First Day!

Sorry for the overwhelming neglect of this blog! It has been a bit of an emotional roller coaster to say the very least, so I avoided this blog for a minute! Haha

Where to begin! Well, I went on my first real interview for an air filter company based in Creola, Alabama. I was interviewed by two people, and they asked me the standard interview questions like where do you see yourself in five years? Why do you want this job? They were seeking a content manager for their blogs and website. Out of the 8 applicants interviewed, I ended up in the top two!

While I waited on their call, I went on a job interview at an engineering firm in downtown Mobile for an internship. I had four people interview me at once, and they asked a variety of questions. I brought my portfolio of articles I have written, some PR stuff I did while at Legacy Bar & Grill and a few more press releases I published. They told me they were impressed by how much experience I had considering I had not graduated yet. When I left the interview I felt confident they liked me, but  after deliberation I didn't want an internship. I interviewed on Wednesday and they emailed me an offer on Thursday to be an intern then upon my graduation on Dec. 14 to switch to a full time Marketing Coordinator.The same day I got the offer, the Creola company told me they went with the other candidate because she was getting her Master's in search engine optimization.

The emotional roller coaster set in because I wasn't sure if I wanted to take the job or move to Chicago. After flip flopping back and forth, I decided to take the job here so I could gain experience, be with Olivia when my niece was born and rent a house with a yard for Tetra.

Yesterday was my first day at the new job, and it went really well! The people I work with are really nice, and I think I can really learn a lot. I don't have my own office, but I have my own cubicle, so I want to start gathering framed photos of Sonny, Tetra & Skooter for my desk! I was REALLY nervous on my first day, but everyone was friendly, and I finally feel like a grownup.

Next week I have class on Tuesday and Thursday, then the following week I take finals and graduate Dec. 14 with a Bachelor's in public relations and minor in political science.

I am moving out of the house I rent with Olivia and Dave, and I am getting my own place Feb. 1! I have started stockpiling stuff in my room. I am literally moving out with NOTHING, so I have to buy a lot of stuff before then. So, I have been buying dishes when I see them on sale, and odds and ends when I come across a great deal.

I don't know how to explain this, but I have been struggling for so many years to just get through school. I have worked long hours in restaurants, balanced multiple jobs, did a cross-country move....twice, and been poor for a while now. To finally see the light at the tunnel is beyond exciting, but beyond frightening because I am waiting on the other shoe to drop. But it isn't going to. I got a great job before I graduated, I have my health and my first niece on the way! While I keep saying I am lucky, I know it is all the hardwork and sacrifice paying off and very little to do with luck. I'm just very happy and excited for this new journey.

I cant WAIT to share photos along the way of my FIRST ever apartment that is MINE with no roommates :) I promise my apartment will be the cutest! Eeeee! Photos and stories to come...

Defining Moments

Well, first and foremost I am going to be an AUNT!! Yes! Don't you all think Rachel and I will be the perfect crazy Aunts?! Me too! Haha We are very excited! It'll be the first baby in the family. Olivia's pregnancy was one of the main reasons I have focused my job search more towards staying in Alabama. Now on to the job search....

As for the big interview. Well, my outfit was a black dress, with a muted pink blazer and very subdued jewelry. The interview was for an air filter company that sells customized air filters via their website, and they are looking for an internet marketer. They asked pretty standard questions like: tell me about yourself, where do you see yourself in five years, what do you think about online advertising, what are your salary requirements, are you a good writer, etc. I was nervous, but I feel like I answered the questions 'correctly' (whatever that means haha).

The lady said they probably would have an answer by Wednesday, and the recruiter hasn't called me today. Usually, if they made a decision the recruiter calls either way, so it is just a waiting game at this point.

I am moving into my own place in December, so I can spread my wings. I toured a bunch of apartment complexes in Mobile yesterday, and if I stay in Alabama I know which one I want to live in!

I've never had any problems with anxiety before, but for the past week I have been feeling the pressure. I'll be in class, and my palms will get sweaty, my heart will race and I get that feeling in my stomach like I am about to be in trouble. Then I look around, and I realize it is just me and my stress-induced anxiety. Haha I am about to make some serious decisions in the next two months that will really determine the trajectory of my life, and I am feeling overwhelmed but excited.  I told this to Rachel on the phone last night, and she said she doesn't know why I am letting the uncertainty get me worked up, and I should enjoy the ride.

Rachel and I both decided if I don't get and/or if I decide not to accept the offer at the filter company, I am going to drive back with her to Chicago after Christmas, and I will just hang out for Chicago for a month or so and relax :) Visit family and ring in the New Year in the Windy City!

It is exciting times, but I have never dealt with big decisions well Haha I really am going to look back on this time in my life, and I am going to kick myself for just not taking in the moment. Just need to stay positive, and I know it'll all work out. No matter where I land, whether it is Alabama or Chicago or DC, I plan on doing great things! Can't wait to take you all along for the ride :)

Hello friends,
You'll notice I created this blog back in June, complete with a blog post, and even since then so much has changed. I am now 26 years old, and today is the big day: my first 'big girl' job interview. Let's start from the top.
First, while my plans never included staying in Alabama, because my sights were locked into jobs in other states. This has changed. I've made the decision to stick around for awhile in Alabama, possibly in definitely, but I'll share why that is in a later blog post.

