Oh how I love Atlanta! My parents moved our family to Roswell when I was six years old, making me a first-generation southerner to two New England bred transplants (that’s what they call non-natives around here). I may not live ITP, but I find myself there as often as I can. There is always something to do in the city, wether it’s catching a show at Terminal West, laughing it up at SweetWater on Beer and Comedy night or strolling through Woodruff park to gaze at the artwork. Growing up in suburban Atlanta has given me exposure to so many cultures and worlds that I wouldn’t have found anywhere else. Atlanta is the reason I love hip hop, sweet tea, live comedy, craft beer and vibrant street art. It’s how I became a music fanatic, with awesome local DJs feeding me knowledge over the FM airwaves going back to the days of 99x and 95.5 the Beat. It’s how I gained a passion for all different types of food, from Italian to Japanese and traditional Southern Fare (plus Chick-Fil-A, of course). The diversity here is amazing, and the heart and soul of the city is so prominent that I can feel the Atlanta energy every time I cruise down the streets of Midtown. I love anything and everything about Atlanta, and I realize I’ve been writing about it a lot more lately. It is where the players play, after all (thanks for clearing that up Jermaine). So, it only made sense to make a series out of it so I can tell you all about the many fun things I do in the city. It’s been said that Atlanta is “the city too busy to hate,” a phrase coined during the 60’s when Atlanta was a major hub for the Civil Rights Movement. It can be interpreted however you like, but I like to think it captures the city's uplifting charm. You can’t help but be swept up into it and filled with optimism and determination. It’s a city that has both literally and figuratively rose from the ashes. I love feeling infused by the willpower of Atlantans wherever I go. I can’t wait to share my immense appreciation for this city with you all and hope that it will help you discover some new and unique adventures around the city. Leave a comment below with your favorite thing to do in Atlanta and I’ll be sure to check it out!
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February came and went, and even though we got an extra day this year, it disappeared as quickly as ever. I don’t mind though, because I welcome March with open arms. This month always feels like a breath of fresh air, you know? This time last year, I was feeling similarly. It was around March when I first heard of this goal challenge and thought it might be too ambitious for myself. Well, truthfully, it is. But that’s the point. I don’t have time to work on each of these aspects of my life all the time. But, I can work on bits and pieces; one one-hundredth of my goals is more manageable than the whole picture. The challenge is keeping me motivated, and even though I may not cross off everything, I’m still making a hell of a lot more progress than if I had never started. My mission for you this month is to ditch your mental block and go out and breathe the fresh spring air! Let it fill you with inspiration and positivity.
Although February is my least favorite month of the year, I conquered a couple more goals, and added to the progress of several others. Let’s recap:
Completed will be bolded. In Progress will be italicized. Incomplete items will stay normal.
Start date: May 15, 2015
End date: February 9, 2018 {13 COMPLETE, 88 TO GO}
This challenge has already started to cause a ripple effect, and I’ve inspired a fifth person to join in my goal-oriented mindset. My mom. She’s been playing with the idea of making her own list ever since I first heard about the challenge and blabbed on about it to her. I’m so glad she finished her well thought-out list (we're good list makers, the two of us), and I can’t wait for us to continue to encourage each other through all we do. Sounds like we’re going to need to do some 5Ks, her fitness goals make mine look like a joke. I have no doubt she’ll be able to meet her goal of running a half marathon! Way to go mom. And just because I’ve met my goal doesn’t mean I’m going to stop trying to talk my friends into doing this with me. Make your own list and get to it already!
Another high note from this month is the fact that I actually started to get my student loans managed. I’ve made a couple of payments, and it feels good to not have that looming in the back of my mind. I’m pretty good at procrastinating when I want to, especially when it comes to ugly topics like finances. This is a good step towards building back my credit, which I’m proud to say has already risen 100 points since I last wrote about it. Not bad for a baby adult with number anxiety.
I realize my site has been pretty quiet, and my blog post goal has trickled significantly. Keep in mind I have huge overarching plans for Eclectic Avenue. Trying to do it all at once isn’t going to end well, so I’ve shifted gears a little bit and have become more social media focused with my brand. I’ve been able to keep up with it more frequently because it’s quick and easy, while publishing blog posts can be a lengthy process on a good day. Tell your friends, the best place to find me is on Twitter (@EclecticAve, @MastermindRJ) and Snapchat (MastermindRJ). Add me, follow me, interact with me. I always am up for a good conversation. Until then, go out there and do whatever it is you love doing! Life is too short not to.
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Writer, stargazer, believer in human beings. Die-hard rock and roller with an insatiable urge to dance my way through life.
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