"At Least You Woke Up This Morning"

Beginning yesterday afternoon (Sunday), I dreaded going to work. Now, unlike a lot of people, 90% of the time, I love my job. But for some reason, I absolutely, positively did not want to go to work today, but I went! Turns out my premonition was right. My work day started off on the wrong foot...complaining, disgruntled employees, and even a few not so nice words from my boss. This is something most people call a normal day, but for me, this was the beginning of a bad day. As the day went on, things seemed to get worse, but I just kept telling myself, "only a few hours left." As I rounded the lunch corner and could see the light at the end of the tunnel, I get a phone call from Thersa. This is not an uncommon occurence, this happens 8-10 times a day, but this phone call seemed different. Mom was very cautious with her words when she told me she had just signed for a certified letter addressed to me from the Archdiocese of Mobile. Now, when I heard this I began to sweat due to my not so good girl lifestyle, but mom argued this was something much different than an invitation to the abbey..."Open it up" I demanded. Yadda, yadda, yadda...annulment papers from my exhusband...with NO WARNING!!! Needless to say, what transpired in the next few minutes will not be on the highlight reel of my life. But after several opinions from friends, I decided I would take the high road, which is usually not my style, but it IS the church and I will probably need it one day! In the midst of this crisis, Tommy the Terminix guy shows up, ready to spray for pierre and looking for $65 (get in line). As he's spraying the house, Tommy says, "Ms. Elias, I think you have a gas leak." Impossible I say, I don't smell anything. Well, Tommy was not going to give up until I reported this so called gas leak. I decided I would humor him and it's a good thing I did...GAS LEAK! Now, the gas has been turned off to the house which supplies the hot water for my shower. After a phone call from my brother, I find some not so nice things are being said about me by what are now some not so nice friends. Again, livid...but I soon calmed down when I sat down to talk to my mom about what turned out to be a very long day. During this conversation, I figured mom would give me some of her pearls of wisdom and everything would be ok. Much to my disbelief, mom tells me maybe it's time to move on...we both knew this wasn't going to be permanent...I think I'm ready to move out on my own. WTF??? One of the only stable things in my life is "moving on"? I explained to her this had been a very long day and that I didn't think I could have a deep conversation about where I would be hanging my hat right now. I told her I would entertain this subject later on in the week. To my surprise she agreed and said, "Amanda, I know it's been a long day, but at least you woke up this morning." And there it was, the little pearl I was hoping for.

Everyone Else Here Has Done It...Why Can't You?

This is the statement the Asian gift shop clerk said to me when I told him I would love to relocate to New York City. I have thought about this statement many times since I got home, and although I know he is absolutely right, it's hard to give up everything and go. My question is this...Why Can't I? I guess it's that I am more responsible than I give myself credit for, or it could be the unknown. To give up family, friends, employment, house, etc. does seem very scary, but the fact is, sometimes you have to let go of these things to experience life.
In the last 6 months, I have realized there is a lot more to this country than the Southeast. Now, being 33 years old, I have known this for quite sometime, but getting out and seeing different parts of the country has done nothing but peek my interest. I like the "small town" living...that's all I know: Pascagoula, MS, Hattiesburg, MS, and Mobile, AL. Am I the only one who wonders what it would be like to pick up and go? Surely not. There are millions of people who have done it and have succeeded...Why Can't I?