Who "New"

This phrase "Who New" just doesn't leave my mind these days. Obviously I am using new and not knew for a reason...

So what is NEW? May brought me plenty of NEW things like; a new job, signing with a TV Agent,  new car, new phone number, new hair color (dark hair don't care), and ok I think I will stop right there for now.

Honestly I am not one that always adjusts well to NEW things or quick changes but this month has been pretty dang liberating.

What triggered this whole NEW trend for me?

Well the whole "new job" thing just kind of happened, obviously.

Let's start with my phone number... I have been clinging to that 801 phone number like an old blankey, it was the first and only number I had.  I felt comfort in that.  My mom, sister and well everyone in AZ would always give me a hard time about having a Utah number when I have clearly been living in AZ but I carried that with pride, and it was a great conversation starter when giving boys my number, kidding but kind of true. Due to recent events and 8 years of my 801 number holding strong, I finally gave in and joined the 480.  It was a sad day but as I sent out texts and made phone calls to those I wanted to have my number, I realized that I cleaned out a lot of nonsense.   I was in full control as to who could contact me via phone. What a good feeling!

New car, who does that? Leave me alone for a few days and I will never cease to amaze you I promise.  I had been thinking about cars, I was frankly sick of mine.  Nothing was wrong with it, it has been a great car but I was trying to be smart.  I had put 45K on it in about 16 months and knew I either had to pony up and keep that car forevs or trade it in. Plus I needed a cuter car (don't judge that statement).  So, one day I get off work about an hour early and decided to stop by a local dealership to check out my options. Harmless right?
Here is some advice:

1- Never go to a dealership alone
2- don't make snap decisions
3- speak up

I found a great car, Chevy Cruze 2012 with only 8,000 miles on it.  I decided to test drive it, I loved it! Oops #4 don't fall in love with a car too fast.

Next thing I know I am walking out of the dealership with a NEW car.  Holy crap, that just happened. I got a great deal and love my Cruze, so I am one happy girl.

On to the next thing... Yes, I signed with a TV Agent. Sounds crazy huh? Well for me it is something that just kind of happened, I wasn't in the market to get on TV at the time when I met the Agent things just fell into place.  Does this mean I will be landing some big gig? No, probably not.  It would be a small town in the middle of nowhere, most likely a place I have never been before.

http://www.mediastars.tv/media-talent/meteorologists-weather/courtney-childress

I am in a position in my life where I have nothing holding me back to chase this dream if I choose to.  Am I nervous or scared about it? Hell yes, I would be lying if I wasn't.  Do I think it's weird that I didn't do this when I first graduated? YES.  When I graduated from ASU I was in no way, shape or form ready to hit the ground running in the broadcasting world.  I wasn't sure I could handle being away from my fam, or just spiritually strong enough to be somewhere, where it wasn't saturated with Mormons.  I thought if I took a broadcasting job my life would be working weekends, never attending church aka less opportunity to meet someone and living in some small town that doesn't even have a Nordstrom. That just sounds devastating right? It did to me at least.

Now I would like to think I have grown up a bit, realizing I am far more capable of accomplishing things then I ever imagined.  I am not sure how this whole TV Agent thing will pan out for me but have high hopes that everything will fall into place... wait it always does.

I am stubborn, insanely logical, and love being in control of my life, therefore I think I know more than I really do.  I am positive Heavenly Father just laughs as I make plans.  He truly knows what is best for each of us as much as I sometimes don't feel like that or act like that.  I have to trust that if I am doing what I should be Heavenly Father will take care of me and bless me.  Easier said then done.

I am excited and anxious to see what my future holds but this summer I am taking time to live in the moment and have some fun!
Chicago, San Diego, Las Vegas and San Luis Obispo are all on my mind as I get to venture out to these destinations and make some memories.

xoxo
   

Expect the Unexpected

Where do I start? It has been a solid four months since I wrote on this thing... and could I write for days about what has been going on in my life, but let me put it all in simple bullet points until I get to the good stuff...

