Johanna’s Blog

I finally did it! I updated my cell phone number!! :) It’s really funny how something as insignificant as a cell phone number can feel like it has you tied down to your past. I still had a Laredo phone number and I haven’t lived there for almost 2 years!!

You see, with my recent move (and all that it entailed!), I had to give my cell number to several different people. More than once, after seeing my area code, someone asked me, “Oh, where in the Valley are you moving from?” *sigh* I really didn’t mind explaining the boring details to them, but it did serve as, not a painful, but rather an unpleasant reminder of where I’ve been. I am at a point in my life where all I want to do is move on from everything that had to do with the last chapter of my life. Don’t get me wrong, with as much as I might have complained about my job or my time living in Laredo, I do not regret a bit of it. I learned so much from the experiences I’ve had these past four years–things that will remain with me for the rest of my life. And the friendships and acquaintances I made are irreplaceable and I would never want to disconnect myself with them. I could never forget the people I’ve met or the places that I’ve been. I am the same person at a new place in my life. I thought that changing my cell phone number would help to close the door on the past few years, I guess it kind of does. It really serves as a symbol of moving on to my next chapter–it’s the same phone, just a different number.

While I have been struggling to keep up with a blog for a couple years now, my sister has been blogging for longer (I am, of course, her number one fan and most loyal reader). We often see things that strike us as funny (or odd) that we think are “blog worthy”–a term that has now entered our everyday vocabulary. Well, today I blog about my very first blog worthy sighting!!

The scene of the sighting: Exxon gas station, Magnolia, TX–we are filling up the U-hall (gotta return it with a 1/4 tank, as always) from my recent move. My dad and I are both pooped from unloading in ungodly humidity (it’s September for crying out loud! And autumn to boot! When will the weather gods give us a break?!) and I read a hand written note on the pump…”It wont shot off atomatic.”

Well, it was the “shot” that first caught my attention, but I really started laughing when noticed the “atomatic.” I told my dad, “evidently the only requirement for working at the Magnolia Exxon is to pass an Aggie spelling test!!” You see, spelling is not my forte either, but knowing this, if I am writing something and it doesn’t look right, I always double check it. So a little advice to Mr./Ms. Overworked Magnolia Exxon Employee–and please understand that I feel your pain–it always pays to have a fellow Overworked Magnolia Exxon Employee or an obliging customer proofread your signs.

Well, I have finally done it! I have quit my job of 4 years and I am moving back to Houston!! Woohoo! This is a big step for someone who usually plays it safe. I am leaving the security of a career and moving back home so I can go back to school. I will prove anyone who said a history degree was good for nothing wrong and make something of myself–something I can be proud of.

With as successful I have been at my current job, it has be far from enjoyable and I have been disappointed in myself for not doing something about it! But no more! For the first time in a long time I am proud of myself and I am excited about the uncertainty that next week brings. As far as I’m concerned, I am Super Jo! I can do anything I put my mind to. :)