Back in the Saddle Again

Here I am, blogging from my comfortable digs in Texas!

With the sadness of a big goodbye, comes the excitement of my new home. The kinks haven't exactly been worked out when it comes to specifics, but I'm not worried. For the first time in my life, I feel so content. Even in the midst of uncertainty, I feel so incredibly content. Who could blame me? This past week has been filled with patio dinners, good friends, poolside lounging with my girls, college baseball games, and other Texas favorites.

And with that, comes my new life! No more discussions about what I have left, but only stories from the Lone Star State. I really don't know what I'll have up my sleeve, but I can assure you that it will include a few complaints over the job hunt, stories of Mexican food binge-eating, tanning chronicles, and various other "real life" issues. I'm glad that you've all followed me back here...and now we can get back to regular programming.

And speaking of programming - Kris Allen better win American Idol. Who's with me? Oh AND, did anyone else catch the first episode of The Real Housewives of New Jersey? Y'all, it's going to get crazy!

Goodbye NY

Really, how do you say goodbye to something that you love so much?

I came in as one person and will be leaving tomorrow as someone entirely different. As I sit here in the dark, buying my time and trying not to go to sleep, I realize that I can't even begin to summarize this amazing experience into one blog post. With all of the excitement and anticipation of my upcoming Texas life, I have forgotten just how full my heart is with love for this City that has changed my course forever.

The life of new friends, weekend brunches, work life, tiny apartments, late nights, summer trips, endless dining, and bizarre occurrences has finally commenced. My fear is that one day I will meet someone that won't know this part of me. They will not know that this experience has shaped me into who God is asking me to be. I have been challenged to go beyond so many comfort levels that I would have never thought possible; all the while learning that I can, in fact, appreciate the beauty in differences. A close friend here once told me that without some of the "outrageous" characters in this world we would not learn to appreciate what makes us all so unique. I will miss this. I will miss my life here and all of those people that came with it.

This past week I have had a honeymoon with the City. I stayed out too late, enjoyed some nice weather and remembered how I fell in love so many years ago. I walked into New York almost two years ago and it took me just the way I was. The blessings that have been given to me are endless and for that I will be forever grateful. To all of the laughs, tears, and joy that I have experienced, I will never forget. So today I leave. I walk away knowing that while Texas will fill my soul, New York will hold my heart.

Love to you all, I miss you already...

These little town blues are melting away
I'll make a brand new start of it, in old New York
If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere
It's up to you, New York, New York

~Frank Sinatra, "New York, New York"