The Road Less Traveled...

Growing up I begged my parents to move us to the country where my grandparents lived. The neighborhood I grew up in is before the "Welcome to Shreveport" sign so we didn't live in the dead of town, but regardless I wanted to be in the wide open spaces of my family's six-acre spread.
A lot of my friends always tell me Tom Petty's, "American Girl" reminds them of me. And in fact, it does almost describe me to a tee. I love Elvis, horses and mama. What more does a girl need in life?
Somewhere in the last year or more I began to lose my attachment to the South. Honestly, the detaching probably began early in college when my eyes were opened to more things in the world than the closed-mindedness of the South. Don't gasp and pretend to be shocked I just insulted your beloved South. It's still my South and my home, but if you know me at all, you know I fell strongly about the closed-mindedness. Also, you know I belong somewhere bigger. At least for a little while.
Today I sit in a Starbucks the size of a grocery store on the corner of Park Avenue and 28th St. in Manhattan.
I officially live in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY as of noon yesterday. Our apartment is empty, with the exception of a few suitcases, and I slept on a pallet but my life has never felt more full. For the first time in several years, despite leaving my family, friends and the love of my life, I am moving toward a life of my own. It was the hardest, on a whim, within a two-day period, decision I've ever had to make and although it's only day two of my new world, everything feels right.
Home is where you make it, right? (Yes, that was a Joe Dirt reference.)
Maybe I'll hate life in the big city, and maybe I'll never succeed and fall flat on my face in a year. Just know this one thing: if any, or even all of those things happen it won't be because I was too afraid to try. That's what this crazy, twisted life is all about though. I'm a '90s kid- If I get knocked down I just dust myself off and try again. : )
This move is important to me for two reasons:
First, for my career. I am a journalist. I am a writer. Some days I feel I was chosen specifically to write; whatever the topic or whomever the audience. Aside from being a waitress, writing is the one talent I possess and I want it to shine from sea to shining sea.
Second is for my sanity. I don't know where my mentality, actions or ambitions became so anti-southern but it happened. Where I come from it is intimidating to speak your mind when you agree with no one around you. Maybe this is my attempt of running away to avoid judgment from people I used to so closely relate to, but I just can't associate with the negativity any longer. Politically, religiously and mentally I am no longer on the same level as so many people around me.
I won't live in a world that spends hours in heated debates over homosexuality and inter-racial marriage and it's "acceptance" according to the Bible. I no longer want to live where it is okay to use the words "nigger" and "faggot" so casually in a negative context/reference followed by laughter.
I'm aware that hate occurs everywhere and in all shapes, colors and cultures, but where I come from it is in abundance.  I feel those two words and the hate of "others" are far too tolerated and I won't turn a blind eye to it.
In my career I want to write about everything I am passionate about, and back home it is too controversial, therefore my audience is limited. I admit I am hot-headed and argumentative about issues I'm passionate about, but I don't want to convince you, and I don't want you to convince me, I just want to write about whatever strikes my passion at current.
My two reasons for moving coincide.
Starting over is hard. Routine is easy. We all know this.
I'm here in a Starbucks taking advantage of their slow, yet free Internet, with no job, blogging about finding a job instead of looking for a job and talking about dreams instead of acting on them. This is my form of action though. Anyway, I started this blog to write about interesting customers and people I encountered and along the way it has turned into a diary of my life the past six months. However, I am fine with this because in the past three months I have been told how inspiring my blogs are. Some of you are looking at traveling alone because since reading my blogs you know it is possible, and not too scary. You all want to quit your jobs, go sky diving and chase your own dreams. You being inspired by my rambling blogs keeps me inspired so thanks for reading them and supporting me.
Lastly, to everyone who said:
"Why do you wanna live there?"
"You'll be back."
"I hope you know what you're doing."
Thank you!
Because of you, whenever I get down and haven't found my dream job, made any friends or gotten lost countless times you will be the reason I keep going. Negativity is the greatest motivator in some cases. My life is my own and i choose to be optimistic in all of my spontaneous endeavors. I choose the road less traveled. I'm not brave. I fear this crazy world as much as the next person, but at least I can look back in 10, 15 or 20 years and say I've lived the life I wanted. And in most cases, I think I will find I was wrong in my judgements of the world.