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Feb 10Go for Readers…
I’ve been busy. Busy to say the least. I feel like January came and went without giving me a chance to blink. I flew back to Nashville on January 2nd, which also happened to be the night of my good friend Cassie’s birthday party. The following two weeks my life didn’t slow down one bit. Between catching up with friends after being away for so long and putting together the final pieces of my CHA winter trade show booth, I’m surprised I slept. Before I knew what was happening it was January 22nd and I was on a plane to California.
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California was quite different than I had expected. I’d been to Los Angeles once before (that I could remember, and no not like ‘that’, geez… i was little) and it was great but it wasn’t amazing. Sometimes I find it hard to be comfortable in places with that ‘hollywood’ vibe. Only because it’s so far from who I see myself as and I hate being fake, not because I think less of those who can operate in that environment. Anyways, all that to say my trip this time was amazing. After the first twelve hours it had already surpassed my expectations! Thanks to help from my friend Dan my booth set up time was cut in half and we were able to enjoy some good food (In & Out!!). We also hit up the Consumer Craft Show portion of my trade show, all with time to spare! It was the perfect way to start the week.
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Then after a delicious breakfast (at the same diner that That Thing You Do was filmed in!!) I headed to the trade show where I met up with Stephanie & Lindsey (the British version of me when it comes to markers). We set up the booth while we chatted about our adventures in California so far. I love them. That night Jamie and Al flew in and the week of work started. Long hours at the trade show and dinner meetings, but it was all worth it. We had a super successful show and met some very interesting people. I got pretty good at demoing the same word over and over and over and over. [I'm writing this and it might sound boring, but I feel like I just want to share the facts. Probably because the facts are easier to share than the thoughts about the facts. Isn't that always the case?] Either way, the show went very well and it was wonderful to spend time with Steph and Linds. We even saw the ocean one night! I could have stayed on that pier all night. The last night we were there my friend Andrew came and picked Jamie and I up and took us to downtown Disney. It’s lame but I love cheesy touristy things. They even had a Disney Pin shop (yes, I have a pin collection, would you expect any less?! I’m a frickin collector, get over it). It was a great close to an exhausting but fun trip.
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Sitting at the airport on Wednesday, it took everything in me to get on the plane home. I could have easily stayed for another week. There were things I still wanted to do, places I wanted to go, and people I wanted to see again. But I got on the plane. I journaled for a long time on that flight. My mind had a lot of little thoughts and some big ones swirling around. I was caught off guard by some of the reflections I was making, some of the things I was feeling I hadn’t expected. I think I even surprised myself with some of the statements that hit the page. Does that happen to anyone else? You look a sentence or two back and don’t remember even writing it. That happened/s to me all the time. I tend to think faster than I can write. Maybe that’s why I question whether anyone can follow my ramblings, haha. I know that’s why my writing always uses so many “and’s”. I write like I talk, too fast and random.
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But like I said… I really liked California. I liked what I found there. I liked the adventures I had. I liked the people I met. I liked the colors of the buildings. I liked the palm trees. I like that place.
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Maybe I’ll go back soon… I want to. For right now, it’s February and I’m back in Nashville. Last weekend was one of the best weekends I’ve had in months. Margaritas and snowmen. So good. I turn 25 in a few days. That’ll be weird. Most of the time I feel two years older than I am, so at this point birthdays are just fun days to celebrate how blessed I am for having my life and not what number year I’m on. I’m really thankful for my little life, the experiences and friends that make it up. I’m not content to stay where I’m at though. If anything, I feel the pull this year to be more. I want to step out of the comfort and routine. I’m ready for it.
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Thats enough rambling for tonight. I should do this more often.
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On a side note… new mix on monday. Look for it.
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over n’ out.