Big Firsts...and a Last

I had a HUGE first today, which I'll get to later, but we'll get my little first out of the way.

Little FIRST

My first post-marathon run! I thought about running yesterday, but then I just didn't feel like it...so I didn't! I headed out this morning for five miles. I'm not sure how post-marathon running is supposed to go, but it seemed like a good distance so I went for it. My legs actually felt pretty good...a little stiff/tight, but I didn't try to push the pace at all so it was fine. Just getting out there! It was hot and humid here this morning (almost 80?), so I was drenched when I got home. At least the water fountains were turned on...not that that will matter in two days...

Thursday, May 7
5.01 miles in 40:37, avg pace of 8:06

Big LAST

My LAST day at Egg Harbor!! I don't think I ever mentioned the name of it before, but I worked as a server at Egg Harbor Cafe, a breakfast and lunch place. When I graduated from college in 2007, I was looking for a job to hold me over while I figured out my life, and I always thought that it would be fun to be a server. However, many places don't really want to hire you unless you have experience (sound familiar???). I walked into Egg Harbor and they told me they didn't care if I had experience because they would train me to be how they wanted me to be. I still have no clue how I got the job because I'm a really quiet person and I'm kind of scared of talking to new people all the time...not exactly the best personality for a server! But they hired me and I LOVED it. Best job I've ever had. The money was pretty good, and it was super flexible, especially when I went back to nursing school.

I learned a lot by working as a server. All my life I've grown up around people who are destined for college, who go to grad school, etc. I was in all accelerated/advanced classes starting in the second grade, so most of my classmates were on the same path as I was, and I didn't know any different. All of my friends went to college right after high school, and many are now in med school/law school/grad school. Working with people who (gasp!!) didn't go to college, who may live paycheck to paycheck, who have kids even though they're not married, opened my eyes to real life. I tell my college-educated friends about some of the stuff that my co-workers were going through, and I'm not sure they get that for many, many people, that is the normal life, not the "my parents paid for my college, I'll get married when I'm 25 and have kids two years later" life. I feel lucky to have what I have in life, but I know that not everyone is as fortunate. Not everyone is a doctor/lawyer and that's okay. We all live our lives differently, and I like to think that no one is better than anyone else because of their job title or how much money they have, etc. My favorite quote from a customer was someone who said, "You know, you really should go to school." Oh don't you worry, I have two fantastic pieces of paper, and I'm STILL serving you pancakes! Thanks.

I worked with AMAZING people, and I was so sad to leave them today. I kept stalling, and I shed a few tears as I said goodbye. My manager got me a journal with the quote, "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the live you've imagined." on the front. Fitting, right?? She also got me a cute bracelet that says "courage" on it, which is DEFINITELY what I'll need in the coming weeks/months. I'm going to miss everyone (and the food!), but I'll be back to visit, and I'm hoping to keep in touch.

HUGE FIRST

I BOUGHT A CAR. It hasn't even hit me yet...maybe when I notice my bank account shrink it will, but in the meantime, I own a shiny new Honda Civic EX! It's silver and has a sunroof! I was soooo nervous buying it because I've never bought anything so expensive before, but I needed a car to pack up and drive to Pennsylvania! I might take pictures in the coming week(s), but for now, it's a pretty generic car. I have to put my University of Maryland sticker on it to make it official! (Oh, and get Pennsylvania plates...but I'll do that when I get there!)

MIA in the Near Future

I'm not sure how much I'm going to be posting in the coming week. I've got lots of loose ends to wrap up tomorrow, along with finishing packing, saying bye to my friends, and hanging out with my parents for one last night. My dad and I are heading off to PA on Saturday, and we'll get to the eastern side on Sunday. I've got some places set up to look at on Sunday/Monday, and then I hope to move in right away. I'm going to be really busy, which I hope will keep my mind off of moving out and saying bye to my parents. I really can't deal with that right now.

Running-related fun will return soon, I promise! Thanks for listening to my rambling, all your support on my last post really means a lot to me.