• January 26th, 2013 Dylan Caleb Johnson was born.  I am officially an Auntie and couldn't be more in love with that little guy.  He is the more adorable thing in the world, and has brought so much joy into my life.  I love that I am so close with my sister she let me be by her side the entire time.  It was such a neat and spiritual experience.  I love spending time with that nugget and so happy he is in this family.  Can't wait to watch him grow up.

• I turned 24 this year... Spent the day at the Phoenix Open and the evening with close friends and family. I don't like big birthday parties or anything like that, I get embarrassed and don't want people to feel obligated to me.  Yes I know I am weird! But I did have one of my best friend spoil me. Dinner and a pedicure, what more could a girl ask for.  Ashley is such an amazing person and love spending time with her.  Funny to think how much we hated each other when we first met as freshman in college, but obviously we are meant to be friends and don't know what I would do without her.
  
  
  

• March 1st I moved, yep you heard it.  I am back in Tempe just living the dream.  I was fortunate to find an amazing place with the BEST roomie. Kelly and I had only met a few times through mutual friends but I am so glad I have the opportunity to live with her.  She has been such an amazing roommate and friend! This year is going to be a blast with her.

Then came the usual...work events, restaurant openings, Dylan's blessing, day trip to Sedona, old friends in town,  boy drama, spring training just to mention a few... and this was all leading up to...


At work, I have been planning what is call our Best of Our Valley Bash that the company puts on each year.  It is the biggest event of the year.  I literally had been planning it since December.  D-Day as I will call it rapidly approached that whole week I had the most unsettling feeling in my gut. I knew something was going to go wrong.  I was sending out emails, checking the venue (which opened the night before), getting vendors there, timing everything, organizing mulitple people, putting together a video, being a social media psycho, getting marketing materials, you name it I was on it.  I was working my ass off, with little help and direction, as I  had never done this before I KNEW things would slip through the cracks.  Naturally I tried to trouble shoot everything the best I could before the event.  That week I knew something had to change I felt so overworked, underpaid, and just confused as to why I was working so bloody hard.  I loved my job, but I couldn't go at this rate too much longer. Yes, you could say Courtney you are young, inexperienced and need to stop complaining... be grateful.  That I was, but if you know me you know my heart and soul goes into everything I do an THIS was no exception.

I was so overwhelmed the thought of quitting or moving on was continually on my mind... I would quickly shove those thoughts aside and say "I am not a QUITTER" keep going you can do this.  I had experiences at this job that had opened my mind to different avenues I thought I may take but it always came back to just be patient.

Back to D-Day, I ran back to the office to get a few supplies, and crashed and burned.... I think every emotion hit the fan and I broke down and cried.  Unfortunately a few minutes later my boss walked in, I thought crap! hurry pull it together. I did we discussed my concerns shortly (told him I was overwhelmed, blah blah blah) then off to the event.  I finished set up and went to change as the party was underway... I came back and SMACK, rumors had already started "I heard Courtney was quitting", was whispered around the event. It was so frustrating to hear that. I went to my boss with a dilemma and BOOM! he started yelling "You are right, you can leave".  Never in a million years did I see this coming!!! I was shocked! (I will leave out some details but you get the point)

I waited for my friends to arrive and quickly made them take me back to my office to get all my belongings.  I felt so hallow, I worked so hard and then this.... really this is how it ends? REALLY?

I was disappointed, shocked, devastated, and crying my eyes out as I left.
I was lucky to run into a client of ours, briefly told her what happened and she said she would call me the next day.

That night and next morning I was bombarded with calls, texts, and emails from
people that were are the event wanting to know what had happened.  I had many reach out to me offering me temporary work, or help me find employment.  Like I said that one client of ours did in fact call me, I set up a meeting/interview with her that Monday and was hired. A total of 1 day of unemployment. I am SO BLESSED and overwhelmed with gratitude to all those that have been there and offered their help.

Honestly this has been a extremely trying time in my life.  Like that gut feeling I had, it was true and now I know me leaving my job is probably the best thing that could have happened to me.  (Sounds so weird to say) I feel like a weight has been lifted and ready for new opportunities and adventures.

So here is what this "learning curve" in my life has taught me in such a short amount of time.

-Trust your gut

-Surround yourself with good people 

- Stick up for yourself 

- Choose your words carefully AND...

- Work hard (others notice).

