Stranger Danger

"Don't ever go anywhere by yourself."

If you are a female, you've probably heard this phrase many times. Heck, if you have parents, those words most likely reached your ears more times than you can recall. When encountering a situation with potential danger, people love to give this sort of advice. Society likes to plant fear into our hearts by making comments like, "going anywhere alone is just asking for it....you'll be a walking target."

As for me, I'm currently working right smack in the heart of Atlanta, and, naturally, my mother told me to "always have somebody with me while going to and from my car."

Ok, this sounds like a safe idea, and it's certainly more fun being with a companion compared to a lonely sidewalk stroll, but the stress of seeking constant a hand-holder is tedious. I'm sorry, but it's pretty much impossible to avoid "alone" situations. They don't have to be frequent, but you can't have somebody with you 24/7. People have other responsibilities, places to be, people to meet. It's unrealistic to assume a person can drop everything and devote valuable time and energy for your sake. After all, there are things people need to do alone.

As children ,we're heavily guarded, but adulthood teaches us to use common sense. At times, we're faced with daunting moments of being "the last to leave the office" or being "stuck in the back, shady parking lot." I don't want to be mugged, lost down a dark alley or taken advantage of, but to be paranoid is just miserable. I refuse to live in fear.

I think it's selfish ask for a constant escort. It's inconvenient, illogical, and childish. Really, how can anybody depend on anyone to be a successful employee if they're seen as the "office baby?"

I do take necessary precautions by leaving the office with my bosses and maintaining common sense. I've traveled through and worked in this nutsy city for a while, yet I still become confused....... a lot. It's easy to make mistakes here, and it's very easy to get lost.

However, I do hope my readers and loved ones will be safe!

Cold at the Capitol

Wow, what a week. Despite the shockingly cold weather, I've managed to awake around 6:30am, clothe myself in professional attire, and cruise i-75 to the Georgia Capitol. I'm currently interning for Member and Constituent Services, and it's so exciting! Unlike my previous internship, which only required 20 hours a week, I work "real" work hours....8 a.m-5 p.m. This, naturally, provides a challenge. Honestly, for a person who occasionally enjoys sleeping 'til lunchtime, I'm doing well. I dislike mornings. I dread the sound of the evil alarm, I shiver at the mere thought of the unfriendly chilly air that lingers in the wee hours. I dislike how the bathroom light causes my eyes to painfully squint in protest. I nearly cry when I discover my ice-crusted windshield requires several minutes of scraping and heating. However, somehow, this experience leads to rewarding things.

I have met more people in the past few days than I have for.....oh, months!! Tons of Representatives from counties I never knew existed and Capitol staff who is usually very friendly. So far, I've sat in the Gallery of the past 3 sessions, and witnessed Governor Sonny Perdue giving his last state of the state address. Oh, and not to mention the free soft drinks!

Most importantly, I'm enjoying the networking and witnessing actions I only heard about in history classes.

More to come. I'm exhausted.

New Things in 2010

Happy 2010! I'm a little behind on the blogging, but honestly, things have been pretty uneventful. This is how ideal holiday time should be, right? Relaxing and peaceful.

I'm entirely grateful to have 2009 behind me. I won't drone on with complaints, because it was a year of growth and learning......but ug, what an emotionally trying time!! I was slightly fearful that the month of January would be an extension of the mundane routine...... a silent cell phone and an uninspired, surly attitude. Well, this week, I got a call about a paid internship with the Georgia Capitol! Yep, I finally get to do something useful again. Also, I get to leave my house. Yes!!!

I will record more details later, when I have them. Right now, I'm packing all the professional clothing I have into my blue suitcase. The funny thing is, I had just placed it back into its attic home, thinking Sea Island was the last interesting place I'd be for a while. Now, my freshly-laundered socks & such are once again crammed and zipped into their proper places.

More soon!!