Happy New Year! An Introduction

Today marks the beginning of a new year and reading challenge.

Here's a little background on me:

In 2014, I got my first full-time job after a year of unemployment. I worked at a mortgage company barely making over minimum wage. While I was grateful for the job, I soon realized it wouldn't give me the independence I craved since returning home from college. 2015 was a year of hopefulness and let-downs, stress and depression, and revelation and freedom. A serendipitous add on LinkedIn by a freelance editor, who had graduated from the same college as I, and a well timed "promotion" made me realize that my interests and skills were being wasted and I quit my job in August 2015. I lost myself in a misguided determination to have an "adult" job and be an "adult". I had succeeded in making myself miserable. The only reason why I ultimately quit was because my depression outgrew my fear of unemployment and the unknown.

For the past four months, I've been rediscovering me by doing things that I loved to do but hadn't had the energy or time to do when I worked. I bought a few cookbooks and tried multiple recipes with delicious results. I enjoyed time spent with my boyfriend, family, and friends. Perhaps, most importantly, I've written. Writing has been a passion of mine since I was a child. I participated in a short story writing month, which got me into the habit of writing. Also during this time, I realized what I wanted to do with my skills; edit. I have always had a knack for grammar through attention to detail and being an eager reader and diligent writer. However, I knew that wasn't enough to offer services. So I studied rules of grammar and practiced identifying errors. I also bought a subscription to the Chicago Manual of Style and continue to study. I feel like my life, especially this past year, has led me here.

This blog is to advertise my editing services and discuss the books I'm reading. Please leave comments. As my mother and boyfriend will tell you, I love conversing about the things I learn.

You can friend me on Goodreads to see what I'm currently reading and the books I have on my challenge list (under books I should read) so far.