Let's Get This Party Started!

   So, I'm going to be honest with y'all. I've been avoiding this moment. The moment where I actually sit down to write my first blog that could potentially lead to the book everyone continues to tell me I should write. Yeah...
Perplexed, I lay here thinking, "what the heck do I write about that people will actually want to read?" And then it clicked--talk about the thing you know best, DUH! Talk about yourself; your strengths and weaknesses, your goals and tribulations, things you've been through, breakthrough moments; talk about success and happiness and what that looks like.
   So, to begin, let's start with some background info. Obviously my name is Ashley. I live in Texas (hence the "y'all" earlier on). I wasn't born here, nor was I raised here, but I've actually learned to love good ol' Dallas; I like to say it's where I grew up. You know, experienced life and became a real woman. I, however, am not a Cowboys fan and never will be. FLY EAGLES FLY!
   I came to Dallas by way of California, and Arizona, and Nevada too, I guess. Born in San Diego, I most definitely have the west coast gene--love the beach... when the water is warm! We moved to Chandler, AZ when I was 8 years old which was a TOTAL culture shock! The only thing I remember is the smell of cows, living next to a cotton field, and being the only black kid in my class who "talked white". So exciting...
I grew up playing sports. Played soccer, volleyball, ran track, was a cheerleader, did gymnastics. Got to experience a little bit of everything. As I got into high school, I realized that track would take me places, so I focused on that as well as improving the love-hate relationship we had. I ultimately went to the University of Nevada (GO PACK!) on a full ride track scholarship. Thought I was the bees-knees until day one of practice when I nearly died...literally. Shortness of breath, dizziness. It had gotten real! Long story short, I broke a few records, sat at the top of a couple “All Time Best” lists, and cruised my way right through undergrad. I remember coming home after my freshman year and telling my parents I wanted to be an Interior Design major. They looked at me, with straight faces, and said, "no you do not." So, Pre-Med it was!
   Graduation came and went and real life was beginning to set in. I enrolled in graduate school at the University of Texas and started my journey. At first I kept thinking how dumb I was to move to a city where I knew NO ONE, but at the same time it was a fun challenge. I had my occasional break downs and got homesick a lot, but it was all worth it. I was becoming an adult; a real life adult, which was cute, I suppose. I know my parents thought it was cute because it kept me out of their pockets, until the struggle got real, which was probably fairly often now that I look back. I graduated with a masters degree in Healthcare Administration, not to be confused with Administrative Assistant (yes, someone has said that before) and have yet to do anything related to the $64,000 degree that I have.
   Right now, I'm a Human Resources Manager by day and an event planner by night/weekend. I love love love helping people, so I'd venture to say that's why I love both of my jobs. My HoneyBunz and I are in the midst of starting a consulting firm which will allow us to bring both of our expertises together in an effort to help even more people. Super excited about that!
   All that to say, I have so much going on, yet so much to look forward to! This journey that we, as women, are on, is not for the weak or the faint of heart. The future is extremely promising and bright. My hope is to encourage gals of every age, color, nationality, size, and sexual orientation. I want girls and women to know that YOU are capable of whatever you put your mind to; and while it sounds so cliché, it is so true. As women, we have an incredible power--femininity!
   Come along this journey with me. Read, share, and experience real life girl power...and a few laughs!

Cheers! XoXo
AJ