New Year * New Life

Where do I begin? that was just the thing...I woke up to a new day, a new beginning, a new opportunity for a new life. But the first thing to do was get some breakfast and get my car from the night before. LOL...The month of January seemed to fly by so fast. I spent my first weekend of the year in LA visiting friends. I went to see Julie (Trae's brother's girlfriend). I stayed with her while I was out there. It was quite the girls weekend.

We played around Sunset Blvd and Hollywood most of the first day. I got to meet Jennifer in LA while she was in town looking at new places to live and for her interview. That evening we picked up London and chilled at home, because I was so tired from traveling. The next day we took London to dance class and I got to see her practice, she was so cute. Afterwards we went out to Manhattan beach for Lunch and I visited with friends that evening before my early flight the next morning. It was a short little trip but I was glad to get away.

I met some great people that month. I was getting to know Todd a little better, because he was in town most of the month while 3DoorsDown finished up their new album that was going to be released in April. My "tripod" was always out and about, we were going to Pred's games every week, hitting the local bars, checking out new artists. It was definitely a busy month for me. One of the first Pred's game of the month we all went out afterwards; Andrew took me to Broadway Brewhouse for my first bushwhacker. These were absolutely delicious! If wasn't like 30 degrees outside I would've had more than one. I like to call them adult frosties.



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I also attended one of my first Alan Scott trunk shows that month. It was in Franklin at Battle Ground Brewery. I wasn't quite sure what to expect. But the girls and I met Andrew and Paige there. I knew that this designer created leather goods for celebrities, but I didn't know if I was going to like it and I most definitely did.  I bought a cuff- made with 12-gage shotgun shells and I was in love with the first clutch he designed for his assistant. The skull was made from stingray leather. She sold this to me that night because I was so infatuated with it.

The following week, I went out with my sister to dinner and met up with Andrew later. He introduced to Chris Nathan. We went to see his show at 12&Porter. I loved his music, it was awesome. Something I hadn't heard around Nashville yet. Andrew and I invited J and Chris out the next night to a private place we had been steadily attending on Saturday nights now. Chris ended up not going because it wasn't his thing. So J, Brit, Andrew, Brandon, and I all went for a chill night of drinks. The place was a little slow that night, but I remember having a good time anyways. I remember sitting there looking at the people along the bar and someone striking my interest. I told Andrew what I was thinking because he knew who he was, to let it be known to him I was interested but, unavailable at the moment. It was pretty funny the reaction that I saw. So I said "Hello..Im sure I will be seeing you around soon" and went on my way. We left to go to Rebar for some bushwhackers and the chill night turned into of course a long night once again.

The taco truck was conveniently parked outside the bar, just waiting for us to walk up and order ridiculous amounts of unhealthy food.... but that good when your drunk kinda food, you know the kind you regret the next morning. I believe that same week I met a dear friend to me Amy, through Andrew. She was the sweetest person. I remember her just being so kind and gentle to feelings. Little did I know how our friendship would blossom from that night out. The 2nd to last weekend was approaching. I knew I would be out on the town both Friday and Saturday night for Heather's birthday. That Friday was spent as the usual, dinner at Urban Flats, drinks at Whiskey, drinks at Citizen, then on to midtown for Rebar late night action with Brit, Andrew, Troy and Brandon. This was beginning to become quite the regular. The next morning after crashing out at Werthan because once again we couldn't drive home. We grabbed breakfast at this pancake place close to home called The Pfunky Griddle. It was so cute and I heard so much about it. It was so cool, how you made your own food on the grill at the table. So Troy, Brit and I checked it out. And it was pretty delish! I def recommend it.

Well, not long after recuperating that day it was that time again to get dressed to go out only this time it was for the Epic birthday celebration for Heather. The events started with 20 people at dinner at Goten<--- NEVER EAT HERE!! the worst service ever! It wasn't long until our belly's were full that we were headed to the Honky Tonks on Broadway. We started out at Tootsies, and come to find out my parents and family were out partying themselves next door. So they came with us for part of the night.

The night was full of joy, excitement, alcohol, and of course laughs, whether it was about people watching in the bar or just laughing at the though of us singing at the top of our lungs "dixieland delight," but it was so much fun! This was the first night my parents were introduced to Andrew. They knew we had been going out a lot together lately but it wasn't anything along the lines of dating, although that night him and I were reading into the fact that they secretly wished it was LOL.

That night I had on my right hand a ring that resembled an engagement ring. So being typical Andrew and I.....we decided to play a joke on my parents. In the middle of the upstairs bar at Tootsies, he got down on one knee and proposed. LMAO it was the funniest thing to see my Mom jump up with confusion and excitement all at once. Not to mention the whole Bar giving Andrew high-fives. So we played it off for a little bit for free drinks, but my Mom quickly came to the realization that it was just a joke. LOL. When we left Tootsies my parents parted ways, and we headed to Element a brief club that was open on 2nd, for a little dance action. The night was almost over but not for my tripod+Brit.

We headed to Carl's for my late night/ early morning "Tiffany's" breakfast. I put my intoxicated skills to work. LOL. We ended up with sausage, eggs, pancakes, and a box of Cheezits to snack on. I must say everyone was quite pleased and approved! It was definitely a night to remember.

