Often, when I find a blog I enjoy, I learn more of their personal story from Google than their actual blog. Meeting who's behind the blog is equally (if not more) interesting than reading tidbits about their opinions. In light of this, I've decided to share a bit about myself, for anyone who wants to know.
[Photo originally here.]
My name is Jess and I am 22 years old. I am an only child (besides my awesome half-sister), and I was raised as an adult with a child-like imagination. Looking back, I don't think my parents could have brought me up in a better way; always with truth and discipline, yet allowing me to form opinions of my own, and in my own time. I made great grades all through school, and my parents often sacrificed to enroll me in the Chattanooga Ballet, cheerleading camps, private voice lessons, or whatever else my dreams led me to pursue. My daddy taught me that I was a princess, and my mom taught me that I was a diva.
Boyfriend and I were in the same class in 7th grade, but went our separate ways in years following. We became good friends in high school and senior year, I suggested he audition for the male lead in the school musical. Sure enough, he got the part and our friendship grew. We began dating just a week before graduation, mature enough even then to realize it was something special. We've had our share of ups and downs, like every couple, but if the last four years have taught me anything, it is how highly I value our friendship. I think people forget that we should like, not merely love, the person we choose to be romantically involved with. While I wouldn't trade the love we share for anything, it is our friendship that sustains us. He knows exactly when I need his undying, loving, support, and when I need a swift kick in the ass (not literally) to get re-motivated. I believe we can always be this happy, and I am so grateful for such a special individual to feel the same way about me. "Lucky I'm in love with my best friend..."
I went to a private college my freshman year before transferring to my alma mater. At GSU, I found a home and room to grow. I was apart of an amazing sorority, toured the state with my college choir, and was selected to be an orientation leader for the school. I pulled all-nighters in the library and went to plenty of parties. I made friends and I lost friends. I breezed through classes and I squeezed though classes. I experienced. I learned. I laughed. I cried. I grew. I lost myself. I found myself. I graduated. I look back at it all with a smile, and I don't regret anything. And that's what college is supposed to do. That, and leave me with a PR degree, ready to conquer the world.
This August, boyfriend and I moved to Charlotte. Why Charlotte? Because I drove all the way up on Halloween weekend of my senior year and loved the area. When classes were at an end and no firm job offers were in the air, we took a chance and arranged for the move in 5 days, deciding Charlotte was the perfect middle ground between our families and college friends. We found jobs and a great apartment that feels more and more like home each day. I'm currently climbing the corporate ladder and working as a diamond jeweler. I work awkward hours and wear (relatively) boring suits to work each day. I drink Coke like it's water and could run a marathon in three inch pumps. I still eat and sleep like I'm 9 (pizza rolls and 12 hours of rest every night if I had my way), and I don't keep up with reality TV. I'm a self-proclaimed Ke$ha-holic and boyfriend won't let me play my trashy rage/dance music around him (unless it's a very special occasion). I think my pet turtle is cooler than any dog or cat ever could be. I enjoy watching the news and I alphabetize/color-code things (like our "library" or my side of the closet). I try to think before I speak, mean what I say, and listen to those around me. My favorite colors are sky blue, plum, and glitter. I believe in magic. When I love, I do it with everything I have. I'm still growing, and I hope I never stop.
To sum how I see myself up, I'm just another twenty-something girl trying to make it the big world. I'm trying to figure out life, while still figuring out myself. I thought I knew it all, but I've never been so clueless. A year ago I had a stare off with reality and I'm learning everything over again. Maybe this curiosity and new appreciation of beauty is the best part of being an adult. And that's why I blog. It's helping me learn, and hey, if I can share that and learn from others too, what could be better? My dad always said, "Everyone wants to be different, just like everybody else." That is so true, and that's ok. There's enough sparkle to go around.
If you have a question, I'd be more than happy to try and answer it. Follow those handy-dandy tabs at the top of the page to tweet, email, whatnot.
And, as always, thank you, thank you, thank you for reading.
