The Anniversary

One year today.

That is how long it has been since I officially got settled in here in Chattanooga. One year ago today I started my first “real” job and got out of the cocoon that was Florence. Of course, a lot of people get away from home long before their 25^th year, so I was late to the party. A scholarship to UNA was too much to pass up though, and even after it was gone I couldn’t pull myself away from family or friends. So it took a while to get here, but now I’m away and a whole year has already passed. So what have I learned?

I've learned that starting out on the bottom of your field is not fun. My job is... let's say, routine. It's not bad by any means. It's just a lot of repetitiveness that can lead to being very stressful at times. I feel like a lot of the things I learned in college are not being put to use. Considering I'm paying back $10k worth of loans, I'd like to use some of that knowledge. Oh, and have I mentioned that the pay is not great and I'm probably not getting a raise? Stupid economy. Still, I am thankful to have the job and for the opportunities it has given me, such as moving to Chattanooga.

I’ve learned, however, that living by yourself sucks. I had never done it before last May. I have done it for a year and it has not grown on me. Even though I am shy towards new people, I am at heart a socialable person. Sometimes it drives me crazy to sit there alone.

So since I don’t enjoy being alone, I’ve worked to establish some new friends. It’s not easy when you know nobody in a city. I’m not outgoing; walking up to a group of strangers and introducing myself is not me. My entire life before now I have been able to use school as a way of meeting people. Once that is gone, your social circle shrinks to just those you work with. While I really do like my coworkers, they are mostly all married and have lives of their own. I need different kinds of people to “hang out” with.

So yeah, this year has certainly had its ups and downs. There have been frustrating times when loneliness was at its worst. There have been dates that went nowhere. I have felt like Ted on How I Met Your Mother, desperately searching for that special someone but feeling as if she will never be found. There have been thoughts of ending it all... NO, no, not like that, I just mean moving back home... lol. But there have been good times. The friends I have made are great. I have learned to do things I had never done before. I have had a lot of fun taking in all that Chattanooga has to offer. It's a great city and a great place to live.

I remain optimistic, as I always try to be. I have no idea where I will be one year from now. Graduate school is still a goal for me, and if the opportunity arises I would like to go for it. If there is a better job out there somewhere, in Chattanooga or elsewhere, I will not shy away from it. Above all, I hope that one year from now I feel like I have accomplished as much as I have in this past year.