Changes

I was recently talking to my older sister

and we stumbled onto me having grown up

in the last year. 

A little background into my family, 

as I have mentioned I have a big one.

5 sisters (all older) and 5 brothers (4 older)

Yes, I am the baby girl :)

Now because I am the baby and my sisters 

were pretty grown by the time I was born, 

I'm kinda looked upon as their baby. 

Kind of hard to grow out of that image. 

Anyway in the last year I felt like I had 

taken some major steps in growing up 

and getting ready for college. 

I've had various jobs since I was about 14

Babysitting, dog sitting, cleaning, 

demonstrator for the younger kids in dance. 

But I started a receptionist job last September, 

which may sound weird, but really suits me. 

It allows me to do school during slow 

periods and work part time.

I also worked hard to finish up some 

classes that I had slacked on. 

(Math and I are not friends)

I felt that I had grown,

 and hoped that others could see that too. 

Whether or not you live in a big family, 

you will always have people measure you 

against others.

Something my mom really gave us 

was time to complete things. 

She understood that while we may not learn at 

the speed of others or accomplish things 

at the rate our siblings did, we were allowed 

to make certain choices. 

Some of my siblings seem to forget 

that we are not miniature thems.

And we will not make the same choices. 

It is that time in life where you drift away from 

childhood friends, 

and gravitate to the next season of life.

Big families have a stereotype of being close. 

Well I'm drifting, which is okay because 

I will never sever the ties, 

but I do need to make my own choices. 

I've seen the results and I believe I can 

make a path, even with screw ups, 

that is my own. 

So, what did we learn. 

1. Stereotypes are reasonable,

 but go ahead and brake the mold.  

2. You will have to grow up and make decisions,

but work with your support system now to prepare for

 the times on your own. 

3. You are never to old to spend time with family.

4. People will compare you and tell you 

what they think you should do, 

Nod your head and then do whatever you were going to do. 

(I'm only slightly kidding, advice is always good)

5. family can be the best and worst, 

choose to remember the best and shrug off the worst.

6. Growing up is hard, and you will have to say goodbye to 

dear friends, but there will be more and maybe

you needed them for only so long. 

7. work hard, in school, at work, wherever.

8.be honest, it can be hard but trust me

it is so much better. 

9. a job is a job, be thankful you have one.

10. schedule time to relax or be alone.

I recently have taken time to do things alone. 

I took myself out to a movie and shopping. 

Lunch and browsing downtown on Monday afternoon. 

Learn who you are when you are alone. 

By -J 

Best of Luck! 

And congrats to the grads!

Video of the Week

When I started By -J I had a little segment at 

the bottom of the page for

"of the week" 

Video, joke, dog. 

Things like that. I dropped it because 

you had to scroll through every post to find it. 

Let's be real, even I don't have time for that.

Anyway my country radio station 

posted a music video today 

from one of my favorite artist Brad Paisley 

and I wanted to share it with you. 

Brad Paisley "Crushin It"

It is really awesome and funny. 

I know a lot of people don't like country music, 

but I do. I also love superheros and 

this video combines them. 

By turning famous country stars into 

superheros that try and destroy 

the evil robot cans of beer.

Enjoy.

Also I know it is the end of the school year, 

and you are really stressed out, 

and you might not like country music, 

but take a few minutes to watch your 

favorite artist or celebrity. 

Then get back to studying. 

Good Luck!

By -J

Me at Brad Paisley Beat this Winter tour. 

Ambitions, Goals, Plans, Nerves...

First off, 

Happy Tuesday!

This is the time of year, if you are in school,

where you freak out!

Yay!

Finals are here and you are nervous.

But this year is different for me.

I have been home-schooled all my life.

I started online public school during middle school

and continued through high school.

I also took a little longer because I did it at a 

slower rate. I'm just not good at understanding.

Anyway I'm at the point of deciding what to do next.

The obvious is continue to college in my town.

It went from a community college to a state 

college in the last couple of years so I know

that is where I want to go.

The next part was deciding what to do....

I wanted to be in law enforcement from the age of 12- 16.

The FBI more accurately, but the more I thought about it

 the more I realized I wanted to stay close

to family and that wouldn't be an option.

I decided to finish High School get a two year degree 

and go from there.

That is when things changed again.

My sister opened a business in the fall of 2014 

and asked me to work the reception area.

I have always been good with people and 

pick up on things quickly. 

And I like technology. 

My parents liked the idea because I could

do school at the desk if it was slow.

 And the first few months were

 but now we are at full speed.

I love it.

 I've mentioned I loved my job a few times

but it is meant for me.

I like the scheduling and helping people.

The taking care of information, filing, sorting. 

Everything. 

But I also know that it will not make me happy

to work at the front desk all my life.

So pro I found something I love and 

Con I want to expand on it.

So I am going to get a business management degree 

and either run this location or open a new one 

in the future. 

I can see myself flourishing in this work style and 

am finally excited about getting started on the future.

Now I just have to convince to introverted side of me

to go to college and start classes.

It is a scary first step for someone who has never had the 

"traditional" class experience. 

Wish me luck!

By -J

Spring Break 2015

I know what you are thinking,

Not another person telling all about their awesome 

plans for Spring Break...

Nope my plan, because I have online classes 

and I don't really get a spring break, 

especially with work.

I could ask for the time off and get it but I like work.

And money :) 

But I do have plans to go to the movies at lease once,

get ice cream with friends and visit the beach at least once

and visit my best friend in St. Augustine for the day.

Really not exciting or exotic plans for the week.

So it kind of got me thinking about the people who don't

have the time or resourcing to do something crazy.

Which gave me the idea to share some ideas on easy 

Spring Break ideas.

1. Play Tourist. 

Your local area can be a treasure trove of fun 

visit your online visitors bureau or locate your visitor center and explore. 

2. Girls day.

Local shopping or browsing maybe get your nails done too.

That is on my list of things to do but I'm 

waiting for my nails to grow.

You can also organize a slumber party.

Movies, comfy clothes, maybe some spa treatments.  

3. Day trip.

The price of gas might make you cringe but 

grab some friends and split the cost. 

Set out for a planned day or a day of getting lost.

(Pack snacks or their will be blood) ;)

4. Tour your local restaurants.

This is on my list too.

Set out to eat, eat, eat, 

You don't have to do a full meal

 but ask for drinks and appetizers and try out new places.

5. Museums and Aquariums. 

Art is coming back in a big way.

Street art, pop culture, and even historical are making 

their way into fun chic environments. 

Try out locally or drive to the "big city"

And aquariums are awesome...

Have fun and be safe!

By -J

What are your plans for spring break?

P.S Happy St. Patrick's Day