Hello again! As I stated in my previous post, my name is Ness and I live in Washington, DC. This is my first attempt at blogging. I’m hoping that my motivation stays strong for many years to come! My goal is to write on some bookish topic every Sunday (one of the only days I try to force myself to not work). In between those Sunday posts, I will have book reviews for my current reads. So now, let me formally introduce myself…
I grew up in a small, urban city in the Northeast Pennsylvania region of Wilkes-Barre. I came out as a lesbian at the age of 13 to some of my friends, and at 14, to my parents. I spent all my high school years studying hard and being an example to my local LGBTQ community.
After graduation in 2006, I chose to go to a small-town college in central Pennsylvania called Lock Haven University. It was my first true experience of independence as it was more than two hours away from my hometown. During these 4 1/2 years, I joined a social sorority, Sigma Sigma Sigma, and a co-ed business fraternity called Alpha Kappa Psi. I was also a co-captain for my school’s cheerleading squad (probably one of the only sports I’m good at). My professional goal at the time was to go work for an Accounting firm and become a CPA.
I graduated in 2010 with my B.S. In Accounting, shortly after the financial crisis of 2008, and let me tell ya, finding an entry position was HARD! I spent a year post-graduation as a full-time teller at a local credit union and part-time as a caregiver for an adult group home. I was also in a long distance relationship with my at the time, fiancé. I was starting to accept the fact that I would never get out of small-time Pennsylvania, and be able to use my degree. In December 2011, I finally got my chance of a lifetime to be an Auditor for a non-profit association in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (where my ex-fiancé lived). I moved, and that’s where I spent the next three years of my adult life.
As you noticed, I said ex-fiancé, so as you can assume, that relationship has ended. Around June 2014, after purchasing our first home with our two dogs, and Pennsylvania finally legalizing same-sex marriage, our relationship was over. It would take a few more months for that realization to finally sink in, and then another few months before I finally left our home.
In January 2015, I made the biggest decision of my life, the one that fully made me feel independent, and up-rooted my world to Columbia, Maryland. You might be wondering about the dogs (who wouldn’t?!)…I kept one dog, and she kept the other. I had no friends, disliked the company I worked for, and was in a new relationship that we both knew would not make it very far (we are friends now, and know that this is what is best).
I joined Tinder in the hopes of finding friends so I could love the DMV a little more than I currently did. I found a few people, and one of them I ended up falling in love with, almost like a fairy-tale but very complicated!
We now live together in Northeast DC with our dogs (the one I brought from Pennsylvania, and hers) and I’m finally that girl who works at an Accounting firm (as a Senior Audit Associate to be exact). My job is 80% stressful, but I’m so fortunate for the opportunity I’ve been striving for since I was 19 years old (I’m now 31, and was 30 when I accepted that position).
This brings my introduction to the present. One thing you all need to know is how much I’m struggling mentally. My job is very demanding and most times, stressful. Since I quit smoking at the end of 2014 (congrats to me!), I’ve gained over 50 pounds and battle with major health issues now and as you can imagine, my self-esteem is non-existent. I’m in a very dark place in my life, so I’m leaning on my love of books to help me out of this hole I’ve dug for myself. This is the main reason I’ve started a book blog and bookstagram account (@DC_Ginger_Reads). I’m looking for purpose…
I still have bad days, but, the last twoish weeks have been good overall.
Welcome to my blog everyone. I hope you stick around!