First and foremost, I have never been so thankful for taking a leap of faith. I had NO idea what to expect coming down here. With nothing but a pitiful, yet adorable1 bedroom apartment lined up and 1 friend that lives 30 min away, I had no reason to believe that things would work out. But they have... better than anything I prayed for. Yes, I am broke with a capital B but there is nothing that feels better than leaving the comfort of an easy and familiar life behind, getting through that horrifying unknown, discovering things you never knew about yourself, and making plans for a future. In my case, a future that I never really considered, but can't help but feel as though it was meant to be (yeaaaa cheesy, I know). Anyone who knows me knows my passions thus far have been: Basketball, and traveling. Adventure in general being a close 3rd. Meeting new people and being social in there somewhere too. (It goes without saying that my fabulous family and friends are #1). I have a list of places around the world I have been trying to figure out how to get to ever since basketball ended. Unfortunately I have always been broke, and still am... but luckily now I get to travel the world for basically FREE. Oh it just makes me smile thinking about it.
Right now I'm in week 1 of 3 1/2 of flight attendant training... They say only half of us will make it through to get our wings... and I understand why now that I'm almost through this week... I literally had no idea how hard it would be, but if I am so lucky... (jk, I'm making it through) I am starting with my airline at the start of a huge expansion, and will be senior to the hundreds more flight attendants they will be bringing on board in the next few months. Hello, that means off the reserve list in 3-4 months compared to most airlines that are 1-5+ years. To keep from boring you, I'll just sum it up to say that I'm just super excited about the opportunity and the growth that could come from it. I love my little house that I have decorated just how I want, and do whatever I want in, whenever I want. (can you tell I'm enjoying living alone?). I have a tiny little deck and backyard that I have planted flowers all over and enjoy drinking my morning coffee on. I have met a couple of really cool people... and really love my city and can't wait to really explore it. Oh, and it was 89 degrees today and I plan on laying on the beach tomorrow... I miss the pretty TN fall foliage, but um I'm going to be laying on the beach tomorrow.
Ok, the update part is over...
Now, life in South FL... I have never been a minority, but I sure do feel like a fish out of water down here.
1. I dont understand 25% of strangers conversation around me. I'm pretty sure they are calling me a freak (see #9).
2. I am becoming aware that it's not just 'hispanic'... its Cuban, Latin American, Puerto Rican, Mexican, and who knows what ethnicity I'm forgetting. I'm working on being able to tell the difference, and not making much progress so far. No one understands that, not to sound racist by any means, but there just isn't much difference where I'm from...
3. I have been thrown into a world of beautiful scantily clad women. I've never been one to be afraid to show a little skin, but whewww im def not in TN anymore... The outfits in the grocery stores, walking downtown, high heels all day everyday, & I have never seen so many thong or half missing bikinis... But, there are sooo many rocking bodies. And there should be by the way people obsess over it. I don't remember what it was called, but there's an area on South Beach where just unbelievably sexy, ripped men were working out on the outdoor equipment by the dozens. DOZENS I say! I was walking with 4 other girls, tripping over each other, and I think I was literally drooling. It's either situations like that, straight out of a movie.... Orrrrr quite the opposite and like People of Walmart style... lets just say I hope the European style banana hammock men's suits don't make it to the good ol American guys wardrobe.
4. Butt implants... Once one pair was pointed out I feel like I saw them all over the beach. Seriously, it's just weird... White girls. Get over it, if it's not there its not meant to be. And its obvious when you buy it... It doesn't jiggle. Literally, it's like 2 perfectly round melons bouncing under the surface of the skin and like I said, just weiiirrrrd. And hello, you can't have a huuuuuge perky butt without a little cellulite. Not possible and not foolin anyone.
5. People dont smile. They don't go out of their way to be nice. And for the most part are just pricks. Buttttt then like every 1 in every 5 will surprise you and actually go above and beyond. It's been such a strange experience.
6. Mosquitos. Ahhhhh, apparently they can't get enough of my sweet southern belle blood... Depending on the time of day, and if it has rained the past couple of days, I will have anywhere from 8-10 before I even realize it. They are ruthless!!!
7. Texas or Tennessee? Where are you from? Oh, wow... that's an accent. Yea, its a conversation piece for sure... but my serious country accent certainly doesn't help me fit in around here. Not that I've ever been one to give a shit if I fit in anyhow ;)
8. How could I almost forget this one... I am literally like a giant here! People just aren't near as tall as they are back home... and I get comments on it all the time. I haven't even gone out to wear my 4'' heels either. Finding a tall man could be quite the challenge...
So, that's all the complaints I have so far... 8 little things, that's it. And most are just cultural differences that I am anxious to learn more about. And I do plan on getting in good enough shape to rock one of those skimpy bikini's, haha. I know it has just been a month, but life is good... and I would encourage any and all of my friends who are debating getting out of a funk to take that leap and just do it! Seriously, time's a tickin'.
This is where I can go run and shoot basketball, & it's all of 3 miles from my house. It is also my therapy, and where I go when I miss home. I will try to get some pics up of my house soon too!
Soooo, I think I have updated people who kept complaining about a new blog post (ahhhhhem Emmy, haha), vented, hopefully inspired one or two... and this is what I have to offer for the entertainment I promised.
