28 and Counting

Upon recently adding another birthday notch to my lipstick case...I feel I need to reflect a bit on the decade that came before.

At 18 I was no different from most high-school graduates trying to figure out how to make their mark in the world. So I, like many, went off to the hallowed halls of higher education. Welcome to Appalachian State University: Home of the Mountaineers, hacky-sack circles, hippies, wannabe Warren Buffets....and yours truly. Me. With too-big pants, dorky, but still enthusiastic. ALWAYS enthusiastic, even when the idea or activity didn't end up being a great idea.

Fast forward 4 years. I have not only managed a BA in Journalism with a minor in English Lit....But I actually had pulled almost a 4.0 (3.98 to be exact), joined a sorority (I know, I know), been inducted into an honor society, lived overseas, and brainwashed myself into deciding on law school as my next career/life move. My brilliance is staggering, isn't it?

Moving on..I lasted two years and change at Franklin Pierce Law Center in scenic Concord, NH (yergh). No offense NewHampshire-ites..but all your fair city got me was high blood pressure, cold toes and a Master's degree that I still haven't used. And don't forget about the string of useless (albeit ,interesting jobs), one nose ring and a great friend. Yes, there was ONE good thing I found in NH.

I left the chilly streets of Concord at the age of 25, for the verdant hills of my homeland: Asheville, NC. I did the ultimate humbling act and moved back home to Hamburg Mountain Road and the loving arms of Mom and Dad. I had packed up my faithful 1989 SAAB 900, every belonging that would fit, and my beloved sidekick, Ferdinand (cat and muse). Together we drove the almost 17 straight hours until I put my feet firmly on friendly soil.

Bless my poor parents for putting up with me for the next two years. It was something (good?bad?) to be residing in the little blue bedroom of my childhood home. Together my folks and I plowed through, and triumphed, despite a couple bone-head boyfriends (see previous entry) and serving the often ornery public as an ophthalmic technician. Description for the masses: I calm patients down, receive abuse ad nauseum, and answer all inane questions (is that going to touch my eye?) before getting to the ophthalmologist.

And finally, the latest chapter began. Scene: the driveway. Me, in yet another (newer)SAAB...setting out for another state and a new adventure. I drive down the road, crying like a 5-year old being left off at her first day of school. Mom is playing the part of Mom to the hilt: complete with tears, Kleenex and pride (fear?).

So here I sit on my couch in a small enclave in central Florida. Beside me sits my cat, while Iron Chef America plays in the background. I know there is always room for improvement, but this is a good beginning.

"Be in readiness for favorable winds." -Chinese Proverb-

Stay tuned