Here I sit, in my little hotel room, contemplating the new experiences I am adding to my life. And although I value each and every new addition, never once did I think I would end up where I am today. Using the phrase "end up" isn't really being fair. I am simply sitting at a crossroad for the moment.
I have achieved the goals I set 5 years ago. I have graduated college. I found an amazing job with a company so perfect for me I could not have dreamed of a better place to work. I am out of state and away from all of the comforts I have known for the past 23 years. I have a support group comprised of family and friends that have been incremental to my success. And I am happy.
It is hard to believe, after recognizing all of these achievements, that I am sitting in a truck stop hotel in Portage, Indiana. I am surrounded by a hodgepodge of my nearest and dearest material things. One king sized bed all to myself. Miles from any kind of civilization that is familiar to me. The people here live a very different lifestyle. Portage is at the top of Indiana, not far from Lake Michigan. It is situated in the middle of a series of industrial towns. The people here mostly work in manufacturing or whatever other everyday jobs a small town has to offer. Those are the people I have been living amongst the past few days. At the place I am staying I'm surround by truck drivers making their mandatory 10 hour stop. Different people, but all very kind. The landscape is quite ugly, but that is nothing new. It is January in the Midwest, and that looks the same all over. Dark skies, naked trees, and a cold breeze. It's funny how much I wanted to leave Columbus, Ohio for its uneventfulness and end up stuck by the side of a road. Within a 5 mile radius I have access to 2 diners, 3 liquor stores, and a strip club. It is nice to be only a 5 minute drive to the place I will call work for the next few years. This description of my current state doesn't seem to fit with the beginning of my story, but in a way, it fits just right.
I am starting a new chapter in my life. I haven't decided what the title will be and of course I don't know what it will be about. But being stuck here on this lonely road has made me realize that I need to write a new outline for what is to come. I need to set some new goals for the next 5 years of my life. Conveniently enough this pause comes at the beginning of the year. It is January 2013. Instead of making New Years Resolutions I have decided to make New Life Resolutions. And in these resolutions I will set the goals I need to drive myself toward more success in the years to come. This is, of course, a work in progress, but here is what I have so far:
I have achieved the goals I set 5 years ago. I have graduated college. I found an amazing job with a company so perfect for me I could not have dreamed of a better place to work. I am out of state and away from all of the comforts I have known for the past 23 years. I have a support group comprised of family and friends that have been incremental to my success. And I am happy.
It is hard to believe, after recognizing all of these achievements, that I am sitting in a truck stop hotel in Portage, Indiana. I am surrounded by a hodgepodge of my nearest and dearest material things. One king sized bed all to myself. Miles from any kind of civilization that is familiar to me. The people here live a very different lifestyle. Portage is at the top of Indiana, not far from Lake Michigan. It is situated in the middle of a series of industrial towns. The people here mostly work in manufacturing or whatever other everyday jobs a small town has to offer. Those are the people I have been living amongst the past few days. At the place I am staying I'm surround by truck drivers making their mandatory 10 hour stop. Different people, but all very kind. The landscape is quite ugly, but that is nothing new. It is January in the Midwest, and that looks the same all over. Dark skies, naked trees, and a cold breeze. It's funny how much I wanted to leave Columbus, Ohio for its uneventfulness and end up stuck by the side of a road. Within a 5 mile radius I have access to 2 diners, 3 liquor stores, and a strip club. It is nice to be only a 5 minute drive to the place I will call work for the next few years. This description of my current state doesn't seem to fit with the beginning of my story, but in a way, it fits just right.
I am starting a new chapter in my life. I haven't decided what the title will be and of course I don't know what it will be about. But being stuck here on this lonely road has made me realize that I need to write a new outline for what is to come. I need to set some new goals for the next 5 years of my life. Conveniently enough this pause comes at the beginning of the year. It is January 2013. Instead of making New Years Resolutions I have decided to make New Life Resolutions. And in these resolutions I will set the goals I need to drive myself toward more success in the years to come. This is, of course, a work in progress, but here is what I have so far:
- Find a place to live- I am going to live in Chicago. It is going to be a commute to work, but I am willing to sacrifice time at home for time in the car (or on a train) in order to experience one of the coolest cities in the US. It is the perfect place to further my individuality, my love for the arts, and my love of excitement. This is going to be the first time in 7 years that I have weekends off and I plan to maximize that new luxury. Plus, I wont have to use a car to get around (except to work of course).
- Be the best new employee ArcelorMittal has ever seen- I believe in this company. I think that if I give them my all they make sure I go far. I am guessing they were extremely impressed with me when I was interviewed because my first assignment is in Internal Reports. My job will involve making reports that go to the entire company (meaning all over the world). I have been placed on the same floor as ArcelorMittal's CEO's, and my supervisor is notorious for being a tough sell. I have been given an opportunity to shine, and be in the path of people that will notice a leader when they see one. I plan on making the very best of this gift I was given, and try to take on as much responsibility as I can handle. I must remind myself that I am going to fuck up. But a mistake made is a lesson learned. I am most excited to start work and learn how I can make a difference.
- I am going to place new emphasis on my health- I have been interested in ways to stay healthy for a long time, but now is the time to start healthy habits that will last my lifetime. I want to be better about getting in physical activity everyday. I want to make sure that every meal has the right amount of fruits and veggies. I want to cut drinking down to small amounts here and there. I truly believe that if you eat the right foods, drink lots of water, and stay active you will stay healthy throughout the year and increase the number of years to come. There is more to work on for this resolution. I have some research to do and a gym membership to purchase, but all in good time.
- I want to get my finances in order-Being a server for 7 years has really screwed up my spending habits. I want to get out of debt and start a healthy savings fund. All this hard work will mean nothing if I don't have a cozy beach house or some villa somewhere to retire to when I'm old. This one is going to take some serious effort, but it is also the area where I will have the most help. I have some people on my side that are very good at managing money. I am counting on them to teach me the ways (funny, I thought I was the finance expert...).
- I want my MBA-Education doesn't stop at a BA for this girl, especially when ArcelorMittal is so willing to assist with this goal by giving it to me for free!
- I want to keep in touch with people that matter most to me (AKA: anyone who attended my going away party)
- ...There is more, but it starts to get material from here, so I wont bother
These are goals, and this my plan. I will work hard until I feel I have achieved everything I have outlined here. Unfortunately, nothing ever comes easy to me in life. I know I have many challenges ahead. But it helps to have a blueprint to refer back to when times seem bleak.
This dumpy little hotel was just what I needed to remind myself that I haven't won yet. Hopefully now I can move on from this crossroad, and into a new life!
