Shoes That Can Support

To me, one of the best feelings is to know you have support. And boy do I ever! I am so thankful for the overwhelming response to my job announcement. It's even more reassuring that it is the right move for me. Whether you are a friend I grew up with, a colleague, former coworker or just happened to stumble upon my blog, I am extremely thankful for your kind words and encouragement. 


Before I hit the ground running, there are several things I have to finish. I gave 2 weeks notice at my current job this week, so my official last day will be next Thursday. It will be a very bittersweet goodbye. I worked with THREE other women and believe it or not, we all got along great! I will also miss seeing the other familiar faces that came into the office regularly. Although I don't believe customer service is my forte', I really enjoyed interacting and talking (duh) with other people. 


I'm also trying to get a better office or work space organized and decorated in my apartment. Of course all my inspiration comes from either Pinterest or Pottery Barn, so I'm not sure how realistic my goals are. My mom and dad are all about HGTV, so they will be helping with the process!


Last but certainly not least, with a new job comes new clothes... right? Well if not, that's going to be my excuse for a little retail therapy! I may not be the one in front of the camera, but a cute pair of shoes is vital. Carrie Bradshaw would definitely back me up on this one. 


Again, thank you for all of your support. I look forward to keeping you posted on life, work and everything in between!


"The fact is, sometimes it's really hard to walk in a single woman's shoes. That's why we need really special ones now and then to make the walk a little more fun."
Carrie Bradshaw
Sex and the City

Taking What You're Handed

Since coming back to Birmingham, it's been a bit of a roller coaster ride. I initially moved back to work at ABC 33/40 to produce the morning show. As you probably know, the job required that I work overnight. For all of you who are familiar with the graveyard shift, it's not always easy! I know a few people who don't mind it, but it just wasn't for me. I can't recall one time that I went into work feeling completely rested. It also took a direct hit to my social life! 

After deciding that I could no longer live the life of a vampire, I left the station and took a job in property management. It was great; I could walk to the office from my apartment, I got a rent discount and most importantly, it was normal business hours! On the flip side, I had to learn customer service and sales. I'm a people pleaser, NOT a people pusher. So it took going outside of my comfort zone to close a deal or to meet my monthly goal. It was truly an eye-opening experience. I can honestly say that I am much more aware of how I treat others, as well as how patient I am. Looking back at these past 6 months, I honestly think it was God's way of teaching me all these things. 

With all that said, I have some BIG news! Come next month, I will be going back to ABC... this time as the "Talk of Alabama" producer. The show focuses on all the things I love: food, fashion, health, music and a lot of other fun stuff. I really think it's something I will be passionate about. 

I've prayed a lot about this decision. At the end of the day, I handed it to God. I knew he wouldn't hand me anything I couldn't handle. If someone told me a year ago where I would be now, I would've said "You're crazy!" But that's just it... life is crazy, and you only have one chance to live it. 

Stay tuned... 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Philippians 4:6

Hello, again! I can't believe it's already the middle of April. Unless it's the last hour of work, time really does fly. I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter! Even though I had to work, I was still able to attend church and spend some time with friends and family. And yes, my parents got me an Easter Basket. I will forever take advantage of being the baby. Works every time. 


Besides savoring what's left of my Easter candy, a busy spring schedule is really starting to pick up. I've started dancing again, finally! I've missed it so much. It's actually to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the dance studio I grew up going to in Birmingham. I even get to perform in the recital with an alum group! Who knew I could still clog? It came right back! Some other moves include MC Hammer, "The Running Man" and MAYBE a few toe touches if I can get my big (you know what) off the ground! After nearly 20 years of sitting through dance recitals, my parents finally thought they were out of the clear, think again! 


A few other things are in the works, but I'll leave that to my next post. As for now, it's time for dinner at one of my favorite restaurants, Chucks, with some close friends!


Until next time...


I have learned, that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.
Henry David Thoreau

Easter, Weddings & FOOD!

Hooray! We're halfway through the work week! That is, unless you work weekends and Wednesday is in no way significant to you. But you're not alone, I'm working this weekend too. I even have to work on EASTER. EASTER! If you really think about it, Easter should be celebrated just as big, if not bigger, than Christmas. I'm not saying this because I want an excuse to get off work, but because it celebrates someone RISING FROM THE DEAD! Sure, Christmas is important because that's when our Savior was born, but it's not every day that someone comes back to life! Anyway, that's a rant for another time.


