Week Two & Still Homeless

So began my second week at work. At the same time, so began my second week staying in an extended stay. Have I grown accustomed to this place and is it home? No. It's hard for an extended stay to really feel like "home," but after a day's work, I guess you can say it's close enough.

Let's take today for example. It was a long and busy day, but not in a bad way. The work kept flowing and I was able to get a lot done. Unfortunately, that meant I didn't leave the office until a little past six. Upon arriving at my extended, I proceeded to take off my pants and switch into my pajama pants. I swear, if that is not one of the first things you do when you get "home" you don't know what comfortable means. I then followed the change in outfit to microwaving dinner and sitting on the couch, with my feet propped up and watching Jeopardy, all while eating dinner. It sounds scandalous, and let me tell you, it really wasn't. It's not 9:28 p.m. and I'm sitting in bed, updating my blog before I go to bed. You must think my life is riveting. Not!

You know what is riveting! The saga that is renting in the Orlando area. Update time! Friday afternoon, I got a call from my relator informing me that the tenant who was living in the unit I'm currently working on renting moved out two days before. Two days! Thus, I'm led to conclude that they have been peeing on my back and telling me it's raining, figuratively speaking. At that moment, I instructed my relator to start looking at other options, because let's be real, I wanted to move into a place weeks ago...

In the light of all of this, I've realize I can handle unfortunate situations longer than I expected, or perhaps I'm getting really good at telling people it's not bothering me. I may also just be really good an avoiding my problems and hoping that things work themselves out eventually. Or I choose to avoid discussing my problems with strangers too much, because I don't want to be that girl. I don't really know, but I do know this, I've been working on my heavy breathing, because I refuse to be pushed to stress induced tears (again).

Anyways, I hope to update you all with good news before the end of the week! Come on, Kefi, find me a place to live! Oh, and if it's not with the complex I've been working on trying to rent, I'm totally cool with that too...they haven't really been the most hospitable of unites...

Namaste, y'all. Namaste.

Sincerely,

Cybill

{Photo Credit}

It'll Make For A Great Story One Day

"It'll make for great story one day" and "it could be worse" have been my motto for weeks. Reason being, the rental struggle is still a struggle.

Let's back track and pick up where I left off. That second place I started to work on renting, well, I'm still working on renting it. As it turns out, the number of loops that I need to jump through are ridiculous and the day I'll finally be able to move is unknown. There is a chance I won't be able to move in until the end of March. Goodness, I hope I can move in before then.

Since I don't have a place to stay and I started work Monday, I've been forced to stay in an extended stay hotel. It's not ideal, but it could be worse. (I told you I use that line often.) The extended stay is a little bit of a drive to the office, but it isn't too crazy and the traffic hasn't made me want to curl up and cry, so again, it could be worse.

Now, I have to call it a night. I still need to pack my lunch and get ready for another day's work. I miss the afternoon naps during my unemployed life. The working world, boy and girls. At least we're getting paid!

Sincerely,

Cybill

P.S.
I actually decided to hit the hay before I uploading the GIF. Hence the delayed post. I'm not working a night shift and sleeping during the day.

Happy Wednesday, everyone!

{GIF Credit}

Renting Is A Struggle

Trying to find a place, renting it and moving is a struggle, y'all. And it is real. In a matter of two days my feelings of moving to a new city have developed into the feelings of moving to new state. That state is the State of Anxiety.

Hit one. After submitting my rental application and dropping my deposit at the post office, I received an email informing me the property was no longer available. Seriously? Why did I go through all the trouble of sending and scanning the application? Why couldn't you have told me you received and application you were going to accept. Not cool, dude.

Let's just say, after receiving this email, I wanted nothing more than to curl back up in my bed and possibly cry. I didn't cry though. Instead, I curled up on the couch for a bit and then began to search for another place. I also contacted the realtor I've been speaking to, with the hopes that he knew of other one bedroom apartments.

Holla! Cory (the realtor) came through! Though where I'm living will turn out to be more expensive (this apartment isn't furnished & cable, electricities and the like aren't included in the monthly rent) there are some positives. I'll be a lot closer to the office. So close, in fact, that I'll be able to walk to work. While the Florida heat may not be favorable for that, I'd feel silly driving when I'll be living half a mile (or a 10 minute walk) away. Another plus! There is a washer and dryer in the unit. I don't know about you guys, but that's practically like gold to me. Reason in being, you can do laundry whenever you want and as someone who likes the option of doing laundry at any hour and wearing old beat up pajamas it's gold. Real gold! However, this is more to this story...

