the job.

i don't have a dirty job. but i do enjoy watching what other people do. especially while at work. 

remember a long time ago, i wrote something about how my job was going to look different than originally thought. here's the explanation i owe you. 

amanda (my supervisor) turned in her two weeks notice my second day working with her. (before you go overboard, it wasn't because of me.) long story short, she felt called to take another job in florida being an assistant/manager for a speaker. now, she only has three more days in the office before she's officially done. i believe, at the moment, she's moving all her stuff down to florida (her last days are next week.) that being said, when we sat down to go over my hours, she told me she was quitting, and they had hoped i'd be willing to step up and kind of 'temp' for her, until they find a replacement. ok, alright. 

so the last week has been spent training me for her job. if i don't end up temping for her, then i'll be responsible to really train the next person. i already know i'm going to learn a heck of a lot this summer. sweet. really. this is going to be a huge/great experience. 

so today was my first official 'stand in' day for amanda. she's out thurs/friday. cue the looking like i know what i'm doing. basically i answer the phone, mail all sorts of things (including email), and do whatever chris and pasty need. and spend a lot of time on the internet. or watching dirty jobs (which is what i did today. amongst other things.) 

mike went to a mud factory. dirty. at that point i was very happy to be sitting at my desk, in the freezing cold office, answering emails and mailing things. 

good thing i'm still in college.

i think i'm going to take a geography class before i graduate. i'm awful at knowing where things are in the world. i should get better at this. i think it will help me be a better human. in the mean time, i have friends who keep me in line. this post goes out to katie rousopoulos, my favorite greek on the entire planet, who so lovingly calls me out for not knowing where things are. rousop, you always keep me in line. what would i do without you?

[this is my favorite greek and i at a yummy greek restaurant.]

ok, everyone, the parthenon is NOT in rome. it is located in athens, greece. i deepest apologies for any i confused or offended by my lack of knowledge. i will now spend all day studying the history and significance behind the parthenon and greek culture. [and try and get some work done at the office.]

rome and training. parks and playgrounds.

i went to the parthenon today. really, the parthenon. here's the photo to prove it. [thank you google images] little do you know, there's actually a replica of the parthenon in nashville, tennessee. it's smack dab in the middle of centennial park on the west end. and in going, i think i found one of my new favorite places in nashville. 

most people who know me well, know i love playgrounds and parks. after church today, i came home, packed up a lovely lunch and headed for the park. aaron and natalie took me past the parthenon when he was in town the other day, but it was just a quick drive by. today i decided i wanted a better look. so i took my lunch, a blanket and a book and hit up the park for the afternoon. and what a lovely afternoon it was. delicious lunch, beautiful weather, perfect spot under a tree, and plenty of people watching. [two of my favorite people today had to of been the lady dressed head to toe in all black (sweater, jeans and all) except for a bright red belt and bright red cowboy boots, having the time of her life walking in the park. and the other would be a wanna be zach morris, looking really gq, walking the dog, but not a real dog, a yoyo. amazing.]

upon returning from an afternoon in my own little rome, i knew i needed to continue my training. training for what you ask? ahh, yes. the annual fourth of july bluegrass 10k quickly approached, and while i was in some state of mind, i agreed to run it. now i just need my body to agree with my head that i can do it. three weeks in counting. nashville's hot. real hot. and there's a lot of hills. my body and my mind are currently at a standoff. 

despite the heat and hills, i've conviently placed the end of my running route at my neighborhood playground (which is only a street over from my house. baller). regardless of if i have a great run or feel like i'm about to die, i know i've got a good quality cool down on a swing set. 

so today i learned something. even though my start in nashville hasn't been the easiest, and the experience of moving somewhere completely new by myself is a little overwhelming still, sometimes i need to stop, remember, and embrace the simple things in life. they really help. especially those that follow you everywhere. i knew i needed a pick me up, and i love parks, so i went to a park. here's the key-- it takes a lot of little things to make one big thing. many times finding joy in the small things will help you find joy in the larger things. 

it's going to be a good summer.