Decisions, decisions. How do we make them? We hear all sorts of suggestions from people on how to make decisions, when to make them, and which one to make. How do they know? How does anyone know? If you're plagued with indecisiveness like me, you've probably struggled with all of these things. You've probably also heard people say: "Follow your heart", "Go with your gut", "Make a Pro/Con list", or "Pray about it." Now, none of these statements are wrong, but what do you do when you do all these and they come up with conflicting answers?
Step 1: Pray some more. Step 2: Figure out your priorities. When your heart, brain, and gut all disagree, sit them down like children and hash it out one point at a time.
Now, this vague rambling has specifically to do with me choosing a job. Do I take a job in the awesome city of Boston? Do I take the job where I'll make $35,000 more/year..in Boston? Or do I stay at home with family and friends because I've been away for 6 years? Do I stay in Ohio where I can get my German Shepherd puppy? Do I rent an awesome apt. in Boston? Or do I invest in cheap, country real estate in Ohio?
What to do, what to do?
I've finally made my decision. I was all set on moving to Boston, enjoying awesomeness, buying a small dog I can bring with me on the subway, doing therapy, and making tons of money..this was my decision until I realized how much I valued staying near family and friends. Fare thee well moolah, hello corn fields!
Today is my birthday. My mother gave me a crown and a balloon and told me I was a Princess. I've been waiting 24 years to hear those words. Finally, my life is complete.
As my thousands of fans have noticed, I have been MIA as of late. What could I have possibly been doing that could keep me away from giving the people what they want? I'll tell you.
Since my last post, I have: 1. Graduated 2. Moved home 3. Gone on an interview in Ohio 4. Gone to Canada (don't ask me how many fish I caught..I wouldn't want to brag about both of them) 5. Gone on an interview in Arkansas 6. Spent the night in an airport 7. Celebrated my grandparents' 60th wedding anniversary 8. Received my first official job offer
Anywho, I've been super busy this month and have been trying to figure things out that will set the course for the rest of my life..so no pressure! And since I've been spending a lot of this time on interviews, thinking about interviews, or planning interviews, I figured I'd compile a list of fail-proof tips that will aid in successful interviewing.
- Be yourself (this only applies if you're nice, thoughtful, appreciative, non-racist, witty but not mean, motivated, and intelligent) - Be polite (say "please" and "thank you" and shake hands with people with a strength that is between 'dead fish' and 'bone-crushing') - Dress to kill (not literally..) - Ask questions (not stupid ones though) - Brush your teeth beforehand (they won't talk to you very long if your mere presence causes their eyes to tear up and nose hairs to sizzle) - Take notes (it shows you're interested, but don't take notes on the same page that you doodled 'Mrs. Kate Wahlberg' on) - Make eye contact, but remember to blink - Laugh when appropriate (if unsure, follow the cues of those around you) - Be prepared (know your strengths and weaknesses...but make your weaknesses really be strengths..not the "I care too much" type, but the "sometimes it takes me a while to turn something in because I'm a perfectionist" type) - Smell good (but remember, "everything in moderation") - Be focused (NASA wouldn't even want to hire a space cadet) - Mind your expressions (try to stay away from uttering "holy crap", expletives, or texting shorthand) - Be confident (but not arrogant) - Take your time (not applicable to driving time- don't you dare arrive late) - Take a deep breath and remember that you're interviewing them as much as they're interviewing you
- Oh, and give credit where credit is due (for every job you get using these tips, you can thank me by mailing a meager 25% of your first year's salary to me)
Today marks the end of the beginning. The final piece to my well-rounded and extensive education. My last day of classes and my final presentation.
Countdown: - 5: hours until I'm finished with classes - 4: hours until my presentation is over - 3: days until I'm home - 2: days until I graduate - 1: week until I drive to Canada - 0: days until I see my family
Since it's Friday the 13th, I decided I should give you a quick rundown of bad luck things to be avoided and good luck things to help counteract today's inherent bad luck. Some of the following are not very widespread (and could therefore be wrong), so blame Google for any misleading superstitions.
Also, if you're superstitious, I apologize for presumably adding to your list of things to avoid and potentially making your life more uncomfortable..
Bad Luck
Breaking a mirror
Walking under a ladder
Opening an umbrella indoors
Black cats
Starting a trip on a Friday
Dreaming of someone getting married
Spilling salt
Seeing an owl in daylight
Stepping on cracks
Rocking an empty rocking chair
Killing a ladybug
Bats flying in your house
Sleeping on a table
A groom seeing the bride in her wedding dress before the wedding
I have some catching up to do, and don't worry- if you're unsure how you feel about that, I've got something for just about every emotion.
Excited: Justina comes to visit me tomorrow!
Happy: The Nashville fireworks are the best I've ever seen.
Sad: My family had to put down my 14.5 year old puppy July 3rd. I'm going to miss that little goofball.
Bummed: I got to visit Liz last week (I was in town for an interview) and I miss hanging out with her and her family! I had sooo much fun!
Mad: When I went downtown for the 4th of July, there was a girl there with a microphone who was saying that "God didn't make people homosexual. These are choices people make and these people will go to Hell for it". I could feel my arm twitching and had to leave before I hit her. I can't believe people still have views like this.
Nervous: I'm already getting pretty nervous about the end of the year presentations I have to give.
Thankful: I am so thankful to have good friends and family and to have the opportunity to study something I love. I'm also nervous about a few upcoming interviews.
Antsy/restless: I just wanna graduate and be done with school forever! Also, as soon as school is over, I get to go fishing in Canada!! Canada is the bright, sunny light at the end of this seemingly endless tunnel.