I haven't really written on here in a while. things have been a little more than crazy, but i couldn't be happier with the outcome. There's something overwhelmingly satisfying about being on my own, knowing everything I have is the fruit of my own labors, and nothing else.
Seven months ago I made the biggest transition of my life. Moving from Montana to Washington was a close second, but when moving away for college, I had security in where I'd be living, what I'd be doing, and the small bit of pocket change kept there by my parents. It was a scary move for sure, but didn't require many of my own devices to keep me afloat. Seven months ago, I left everything I knew, my friends and familiar faces, my job, an accustomed city I had learned to call home, to persue my dreams in a place I had only barely visited. I left with almost nothing, but I knew I could make it.
It was a rocky seven months. I've already lived in three places in Southern California alone (upping my total number of places I have called home to eleven in the past five years.) I've worked jobs I thought a college graduate shouldn't have to bother working to put food in someone's food dish before I could think of eating anything myself. But I couldn't give up, anyone with half the determination would have turned back, thrown in the towel, and taken an easier road. I'm not one that
easily ever admits defeat.
And it paid off. Last month I was found online, contacted by a leading toy manufacturer, to design packaging for the top selling fashion doll in the world. I was called less than an hour after the interview with a job offer. I started two weeks later. The job is everything I could ever want in a design gig: awesome co-workers, huge amounts of creative freedom, a fun subject matter, and good pay with benefits to boot. I'm still waiting to hear about the permanent position, but all signs point to them liking me and wanting to keep me aboard. After two weeks of 12 hour days (4 hour commuting? no thanks!) I moved into my
OWN apartment. Two bedrooms/bath (the other is on reserve for one Maxwell A. Danger Allyn, whenever he decides he's rich enough to move here and buy me presents) in the North Hollywood Arts District. Which means no more weird roommates, small rooms, weird rules, loud music, etc. I can wash my dishes when I want, walk around in my towel after a shower, and let Dog roam free through the house when I'm gone. It's perfect. It's in a perfect neighborhood for me. It's a perfect distance from work/play. It's a perfect size. It's an ugly color (but I can paint!) And it's in
MY name.
I remember being a young teenager, 13 or 14, and wanting nothing more than to have a place on my own, to be an adult, to make it in the world. I remember some of the harder points of my childhood, when I was convinced (like every other angsty teenager) that I
could make it on my own at such an age. While I'm not totally convinced I could have made it on my own at age 13, nor do I think I would have been any kind of person I am now if I had tried, I know that same determination and passion for independance has driven me to where I am now. It's only up from here.
To finish this long update/essay on my current situation, I would like to thank my parents, whether they read this or not, appreication has to be shown. They are the ones that kept me on the right track at age 13, sent me off to school 5 years ago, and helped me to establish myself now. No matter how bullheaded and determined I've been to be independant, they've always known just how much to help and how much to let "Katy do" and they've always been there when I really needed something, which is the most important thing of all.