Hit two. General rental applications is a hit to an already bruised ego. I totally get the need for a credit check, but when you know I'm currently unemployed and moving to a new city for work, you'd think you'd get a direct answer to the questions I've asked. Wrong. I've been asking the same questions over and over and receiving little feedback. There's also the emails that include include a suggested solution to keep the process moving froward. Let's pick up the up take, people!

Despite all of this, I'm trying to stay optimistic. Something has to work out, right? Besides, it's only Wednesday and while my hopeful move-in date is quickly approaching, there is still time to light a fire under someone's butt...or call them crying.

I also want to go ahead and apologize now. I feel as if I sound like one of those girls. You know the type. Their Facebook is nothing more than a constant stream of complaints in regard to how their life is so hard and their cry for pity is palpable. I don't want to be one of those girls. I want to be someone who figures things out. I want to be someone who takes the advice of Tim Gun and who "makes it work." So, that's what I'm going to do...or what I've been doing while drafting this blog post — I've been replying to emails from the realtor and asking additional questions.

I'm going to share some GREAT news with you guys soon. I promise. It's the year of Kefi and this problem isn't going to stay a problem!

Sincerely,

Cybill

{GIF Credit//GIF Credit//GIF Credit}

Marco? Polo! I'm Still Here.

Hi everyone! I feel like I've been M.I.A. for a bit and I guess, to a certain extent I have, but with good reason!

Not too long ago I mentioned accepting a job in downtown Orlando and everything I had to do and everywhere I had to go before that started. Update time!

Last weekend I went to New Jersey to pick the majority of my work clothes (which pretty much means most of my pants, jeans and dresses) as well as a good number of my shoes and most of my winter clothes. I've been without a good portion of my wardrobe it almost feels new to me! I won't complain though. A "new" wardrobe at no cost at all...heyyy! Anyways, while I was in New Jersey, I was quickly reminded of how cold the north can get in the winter (and this winter is far worst than it was when I lived there)! I was there for three days and my hands are still dry and recovering, regardless of how much lotion I used to protect them. Clearly, I'm made for a warmer climate.

This past weekend, my parents and I drove to Orlando to apartment hunt. Let me just preface this right now with, "I'm not crazy about apartment hunting." I guess, it's due to the fact that nothing is perfect and I feel like wherever you rest your head and recharge your batteries should be real close to perfect. At the same time, figuring out the numbers with rent and how far you're willing to live in order to find cheaper rent is not that easy for me. All the numbers just start to blur together and I was never good at numbers.

Anyways, with all of that in mind, I've found the place that I'd like to recharge my batteries after a days work. Now, comes the part where I wait for the renter to get back with me. This is like interviewing for a job and waiting to hear back. I never had too much patience (I would discretely unwrap presents and put them back together again before Christmas), but I have no choice...the ball isn't in my court anymore. Hopefully, I'll hear back soon and I won't have to fear being homeless in Orlando. I'll make sure to update all of you as things progress!

Happy Monday!

Sincerely,

Cybill

Things I Don't Understand (and I Don't Think I Ever Will)

1. Economics. Supply and demand, I understand. Take it beyond that and I'm lost. I took an economics class in high school and again in college. During both occasions, it was an uphill battle. Not only was I simply not interested, I may have also dozed off during a class in college.

2. The need for people to leave comments in the likes of "Go F@#$ Yourself." Really? Why? What's the point of doing that? Do you feel better now? I mean, I totally get the whole "I don't agree with their ideas" but how does that comment change their opinion or help the situation? Please, enlighten me. I'm so lost!

3. How do people know?! This one is pretty general, but ultimately, I want in on this crystal ball everyone seems to have in their back pocket. Seriously! How do people know something is the thing they want to do for the rest of their lives?! How do people know the person they're with is the love of their life? How do people figure these things out?! Someone, please tell me.

4. Wanderlust-less. It's hard for me to understand the "why" behind comments such as, "I don't want to visit _______." I totally get it if you can't travel, but your lack of desire to travel and experience something completely different from your day-to-day is completely foreign to me. How can you look at pictures and read about Petra Jordan, the Holi Festival, Fjordlands National Park, South Island, New Zealand and not want to hop on a plane to experience this all for yourself?!