Right now, I'm enjoying a lazy night at home. Wednesday is my show night, AKA: Modern Family. If you've never watched it, I highly recommend it! Usually I'm the kind of person who has to be busy and on the go 24/7, but I enjoy some down time every once and a while. It gives me some one-on-one time with Pixie - my pug who I often refer to as my "child" or "baby." So don't get confused, I do not have an actual kid. I realize this will most likely make me sound a little crazy, but she's a great listener. She looks at my with those bug eyes, and I know she really understands. Plus, she can't talk back or argue. Therefore, I'm always right. 


Besides pondering what to cook for dinner, I'm also scouring the internet for good flight deals. I'm the Maid of Honor for a wedding coming up in June that just happens to be in Oklahoma! I haven't been back in a year, so I'm really looking forward to it. But before the wedding is the Bachelorette party, which is in Dallas. So if anyone has some racked up Southwest points or vouchers, contact me IMMEDIATELY! 


I'm also taking time tonight to find some new recipes to try out. Lately I've been trying to become a little more "domestic." Let me tell you, unless you were born with a wooden spoon in your mouth (as opposed to a silver one) it's no easy task! Examples of this include: almost catching your apartment on fire by putting potatoes on WAX PAPER in the OVEN, overheating chocolate instead of melting it and ruining an entire casserole with the "broil" option. Those are sadly just a few. And you thought I was little Betty Crocker? That's only because I post my SUCCESSES on facebook and twitter. I wouldn't dare post a picture of scorched muffins! 
Here are some of my better moments in the kitchen:


My specialty, Oreo Balls. These were extra special since I made them for a Bama tailgate.

 I made these guys for a Christmas party. Thanks, Pinterest!

Red, White, Blue & Delicious! 

Pumpkin Spice Muffins. Don't let the fancy icing fool you, the muffins only had 3 ingredients, EASY! 

As you can see, I have a sweet tooth! I guess what I should really start focusing on is how to cook actual meals... but for now I'm still sticking with the excuse of "it's hard to cook for one!" If you have any good recipes, please share!


If I don't write again before Sunday, I wish you all a Happy Easter! If you're in your mid-twenties like me, and still get an Easter Basket from mom and dad, you're awesome.
If you're a parent and reading this, just give in and do it another year! It makes us feel special :)


1 Peter 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead

A Look Back; A Step Forward

It's been WELL over a year since my last post. Pathetic! I started this blog to keep a timeline of my life after college, but it's also great (and free) therapy. This time last year, I was single, in home improvement mode and trying to figure out just what my "calling" was. Well a year later... not much has changed! But I'm OK with that. There's still no boy, my apartment is still a little bare and I'm still trying to figure out just what I'm suppose to be doing! 


When coming to this realization, my first thought was surprisingly NOT "Geez, what a waste of a year!" But rather, "Wow, my priorities were in the wrong place and in the wrong order." Don't get me wrong, I will take a boyfriend, an apartment makeover and a dream job any day, but the way in which to get those things rests in thing, and in one thing only: God. 


Before you roll your eyes, this is not a Christian blog, nor am I going to step up on a soap box. It is truly the revelation of how I have grown over the past 12 months. Around this time last year, a co-worker asked me to go to church with her. In normal circumstances, I would have politely thanked her for the invitation, but would have come up with an excuse as to why I couldn't go. Don't get me wrong, I was one of those who "grew up going to church" but had easily gotten used to sleeping in on Sunday. But at this time I was sleep deprived, most likely hungry, and undoubtedly unhappy. I needed that to change... fast. So instead of ducking out, I said "Sure! What time?" I think I even surprised her! 


Since then, my perspective on where I am in this stage of my life has changed dramatically. I was so concerned with pleasing myself, making myself look good, putting myself first. See a pattern? Sure, you should put yourself first a lot of the time, but just because you push ahead in line, doesn't mean you'll be the first to reap the benefits. 


I'm still working on it. It's a daily effort that requires a lot of pacing. Now that I am not working the graveyard shift, many will tell you that I am finally back to the "Samantha" they knew. Happy. Bubbly. Loud. Blonde. I would say that working during normal daylight hours has played a large role in that, but finding God has played a HUGE role.


This time last year I would be tossing and turning in bed, knowing that I would be heading into work just as the 10 o'clock news was wrapping up. Instead of worrying about what story to lead with and whether or not my traffic reporter would call in on time, I'm watching Dancing with the Stars and sipping on Sangria. And I thougth nothing had changed in the last year? Ha! 


