A lot has happened since I last blogged and I think I'm finally at a good point to get it all out there. After a very successful year at the Art Institute of Nashville I spend some time in Lawrenceburg, TN working at a state fair with an independent concession stand thanks to a good friend of mine. The money I earned there was the stepping stone of being able to take my travel to Arlington, VA where I planned on starting the new quarter at the Art Institute there. I spent a couple weeks getting to know the area and getting out applications for work and then took a trip again in October to Columbia, SC where I worked again with the same independent concession stand. The people I met both in Lawrenceburg and in Columbia will forever be in my heart. They are like family to each other and it didn't take long before I was welcomed into their circle.
I met so many amazing people when I was in Tennessee and I will never forget any of them. We entertained ourselves with weekly kickball, cliff jumping and camping at the dam, tattoo parties, adopting animals (usually my fault … woops), partying like there was no tomorrow, midnight swimming, and enjoying every minute of it.
Being in Lawrenceburg especially made me reevaluate my life and what I want for my future. Family is such an instilled value of their lives along with hard work and a certain toughness that I hadn't experienced before.
I was in Virginia until November 8th and ended up having to move back in with my mom and step dad and the girls. I was sitting in the room with everyone, making the last arrangements for my transfer when dad said it was too much and he was done helping with my loan. I tried negotiating a few different ideas with him but, in the end, it was time to just let it go. So I got a job in Morgantown and have been working on getting out of debt since I've been back. Hopefully everything will be completed in a couple months and I can revisit my journey in education.
At first I wanted to look into schools that were close to home so that I could visit my family and friends whenever I wanted to. But after being back, I've come to realize with a heavy heart that there really isn't anything back here for me. I need to accept it and move on. I have a few really good friends who I know I can count on and who I want to be friends with for the rest of my life but most of the people I decided to surround myself with when I was in high school either were just the wrong people or have grown into people who I don't like or very much care for anymore. So much hate and vengeance and maliciousness that I don't want in my life if I'm going to continue moving forward.
I'm starting over in a lot of different ways. Another way is that Julia and I broke up. My stomach feels sick when I think about it from time to time but it was the right thing to do. I've come to accept that we're not going to have what we used to have and she wasn't willing to work through what we still had so it was a lost cause. It was definitely time to say our goodbyes.
So I've decided Canada, people. It's time for me to stop living for other people and finally live for myself. I'm going to take care of school on my own and start my life out in the world yet again. This is a start that I'm not used to though. One where I will have everything taken care of. One where I'm not leaving a mess in tow. One where I can truly refresh my mind and body and life in general. Cost of school in Canada is surprisingly less than it is in the states. What you pay for one year here, you easily pay for 3 years there. And, aren't I always saying travel is the best way to keep your mind fresh and vigor?
