DREAMING OF HOME

Moving to a new city is a rough transition. I can't believe that four months ago I moved to a new city, started a new job, and started living all on my own. At first it seemed easier than I thought, as it was a new and exciting phase in my life. But after four months the loneliness is starting to set in. I am used to living in a big city and having lots of things to keep me busy, so moving to a small city is starting to be a hard adjustment. I feel like I have to search yelp like crazy to find something to do for the day. And even then I feel like the only thing to do out is here to go shopping and eat out. Its just not the same as sunny San Diego.

At the same time since its such a small city, it is hard to meet new people.  I have no friends that live out here, and the closest one is 40 miles away. My family is 400 miles away, while my boyfriend is 100 miles away. This has left my feeling lonely and without enough valuable interaction. I miss my friends, family, and boyfriend dearly. I miss having things to do on the weekend, meeting up with friends to grab dinner. I miss it all.

I am starting to get miserable here.  

I keep telling myself this is temporary and if I need to move to be happy then I will. But I still have another year to go. I just have to be strong and stick it out, and see what the lord has in store for me.

POST-GRADUATE: HOW TO SCORE YOUR DREAM POSITION

This past week marked a year that I have been out of college. I can't believe that it has already been a year. And oh what a learning experience this past year has been. I am happy (and humbled) to have scored my dream position and have had this ideal post-graduate life of mine become real. But of course it wasn't always that way. I've only been working in my current position for four months and before I got this position I was a hot mess. I was broke (no more student loans to help cover my rent), working part-time in a job that bored me, and felt downright helpless at times. I graduated thinking I would land a job right away due to my biology major and living in an area with lots of jobs in that field. My confidence was at all an time high. But as I applied for 100s of jobs, and only got a handful of interviews I started to feel bad about myself. I couldn't handle it. Thank God for the support of my wonderful mother and boyfriend who encouraged me day in and day out. It was my 23rd birthday in September when I decided it was time to make some changes. I was going to step my game up and get a hold of my life.

1. Get some experience! I learned pretty quickly that my degree was going to make me qualified for the job, but it wasn't going to land me an interview (or the position). Internships and volunteering are the best way to get experience. Sure paid is awesome, but those are few and far between. Everything little skill you can add to your resume, gives you a leg up on your competition. I remember I started one internship and quit just a week later, because I learned that it was going to give me the skills/experience I needed for the dream job I wanted. Luckily, the same organization I was interning for had volunteer positions that did give me the experience I needed. And so I started volunteering; on my birthday, and early on Sundays (which happened to be my only days off at that time). Its all about sacrifice! I got a chance to include all that wonderful experience on my resume AND THEN elaborate on it during my interview. Could you believe when I went into my interview at the end they told me they would let me know later on if I was selected for a second interview. Guess what? They ended up calling me less than a week later and offered me the position! Hardwork pays off ladies.

2. Tailor your resume! I edited my resume so many times. In fact I kept many different versions of my resume saved on my computer depending on what type of job I was applying for (administrative, lab rat, non-profit, etc). You really want your skills to be specific to the position you are applying for. You want to prove that you would be not only a perfect fit for that position, but can bring a little extra. When I would learn something new when volunteering, I'd be sure to add it to my resume as soon as I got home. Don't make your resume a freakin' essay, but also don't leave out valuable skills.

3. Breakdown your goals! I knew my main goal was to get my dream position, but I didn't know how the hell I was going to get there. I started by breaking down my goals, and making smaller goals for myself. I told myself I would apply for 2 jobs everyday. I kept a journal of jobs I would apply to. I wanted to keep track of the hours I volunteered. Celebrate your small accomplishments and know that they are brining you one step closer to your ultimate goal.

4. Broaden your horizons! Don't be stuck on one location or one company. Sure it may seem right to you at the moment, but who knows if really end up a bad fit. If you broaden your horizons it leaves you open to more opportunities. I applied for jobs all around the state, even though I knew that meant leaving the city I loved and possibly ending my relationship. Its not an ideal economy at the moment, so you simply cannot be picky. Remember, there are lots of other recent grads out there wanting the same position. In the end, I did have to move to a new city for my dream job. Sure, its not my most ideal place. But someone gave me the opportunity because they saw something it me.

4. Keep busting ass! Seriously. As I mentioned before I started an internship and quit and volunteered during my days off. In addition, I got into contact with professionals and asked them for advice. I considered signing up for community college classes just so I could take a class that required an internship that I wouldn't be able to require on my own. Look at your options, never stop busting butt, and know that it will all be worth it in the long wrong.

