heck, I've always said that during those ages, I hope to send my own kids off to my brothers until they're out of that awkward stage. But I survived, they were surprisingly better than I expected, and I enjoyed a lot about teaching this older group. I do think I'll stick with the little ones, though. Blessing number 1: getting to work with some of the sweetest women that actually used to be my teachers. It was an interesting and cool experience having lunch with my former teachers as coworkers now. It made me feel like such an adult! (And them "so old!") It really was a great working environment though being surrounded by such kind, helpful people. Blessing 2: waking up for coffee with Mom before school. So, maybe a coupl