Charleston, Week Two - Graduation and a New Job

So, I've officially made it longer than I did in Korea. I have the place set up...mostly, still a few miscellaneous boxes to unpack, but over all it is great.

Jen and I at The Brick House Kitchen

Jen came down last Friday to spend some wonderful girl time together, we went to what is now my favorite bar, The Brick House Kitchen They are so great, I'm starting to feel like a local when I walk in, because people there know my name. $12 buckets of steamed-in-front-of-you oysters, amazing local beer by Holy City Brewery It reminds me so much of my beloved bar in Charlotte, The P-Stone. It is my home town bar these days.

I started work on Monday...to say the least it was overwhelming! Not having the military background and not really having a full understanding of my job title left a lot to be desired. I came home from Day One feeling like I'd made an awful mistake, I was really scared. Day Two proved to be much more positive! It was so much better. I was able to get a great understanding of my actual job and I'm happy to report that my team, job, and employer are all amazing. I still have so much to absorb, but they are all patient and kind. I was invited and attended the USCG Christmas party and had a wonderful time getting to know my co-workers. They truly are a great group of people to learn from and work with.

On my daily walk to watch the sunset

As for my week, I get off work at 3pm so I make it a point to do my 'gym' routine on the sand, by the surf. Hey, I do live 3 miles from Folly Beach, so when in Rome....

The ocean is so calming to the soul. It really puts into perspective how minimal your problems are when you look at the vastness of the ocean. You really are a tiny part of this world. That is so comforting to me. I feel that I need to buy a drum and really bond with the guys in the drum circle down there.


After work Friday, I drove home to Charlotte to see some of my peeps and catch up on the missed events of the last few weeks. I've never claimed to be psychic, but I had this feeling in my gut all day that something would happen on that drive. I'm sad to report that I was correct. Because of this gut feeling, I was driving much more cautiously, I had angels watching out for me. About 30 minutes from Jason's my tire air pressure light came on. This has never happened, so I got in the right lane and planned to check it at the next exit. This caused my car to swerve irratically and I finally was forced to pull off to the shoulder. I had my back tire blow out. I was panic stricken and really shaken up. I do know how to change a tire, however I can't do it in the dark, alone, with trucks and cars screaming by going 80 mph. (Note: I need a flashlight in the car.)

The damage

Yes, I have not one but two roadside assistance plans. One through Hyundai --- worst story EVER and another through Geico. I've used the one through Geico before and it took forever, so I made the mistake of calling Hyundai. Long story short, he called after an hour to tell me he wasn't coming. I called the Highway Patrol to come sit with me until he arrived. This is an important thing for all women to know. The HP will not only sit with you until help arrives but are equipped to assist you if you want them to. Thanks to my Pap-Paw's good planning, I know how to change a tire. After a freak out -- crying hysterically to the HP and the boyfriend, who, by the way drove 100 miles round trip just to help me -- the HP arrived. My luck was that he had a bum knee and could only hold a flashlight for me while I changed the tire on my SUV, but I did it. I put the spare on, all by myself. I did it moments before the boyfriend showed up. I didn't know he was coming, but I guess my freak out sounded way worse over the phone. Either way, I have to say I am the luckiest woman on the planet!

In line to walk into the ceremony

Saturday I walked for my Grad School commencement. It was so incredible to have my Grandmother, Sister, and significant others there to cheer from the bleachers. I can't believe that it is over. I worked so hard for what seemed like forever and now it seems like I just started. Life really does speed up when you get older. My life is light years away from where it was when I began this journey. Who'd have thought that the failed attempt at living in Korea would have led to all of this? I couldn't have predicted it. I would've never believed even last year at this time that I would be living in Charleston, SC, working for the Coast Guard with the most awesome life I could have ever imagined.