When some people think of change, they may have an array of emotions. Change might make them nervous, excited, and in some cases, change can make or break your life. When I thought about making a change, I was ready to take the new adventure by the horns and run with it. Have you ever considered moving halfway across the country for your dream job? As scary as it sounds, that’s what I did. Welcome to the start of my journey!
Hey, I’m Carly, new to Wisconsin and WIFC! I moved here in September from a two red-light town (like 1800 people) called Hughesville, Pennsylvania. I know, you’ve never heard of it. Hughesville is about 20 minutes from Williamsport, the home of the Little League World Series and an hour from Penn State University. I come from a HUGE family, like no joke I have 36 first cousins and I’m the second youngest of them all at 25. Talk about towns where everybody knows everybody. I’m the typical middle child. Rebellious, outgoing and the troublemaker. Well, not really trouble. I just always liked to talk and I’m Italian, so yeah I’m pretty loud. It’s not my fault. And to every teacher who wrote letters home to my parents telling them I was too much in class, I was just preparing myself for my career path, duh! Ever since I can remember, I wanted to be a morning show radio host and I got that opportunity when I embraced change.
Before moving to Wausau, I worked on-air for a few radio stations in PA and NY. If I wasn’t at work, I was spending time with my friends, family and hitting up every thrift store within an hour radius. I also caught the travel bug. I try to go on a trip every few months to a city, state or even country! I’m a lover of cats, plants and music. I’ve got over 80 vinyls and found a place here in Wausau that has “Wax Wednesdays.” Basically, you bring your own records and play them while you hang. That’s where you’ll catch me on Wednesday nights.
Now that I’m in Wausau, I’m learning how to be an ‘adult’ on my own, 950 miles away from all of the people who have been my support system. Not to be depressing or anything, but you don’t really think about how lonely you’re going to be when you leave everything you’ve ever known. You just focus on the positives, looking forward to the new life you’ll be building, the new people you’ll meet and the places you’ll go. Well, after 9 days here, the loneliness started to hit. I decided it was time to leave my apartment and start exploring the area. I moved away to get a new start. To explore new ventures. Why was I just sitting in my bed feeling sad? I started going hiking, I’ve tried new restaurants and met the nicest people. Like actually the nicest people. Not that people from the Northeast are mean, but there’s just something different about the Midwest mindset and attitude that makes me love it. I spend a lot of time sitting down beside the river reading books and on Facetime with my family to show them the area. I have two little nieces at home, so being away from them is a bummer, but thank God for Iphones. Slowly, but surely, I’m becoming acclimated and comfortable in the new place I call home. As much as I get out and enjoy it here, being alone still hit hard. I knew something was missing.
Nothing fills your time and heart like a pet, right? I decided to get myself a cat, well, a kitten. She’s 3 months old and her name is Dolly Pawton. I adopted Miss Pawton from the Marathon County Humane Society about a week ago, and my life has only gotten better with her in it. The loneliness is no longer there. I know Dolly can’t talk, but she sure meows at me when I sing some actual Dolly Parton to her. She watches the Golden Bachelor with me and is always around when I need to smile. It’s hard to feel lonely when there’s someone eagerly waiting for you to get home. I remind myself that although I get to leave the house everyday and have a life outside of those four walls, I am Dolly’s life. She just waits for me to get home everyday and whatever emotions I was feeling that day fade away and I just feel love and security when I pick her up. It brings me peace knowing I won’t be alone again here. I’ll always have little Miss Dolly Pawton to keep me company. I can’t thank the Marathon County Humane Society enough for helping me find the sweetest, most loving baby girl! Our adventures here in Wisconsin are only getting started.
Comments