Rough Day

Well, today is one of those days that I suppose is to be expected when you move across the country away from your parents and everything you've really ever known. Its weird to miss home at a time when things really are going pretty darn well out here. Its so gorgeous outside right now, I couldn't even believe that days like this existed as I walked into work today. But then I got to work, and realized that although I don't hate what I'm doing by any stretch of the imagination, I don't really love it either. Sure, its a job, and most people don't LOVE their job, but still. There are so many things I would love to do (come onnnn View co-host) that I don't want to sit around doing something just because I know it could pay off well in the end. And not amazingly well, mind you, there is certainly a cap on this particular position. Beyond that, half of the reason I was interested in this job was to see if I wanted to go to law school. I don't. I sooo don't. The cases are interesting and I know the hours can be reasonable depending what sector of law you go into, but still. I need to find something more active. Real estate agent, event coordinator, working on a TV show if I stay in California. This just isn't enough.

This morning as I was driving in the idea of staying in the hospitality business crossed my mind. I was thinking about how I wish someone had told me years ago that I should hold a job that can count as "experience" even during college, because it is really hard getting a good job without experience, even if you have a college degree. It could take years to get enough experience for you to get a job that pays any better than the job I held before this one. This got me thinking back to what my "experience" looks like, and this kind of thinking keeps bringing me back to CCF. That was a darn good job, and its hard to believe I left a job I liked so much AND that paid so well. I'm not going to find a job like that out here, plain and simple. No one is hiring, and if they are they certainly aren't paying a good wage. Not because you don't deserve it or because they don't want to pay you any more, but because they can't. I sit here and realize that Zach and I were both making more money at home (whether it be because of the hours we were working or the rate we were making) and that we had much less expenses there. I realize now why people move back to their parents after college. The house shows I've been watching has these young people buying homes at about 25, all because they lived at home and saved up. I'm not saying my parents would love this idea, but hey - maybe having someone helping them with the bills wouldn't suck. It could be beneficial for both of us in the end.

It seems like every time I write on here I'm thinking about going home. And that's probably because I do think about it a lot. I should mention that part of this probably has to do with the fact that Zach and I work very different schedules, so we don't see each other until about 8:30 or 9 at night, and since I work in the am I go to bed earlier than him. (Should I point out now that my 5.5 mile commute takes 30 minutes on a holiday aka no traffic, and on a regular day 45 mins to an hour?) This work schedule along with the type of work we're both doing is not conducive to a huge social life, whether its with other people or just ourselves. But back to what I was saying.. I'm not used to being away from my family. In fact I used to think people that moved away from their family this far were crazy. I still kind of think that, actually. But then whenever I think about realistically heading home after a year or two out here I realize that there is a great chance I would regret it. I'm not sure of this, and I think I'll have a better idea of it when I go home for Thanksgiving, but I do love a lot about this area. Every time I drive somewhere and hit major traffic (make that just "every time I drive..") I hit the detour button on my GPS and it brings me through a neighborhood or down a side street. The neighborhoods and communities I go through are so gorgeous and fun. They are just perfect, like out of a movie. Only problem? These amazing homes are smaller than mine at home but cost a couple million. But anyways.. I also have to admit that I don't miss a long winter. Sure, the idea of having a colder season seems great and I'm concerned it will stay too warm here all year, but I DON'T miss winter. I do miss fall. I don't miss summer's humidity. The proximity to the beach, the mountains, the desert, other nice cities like San Diego or heaven aka Santa Barbara is also amazing. This would be 100% the perfect place for me because of all of these things.. if it weren't for the fact that hardly any of my family is here, it wasn't so expensive to live, and the job market was much better.

My thoughts on this matter change daily. So long story short, today my thoughts were about going home to save money and finding a day job, going back to CCF for some extra money (and delicious food), and seeing where it goes from there. Heck, my parents are moving to Reston Town Center, that wouldn't suck. Or would it..