911, the Fifty dollar Gift Card, and the Girl locked in her Office

ok, at Panera Bread again... Free Wi-fi and the closest place to the office...

I'm used to bad, funny, embarrassing things happening to me. It's okay. It's cool. I survive and get to laugh at myself. ALL the time. No biggie.

I walked into my office early morning Wednesday, then decided I really should go to the bathroom, then head out to lunch. 

Great Plan. If only my office door would open. It was stuck. Totally stuck. And I tried really hard not to panic. 

So, I did not panic. I simply worried. And called out, " Jim (my co-worker)... um... Can you help?!"

After calling him three times, I decided to try for Carolina, office neighbor #2. But thankfully JIm realilzed he really should go check on Ana.

"Are you like, stuck?" Jim said, as he was shoving the door to open. No luck there. 

"Yes, Jim, I am 'like' stuck." I was really doing a great job at keeping cool. " I HAVE TO GO TO THE BATHROOM AND I HAVEN'T EATEN AND I AM GOING TO DIE IN THIS OFFICE!" So much for my original plan. 

The men who I would've at one point considered to be strong and able men, were not able to open the door. 

"CALL 911. This is definitely an emergency." And they did. 

Corporate security called my office. I told them I had to go to the bathroom.

The head of maintenance called my office. I told him I had to go to the bathroom.

Everyone called my office. I told them I had to go to the bathroom, too. 

So overall, I have a really cool video of 3 hero-firefighters saving my life. And I almost hugged them when they opened the door, except I had to... Go to the bathroom. 

I enjoy my life, on most days. I enjoy the funny. And the scary. And sometimes, even the unexpected. Becuase it gives me an excuse to slow down and relax. As funny as it sounds, I was laughing more than I had laughed the whole entire week. So I thank God for my moment of seclusion in my office chamber. 

Because even thoough no one was in the office with me, I felt the support of a whole load of strangers who were genuinely concerned for me and wanted to help. 

The head of security wrote me a very nice email and came IN PERSON to apologize. He also gave a $50 gift card to a steak house. 

Now I can take my date out for steak... :)

Except, then I'd have to go out looking for a date and now I'm too exhausted. This was enough excitement for one week. Let's keep it at that.

Wear your Heels, Ladies...

I'm currently at Panera Bread. Working ten minutes past my lunch. I really should get back to work.

Back to stressing over people's finances. 

But I decided not to. As the responsible adult that I am, I am taking At least another 15 minutes. WOW. I am one daring individual. Improving, improving.

Anyway, In my last post, I talked about NYC. 

But what I didn't really talk about was "standing out in NYC."

And I really should, becuase it's so important and pretty darn cool. 

Being in the midst of millions of people, standing out is virtually impossible, right?

Think Again.

As I endured yet another jam packed day of workshop training, I decided to take a small break. So I walked out into the building's lobby. And two of my fellow tortured co-workers walked right out with me.

I overheard the following conversation: (Pay close attention ladies.)

Guy 1: " She is the type of girl you take to meet your parents. She's definitely not the girl you take to a bar. She's the girl you marry as soon as possible. Tell me, are ALL girls where you're from like her? Becuase I have seriously got to go."

Guy 2: "Uh ( a bit uncomfortable)... I don't know, I think so." (Co-worker stuttering)

Now, my point here, single ladies, is that you need to realize you are the girl that deserves to be shown off and respected. 

You deserve to be singled out. You MUST stand out. 

You are awesome and beautiful and so worth while.You are classy and funny and so darn adorable. The way you laugh without caring who's watching. The way you speak from the heart with out fear. The way you dress for yourself and also dress down. On days when you want to walk out with your old, ugly sweater. And still strut with confidence. The way your faith makes you calming and refreshing in a world thirsty for modesty and something real. 

Yep, he will be one LUCKY guy... 

Me, Manhattan, and Expensive Room Service

Work Life took me to Manhattan this past week. I saw glamour and lights and unstoppable dreams. There was a gimpse of anticipation in the air that you know many had breathed in before. Many who were now probably a step ahead of where they thought they would one day be.

Maybe they drive Ferraris and Maseratis and live in the middle of Manhattan, taking in the best of what NYC could offer. Maybe they acheived the promotion of their lifetime and gained full access to the best of NYC night life, where the world does not sleep. 

Maybe. A million maybes.

But the moment my airplane landed and I arrived at the hotel, I closed the door of my room and cried. In the middle of Manhattan. In the largest city in the country. The 25 year old me, cried and hugged her pillow. Because I wanted home. I wanted to feel safe and protected, as I always do. 

But these moments are meant to teach us something. That as independant and sufficient as we may be, the thirst we have inside for being close to God, does not cease. 

No matter where you are. Regardless of who is watching.

And I was relieved. That I felt that yearning to pray. To be alone. Just me, God, and my NYC hotel room. 

And I also learned that as stressed as one could be, very expensive room service actually does help relieve some of the pain. Thank you Jesus, and thank you Current Employer, for paying for my expensive dinner.