Keeping On Track

  Getting settled in has been a lot harder than I thought it would be. I so long to be back in NYC, and the countdown to getting there has started.

    I mean, I love Jacksonville but I now know that this is not where my heart is.

  I've been working as much as possible and spending time with those I love. Visits to my grandparents have increased and evenings at home also increased. Working out, eating better, and drinking less. Not going to lie the first week I completely did not do what I was hoping. Went out 3 nights drinking with friends. But I've gotten back on track, tonight will be the first time this week going out. My eating out has decreased also, and my cooking at home has increased. My self control should be top notch by the time I move.
 
  The search for my second job starts next week now that I'm settled back at my first. I was actually offered my old serving job back at First Watch on San Jose. Something to consider, the old manager is no longer there, which is the whole reason I left. Who knows, I'm going to focus on getting an office job primarily and if that doesn't work it is nice to know they want me back and I have something to fall back on. 

 Brio celebrates its one year anniversary on Tuesday and I cannot believe I've been there so long. I've met the most amazing people through Brio, from coworkers to guests. My coworkers are just like family, we created such a tight knit group and we all look out for each other. They are honestly getting me though my days here. Having the best time with them while I can before I move because I'll miss them so much when I'm gone.

 COUNTDOWN TO NYC!!   <------------ The link to the actual countdown clock till I move to NYC. I've given myself a little under a year. Feel free to click and keep track of time with me :)

904

   Back in Jacksonville!! Happy to be home to see my mom and friends. Especially my mom. So ready to get back to the daily grind. Took me all of about 30 minutes to get 5 shifts for this week. Nice to know I'm still wanted at work and there are shifts available from those who can't work. I'll be working as many shifts as I can get my hands on and looking into getting a second job. By January, I hope to have my bank account stating money in the thousands. And the holiday season soon approaches so it shouldn't be too hard. I'll be working on my port while I'm home too, with any free time I have left. Putting more variety and showing the positive changes I hope to be making body wise. I will be a busy bee for the next few months, and I'm actually looking forward to it. With working out, working my job (hopefully plural soon), and my modeling I have a lot to look forward to. Spring will be here before I know it and I'll be leaving Jacksonville, but between now and then I've got NYC on my mind. Big goals to succeed in and big dreams to move forward to.

   Almost forgot my exciting news, I'll be working with Alfaparf for the second year in a row at Behind The Chair in September. Alfaparf is such an awesome company to work with and they've been so good to me in the last year. Last year BTC was so much fun and this year should prove the same. Not only will I be modeling the event but I will be featured on cards given to those attending BTC, showing my hair coloring process. We did the shoot in June, with 3 other Jacksonville models who will also be on cards and modeling with me. So nice to know I'll be with my friends from home and working this big event together. It is in Nashville, TN this year and I've never been there before but I'm excited to visit a new city. I'm a huge country music fan so despite how I will be there on business and not able to tour the city, just knowing I'm there is good enough for me. This month can't go by fast enough!

Outtakes from yesterday

 

Long Day

Shot in Ringwood State Park today.

Fun fact: Hunger Games; Catching Fire was filmed there in January!

It was so gorgeous there and the weather was perfect.

Both Brittani and John Perez where shooting, very excited to see how the photos come out since they both have such different styles.

The shoot lasted almost 5 hours, and no one died of hunger! Yay!

 

 

 

*We all talked about how much we missed our moms today so I have to give a shout out to my momma. I love and miss her so much, cannot wait to get home and see her!*

The Bears

From left to right: Me, Brittani, Melissa and Joelianna

So must make a post about the women I'm staying with because honestly this trip would not be the same without them.

  Momma Bear(Brittani Gordon): My favorite photographer. Love working with her and now living with her. This woman is like my big sister. I can talk to her about anything and she always tells it to me straight. Swear she can read my mind sometimes. We can spend all night long staying up watching the most ridiculous movies or videos, crying with laughter. This whole trip happened because of her and I could not be more grateful. She takes care of all of us, and her own children as well, not sure how she manages to keep track of all of us but she is great at it! Which is how she got her nickname momma bear.

