
Today is March 2, 2015, and today you head to your first day of work! You work at a real television station, you have a real job, you are a real reporter. Congratulations! You survived "the move" and here you are. Soon, you'll start getting real benefits and real paychecks and paying real bills which isn't the most fun but you'll live. Also, don't forget to set up an electric account or you'll come home to a dark and very humid apartment in a couple months when they realize your accidental error. Hint: this actually does happen to you. Anyway, whatever you're feeling today about work and the future, you're going to be fine. Actually, you'll be more than fine and you'll adjust fantastically. You'll make friends, you'll love your job and you'll like your free time, too. Only thing is your sink will literally always be the messiest part of your apartment and you're pretty much going to have to learn to live with that.
Jordan, I ask that you keep in mind why you came to Florence. Not sure if it's occurred to you, but packing up to move to a place where you don't know anyone just for a job is kind of a big sacrifice to make. Most people do not do it. I know to you it's just the logical next step in life, and the only thing that makes sense in your journey. But remember, it's not always easy to be away from home and you might not love every day you live. You're here to learn something every single day, go to sleep in some way a better reporter than you were when you woke up, and soak in every experience you're met with. Some days, going to work will just feel like going to work. But most days, like 99% of the days, going to work is freaking fun. You have it way better than most entry level reporters do. And the good news is most of the time life is very easy, and you like it a lot. Promise.
The rumors are true, you will drink a lot of wine and you'll watch a lot of TV. But you won't be able to buy alcohol in your county on Sundays so be sure to plan ahead. You'll grow to consider Ina Garten and Rachael Ray close friends. They'll teach you things too! You'll watch a lot of Say Yes to the Dress and it's still very funny to you that a bride will say she's "never felt more beautiful" in potentially the ugliest dress you've ever seen. No one has to know that. Our secret.
At work and at play, these six months might actually make you the most positive you've been... ever. You won't tolerate negativity around you, you will send out good vibes and trust the universe to do the rest. I guess this is when you've reached the point of allowing in only thoughts and people that make you strong and happy. Mazel tov on that front.
Anyway, back to work. Take a spare makeup bag and put deodorant, cough drops, tissues, band-aids, all sorts of medicines, chapstick, sunscreen, etc. in it (full list available by request). Put this bag in your trunk. Might seem excessive but you'll never be in a situation where you're unprepared. You'll get called to breaking news. Your plans will change. You'll feel better just knowing you have these things on hand. You'll use them to feel pretty when it's a literal 105 degrees and you're going live. Also, get a raincoat. Lol. Like, but actually get a raincoat. Hint: you'll live here three whole months before you buy one.