5. People who don't use their turn singles. I use my turn singles when even when I'm in the turning lane and I always use my turn singles when I change lanes. It's one way to let people know you need to get over to the next lane. It's also a nice way to say, "Hey, can you ease off the gas, I need to get that lane." I don't know about you, but I'll try my best to let people in front of me if they use their turn single.

6. People who speed up when you turn on your turn single. Seriously, dude, come on. I just politely informed you I needed to get over. I basically asked you. What do you do? You speed up. You do know, letting me in front of you doesn't leave you with a silver medal in the "Driving to the Grocery Store" event.

Well, folks, I'm off to go ponder these mysteries of life while I finish up my packing. It's a slow go when it comes to packing and once again, I won't be able to bring everything with me. So it's probably a good thing I don't need my heavy coats in Florida.

If you're up north, stay warm, but have a great week, wherever you are!

Sincerely,

Cybill

{Photo Credit}

The Different Ways to Say "I Love You"

Happy Valentine's Day! A holiday for the love birds, candy companies, florist and Hallmark greeting cards. But if you as me, I think it's a holiday for everyone and anyone, whether you're in love or not.

I once read there are a number of ways to say "I love you." "Text me when you get home," "Put on your seat belt," "I baked you some cookies," and "Thank you" are just a few examples that I think are right up there with "I love you." And you want to know what else? These words of affection aren't limited to those with whom you share romantic feelings. They can be for anyone and can happen anywhere.

Let's take the Olympics for example. It goes without saying, the Olympics, with all its pomp and circumstance, its triumphs and tribulations, the drama and the daring, there's always a story. A good story. A heart warming story. A story that transcends across countries and across generations. If you boil things down, you'll always notice the essence of love. Whether it's a person's love for their country, their sport or a litter of puppies, you'll see it.

US Slopestyle Skier and Olympic silver medalist, Gus Kenworthy has the power to melt the snow in the mountains of Sochi with his attempts to rescue a litter of puppies. Call him a dog lover and you can just call me in love, because who wouldn't fall in love with these pups after just one look?

Then there is the story of Canadian coach, Justin Wadsworth replacing the broken ski of Russian cross-country skier Anton Gafarov. Wadsworth was quoted saying, "I wanted him to have dignity as he crossed the finish line." There was definitely dignity and of course, compassion, both of which disregarded the boarders dividing countries and teams...something politics forgets.

As we're reaching the one week mark of the 2014 Olympic games, I'm sure more stories that capture the spirit of camaraderie during competition will arise. Hearts will break in defeat, but hopefully spirits in humanity will soar, because there are a million different ways to show someone you care. There are a million different ways to tell someone "I Love You," you just have to listen.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Sincerely, 

Cybill

{Photo Credit//GIF Credit}

The Road Ahead

There is a tide in the affairs of my life, ladies and gentlemen! And I'm taking it at the flood in hopes for good fortune. In short, this girl was offered a position with a PR agency in Orlando and I'm on the move.

In the next few weeks, I have a good bit of traveling, packing and moving to get done. To start things off, I have to fly to New Jersey to collect my clothes. (Quick back story on that one. When I flew home from NJ, I didn't check any bags and limited myself to a carry on. I left all of my winter clothes, jeans, a few blouses, shoes, etc.)

After a trip to New Jersey, I'll drive up to Orlando to apartment hunt. I have a few friends in Orlando that have been kind enough to let me bother them with a million and one questions. And can I just say, why is finding an apartment so difficult?! While I lived in an apartment in college, I didn't do much apartment hunting. My friends/roommates, Kallie & Carling hunted and landed our apartment while Colleen and I were in London. (Thank God for those two!) But now that I'm doing this on my own...it's not only not as much fun, it's a bit stressful. Finding, visiting and setting the budget is also overwhelming for this girl who is awful with numbers. (During a few occasions, I have been known to cry while trying to figure out my math homework.)

I'll take all of the nerves though. I mean, this is what I wanted, right? This is the Kefi Spirit I've been channeling since we rang in the new year. This is change and this is good. Scary, but good. But knowing me, I'll be scared (or maybe I should say nervous...yes, I'll be more nervous) about all of it until just before it happens. Then, for ten seconds that come out of no where, I'll be courageous. I'll think I'm bigger than I am and BAM! It'll all be second nature.

Sincerely,

Cybill