A Quick/Long Update

Wow....last post was late December with no update that I actually COMPLETED A HALF MARATHON!!! K and myself rocked it in fact!  All of the training was definitely worth the payout and reward of finishing my first and now I have the running bug.  I haven't ran lately due to a couple of health things going on, but I am hoping that I pick it up again big time in these next coming weeks for a 10K Run for the Zoo in May and then the possibility of another half in San Diego in June.  Who knows though!  I am trying to not stress about these things and relax as much as possible.  Jake and I actually just celebrated 6 months together and time has really flown I feel like.  We both have talked about never considering long distance and it has been a really good thing for the both of us I feel like.  I managed to just also finish my first quarter results at work.  I have been pretty curious to see what this first quarter would look like: coaching a team of people, hitting volume target goals, and trying to figure out a new city.  All in all, I've managed to do a fair job I think.  I have loved traveling around seeing other areas of the state too!  This next week we are headed to Ruidoso for a leadership retreat which is about 4 hours from Albuquerque.  I'll also be working in Phoenix the last week of April I found out for some training with work.  Jake is pretty excited about that I must say and so am I!!! I truly miss the weather of PHX, so it will be good to get back for a little bit!  In May I am going to my first Steeplechase event with my dad which will be an experience to say the least.  Looking at his pictures from last year, I am hoping to have as much fun!  I will also finally get a chance to see my sister Sloane who will be just getting back from her travels in Switzerland and all over Europe!  There are a lot of things going on but I'm loving the underlining theme of traveling to see loved ones and doing things I haven't done before.  Hopefully it continues!  Well I'm off to bed but I will hopefully be updating more frequently, because I have truly missed this!

Settling in and reflecting on vacation

So as I mentioned before, the last month and a half has been pure chaos in my life I would say. I have been juggling a lot of different areas (only one or two well) and seeing where I land.  I believe that in the last two weeks of transitioning I have re-evaluated some thoughts I had about myself.  First, I think that I am internally reflecting on more than I ever have in the past.  I would have considered myself someone that processes feelings and thoughts by talking to others and thinking out loud.  I have actually done the complete opposite in a lot of areas of my life when I moved to Albuquerque.  I don't think it is bad, but I have given myself time to think of what kind of life I want to set up in this new place.  Secondly,  I believe my opinions on how to experience life are continually evolving.  I am lucky enough to be introduced and exposed to more things that one day I hope to conquer like becoming a rock climber or bigger adventure sport person.  For example of what I am experiencing different compared to Phoenix: I actually jumped at an outing where a bunch of people were going to a bar to watch a local reggae band play on a weekend night.  Phoenix = never happen  Albuquerque= BRING IT ON!!! We get to this bar and there was a pretty good following of the band and people would sing their original music at the top of their lungs and dancing in the middle of the hardwood floors.  I looked around and realized I was nowhere close to doing things my friends and I did back in Phoenix, but I actually had a total blast with these newly met friends!  I am also hoping that I may get to learn how to snowboard this season.  I cant remember the last time I went skiing and the opportunity to get involved with people that do some different things like going out on the slopes has been a great blessing.  Overall, I'd say I am still settling in and trying to understand the atmosphere.  I am a bit homesick having a boyfriend, sister, and huge group of friends back where I used to be, but I think with time everything will become normal.  I was able to complete an 8.5 mile run in the mountains the other day, so I am hoping that helps the training I am doing to get ready for the half.  My half marathon is less than a month away!!!  My first one ever too! I am starting to get nervous with the amount of time I will have in Phoenix that weekend but hopefully I will get to see most everyone when I am back.  I almost booked 10 tickets from ABQ to PHX just to make sure I see everyone pretty often and it was really cheap on Southwest.  If anyone is looking to hang in NM hurry and look at those deals!  I have an apartment waiting for visitors!  Well I have rambled enough I believe so I will be headed to bed.  Until next time kids!  

