6th avenue heartache

Do you ever hope sleep cures everything?

Here's to hope.

            Best,
                    Anne

Look.

image via Pinterest

You see?

          Best,
                 Anne

A day off in the life....

Today I did not have to work.  Well, of course I worked a tiny bit but for the most part, I had the full day off.  Usually I work on the weekends so it is sort of a treat to have a day off in the middle of the week to catch up on life.  Sure, I did some laundry and ran some errands that do not seem like typical "great day off" types of things...but to me, those are just the start to a nice day.  I really enjoy not rushing and getting to something when I get to it (seriously, my room will be clean TOMORROW!) but with work lately, the rushing feeling has been happening more and more. I made plans to meet with friends on Bainbridge Island this afternoon.  I took some time to walk downtown to the ferry terminal.  I listened to music and soaked up every ounce of this winter day.  It was overcast and perfect.  I enjoyed walking downtown more than I have in a long time.  Just me and my thoughts. 

The pigs were in their holiday best.

Not many Christmas trees left at the market but I thought they were still beautiful.  If Rafa wasn't such a crazy and rambunctious curious dog, I would love having a full size tree!  Emily and I have settled for the potted tree  atop the counter (still real because the fake ones just don't have the same appeal). 

 I sat on the ferry and looked at my city.  Sometimes I cannot believe I'm living in Seattle.  It's hard to explain. When you all move here, you'll know what I mean.  It's really worth it, too.

 Hey Cascade mountains! I love you with like, most of my heart!

 One ticket, please!

 Bainbridge Island is so beautiful and so are my friends Hannah and Becky!

It was an incredible day off.  My suggestion for you, friends, is to give yourself a chance to soak in a day off with all of the happiness you can find.  It's certainly out there for you.

        Best,
               Anne

I'll (not) be home for Christmas

At a certain point, life is going to change and being in the same home you spent so many Christmas mornings sitting at the top of the stairs waiting for the coffee to be made before scrambling down the stairs will not work out as well anymore. Since Christmas is less than a fortnight away, I'm starting to become especially sad and nostalgic. I must preface by telling you that my family is coming out to visit for Christmas and I cannot be more grateful. So you can bet I'll spend Christmas eve dreaming of a drizzly Christmas. Even still, there are so many aspects about being home for Christmas that make my heart swell.

Despite all of my complaints, I will miss freezing in my room because for some reason it is 25 degrees colder than the house.  I will miss the fireplace and my dad's unmatched fires (no pun intended).  I will miss sitting in the overflow room at church on Christmas eve.  I will miss the hors d'oeuvres and Christmas music in the family room.  I will miss waking everyone up on Christmas morning.  I will miss sleeping in a bed of flannel sheets.  I will miss picking out the Christmas tree with my dad in less than five minutes.  I will miss pretending to read the newspaper at the kitchen table, but not really because I don't know what's going on in the county and I'd rather talk to my mom anyway.  I will miss making dough balls in the kitchen until I cannot stand to see one more chocolate chip. I will miss catching up with my friends.  I will miss a delicious Christmas dinner in Genoa.  I will miss a whole lot but I should probably stop there before my post takes 3 hours to create.

image via Pinterest

We may be scattered on Christmas, but at least I'll have my starting line-up in Seattle.  Game over.

       Best,
              Anne

Life lessons from Anne

Hi friends.  Tonight, I'm going to teach you a life lesson from the perspective of a 22 (almost 23) year old.  Today's lesson is on rejection.  Yes, rejection.  The word itself sounds unhappy, does it not?  I debated creating this post because I've been having a pretty difficult time coming to terms in my own mind about this rejection.  The problem thing is, writing is therapeutic for me.  Truly.  Even if I write one sentence, throw a picture on the screen, and sign my name, I feel better.

Personally, I think you could be 15 or 63 years old and still have a significant story of rejection that serves a true purpose in your growth as person.  Everyone has dealt with it.  Everyone will tell you they have dealt with it when it happens to you.  And everyone understands that there are plenty of positives with one negative.

I try to steer clear of writing about work because the organizations I work for may have rules about such things.  Even still, I've been working part time at the hospital where I had my internship.  I have been so grateful to be able to continue some portion of work there in this in-between stage after college.  I learn something new every single day and I still am in shock that this opportunity is in my hands.  As a health educator, there are plenty of jobs.  The problem thing is, there are plenty of health educators who want similar jobs.  Recently, I was presented with an incredible opportunity: an interview.  If you know me, you will know that interviews make me feel nauseous and restless.  The weekend before the interview I had approximately 6 hours of sleep.  So this blessing of an interview came as a startling surprise!  Most entry-level health educators aren't "qualified" on paper so people do not bother with an interview.  Since I have been at the hospital interning, volunteering, and contracting, I have been able to meet many professionals in the health field.  I knew the woman I interviewed with and, in fact, she encouraged me to apply for the position.  I was already grateful.  Before I knew it, the interview happened and I felt pretty comfortable about it.  As scary as the interview build-up was, I felt confident in all that I had done at the hospital.  I could provide detailed information about how I have grown as a health educator since the first day I walked into the building.  I had a sneaky feeling that something would come of this.

A couple weeks later, I received that dreaded e-mail from HR.  "The position has been filled" was all I saw.  It didn't say I filled it.  I was heartbroken...and rejected.  I read this e-mail and told myself to take a deep breath.  Before I knew it, I was gasping for air because I could not stop sobbing.  Hold on, that's not what I told myself.  It's pretty difficult to hide your feelings when you face rejection.  I'm sure many can relate.  It's not a glamorous sight, that is for sure.  Of course, my close friends and family can say they are sorry and that there is something down the road, but in that moment, I cannot hear.  I cannot think.  I cannot put into words my disappointment.  In the back of my mind, I know it to be true, but sometimes you just have a sense of shock take hold of your body and no words sound like the right words.

I know I just graduated college.  I know I'm not as "experienced" as someone with higher education or more work-related experience.  I know I've spent more time in the hospital and have the drive and determination that it takes to successfully work in such a position.  I know my time will come, but it's always devastating to hear that my time will be delayed indefinitely.  A day or two later, I had realized what all of my loved ones had told me.  I know it's hard to accept rejection.  It truly is one of the less enjoyable things in life, but it does happen a lot.  In my field and in my life, I try to remind myself that there are worse things. There are always worse things.  It's easy to say but sometimes you must fully believe it.  I believe it.  I'm 22 (almost 23) years old.  Opportunities will indeed present themselves...regardless of the fear of rejection.

image via Pinterest

          Best, 

                 Anne 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

JAY-Z!!!!!

Oh..................................................................................mostly, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY DAD!

I am mainly writing this so that you can call my dad today and wish him a happy 40th!  Additionally, I must say that he is great.  Just great.  Without a doubt, he is an inspiration.  I do not know where I would be without him in my life.  Certainly not able to do so many things and I certainly would not be in Washington.  The worst part is I would not be able to come up with witty and cheesy jokes all the time.  That is enough to be forever grateful for a person.  Let's face it.  Regardless of wherever I am, he is always here for me.  That does not happen with every person.  I'll always look up to my dad (until I put on stilettos) and tell him I love him very, very much.  Because I really do.

(Have the) Best (birthday),
              Annie

HOORAY FOR DECEMBER

          Best, 

                 Anne and Rafa