The question: does a life changing event have to be near-death?

The answer: No. I think I already had mine. When I graduated from Hampton, I was lost and not quite sure what I wanted to do with my life. True I liked journalism. True I was pretty good at it. True, I did not have a job. Also true, like most other things in my life, I thought one would just jump into my lap like my sweet departed puppy. Yeah. That didn't happen. So I moved back home. Charlotte was a fun place sometimes, but truly, not for me at that time in my life. It was too easy to get complacent. Like for no reason. But probably because it was home and familiar.

So at the end of June, I finally had enough. I couldn't take it anymore. Life wasn't fun. I didn't have a job I liked. I knew if I stayed in Charlotte much longer I would probably never leave and my relationship with my mother would be altered forever. When I graduated, my dad asked me if I wanted to move to Pittsburgh and live with him. I thought long and hard about that. Like all of 2 seconds, followed it with a laugh, and said no way. But when this June hit, I knew it was finally time to leave. So I put in my two week notice at the only job I had ever had and began packing. Two weeks later I was in Pittsburgh. A month and a day after that, I started at my current job.

So I know that's my life-changing event. And honestly, we probably have more than one. So that was one of mine- not having a job worthy of my degree, or that even let me use my journalism degree, for more than a year. It's an humbling experience. It makes what I have now even more profound. I appreciate it more than I would have if I'd been employed immediately after graduating. As much as I hate to say it, I don't think I was ready.

But now I'm making up for lost time. I ready and back in the world with a vengeance. I'm about to take Pittsburgh by storm. This city will have no idea what hit it. Not like that's hard. Lol. Surprisingly enough, this city is waaaaaaay slower than Charlotte. If you have never been to Charlotte, or haven't been in the last 3 years, you are in for a rude awakening. It is a rapidly burgeoning city. I guarantee you in five years, it will be THE place to be. Its already well on its way.

But back to my event. I'm glad it happened to me, as hard as it was. And I'm glad that it happened so early. It led to me interviewing John Legend while working (for free) at an independent black film company as a producer/reporter. I even got to produce my first post-graduation documentary for free. So it wasn't all bad. But I'm definitely glad its over. I would go back to him in a heartbeat (the owner) once he can afford me! Haha. But for now, farewell Charlotte; Hello Pittsburgh; D.C. here I come!