Attention All! (An into to http://kate-asliceoflife.blogspot.com/)

I had an amazing chat with my professor today, funny how life happens. I was running late and almost didn't go to class because I HATE going to class late, I walk in and there sits my professor, reading a book without a class. I thought maybe the class had gone out for some "hands on" work since it is, after all, a reporting class. Turns out that no one else had shown up today. I sit down to wait it out until he tells me I can leave.

After a few seconds of sitting awkwardly while he read his book he puts it down and starts asking how my semester is going and about my classes and then came the dreaded question: what are your plans after graduation, what kind of writing do you want to do?

So I explain my dream of having my own column and wanting to write, what I found out is called observational reporting. He gets a grin on his face and proceeds to offer me pearls of wisdom from his time in the business and tips how to get where I want to get. He asked if I had a blog and when I told him about this one and the pitiful four or five posts on it he urged me to start writing regularly and make it an out of class assignment for myself so I can get used to a non-reporting style of writing.

I left that class room today feeling the passion for writing I've lost this last semester, I haven't been this excited about my career since I first changed my major, this is an amazing feeling! He made me want to write again, he let me know he cares, he showed me that someone on this campus believes in me. Words can't describe how grateful I am to him for this feeling I have today, but maybe actions can.

I have created another blog, dedicated to practicing for my life goal. At least once a week, ideally twice a week, I will write about whatever moves me. I hope you'll follow that blog too and give me feedback. Here's the link, http://kate-asliceoflife.blogspot.com/ , if you have a free minute ever please check in. I'm so excited about this new project! For the first time in months I feel like I can do this, I am truly excited for this!

Secret Enemies and Snake Charmers

Every now and then you spend time with awesome people, like the friends who came to visit me this weekend, and they remind you how good it feels to be around people you can trust and you know have your back. I've realized this is a blessing not to be ignored or taken for granted because it is rare indeed.

I could count on one hand the number of friends I have that I can trust completely, and that is a terrible but important discovery. Why do I surround myself with this sort of people? How do they find me? I've always had these "friends" in my life that are totally dedicated to themselves and don't care who or what they hurt along the way.

It's terrible when one of your best friends becomes one of your secret enemies. Someone you can't relax around, someone that constantly keeps you against a wall. And when you see their true colors, you freeze and realize how much you told them in confidence that has now become ammunition to be pulled out and used against you with no warning. So what do you do? You have to stay friends with them. You pick the snake up from the grass and keep it as a pet because you figure it's harder for it to bite you if you keep an eye on it. This is not always the case. The longer you're around your snake your memories of the dangers it presents fade away and it will strike when you least expect it. So you live in fear of this creature, wanting it to think all is well so it has no reason to attack, but also trying to stay aware that the serpent ultimately is the one in control.

This is no way to live, yet it is a purgatory I have willingly submitted myself to over the years. One day I will be released from this torment, but for now I wait. Wait and pretend that everything's ok.

I have been blessed with some friends that I could not live without and I thank you for being there with me, thank you for helping me charm my snakes.