Stephanie's College Blog
Stephanie's Top Ten
May 23, 2005
I have finally started my new (old) job at the hotel. It's great because I don't have to worry about dealing with rude customers and I never have to work at night. I work as much as I want to and it's fairly close to home. It's a good temporary job until I can save up enough money.
My boyfriend's father lost his job and is thinking about moving really far away, which is needless to say, very hard on Jason right now. Jason's still having a hard time finding himself a job at the moment. Moving home really doesn't seem to be as easy as we thought. Speaking of which, my credit card bill is sitting on my table, unpaid because of the lack of income right now. I wish the world was not focused around money.
My graduation from college is in a few weeks. It will be strange to go back to the city and see everyone again, especially since we've been home for a while now. There's an award for the student who participated in the most advocacy projects for the program and my heart is set on it. I don't want to get my hopes up, but part of me really, really wants it.
Looking back over everything I've learned at college, I've devised a list of Top Ten Things to Remember While at College:
1. If you don't like macaroni and cheese, change your mind because it comes in handy more than you know.
2. Even though many of your friends will want to take you out every single night, be strong and say "no, thanks." Your head will thank you in the morning.
3. Be creative with study techniques. Find one you like and stick to it.
4. Do NOT get a credit card. As tempting as it may seem, it only bites you back in the end.
5. Make friends with second-hand stores. As uncool as they are in high school, they're absolutely great in college.
6. Keep a diary or log book about everything that happens in college. It's great to think about what you did, but details about projects you did, things you accomplished and friends you made are all the better.
7. Do NOT spend your student loan money all at once. They give you the money for one reason: school.
8. Be open-minded. Stray away from the whole high school "clique" trend. Branch out and meet different people.
9. Be nice to your professors. They're the ones who write you letters of reference.
10. Stress comes very easily with homework and part-time jobs, but remember one word: BREATHE!
One Step Closer
May 16, 2005
It looks like I may have made progress on the job search. I went back to an old hotel I used to work at before I moved away to college and in a desperate attempt to get a job, I asked to see the manager. He came to the front desk and his eyes opened wide. "Stephanie! Wow, it's good to see you!" I was shocked, as I had always thought that he didn't really like me.
I told him that I was back from college and looking for a job to save money for a car and a house. I asked him if he was hiring and he said no, but that he could make an exception for me and would love to have me back. Yes! I thought, I've finally landed a job. He told me he'd give me a call soon and I waltzed out of the hotel with a smile from ear to ear.
Other than applying at countless jobs, I spend most of my time at home or at my boyfriend's. I am going completely out of my mind with this feeling of not having a concrete, hurried schedule to follow. I can do whatever I want, whenever I want. Most people would love to have that. I think it's driving me up the wall.
I also just found out that my cousin bought a house. She's only two years older than me, yet she bought a house by herself. I wish I could be at that point: to be able to say, yes, I bought this entire house by myself, thank-you very much. I don't think I'm quite there yet. As of right now, I have five bucks to my name. I wonder what kind of incredible cardboard box that would buy me?
Dream Jobs
May 9, 2005
I have taken up a new hobby after my recent discovery that I have way too much time on my hands: painting. I am in the middle of doing this fabulous horse painting, and it looks great.
It was so hot out today that I took all of my supplies and painted out in the sun. Note to self: Sunscreen wearing season has arrived. Wear sunscreen or end up looking (and feeling) like Kentucky Fried Chicken.
My boyfriend is having much better luck with the job search. He had an interview today and got the job (part time) and has another interview for a very high-paying job next week. Why, oh why, am I not having the same luck? I have still not received any job offers.
I'm getting desperate. Fast food may be my only option left. I just need to get a job and save enough money to buy a car so that I can travel to the bigger city farther away from here and get my dream job. Lately it looks like that "dream job" is farther off than I thought.
Speaking of dream jobs, I happened to walk into this tiny corner store the other day and saw a girl I went to high school with working at the counter. We were friends once upon a time, but things ended when we entered 10th grade and she found a new group of friends to be with instead of me. Anyway, before she could notice me, I overheard her telling someone that she had just dropped out of college because it was too hard. When I approached the counter we made polite conversation and she asked me if I was going to school.
"Actually," I replied, "I just graduated. See ya."
The look on her face was priceless. Ah, the sweet taste of revenge.
Who's that Girl?
May 4, 2005
Being back home is so weird. I don't have a job yet, so most of my time is spent redecorating my new room and watching TV. My parents say it's good because I need the break. I was running around like a crazy woman during college. But I say I need to find something to do -- quick! I am going insane!
I dropped off resumes to every day care in the area, as well as clothing stores, book stores, and pet stores. Hopefully I will hear back from someone soon. I'm not used to not working. Plus the lack of PAYCHECKS is really getting to me.
I saw one of my old friends from high school the other day. We were best friends before we left for college, but lost touch. She told me she's getting married this summer. I think she's nuts.
I have been trying to get in touch with other friends that I know are back from college or university. One of them didn't even recognize me! I was shocked...I didn't think I had changed that much over the past two years.
I guess college kind of changed me. She remarked on how much more outgoing I am now, and how I developed a sense of humor. What, I wasn't funny before? It's weird to think that I'm different now.
I guess she was right, I used to be very shy and soft-spoken. Now I'm the complete opposite. It's a good thing though, and I thank college for bringing out that side of me.