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!