One Day at a Time

Life is full of days where the only question you can ask yourself is “What if…?”. What if…things were different? What if…this happened? What if…you made this decision instead…?

Today was a good day - reminded me how truly blessed I am to have been given so many opportunities in life.

But as this “Leap Day” comes to an end, I can’t help but ask myself:

What if…?

I’ve been MIA for a while - sorry about that.

Accepted a paid position on a Congressional Campaign today. I am now the Research Director for David Schapira for Congress.

I’m living my dream…and I couldn’t be happier.

What I do. I couldn’t ask for a better group of friends, a better career path, or better role models. My next steps are still yet to be determined, but tonight? Tonight, I am content. Tomorrow, I will enjoy the one day vacation. And Thursday, I will get back to work - 2012 is 363 days away, and we cannot wait.

Let’s do this.

barackobama:

Ready, set, go.

Life is going to throw you curve balls, but damn…I am so blessed.

I love my life.

The last 2 months have been insanely busy, and I have rarely had a chance to even think about tumblr, let alone write a post.

I’d argue that I don’t really have time now, and that I should be sleeping at 1am since I have to be up in 5 hours…but the truth is, I can’t sleep.

When I open up the NYT, or any other national paper, the story is all the same: college grads can’t find jobs, especially jobs with benefits. And yet, I find myself facing two paths - the same two paths that have caused such confusion for so long in my life.

One path, debate, has some long term potential. I love Lake Highland. It’s truly been a great career move, as I have learned so much about myself, my coaching style, and debate. The kids are awesome, and I am so blessed to have them in my life. Last week, I spoke with Wascher about the possibility of me moving to Orlando - becoming a sub at LHP, coaching full time, and starting over. I know that I’m good at coaching, and I know that the kids want my help…I’m just not sure if it is the career I want. I love what I do, but will I love it if I’m doing it every day? Or do I love it because I live 3,000 miles away, and it’s more of a vacation when I go to tournaments? I don’t think someone can give me that answer, I think that has to come from me.

The other path, politics, is less consistent in the long haul. However, it is my passion - it is what drives me. Since the August primary, I have been working with Greg on his communications team, as well as driving him to events, and staffing fundraisers and other events as needed. I’ve worked on a lot of campaigns, but none more fun and enlightening than this one. Working with Robbie, Ruben, Ben, Catherine, Jake, Sally, Lisa, and most importantly Greg has been the greatest honor - and I learn something new every day. I have found my political mentors, and Team Stanton will always have a special place in my heart. I interviewed on Friday with Jeff Stapleton from ADP about the tracking job that the DSCC is funding for Jeff Flake. It pays well, with health benefits, and would be an AMAZING opportunity. I won’t find out for sure until tomorrow if I got the job, but I am confident - I feel like my resume trumps that of my competition, and that my experience makes me a perfect fit. If I get offered the job tomorrow, I’m not sure what my response is going to be - I am leaning towards yes, but the kids at LHP have a pull that I haven’t been able to break.

So I guess that’s my dilemma. The roads are paved for each choice, now I have to make the choice. I’ve come to a fork in the road for my life, and the choice is mine - what am I going to do with my future?

Stay tuned, tumblr…

Life is full of cynicism and doubt. Of anger and resentment. You turn on a TV these days, and you hear about bombings and war, disease and genocide…and that’s the norm.

Although our personal lives may not make the nightly news, they too have the shocking headlines, and the potential to lack hope, and optimism. I know that mine has. The day I walked away from RaeLynn, and decided that that wasn’t the path I wanted in life…I made a choice. A choice to walk away from my first true love. To follow my heart, wherever it may lead.

Since that day, I have had my fair share of ups and downs. I have yet to fall in love with someone, and that’s ok. Love takes time…I don’t want to force it. But I can say this: there are days when it sucks. As much as I know I’m better off…that I am a better person today than I was then…I still lost my first true love…and I still question whether I will find love again.

I hope the answer to that question is yes…but time will tell. It sounds ridiculous, and almost naive…but I wouldn’t mind to be a part of a hollywood love story with a happy ending, walking down the street as the sun sets and the credits role. So yes, you may think it’s funny when I am optimistic about the future - when it is reaffirmed that love is in fact possible - but know that I wasn’t joking…I was letting you in, one day at a time.

TSTDC will always be my first forensics home. It’s where I fell in love with speech and debate. Where I found a father that I didn’t have at home. Where I met my best friends, and made amazing memories. Regardless of what has happened in recent weeks, those things will always be true. And I will always love TSTDC.

But, that doesn’t mean I can’t love again.

It’s early…and I’m still new at LHP…but I’m falling in love with the kids. I’ve found another home…with an amazing family. I can’t wait for this year.

Here’s to new beginnings.

This past weekend had a wide array of possible outcomes - some better than others, and for sure some that would have been even better than what actually happened - but to be honest, I’m happy with how this weekend turned out, and I’m content with where I go from here.

LHP welcomed me with open arms - and I’m falling in love with the kids and the program. They are great debaters, but there is still so much I can bring to the table, and I can’t wait to do so - watch our national circuit…LHP is coming for you - and they’re going to have fun while doing it.

DV thrived in by absence - and I couldn’t be more proud. Priyanka has always worked so hard, and there have been times that we have clashed - but she deserves this, and I am so glad that things are finally starting to come together. I was worried about what would happen when I left, but I’m finally coming to terms with the fact that I gave them the tools they need…I did my job…and they are going to far exceed my expectations, and the abilities of their teacher…and that’s the best outcome I could have hoped for.

I’m excited about what lays ahead: 40 days until election day, with Greg leading in every campaign metric, and going to Bronx and GBN with LHP - the first major stages where I have a chance to prove that I can make a difference.

I’m not sure where AJ is…or why he’s falling out of my life…but I can’t wait around. It stings, but that’s life. I must move forward. Maybe he’ll try and catch up…

You promised you would be there. First, you were going to be late, because you couldn’t tell her no - even though we had had these plans for 3 months….

Then…you didn’t come. You went to a concert…at a movie theater…with her instead. I tried to be understanding - I know you love her and care about her, and I know that you felt bad…

Maybe I shouldn’t have tried to understand - because it hurt a lot. I’ve given so much to this friendship…I’m invested 110%, and sometimes I feel like it’s not the same from you. If it’s not…that’s ok, but tell me. It’s not fair for me for you to only call when you need something. We had lunch though, and I thought we were good again…

You told me to stick up for myself - to make it clear when something was important to me, to not allow you to walk all over me…well…maybe this is the start of that?

Then today happened. I didn’t expect you to be up this morning - especially after you texted me at 3:15am…but lunch? You didn’t respond to my text - when we had plans, or at all so far today. I know you had a late night, I know you’re busy…but we had plans. Plans that were important to me. You’re my best friend…I want to see you. I want to talk to you. I want you to tell me things. I miss you. I’m hurt…really hurt. But I can’t even tell you, because I don’t know if you’re ok. And if you’re not…I’ll feel like an ass.

Please text me…my worst fears about you going to college are starting to come true, and it scares the shit out of me. I need my best friend. I need you.