Chi Girl Gone L.A.

Hey everyone! Don’t think I’ve forgotten about you all. The past few weeks have been INSANELY on the hectic side and I haven’t been able to hit you with the updates you deserve. But with good reason: You see, all last week I was working as a production assistant for an upcoming MTV show. IKR?! (“I know, right?!” for the acronym impaired) More on that project in a later entry.

And of course, the big move you’ve all be following along with finally takes place a week from tomorrow. I don’t think it’s even hit me yet. As evidenced by my room looking like it’s self-imploded, I certainly have alot of work left to do within the next 8 days. No worries though. The dream is starting to become more of a reality than ever and I couldn’t be more ready to take it on. Check back in the coming days for more detailed updates and as always, thanks for following along.

Ashley E. OUT!! <3

Happy Sunday, readers!

It’s been about a two weeks since I last got in touch with all of you but boy have they been hectic ones! The clock is winding down and I’m currently about five weeks shy of my move to L.A. There’s still so much to do with such a rapidly fleeting amount of time. I still have to pack, get my car appraised, turn it in, tie up lose ends at my job, etc. I’m sure there’s things I’m forgetting to mention but they’ll get done.

In the meantime, I’m trying to relax and clear my mind in the midst of it all, but that’s a whole lot easier said than done. On top of my stresses in relation to the move, there’s your day to day baggage that for me can encompass friends, parents, boyfriend and FINANCIAL issues. Just because I’m moving in a few weeks doesn’t mean that life stops for me and that I have the luxury of being oblivious to everything else around me. In fact, this impending move has been somewhat of a tension causer between my loved ones and myself.

One thing that all of this this stress has helped me realize is that it’s okay to step away for a bit and take some time for myself. I mean LEGITIMATE alone time. I’ve always been almost social to a fault and love the relationships I’m in, but sometimes things can get to be a little too heavy and in order to “silence the noise”, I need to isolate myself from it.

I’m getting ready to make a tremendous move; 2,000 miles away from home in a city that’s just as if not more bustling than Chicago itself. My chances for “Ashley time”, as I call it, are going to be few and far between. Removing myself from my social circle and doing things alone, i.e: gym excursions, watching a movie, doing my hair - I LIVE for that stuff! Taking this time for me is probably the healthiest thing (mentally, anyway) that I could be doing before I say “Sayonara, Chicago!” in October.

And I feel like this can be applied to any aspect of a person’s life, not just mine. It’s okay to tell your friends “no”, “not now”, “I don’t feel like it” or “maybe next time”. If they truly are your friends, then they’ll understand. It’s important to remember that before you can truly make anyone else happy, you yourself need to be in a good place first. So have that glass of wine (alone), take a jog (alone), indulge in some retail therapy (alone). Your loved ones will be waiting for you when you return.

Hey there, readers!

Thanks for checking back in with me here at CGGLA. I’m currently deep within the heart of Central Illinois getting one last visit in with my alma mater, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign before the big move in October. It’s been almost two years since I’ve stepped foot on campus for anything so to say this trip has been a little on the nostalgic side would be an understatement. So far I’ve visited my first broadcasting gig at WPGU 107.1FM, walked the quad and of course hit up a few bars upon my arrival last night. I’ll keep this entry short and sweet and give you guys the detailed review upon my return home tomorrow. I’m truly blown away by how much of an impact this place has had on me. Not sure how much I appreciated it then, but boy do I do now. Go I-L-L!!