Philippians 4:6-7 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Oklahoma Memories

     When I moved to Oklahoma back in 2000, I called the drive my "own Trail of Tears." For 12 straight hours, I cried for my mother, whom I had just lost, I cried for my friends, and I cried because I felt completely alone...but I wasn't. The second I arrived in Enid, my room was decorated with pink and yellow. I had a brand new stereo and TV. Anything in the kitchen was up for grabs. I had two loving guardians that drove down in a heartbeat to rescue me from worse.

     Within a week, I had a "Welcome to Enid" party, met my new school principal, had more aquaintances than I could count...some who even turned into dear friends. Within a month I was a part of a new dance company, was flipping off the diving board at the country club, and was mostly enjoying being the "new girl, with the funny accent" at school.

• My first year here, Ballet Oklahoma traveled to Enid, and for the first time, I felt noticed. I was cast as "Clara" in the Nutcracker. Ever since that moment, I knew things were only going to get better...That God had amazing plans for me.

• In Junior high, an older girl who I had started dancing with, took me under her wing. She is the youngest of three girls, so I think she felt the need to have a little sister to take care of, and that she did! And as an only child, having a big sister that provided a shoulder to cry on and advice, was something I had always needed-something I had always been missing.

• In high school I was on the pom-squad (dance team) and I remember my God-Parents telling me, "We've never seen you happier...than when you're dancing on that football field." And they were right, I loved every second of it...and drove my coach crazy!

• Once it came time for college...Of course I wanted to go to Bama, but a voice inside told me to stay a little longer, and I'm glad I did. Although I was unbiased toward OSU and OU, I went with the orange (which as an Alabama fan, whose colors are CRIMSON, was a tough feat!) I joined an amazing sorority, performed in countless shows, met so many people, oh, and got an education!

• After graduating, I got a job as an Associate Producer at News 9 in Oklahoma City. I knew that I couldn't pass up the opportunity, and landed myself behind a computer helping produce the morning show! It hasn't always been easy, or pretty, but it's made my skin thicker. It's made me think for myself. And it's made me have more confidence...and not second guess myself.

• So for 10 and a half years, I learned lessons, made friends, conquered battles and found the true "Samantha." I knew that when it was time to head home, God would provide a path.

     A few weeks ago, a news station in Birmingham, Alabama, one in which I grew up watching, contacted me. They flew me down and interviewed me. After a week of sweating it out, I finally heard back. I was offered the position of weekday morning show producer! This is all incredibly bittersweet. As much as I've always wanted to move back...my time spent in Oklahoma has flown by. There are way too many of you to name, but please know who you are. The close friends from junior high and high school, the ones I met in college and all my crazy sorority sisters, and some of my co-workers.
     When my mother passed away, a close friend told me the Bible verse:
Phil 1:3 "I thank God upon every rememberance of you."
So please know, for whatever memories we have had, I will always cherrish them.

-Samantha

First 8 Months...of the Rest of my Life

     When I started college four and a half years ago, my academic goal was to become the next Katie Couric. I know, how much more cliche' could I get? Every girl with broadcasting dreams looks up to her, with the hope of someday being the main anchor on the national evening news. My friends would always say: "Sam, you are so perfect for that! Do your anchor voice!" And if you know me, you know I'm a ham, so there was no hesitation--I would clear my throat, straighten my posture, and pretend I was looking into the camera with a serious, determined face, saying: "Good evening, and welcome to World News Tonight. I'm Samantha Russell..." Everyone would get a kick out of it! And as modest as I would try to be, in the back of my mind, I knew I would be behind that real anchor desk someday...and the days of practicing in front of my mirror with a brush as a microphone would be a distant memory.
     So lets fast forward to the present, January 2011. My dream came true, I'm behind the anchor desk FIVE DAYS A WEEK! Oh wait, that was probably deceiving. FINE PRINT: Yes, I am behind the anchor desk everday...but to give the anchors their scripts, not to report the news. On the otherhand, I could say I'm reporting the news by helping write the scripts and produce the show...but it's all behind the scenes in the dark--literally, the control room is almost pitch-black without the glow of monitors.
     To sum up this first blog, can you say NAIVE? I guess the question really is, can I say it! These past eight months have been a whirl-wind of emotions, learning experiences and the denial of how rough this so-called "real world" can be. There are somedays I think back and wonder why in the world did I want to get into this business? It's all death and destruction, and cut-throat! Dont' kid yourself, I can be as competitive as they come...but some days it just seems to run dry. I have to thank Ted Williams though. If he held on to his dreams of radio broadcasting, even while being homeless, and now is on every TV around the world, I think I could still make it someday...maybe, just maybe.
PS- If you don't know who Ted Williams is, this will fill you in!
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7215353n&tag=mg;mostpopvideo