Monday, August 27, 2007

(601)

In honor of my first day out of the 601 area code in eight years, I've reflected on the top 10 things I'll miss about Jackson/Metro now that I'm officially living in the BR:

10. Hearing "Sweet Home Alabama" sung with the standard "Mississippi" replacement.

9. Keifer's.

8. Pool time with those who make me laugh.

7. Popping up over the cubicle to vent to/grimace at/chat/cackle/catch up with Bethanie and Lish.

6. The Jackson Free Press.

5. The many Old Canton Roads one can find herself on at any time of the day or night.

4. Easy access to my GNOs...with a special emphasis on the Gs.

3. Caleb's grumpy farewell of, "I guess you just gonna put on them big ol' sandals and go all the way back to Mississippi."

2. Buffalo Wild Wings. (I know it's a chain, but still...)

1. My main big man. :-(

That said, I still believe I made the right decision in moving and I know I'll be fine here. I mean, I am in the coolest little condo (which I'll blog more about later) and a really fun town with great places to go and things to do. Plus, I'm already enjoying the potential challenges of my new job!

I guess when it comes right down to it, y'all, I'm still a Mississippi girl.


1 Comments - 2 Kudos

Tuesday, August 7, 2007

the 411

I'm moving to Baton Rouge! Here are the juicy details:

  • I've accepted a job with Hancock Bank's Louisiana headquarters. I worked there (in Gulfport) in college, so I am very familiar with a lot of the people I'll be working for and with.
  • I'll be doing what I do now - Community Relations and PR.
  • I'm excited and a little nervous!
  • I'll miss all my Jackson (and Nissan) peeps. :-(
  • But you know I'll come back to visit often - the plus side of having a boyfriend who still lives here. :-)
  • My last day at Nissan will be August 15.
  • The move will probably occur at the end of August - exact move date TBD.
  • C and I went for a short visit this weekend and from what we saw, it's a really cool, fun city!
  • Baton Rouge is 2 to 2.5 hours from both Jackson and the Coast.
  • You should come visit me...and keep in touch, of course. :-)
5 Comments - 4 Kudos

Wow, great news, and CONGRATULATIONS GIRL!!!! I have driven through there, but now I have a reason to stop and hit dinner and maybe a show! I am gonna have peeps in every state soon!
Posted by Just Music on August 6, 2007 - Monday 4:41 AM

So you won't be there when i visit? I'm sad-ish. Good luck though, I can understand a new start. I'm like the new start prince.Good Luck! PR? How fun, we should share secrets! In fact, i might have a business proposition for you, if the area is woodsy enough. More on that later.i'm out like Seacrest!
Posted by Mark's Peak on August 6, 2007 - Monday 11:46 AM

Say it ain't so! We'll miss you at Nissan but I can understand that you have a better opportunity ahead. Come visit us often...you'll be missed.
Posted by Scott on August 6, 2007 - Monday 6:43 PM

Awwww! We will miss u, but it sounds like a great opportunity!u know Baton Rouge is the best place for Tool Concerts!
Posted by Lex & Paula on August 7, 2007 - Tuesday 4:48 PM

Congratulations!
Posted by Wendy on August 7, 2007 - Tuesday 7:10 PM

Saturday, August 4, 2007

by my own

Nephews have the cutest way of saying things.

When Caleb is playing Mr. Independent (which, let's face it, is basically always), he sometimes stubbornly wrinkles that little forehead and with a puckered frown spouts, "No, Bekah. I want to do it by my own."

Even though, God bless him, he thinks I'm really just a big kid, occasionally the task will require adult supervision. In those cases, I'll gently assist or give him a reminder that I just need to help a little bit, but he's doing the main part.

But most of the time, when Caleb wants to do something "by his own," I stand back and watch with an inward smile, wishing I record every second of this event for the day when he truly comes into "his own." I know this stubborness is part of his little personality and that it will play a crucial role as his life and character traits unfold, so it's fun to watch him figure things out and put things together and get into a little somethin'-somethin' that maybe he really shouldn't be into just yet.

Today I became slightly overwhelmed with life.

Big things are happening, but my frustration didn't stem from one thing in particular. Several fires came up and the extinguisher was running out - you know, the kind of day everyone has had. I (think I) was fairly okay on the outside, but internally, I was exhausted. And irritated. And my head was spinning like a little red top.

It didn't help that I had to singlehandedly handle a few things that are ridiculous to singlehandedly handle. It also didn't help that I was pushing the little white cotton puff's accelerator to beat the clock as I (legally) sped down 220, willing time to stop. And it really didn't help that my intended destination was in an unsafe part of town, a pain to get to, and had been closed for an hour when I arrived (contrary to the schedule they'd posted on the web).

So I vented. (I mean, what are Lizzes and pink Razr phones for if not that, right?) And after we hung up, I stewed. And after I got home, I pushed myself to make several more less venting, more informative phone calls that are a necessary evil of my next few weeks. And after I made those phone calls, I pressed forward until I shot off a few equally informative e-mails. And after I clicked send, I got dressed for some time with friends. And after C and his Pops and I got there and got settled and the stories began flowing, something hit me.

I didn't really have to do today by my own.

And actually, in all fairness to my good intentions, I really thought I wasn't. I did pray the prayer that never fails (Thy will be done) when I started the day, but I think I forgot to remind myself that I had prayed it, because my focus became more on getting things done and less on Whose will I'd prayed would be done throughout my day.

I can't help but wonder if my Guardian smiles inwardly when He sees me pushing myself unnecessarily, wondering if, when I finally do come into my own, I'll remember how stubborn I was all those times.

I'm sure that in some situations, rather than smiling He grimaces, eases His way beside me, and gently reminds me that for safety's sake, I really should let Him handle this one, even if I hate to ask for that four-letter help word very much.

Hopefully one day I will come into my own, and I will make those around (and above) me proud to have watched the process. Until then, maybe I'll try to be a little more selective about the tasks I insist on doing "by my own."

3 Comments - 4 Kudos

I definitely know the feeling B! I wrote pages in my journal last night about much the same things. My girls are starting school today, and all I can do is pray that I am helping them develop that confidence to try things on 'their' own without fear so they can be better and stronger than their mommy as we all go along in life.
Posted by Just Music on August 3, 2007 - Friday 4:55 AM [Remove] [Reply to this]


Ahh, what a timely reminder! I'm SO glad you are willing to share it with us fellow on-liners. Thanks for the honesty and a great reminder. I wish I'd read it the posted date!
Posted by lotts2tel on August 8, 2007 - Wednesday 5:58 PM