Wednesday, October 30, 2013

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 :)

Monday, October 28, 2013

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!