Being There

As I wait to begin my new job as a freelancer at WJBK, I plan on taking this opportunity to focus on me. I began by taking the time this weekend to go with my brother and his wife up to Traverse City to celebrate their anniversary. It's an annual trip they've done since they got married and all their friends join and just have a blast.

I got their Saturday and immediately the fun began. We did a tour of the wineries in the area, including Jolly Pumpkin's brewery. Dinner and a bonfire followed with beer pong.

The next morning we headed out early and hit the bay for some fishing. It was just Megan, Jay and me so it was a great time to just hang with the family. We stayed out there for hours and caught a total of 6 fish. It was also so beautiful watching the sunrise over the bay.

The day continued with a game of Foot Golf, yes you heard me right. Golf using soccer balls on a large golf course. It was such a trip! So much fun and a great way to exercise.

Afterwards we hit up a bar for some food where I got excited because they had Michigan Lottery Pull Tabs. I haven't played those thing in forever so I had to buy a few. I bought a total of 5 for just $6, and ended up winning $100 on just 1 of them! Yeah, pretty epic.

Later that night we all went out once more to fish, this time we went about an hour away to Frankfort. We didn't catch any fish that time, but wow was it a gorgeous location. It reminded me of a small Maine town. The tiny bay we were in was surrounded by a mountainous region, old buildings, and it was also a Coast Guard location. The entire location and outing was so pretty and a blast.

It was just so nice to be able to finally go out on this trip after missing out for all these years. An amazing  chance to hang with my family that I am so glad I got to enjoy.

I plan on making these types of activities with my family and friends a normal thing. I have to make sure I care for myself and make myself a priority. So for these next couple weeks, it's all about getting my life in order, and getting out more with the people I love.

The Time Has Come

This post is about strength, and how I had to stand up for myself in order to protect my fragile situation.

Yesterday was my last day at WTOL. I decided to quit after having too many unpleasant situations with one of my managers. She was constantly condescending and micromanaging everything I did to where it hindered my work ability.

The situation came to a head 2 weeks ago when I had a breakdown after another one of her constant judging moments. I fell back into the blackness of not wanting to live. Something I have not felt in years. I just felt completely hopeless in my situation and not having a place to release my anger/sadness through my crafting as I had before did not help.

It was then that my therapist, family and I decided this job was just not worth it.

I felt as if I was giving up on a dream. I want to produce so bad, but the thought of being in such a negative environment where I wasn't even being allowed to do my job properly just made it all the easier to walk away.

WTOL wasn't all negative though. I made some of the best friends in the short time I was there.  People who were honest and taught me new things that helped me out. People with the same weird sense of humor as I and were fine with me being crazy.

Thank God for these friends who helped send me off With a smile, knowing how difficult this decision was, but understanding why it had to be done. I have been very lucky to keep getting jobs at locations with some of the best people around.

Now I am off on another adventure. I have accepted a freelance Associate Producer position back where my career started... WJBK in Detroit. Being freelance, I'll be able to make my own schedule and ease in to it. Even better, it is doing exactly what I had done there before, so it's a job I am already familiar with.

I have said it before and I'll say it again, I'm a big believer in things happening for a reason. Though these past few months were difficult, I made it through, and have come out stronger. I was able to take a situation into my own hands and stand up for myself. I am now going back to a place I loved, and am going to make sure I give myself the time to live and not work myself to the bone. I'm making myself a priority, something I typically don't do.