December 14 I will be an official college graduate. Kind of crazy. Rachel and Mom have already bought there tickets to fly down, and the next few months are really going to begin to form the trajectory of my life in this new chapter. My degree is in public relations with a minor in political science. I am hoping to land a job as a content marketer, public relations coordinator or communication specialist.

I posted my resume on LinkedIn, Monster, Indeed and Careerbuilder several months ago. I thought between my experience in non-profits, political campaigns and work experience that I would have call back. Not the case. I heard crickets all the way up until about a week ago. Recruiters have been calling, and I even did a phone interview for a company over in Daphne, Ala. The lady that did my phone interview said she was very impressed, and she passed my resume to the hiring managers but they wanted someone with lumber experience and someone who could start right away. So, the first one was out.

Today is the big day for my first in-person 'big girl' job interview. The recruiter found me, and the company is searching for a content marketing manager to develop their social media presence and create ways to connect with their audience. I have my outfit picked out, and I am ready to go! It is at 1:00PM today, so I am just preparing and organizing. I'll let you all know how it goes :)

Now on to the doggy chapter. Rachel (my sister) asked if she could have Sonny and Skooter for awhile since she has missed them, and she felt lonely without them. As soon I say that, usually everyone goes "Wow, I can't believe you're letting her take them. Are you going to freak out?" Of course, I am going to be heartbroken and sad when they leave.  They are my baby angels.

However, Rachel and I went to the shelter in California together to adopt Sonny, and we raised him together for over 2 years. He originally was going to stay with Rachel in California when I moved to Alabama so that Rachel wouldn't be lonely. Then, she was accepted for a rotation in Australia with work, which meant I got to keep him! I rescued Skooter shortly after moving to Alabama. Skooter and and Sonny are a bonded love pair, and we want to keep them together. So, they are off to be city dogs in Chicago in January! I am going to miss my boys, but I know how much joy they bring me, and I am excited to give some of that joy to Rachel. Plus, it is not forever. So, I am excited for their big city adventure :)

For those of you following my Facebook, you know that Olivia and I have been pet sitting a dog named Tetra for almost a year while her owner was in Afghanistan. I was out to lunch with a friend when I received the phone call telling me her owner, Frank, passed away from stage 4 melanoma cancer in Japan. Olivia and I have been really emotional about the whole thing, because Frank really was the nicest, sweetest, live-out-loud bright spirit you ever came across. Tetra really was his whole life, and the thought that Frank will never see Tetra, and Tetra will never see Frank again is really sad for me. His family wanted Tetra, but they knew Tetra was bonded to us, and they allowed us to keep her. We love Tetra, and I am so happy to have her in my life forever.

I am moving into my own place in December/January, and Tetra will be an only child again! So, it'll be us against the world :) I can't wait!

The theme of this blog is 'failed plans'. Just when I think I have my life all planned out, those plans fail and open the door to something even better. I'm so excited to just ride the wave!

Two roads diverged...

I have been wanting to start a blog for quite a while. I am 25 years old, and I am on the verge of starting a major chapter in my life. I currently reside in Mobile, Alabama. This December I will be officially a college graduate of the University of South Alabama.

I recently watched an Oprah's Master Class featuring Susan Sarandon. She talked about how everything in her life has happened because all of her plans failed. That spoke to me on such a profound level. I moved to San Francisco with plans of finishing my Bachelor's. Only to find out that California state schools were in a budget crisis, and they were not accepting transfer students. After two years of being on the wait list, I gave up and I moved to Alabama. I had family there, and out-of-state tuition was really low. 

Here I am :o) After my California plans failed, I am graduating two years behind schedule. I wouldn't trade anything. I met life long friends in California, learned so much about myself and experience new cultures. Now, I can say the same thing about Alabama! 

Two years later...about to graduate...and begin the job hunt. I think there will be many stories and adventures to come in the next few months! I will be graduating from college. I will begin the job hunt for a career, which will include my FIRST professional interview, and the anxiety of waiting for the call back! I will most likely be moving out-of-state, and that carries with it a ton of new experiences. I am in the process of applying for the White House Internship for Spring 2014 *fingers crossed*. 

I have lived in Michigan, Tennessee, New York, California and Alabama. My family and friends are wide spread, and I can't wait to use this blog to share all these amazing experiences right here with all of you!  

The title of my blog sums up my life and me in a nut shell! I have been writing my White House essays for several months, and I look for inspiration everywhere. I was at my second home, Panera Bread, when they had a quote on their Summer advertisement. A quote I have seen a hundred times before, but it has taken on new meaning in this time in my life. 

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.    -Thoreau

I have always done things that seemed crazy to other people. While at the same time scary for me, but it has always worked out. When I announced I would be leaving San Francisco for Alabama people thought I was crazy. I did, too. Now I know that it was the best decision I ever made. I have gained and learned things I would've never learned if I let fear keep me from it, and if all my plans had not failed. 

So, I invite you to subscribe to my blog! I will have many adventurous and personal tales! It will be an exciting journey filled with failed plans and first-time experiences! I can't wait!