A Love Hate Relationship

Obviously I love social media since I write a blog, have a facebook and twitter account, and post pics to instagram on a daily basis, but I've developed quite the love hate relationship with it.

I've gone for periods of time when I gave up social media altogether. After quitting the habit for a few days, I missed it a little, but I was amazed at how productive I became.  I actually did chores after work, talked to Michael more, and went to bed at a decent hour. Often, I find myself with my face buried in my phone and Michael sitting next to me with his face buried in his phone. This is the hate part of social media. I think it can replace genuine relationships and cheapen friendships if we aren't careful. Let's be honest, I don't have 236 friends like facebook says I have. I have a handful of friends who know me well, and not all of them have a facebook account.

I also hate how social media has given me the false impression that my thoughts and opinions matter so much. I know I'm contradicting myself, since sharing your opinion is what a blog or status update is for, but the world will go on without my opinion, and sometimes I need to be a little less judgmental. Let's not mention the times that I've been unwillingly tagged in a friend's status update or in an unflattering picture!

Let me share what I have recently realized I love about social media, as a result of an unimaginable tragedy. I have seen people from all walks of life and all parts of the world reach out to someone who is hurting beyond my imagination. I have seen unbelievable acts of giving, prayers, uplifting thoughts, awareness, and love shared through social media this week for a beautiful young widow and mom named Julee Turner who lost her husband Matt unexpectedly on Saturday, October 6, as he drove home to her in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. The outpouring of love I have witnessed is one of the greatest testimonies of her husband Matt's death, and social media has provided a unique way for Julee to be touched in so many aspects. Though I knew of Julee through mutual friends, I felt like I knew her most through her blog, which will continue to touch lives for years.

There are so many days that I want to disconnect, but I see the value that outweighs the disadvantages. Love it or hate it, I've seen the amazing ability of so many people to reach a hurting spirit through social media. Because of that, I have decided not to disconnect.

To view Matt's story: Remembering Matt Turner

Click here to read Julee's blog.

My New Job!

I got a new job! I have officially completed two weeks as an Executive Associate at an executive search firm in Birmingham called Wheless Partners. I am working with two senior partners in the firm serving as their associate for marketing and client relations. Basically, I help them gain clients and serve clients we are performing executive searches for. It's providential how it all came about, and it happened so fast, which is why I'm just now getting around to writing about it. Our friend Chris' dad Kevin works for the firm, and I had given him my resume several months ago for a search they were working on for a client. I never heard back from him regarding that search, but luckily they still had my resume on file. I was at work one day, and Kevin messaged me on Facebook and asked me to call him. The next thing I know I had an interview with the president of the company, I flew to New York for a great trip with my mom, flew back for a second interview, and I had a new job! I know this opportunity is a blessing from God. Though I wasn't actively looking for a new job, the move could not have come at a better time. It's been very exciting but very challenging, and though it's been nerve wracking getting into the swings of things, I know I need the challenge to be happy and to grow. I had the privilege of assisting with my first search in Omaha, Nebraska this week. We flew in on Thursday, and we conducted a series of interviews for the executive director of a major foundation in the city. I met some wonderful people, and I learned so much in one day. I am such a curious person, so the trip was awesome! I also got to meet the COO of Gallup who was assisting with the foundation search, and we got to visit the Gallup campus before we flew back home. It was an awesome trip! Today, I have been trying to catch up on my personal life. Traveling makes me so tired. Though I was exhausted, I decided to go shopping today to buy some clothes for fall. It was a bad idea! I hate shopping, which is so crazy because I used to love it. But seriously, shopping puts me in such a bad mood these days. I can't explain it, but I think its because you know you want something specific that you have in your head, but you can never find it when you need it. Somehow I always end up buying the same looking stuff. It's classic so that's good, but I am pretty sure that everything in my closet is black, gray, cream or navy. I set out to buy color, but it never happens. Michael is on his way back from Georgia tonight. I can't wait to see him and spend tomorrow together. We have been so busy, and I miss him so much! I am hoping for a lazy Sunday. I hope you all have a great weekend!

Last Day in NYC

Mom and I spent our last full day in NYC with my cousin Kelsea. We took the subway to Lexington Avenue where they were having a street market. After the market, we walked to Bloomingdales, where Kelsea works. It is such a nice department store! After Bloomingdales' we spent some time in Central Park, which is absolutely gorgeous. I wish we could have spent an entire day there. From Central Park, we took the Subway back to Rockefeller Center to go to the Top of The Rock observatory deck. Wow! What an amazing view! Since it was our last night, we took the subway to Kelsea's apartment in the lower east side. I have lived in tiny spaces, but her apartment is truly miniature. She definitely pays for the location! We ate Mexican at a restaurant in her neighborhood then mom and I took a cab back to our hotel to pack. I was sad to make it to the last day of our trip, but a part of me was a little happy about getting home because I was sooo tired! We had one last lunch with Julia, her mom, and Kelsea before we headed to the airport. We ate at the pizza and pasta restaurant inside Eataly, which is one of the neatest places I've been to. There are several Italian restaurants and markets inside one large complex. You pick where you want to eat if you want pasta, pizza, meat, vegetarian, or seafood. This was the best meal I had all week! This was an amazing trip, and I cannot wait to go back!