Cheers to new beginnings!

 

Keeping it SIMPLE

I have been thinking a lot about what I wanted to blog about next but THEN I asked myself... "wait who freakin reads this thing and why am I doing it?"

  After I thought about it I realized, I don't do this for attention, to get famous, or make money, I don't do it for anyone else but MYSELF.  I have always been a journal writer ever since I can remember and it helps me in so many ways, so to me blogging is simply journaling my crazy experiences which I have had and the things I have learned. I try to be blunt and honest, never sugar coat too much so that if anyone reads this they can get to know ME and learn or come to know me through these experiences.

SO it's 2013... 

I know a typical beginning of the year post should be filled with resolutions, but let me be HONEST we all set the same dang resolutions well at least I do.  Each year I swear I say I am going to; eat healthier, loose weight, workout more, pray and read my scriptures more all the traditional resolutions I have set I decided those aren't what 2013 is about for me.  Yes do I always wish I was thinner, had more time to workout, eat healthier, and remember to read and pray everyday? Of course... what girl doesn't want to be fit and thin, and on top of her spiritual game right?  This year I have a different plan......

I spent my New Year's up in Utah, a place I once called home and each time I go back interesting feelings tend to resurface.  I hate New Year's so let's start there, it is beyond overrated, usually disappointing, and nothing how the movies make it.  While I was up there I had some quality alone time where I got to think about 2012.  I have had some great and not so great experiences this year, from loosing a friend, attending weddings, finding out my sister is pregnant, participating in The Mormon Bachelor, and starting a new job.  It was a busy year for me.  I have thought about how much I have changed over the years, and the people that have seen me change and grow.  It is always said people are in your life for a reason and sometimes only a season. Well, every time I visit Utah I realize I have had no better blessing then to be able to stay in touch with so many people throughout my life.  I get so excited and happy to revisit with old friends. While I was there I had lunch with girls I have known for 10 years, I saw one of my mom's best friends who has known me since I was little, and my favorite was sitting at dinner with boys I have known since kindergarten, that was ALMOST 20 years ago! 

 Those boys have seen it all from my awkward years, to watching me move to AZ, and continue to keep tabs on me.  I couldn't have asked for better friends. I love seeing them, being able to laugh with them, and talk about some great memories we have together.  I know that each friendship is truly unique and cherish each and every single one of them. 

After the ball dropped at midnight, glitter fell from the ceiling and I kissed the man of my dreams hahaha I am kidding not one of those things happened that night well, besides the ball dropping in NYC but whatever, we left the party and I went back to my friend Kasey's house.  I was getting all comfy in bed and turned to her and said what does 2013 look like for you?  We had a short discussion and went to bed.  Shortly after that I found myself WIDE AWAKE thinking about what I really want in 2013 that will make it different...  I thought about what I really want and what makes me happy.  That isn't any easy question to answer all the time so I told myself to think about it more.  I came back from Utah and the rush of work quickly hit.  

My job keeps me busy, I knew the second I landed in AZ my life was about to get crazy.  The next couple months at work are jam packed with events and other obligations leaving little time for, well me.  I apparently came home with a cold and that didn't help my new year resolutions so I put some on the back burner. Not the best idea as I fell back into the normal things I do instead of what I need to do but that has changed...

As I get to know myself better I realize what works and what doesn't in making and achieving goals. 2013 will be about KEEPING IT SIMPLE.  My goal and focus is to keep my life as simple as possible.  This may be difficult if any of you know my past but it is what I am working on.  So what does keeping it simple mean to me?

This year will be about, letting go of the things in which I can't control, not getting caught up in drama, taking deep breaths when stressed, trusting the Lord more, risking more, loving myself, and most importantly answering a question I was asked by a little 3-year-old boy today that I was watching... we were sitting on the floor and looked me in the eyes and asked "Courtney are you happy?" I was surprised in that moment, and of course said YES.  But am I really happy, do I know what makes me happy, and do others know I am happy? So after those innocent eyes said those 4 words,  I knew that, THAT is in fact my GOAL for 2013.  This year I will be finding something each day that truly MAKES ME HAPPY.  

Now that should be simple :)

XOXO