I'm a New Mexican! :)

Woahhhh!  Can it be?  I see that it has been OVER two months since I last wrote anything and that is just downright lame!  It is funny for me to look at the last post I wrote which touch upon a new assignment I had been given working on key accounts.  Oddly enough, this one is somewhat of the same announcement...I was promoted! :)  I am now working as a Territory Sales Manger over grocery stores all over the West Albuquerque area.  I am/was totally surprised/honored/flattered/nervous/excited in the matter of a 5 minute span when my boss offered me the position for lots of different reasons.  You know I believe I was itching to move in a way and God answered my prayers in a funny way I would say.  I think time and again I am reminded that God's plans for my life sometimes do not come close to the ones I have in mind.  Example A, I dont know anybody in the state of New Mexico (and I feel like I know a lot of people from a lot of different states).  I don't know that I have ever prayed for God to move me to NM, but I am totally surprised how different my predicition of what ABQ would be like was from the truth that I know thus far.  So far I have discovered that NM is way more like CO than AZ.  Did you know that Albuquerque is actually at a HIGHER elevation than Denver? Weird, right?!  So what does that mean or why do I care?  Well the last month of my half marathon training will involve RUNNING in that!  I think I was a little apprehensive about that idea earlier on, but to be honest, I think K and I are ready for the race!  I am actually really excited about it now!  I figure if I can train in the mountains, flat Phoenix should be cake right?  Hopefully so...I guess the biggest obstacle right off the bat here has been the realization I have no friends in this state yet.  I feel like it is completely different moving to a new city for a job than for school, because I remember not knowing a soul at ASU.  It was a bit different because I knew I would find friends through all of the clubs I could be involved in. I am still in the process of finding what ABQ has to offer, so if anyone is aware of anything to do LET ME KNOW! :)  I am in the process of unpacking still as I was moved into my nice 1 bedroom apartment a few days ago, so I am off!  I will update on the job, place, and area in the near future, so stay tuned!

Long Time Coming

So I suppose it has been a while, since the last blog I wrote about my hair and whatnot.  There has been sooooo much going on in my life!  First of all I was recently given a new assignment and new opportunity at work.  My role involves calling on accounts like Target, K-Mart, and Danny's.  I get to work with the buyers on these accounts and sell at a key account or chain level which will for sure allow me to expand my skill sets currently!  I am really excited to see what Pepsi has in store for me, so I have been working all kinds of crazy hours!  Lets see...I have traveled the past TWO weekends, so lets touch upon that.  Well weekend one was yet again a Vegas inspired girls' weekend!  Honestly I can only sum the weekend up with one emotion: LAUGHTER!  I don't know that I have danced/laughed so hard on both car rides. 

This weekend I traveled to my dream home city of CHICAGO!!!! I had many reasons for going on this particular weekend.  First and foremost to see Mary, one of my best friends from school.  I don't know about ya'll but I have a few friends that live pretty much across the country from me.  They somehow seem to be my best friendships though.  I think having the ability to not see someone in person for several months at a time, but being able to be yourself and feel like we never missed a beat when I do see them is so valuable.  Mary is one of the only people from college like that for me.  Secondly, I ventured to the Windy City to see my unbelievably inspiring aunt run the Chicago Marathon!!!! I didn't know this but this specific marathon draws close to 50000 people every year!  Just watching these people run the streets of Chicago was enough motivation to continue training and pushing for my half marathon in Jan.  There is something about the Chicago lifestyle that makes me feel inspired all together.  I think it is the idea of so many people living/working/moving around is just the epitome of what being someone in their early 20's needs to experience at some point.  It what every chick lit book is about, either that or NYC.  I didn't know if there would be any way I would live in a huge metro city like Chi-town, but after my few visits I could legitimately see myself there at some point.  All I have to say is if you haven't been to this wonderful place you will have to visit!!! The highlights of places we went were the 3 story H&M, having drinks and appetizers on the top of the John Hancock Building, going to this hipster place in Bucktown called The Violet Hour, and breakfast at EATT Cafe.  I have a couple of weeks back to recoop before California November starts!  I will be making not one but TWO trips in the month so stay tuned! :-)

More life, less hair

I guess I should start this blog by reminding anyone from back home that doesn't know where I have roamed off to after college that I still reside in Arizona, one of the hottest states in the entire country (temperature wise).  Now since moving from Tennessee to Arizona for college I don't think I have really cut my hair more than a couple of inches in efforts of growing it out uber long.  I don't know how I actually made it through the summer last year with this long hair but this summer I have been thinking that it needs to go.  For some odd reason I also thought if I'm going to cut my hair I want it to be pretty short and easy to maintain.  In that thought process of going for short hair, I began thinking I really have enough hair to donate somewhere.  I don't know how many of you (mainly talking to the girl audience) remember when you were younger cutting your hair for Locks of Love or knowing of friends that have cut their hair for that cause. 

