Floozie With A Flask

For a number of years, while in Arkansas, I talked, dreamt and threatened to move to Atlanta. I wanted to leave boring, small Lowell, Arkansas. My gal pals and I would chat on the phone for hours discussing what life could be like if I were there. After each conversation I was ready to jump in my car and drive. (If you knew me then you would know this sort of action is not unlike me. I mean, I have been known to escape during the midnight hour. But I digress.) In October of '09 I decided to make my big move. I gave my 2 week notice at work and wouldn't you know 2 days later I landed my crack in the hospital. Um, yeah, not exactly how I had planned this to go down. Needless to say, my plans were put on hold and I stayed in NWA (Northwest Arkansas that is). In February, I decided to embark on my eastward bound adventure once more. This time I hit the jackpot.I had some pretty grand ideas of what life was going to be like once I landed in the ATL. My biggest goal was to secure a job at Children's Health Care of Atlanta. Once a job was established, everything else would be pie. I would hang with the girls by the pool and shop. I would go to concerts, explore downtown, and experience all that living in a big city has to offer. Ahh, if only life complied with my dreams.

Upon my arrival things really seemed great but eventually I got comfy and reality set in. I was working from home during the first two months after I moved. Within a week of leaving my Arkansas job, I snagged a job at CHOA. With my weird schedule and trying to get settled, I didn't really push to find new friends. All of my spare time was spent sleeping and hanging out with my pals. It didn't take very long to see that my very snarky, sarcastic humor was much funnier when delivered over the phone...and toward someone else. The one thing I absolutely love about life is the process of learning because learning leads to growth. The one thing I absolutely hate about life is learning because learning usually involves pain. And growing pains really, really hurt. Slowly as the months passed I began to see that though we loved each other, my friends and I were used to a long distance friendship not an in your life everyday friendship. Other than my friends, my job was going great but the commute was wearing on my nerves and patience. And to top it all off, I began missing Arkansas like crazy. I missed my friends. I missed the slower pace. I missed everything. I was very much surprised to realize how much I longed to be back after wanting so desperately to get out.

Almost 7 months later here I sit. And as the song goes, "All my bags are packed. I'm ready to go..." I have decided to head back to Arkansas. Many reasons have lead up to this decision but when it comes down to it, I simply want to go. Saturday I will make the long journey back and Monday I start my new job at my old company. I am so extremely excited...almost giddy (which makes me feel a little retarded). When I told one of my coworkers that I was moving, she asked "Do you think it was a mistake to move here since you are now going back?" I thought for a moment and replied, "No." I am glad that I moved to Atlanta. I had contemplated being here for so long! I believe my regret would have been in not giving it a shot. My regret would be walking away from my time in Georgia and not having learned more about myself or about life. I got the job I wanted and I was successful at it. It is bittersweet to leave. I am sad to leave my friends and my job but am I ashamed to tuck in my tail and scurry back home? Absolutely not!! I look forward to my new beginning...my new old life. It's gonna be be good. :)