The last weekend of January was spent at the usual places...i.e. Citizen, Mai etc...I took a new friend out with me that night her name was Joey. while we were out I remember I ran into the guy that captured my attention from across the bar the last time I was there. He questioned me as to why I wouldn't give him my number, I simply said "I'm not looking to date anyone" he responded "well maybe you will think differently after letting me take you to dinner." So I agreed, and gave it to him. We went to dinner at the Acorn a few nights later. I was kinda nervous, but he was so sweet. He opened the doors for me, helped with my coat...etc..it was so gentlemen like and I was thoroughly impressed. Conversation was delightful and respectable. I definitely knew I wanted to see him again. So with Super Bowl Sunday coming up "the Dr." and I made plans to get together with friends. The month of January was a month to remember, but my year was only getting started, and I had 11 more months to go.
.:XOXO TMARIE:.

The Holiday Spirit

After we got home things seemed to go right back to the way they were. I was getting tired of trying so hard to make this work. So I did what I never thought I would, I gave up. I gave up on the thought that someday this would work its self out. On that cold day in December I let go.

In the meantime it was the Holidays, and while everyone was in high spirits and celebrating, I was totally a scrooge. I had no desire to celebrate one of the best times during the year. I tried to let it in with making my Mom's homemade chili, having eggnog and cookie nights while curled up on the couch watching football. But it wasn't helping. I did however see a movie one of those nights that truly inspired me. Eat Pray Love.

In the end, I've come to believe in something I call "The Physics of the Quest." A force in nature governed by laws as real as the laws of gravity. The rule of Quest Physics goes something like this: If you're brave enough to leave behind everything familiar and comforting, which can be anything from your house to bitter, old resentments, and set out on a truth-seeking journey, either externally or internally, and if you are truly willing to regard everything that happens to you on that journey as a clue and if you accept everyone you meet along the way as a teacher and if you are prepared, most of all, to face and forgive some very difficult realities about yourself, then the truth will not be withheld from you. ~ Liz Gilbert

This is one of my favorite books now. I remember sitting there, watching, relating so closely to some of the things she was battling within herself. It helped me decide to focus on myself and realize that I was on my journey to finding myself as well. This opened up my eyes to start getting out and just truly enjoying what the universe would bring into my new life. It was the first day of my new life, leaving my sorrows behind.

One of the first things I did in December was accompany my high school sweetheart, now close friend to the Garth Brooks concert. We had 4th row seats. This was such an amazing concert, and something I truly needed. Something that helped lift my spirits. Not long after that a great friend of mine whom I give most credit to helping me find my Holiday Spirit called me on a Saturday night. A night I had planned to stay home. He said "Get ready we are leaving in an hour to go to a Christmas party. Its a charity for, Toys for Tots." There were no arguments made I said "OK, call you when I am ready." That was a turning point for me.

Andrew introduced me to so many new people that night. I met Troy, he is one of the most caring guys I still know to this day. He has always been there for me since the night we met. He is someone I know I can always count on. I met Erin and Summer that night as well two great girl friends that were a blast to hang out with. That night ended up to be a long one. I remember ending up at Werthan Mills playing PS3 motion at 5 am and passing out on the couch after.

It was an unexpected, unforgettable night. That same week I met up to reconnect with a friend from high school, Peyton. He was someone special. I was glad to see, talk with and catch up with him. This was something in the making, someone that would be there for me later as new people came into my life. He knew me before all things considered, so talking with him, helped me get back to myself.

For the next few weeks I rolled around town with my "Tripod" aka Troy, Andrew and I. We went to multiple Christmas parties and just hung out on football Sundays. They were my feet on the ground, my way of finding my Holiday spirit. It was a comfort and security I missed, just simply being around people who appreciated you and wanted to share the joy of life with you. I was happy, I was also proud to say I hadn't really spoke to Trae most of the month. We met up once for dinner, just before Christmas.

Which turned out to be completely awkward and I ended up leaving the night early. I knew I wasn't going to see him anymore until after the new year. So I just left it at that. It was finally Christmas Eve and I was ready. My sister and I went home to our parents to enjoy family time.

We woke up that morning, had a yummy breakfast with mimosas and did the usual opening of gifts. That day consisted of laughter, wine, sitting around the fire place eating good food, and watching football. My little brother got the XBOX 360 Kinect which we entertained ourselves to every extent that evening. It was nice to be home with just family. It was our first Christmas that my sister and I didn't have significant others coming home with us.  

This had been beautiful Christmas holiday so far and that night Andrew and friends started a tradition. This was the first Christmas Trolley Pub crawl. We started that night at Whiskey Kitchen, where we all met had our first round of drinks and then loaded up the Trolley. There were close to 20 of us celebrating our last Christmas party blowout. Everyone was ready to get down to business and it was snowing like crazy outside at the beginning of the night. I was surprised with the turnout. Our next stop was Blue Bar for blue shots.  Once we got to Blue bar we went to the Rack room and played some music on the jukebox along with a couple games of pool.

I remember having so much fun, and laughing at the fact no one believed that my sister and I could play pool. After being there for a little bit, it was on to the next bar. We ended up on Nashville's Famous Printers Alley at Bourbon Street Blues & Boogie bar for a little live music and of course our theme of the night shots! As we danced and rocked out...we moved right along to Luau Louie's for a more dance club atmosphere.

I remember this place being so dead when we first got there, but getting busy the longer we stayed. Of course we brought our own party and I was dancing my little heart out. I know we left and went a couple places towards the end of the night but those were vague moments. In the blur of the night we got food and ended up passing out at Werthan again. I have to say this was quite the Christmas holiday. I had so much to be thankful for, my friends were amazing to me at this time in my life! But I was ready for the last week of 2010 to be over.

.:XOXO TMARIE:.