Here is the Locks of Love mission:
Locks of Love is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children under age 21 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis. We meet a unique need for children by using donated hair to create the highest quality hair prosthetics.
Our mission is to return a sense of self, confidence and normalcy to children suffering from hair loss by utilizing donated ponytails to provide the highest quality hair prosthetics to financially disadvantaged children. The children receive hair prostheses free of charge or on a sliding scale, based on financial need.

My heart strings tugged at this mission thinking I could potentially help other people with such a simple action.  I looked further into it and explained to the hair stylist what I wanted to do and asked if I could donate to this cause.  We measured it out and I qualified to help!  I won't lie, this whole process of investigating and researching before cutting my hair was maybe 24 hours.  My sister was in total disbelief that the hair I had grown for probably close to 7 years was going to be chopped off in a matter of minutes.  However, I couldn't help making the quick leap!  Anyways, I am now 10 inches lighter and couldn't be more happy!  I encourage anyone that has thought about doing something similar lately to look into Locks of Love and support this cause or find another one that really tugs at what you are passionate about.  The thought of doing something insignificant like cutting your hair benefiting someone in need just continues to make me realize that the small things we do can make a big impact on others!  Until next time!! 

1/2 Marathon Progress

So as I have mentioned earlier, I am training for a half marathon this year.  I am going to run the PF Changs Rock 'n' Roll 1/2 Marathon Jan. 16th, 2011, and I officially signed up last night!  There's no backing out now :) 

I have been consistently running about 3-4 days a week with a couple of other activities thrown in between (mainly Zumba classes with Stacy).  In the last 3 weeks I've actually learned a lot about myself, so I thought I'd share.  One reason I picked running a half marathon is I am by no means a runner.  Actually, I think if you asked any of my friends and family if they have ever heard me say "I think I'll go for a run" the response would probably be laughter and/or an immediate "NO!"  I believe I would laugh at the thought of me running long distances which is kind of why I wanted to defy that opinion I have created about myself.  Secondly, I have heard a lot of people say its a different kind of release.  I have actually noticed myself reflecting a whole lot more and just actually creating an appreciation for more things that I have going on in life.  Lastly, I think this is a great way to challenge myself in a constructive way outside of work. 

I have found that at work I tend to stress over things which carry over into my personal life after work.  I really didn't like the fact that even though I was away from work I was thinking about work.  If I wasn't thinking about work I was preparing something for the next day.  I decided dedicating to something bigger than myself maybe would relieve that and put me in a better place.  I'll say right now I believe it is working, because I am thinking about what playlist I want to put on my iPod to run to or what new place can I go run by to change up scenery. 

As far as actual progress that I have had in 3 weeks, I am becoming very consistent in being able to run about 4 miles at a time where I started around 2.  Granted I am pretty slow but Kellie and I have decided we are really okay with that.  We will be tackling a 10K around mid October- mid November, so I'll keep you tuned in for that as we figure it out more!  Gotta run!! :)

Realizations of Relationships and Otherwise

It has been a little while and I have taken a little time away to think about a few things going on in my life.  One thought I have been referencing back to over and over again the last couple of weeks is around relationships.  It began with one of my best friends getting married in Ohio a couple of weeks ago.  She was the first friend from back home that I had attended a wedding for since leaving Tennessee and it somewhat became surreal.  I am in a stage of life I have found where people are grown-ups....kind of.  Everyone around me is going isn't it so odd that persons X and Y are getting married?!  The reality is after this phase will be the baby phase and I'm sure many others that will surprise us all when they come as well. 

I by no means feel like a relationship expert, but today in church we touched upon things that we ultimately worship that consumes our mind other than God.  As I am sitting there I realize that relationships in general is what I worship or crave.  Making sure that my friends and family are taken care of and that I am truly invested in them is honestly what I live for sometimes.  That's not to also say that dating isn't in that bucket as well.  In just looking at the foundation of this, I wonder is that really what life is all about.  Is it healthy to consume your thoughts and actions around people.  I would hope that through out my lifetime I impact people positively and can say I had significant relationships with people.  I also realized though that we are human.  I know big revelation right?  I know Chelsea; I am a human.  What I'm trying to say is that people are a risky investment.  All of this time is spent on people that will no doubt go through phases and change with time.  I suppose I have no control no matter how much time I spend, because there is always a chance that someone will take action without my control.  I don't know where this all leaves me except I continue to ponder about it and felt like sharing.  It may be a bunch of nonsense, but in my head it all works itself out. 

Now I'm out like a light y'all!  Goodnight!