Instant Relief.

My Medicine.

Three things can cure me…Music, Vacation & Friends.
After a crazy trip back from Las Vegas this past weekend I thought it was about time I caught you all up to this first part of 2010. I’ve been working as an account manager for an I.T. company up in Northern, Virginia. Not my ideal job, but its experience and it is in line with my objective. At a time where there are so many people struggling to find work, I can do nothing but be appreciative of someone giving me an opportunity straight out of college. At first the job was TOO easy, laid back in an office chair surfing the web all day. I had to admit, I thought I had it good. But what was I really getting out of that? The work began to pile on and before I knew it, I was forgetting to sleep at night because I was so busy. I needed a vacation, I needed sleep, and I needed time to get myself together.

The Remedy= VEGAS + FRIENDS + MY MUSIC

Reaching out to my best friend for a vacation was way too easy. The decision was made, birthday vacation to Las Vegas: either you’re in or you’re out. We counted down and got anxious as March rolled around and before I knew it I was sitting in Baltimore Airport waiting for my flight out. I won’t say I got MUCH sleep on this trip, but I did get to spend some quality time with some of my good friends while being on the other side of the country. There’s nothing better than not having any obligations for even a couple of days. Everything is carefree and it’s hard to keep a smile off your face. Although this was my 2nd time to Vegas in less than 2 years, it seemed as if I was there for the first time all over again; I HONESTLY think I could live there. Something about the lights and never sleeping seem to fit well with me, I mean I don’t get much sleep anyway right?!?! Weird thing about this trip is that both of my parents heavily encouraged me to “take a break” and get away for a little. You know whenever you reach your breaking point and you feel like you’re going to throw in the towel at any moment!?! That was me one week prior to going on vacation.

Instantly, I felt a sigh of relief when I stepped on that plane and turned on my iPod. Anyone who knows me knows that I am a sucker for music in general. It’s sort of like my therapy. The combination of J.T., Robin Thicke, Usher, Trey Songz, John Legend, and Melanie Fiona eased my mind as I cruised over the Midwest.

With my friends, music, and vacation all ON DECK for 5 days I knew I’d be feeling much better when I got back to work this week. I was right, they never fail….they are MY medicine.

2010...never late but ALWAYS on time.

2010: Love, Friends, Family, and Money…..in no particular order.

It’s a New Year, so there are new things to look forward to. I don’t regret ANYTHING from 2009! Made plenty of mistakes, but I've used them as stepping stones and continually try to move on. With everything lost there was SOOOO much gained.

[LOVE] I’m really looking to get a grip on my Love life this year. I think in the past I've tiptoed around the idea of “falling in love”. I know it can’t be forced but I must be more open-minded and willing to give myself a chance to open my heart to someone. I've had the CRAZIEST relationships in the past that I can only shake my head at. I've been a side thing, I've had side-things and I know I was young and naive. With this New Year I’ll seek to be kinder, wiser, and more caring when it comes to both mine and others’ emotions. Now completely done with undergrad I’m meeting so many people outside of my comfort zone and I can already tell that 2010 is going to be something fresh and new for me, and definitely something I need.

[FRIENDS] I am so grateful for all the new friendships I made in 09’. I have THEE most loving, outgoing friends on this earth and I appreciate them for dealing with me and my shenanigans. I love that I can send a message and say “FML”, and have so many of them jump right on and be my superman or superwoman! GOOD friends are hard to come by and I am glad to say that I've trimmed the ones off that weren't helping me grow and be a better person. Yes, in the middle of my blog and I am going to broadcast “BBM SAVES LIVES!!!” My goodness BBM Group Chat has gotten me through rough times, good times, and unexplainable times. Being able to contact my friends at the drop of a dime is important to me…and I love that they’re always there to listen. You know who you are!!!

[FAMILY] My support system: I had to grow up last year. I couldn't be babied by Daddy and Mommy anymore, and that was rough for me. Graduation came and went in .2123 seconds. Just when I thought life would turn into one big party, I was quickly reminded that LIFE was next. I had my 2 months of summer fun and then made the decision to move away from home. My mom was too sad to see me go and my dad applauded my bravery. Now up in Northern Virginia a little over 3 hours away from my family members, I smile when I get my “Good Morning” emails from dad reassuring me that I am on the right track. My mid day BBM’s from mother to ask me how my day is going make me feel like I've never left home. In the past few months my GAM was diagnosed with cancer and when I thought I wouldn't be able to keep it together I received the most touching call from my Nana letting me know that she would be there for my GAM. That’s when I knew I had THEE best family. My father’s mother stuck by my mother’s mother through all of her surgeries and prayed for her every night. I couldn’t ask for a better family, and just the thought of them makes me push THAT much harder every day.

[MONEY] I put it last, because although it is extremely important and necessary to survive…it doesn't make me, and it shouldn't make you either. Without LOVE, FRIENDS, and FAMILY I wouldn't get by….but on a lighter note, I am accepting donations, VEGAS babyyy!!!!!! Lol.

-CourtneyRene