Thursday, May 7, 2009

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.

17 comments:

  1. Wow, all these changes are so exciting! Best of luck with your big move and congrats on the fancy grown-up purchase!

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  2. Busy busy times ahead!!

    Safe & happy travels :)

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  3. This really is such an exciting time in your life. Just enjoy it. Congratulations on the new car, very nice.

    Sweet first run back too.

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  4. Best of luck in all your travels. You must be so excited by all these new changes in your life. Congrats on the new job, new car, and moving out on your own. Take care for now.

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  5. I've owned a Civic for 4 1/2 years and I heart it dearly. Its been so good to me! Good luck with everything Susan! How exciting!

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  6. Good luck with all of your upcoming adventures. It really is a special and unique time. Looking forward to hearing more about your life when you return...

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  7. Ahh I've missed so much being on vacation so this will be a super long comment lol!

    First off, congrats on the job and the BQ and the awesome marathon finish in general!!! All very very very exciting!

    I loved the Testudo sign that they had at the race for you! Such a fun idea!

    Good luck on the move to PA! Eastern PA is where I'm from originally. It's a fun place and I miss it a lot sometimes. I hope you have a really good time there even though you'll be far away from your family!

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  8. Congrats on the new car! Sounds like such an exciting time for you, a little bittersweet too:) Looking forward to your return to the blog world!

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  9. Good luck with the move, and congrats on the car! Super exciting.

    Good thoughts on the job. It's amazing what you learn, and the perspective you gain, when you work a job like that. I worked in a bindery for a couple years with co-workers who struggled to feed and clothe their kids, etc., and I had similar thoughts at the time. I'll never forget it.

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  10. Wow exciting stuff in your life! (Especially the car!!) Congrats!

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  11. I'll be thinking about you he next few weeks, but you won't need it! It's scary but it will be all worth it when you get there and start working/get settled.

    Drive safe and have a good time saying goodbye to everyone :)

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  12. Enjoy your Civic! I had a Civic and it was the best car ever.

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  13. Hooray for running and for a new car! I have a Honda, too, and it gets amazing gas mileage.

    I hate saying goodbye to people, and I'm not looking forward to that in August. I'm sure you had a tremendous impact on the people you worked with, and it sounds like you learned a lot from them, too.

    Best wishes for the move!

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  14. Good luck with the move and everything! It is an exciting and overwhelming time, but have fun with it. :) Congrats on the car, btw. Good choice! :)

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  15. You should be there by now! Yay! I cannot wait to hear about how your drive went and how your apartment search is going.

    I think I must have driven by the Egg Harbor Cafe a few times because it sounds REALLY familiar! (I was in Palatine a few times last year because my firm was working on the library there. I no longer work for the firm, but I think the new construction went out to bid a month ago). I am so happy that you had a great experience there AND learned a thing or two about life. It's really easy to forget about how lucky we are sometimes, and that not everyone has the luxury of making choices in THEIR own best interest all the time.

    Congrats on getting a new car! I can't wait to see pics!

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  16. So exciting and congrats on the car! Sounds like the restaurant job was good Life Experience for you; we all need it!

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  17. hope you had a safe trip out to the east coast and were able to find a good place to live! i know moving is scary but it's also really fun and exciting ...

    and congrats on the car!

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