 

  Ginger Bear(Melissa Connors): Model from Georgia, who frequents the Jacksonville fashion scene. Met at a few runways events over the past couple years but never really got to know her. I must say this girl is hilarious, she has the best facial expressions. Especially with alcohol in her. A movie lover much like I am, who enjoys scary movies as much as I do. We would all be lost without her Netflix account she so graciously lets us all use. This lucky girl got to celebrate her 21st birthday here in NYC. Due to her  natural red hair, momma bear nicknamed her Ginger Bear.

 
   Baby Bear(Joelianna McLane): Model from Jacksonville and the youngest of our group (hens baby bear). I started getting to know Joeli a few months ago and we really bonded at JFW this year. Legit this girl and I had to of been related in another life. We have so similar personalities. She is slowly but surely becoming one of my closest friends. We can talk to each other and give support for our industry, a trait hard to find in other people. Took us all of about a week to realize this and decide we must move to NYC together. We've been discovering our favorite places in the city to return to when we move here. A new chapter i'm looking forward to with her.

       These women are amazing. Each giving me the best memories for this trip. Love them so much. It will be so weird to get home and not see them everyday, but I think we've made a bond that will be hard to break. Couldn't ask for more.



                     

Look out Florida

    I will be to make more of an effort to workout when I get home. I enjoy running I just need to make the time to actually do it, and the only reason I wasn't before is because I blamed my job. "I work too much," "I'm tired from work." All completely stupid excuses for something that makes me feel good. I love the feeling of after a run and the energy it releases into my body. So the goal is to run more and do more of my exercises. I have the equipment at home it is time to out it into use! I've got to tone up if I am truly going to make it into this industry. I have a good body and am confident in my own skin but there are standards for being a model that I cannot ignore. Especially for runway, which I love too much to give up.

 

I have been researching cleanses for the past few days. The pros, cons, price ranges, all that jazz. I want to do one. Pressed Juicery has been the one I have been leaning toward. They send the juices to your door and you can customize it to your pallet, with the best price. I want to cleanse, to start my healthy eating habits. Kick start my body in a positive way. I'm really looking forward to it. Joelianna might even be doing it with me. I just want a fresh start when I get home. Do a cleanse, start my better eating habits (like cut out carbs and processed sugars), and work out. This stay in NYC I've actually been eating pretty well. Much better than I was at home, I've been eating more fish than chicken and red meat once. Veggies for a snack, and protein in peanuts and hard boiled eggs.i've had my cheats days of course but as a whole its been good eating. I want to continue it and eat even better. I feel better. I have already noticed it. My old eating habits were only satisfying for a while but never made me feel good. So cleanse it is, and healthy food from then on.

 
             Drinking. Oh god. I've looked at my drinking habits since the past year and I've realized there will be some big changes being made. Before I came on this trip I would be going out a few times a week, spending so much money. Even my friend Beth mentioned how since I've left she is never going out. That was a big wake up sign. I went out way too much. And drink too much when I do. There are so many better things I could be spending money on. There are better ways to hang out with my friends, that don't involve alcohol. I live by the beach for god sake, why cant we just go there and not involve a bar. I think I've drank 5 times since here. And two of which for Brittani and Melissa's birthdays. I'm liking not going out all the time, and my wallet is too. So when I get home, the party time will be at a minimum. I have money to save for NYC and the calories involved are only going to hinder me. I love you vodka, we have had such good times but I think we need a break. It's not you, it's me.

  This whole NYC trip has changed so many things for me, pushing me in a better direction. Helping me to get to my dream better. I cannot wait for what the next 2 weeks have in store and then to get home and do everything I need to get back here and blow these other girls out of the water. ;)