HAPPY HUMP DAY

Today definitely felt like a Wednesday. I woke up extremely tired and sore. I guess my body never fully recovered from my 5k run just a few hours before. I laid in bed for an extra 20 minutes and then made coffee. Oh how delicious my coffee tasted after not having any the past two days, but it just didn't seem to have any effect. I gulped down my cup and yet I still felt groggy. Unfortunately my drive to work nor sitting down at my desk this morning helped either. Yup, today definitely felt like a Wednesday. On the brightside tomorrow is my Friday AND I get a lovely four day weekend. Yes, a four day weekend! And it gets better. I get paid for not working on Monday, and J will be visiting for 2.5 days. This can't be real life! Its so rare that we get two full days together, so I will definitely be soaking up every moment of this weekend.

In other good news I feel like my desire for adventure will finally be answered. I finally booked my trip home in a few weeks. I cannot wait to see my family and also get away from here for a while. Me and my mom are trying to plan out lots of fun activities while I am home. I definitely want to spend some time in San Francisco doing some touristy things. And my sweet daddy will be taking all of us out for dinner. I can't wait! Me and J also have a wedding to attend towards the end of June. I'm so excited for wedding season. In fact I haven't been to a wedding in about 5 years, and I think I am long over due for one. And lastly, we have a friend planning out a Vegas trip for sometime this summer. I also haven't been to Vegas in a year, so again I am past due.

Hope everyone has an amazing holiday weekend!

CONQUERING MY GOALS

I think I'm ready to take the plunge. Thats right, I think I want to register for my first half-marathon. It would be such an amazing feeling to be at my ultimate fittest and complete something I'd never thought I'd be able to. This weekend I ran over 7 miles! What an accomplishment for myself, I'd never thought I'd be able to run 7 miles or for over an hour straight. Although, I was tired afterwards and my legs felt like Jello, I truly felt badass. As I kept running and further and further I kept telling myself how amazing I was. I feel confident and able. Now, I just need to get my money situation together. Who knew half-marathons were so expensive to participate in?

CRAVING ADVENTURE

I know I've beat this saying over the head, but I am truly grateful for everything in my life right now. Its just that everything feels so perfect, and that after so much hard work and tribulation everything has finally fallen into place. I appreciate the routine that is my life. While others are constantly plagued with chaos and drama throughout their day, those things have not been a factor in my own life. I appreciate it and I love it. But at the same time, I have been craving something more. Because although its nice to have routine, its also nice to have something different to look forward to.

This little lady is in need of a vacation, a mini-get away, or a new adventure of some sort. I haven't traveled in so long, and the bug has been bitting me like crazy. Right now I look forward to seeing my boyfriend on the weekends. But he goes to school full-time, works 15-20 hours a week, is doing research on campus,  and not to mention all the other activities he is involved in. God bless his heart for being able to do it all and still be with me. But I know he is worn out when I come down to see him. I know he needs a vacation too, but he just doesn't have the time right now.  On top of that I can't take a real vacation (or any time off from work) until my probation period is up. That will be another 5 months from now.

I'm not looking to do anything big or grand within the next month or anything. But I am looking to put some plans into motion for a mini-get away over the summer, and a larger trip within the next year or two. We have to dedicate a time, save the money, and make the plans. I have so many ideas for both mini and big trips. Hello palm springs, SF, NYC, Seattle, and Paris!

I am grateful for

Nice soothing rain after a heat wave. Learning new hobbies. A fridge full of yummy food.

Sock buns. Three paychecks in a month. Chocolate. Pink nail polish. Sticking to budgets.

My warm comfy bed. Hearing someone tell you "I'm proud of you". Pink Moscato. Groupon Deals.

IN HIS HANDS

I've been living this picture perfect life lately. I have everything I could possibly want right now: an awesome career, new car, my own place, enough to support myself, a great boyfriend, good friends and family. What more could a girl ask for? There has been one thing on my mind these last few months that I have been fighting with. It's kind of been of been repressed for a while, but last night it was brought back up.

My heart has been my biggest downfall when it comes to love and relationships. I feel like I have the biggest, largest heart that is always ready to love and be open to love. I feel like thats my God given gift. Because all throughout the bible we are told to love one another, and that is something thats comes easily to me.  But what happens when someone does not love you back? Do you keep giving love freely in hopes that one day they will feel the same or do you stop and end things? At the moment I am still unsure on which way to go. I've been praying about it and asking the lord to let his will be done.  Either way I am sure my life will greatly change as a result. I don't feel angry or bitter, just confused and lost.

For once I am not scared about the end outcome, because I know I have Jesus as my rock. Not that it will be easy, but that he makes things possible.  I am faithful and I know that his will is the one that will be done.