What I want.....for myself

Time marches on....another adventure begins
So once again I have been away from my blog and I really hate that. I will say that I can blame part of it on circumstances beyond my control because I have had some serious Internet issues for the last 2 weeks. I am hoping that they will go away very soon, especially since I am moving this weekend! Out of everything that has occurred this summer both good and bad, the most important and I know best thing about this summer will be my move. I have been waiting and anticipating it for months now....almost 5 to be a little more exact :-) 
I am really looking forward to simply settling and and getting adjusted. I have been in to the new place to see the developments over the last couple of weeks and it has been great an fascinating to see the evolution of it all. With the taste and vision of a wonderful designer/ architect and my own personal touch on the decor ( with the help of a friend of course) I think it will be absolutely amazing. I will finally get space, upgraded features, my own laundry room, extra bedroom and bathroom, and a modern look. 

In other news, about a week or so ago I was a little down because of something that happened with a good friend. I will say that I was shocked, upset, disappointed, and hurt by some recent revelations, but after some much needed reflection and thought I have decided to just move forward....shit does indeed happen.... Although I am still disappointed and will probably never forget the outcome of these events and how thy have affected me....it's just another experience and lesson in life. No 2 days, 2 relationships etc. Will ever be the same so .....I can be a victim and suffer alone or move on.i choose to move forward with my self development and positivity. I have made atop much progress to relapse. That simply is not in line with who I am anymore and that is a good thing. So to that end....I will take it one day at a time and move on with the friendship.

In terms of other things, I also took some time out to break personal communication with everyone (that did not have to o with work) and have some much needed "me mental" time. It was refreshing. I did not answer my phone, respond to text messages or emails. I simply did my work, which kept me quite busy and used the rest of the time to reflect and clear my mind a little. In this time I also made up my mind to implement some new changes for my personal and professional life. 

First of all, both are quite demanding. Not a day goes by that I do not have at least 40 work emails and at least 5 personal emails. In addition to that, I have instant messaging through google for work, I get text messages related work & others outside if work which I would say equal about 75 per day at the least and not to mention the phone calls. I have a cell phone, work cell phone, and a office and when I am on call for my job that is an additional cell phone. To top it all off my job will be providing me with home phone service again so I will be up to 4 phones 24/7 and a 5th one at least one week per month.... Top that off with Facebook (2 accounts) and face to face interactions and I am constantly communicating. After feeling completely overloaded I realized that some changes were needed. And after feeling a little relieved by turning off the personal cell for a week, I also realized that they would need to come soon.
So....here is what I came up with
1. social networking- Facebook only! And I only check it every now and again.  I deleted my phone apps and I receive no notifications. I have been on this one for 3 weeks and it is awesome!!!!
2.  Phones- I get paid to be available for work stuff doing business hours & after hours when I'm on call so I can handle that but with some modifications. Only my staff and other central admin staff have access to me through my work cell, students, parents etc. can only contact me on my office phone. They must also set up appointments with through my administrative specialist and.....she will only schedule them according to the time I have allotted. So that should help in those regards. And in terms of my personal phone I will talk to people when I have time and feel like it. I do not feel pressured to return text messages really quickly and I only return calls when I actually have time to talk. I think this will actually be better because conversations will be more meaningful and I will be able to give my full attention which I like to do.
3. Down time- these days it is more likely that you will see my solo than with anyone or group of people. I am truly enjoying spending more time by myself. I save most of my weekend time for myself and only hang out with others a couple of times per week instead of almost everyday and all weekend! I have been to the movies by myself, the library, driving and exercising and walking. Love it! I have also started taking dance classes again and I am enjoying that as well.  As I get more into the new gig and start working on my independent studies and dissertation I recognize this down time and time alone will be increasingly beneficial !
Finally..... I have set out to do all of those things that I have wanted to do and made up excuses to not do. Some of them I cannot share because they are very personal.... But if you see with new tattoos, riding through your city, looking a little lighter on my feet, with a different hair color....just waive and say hello. Yes! It will be me :-) somehow, I am going to finish this degree, most likely leave Arkansas within the next 2 years, start my business, publish some of my writing, shop, travel, take some serious risks and then 
See what I want to do and where I want to go next. Of course we can never be tons where this life will take us....but I am more than willing to sit back and enjoy the journey. Just so you know, I apologize in advance for the errors and typos in this message. I am doing this from my iPad so autocorrect is in full effect and I am not accustomed to touch screen devices.