Getting situated
I’m going to make this simple. It’s list time.
Things I love about my new apartment:
- It’s HUGE and way cheaper to rent than it would be pretty much anywhere else.
- A half bathroom downstairs means I don’t have to go upstairs to pee.
- It has a second bedroom for my office stuff and guests.
- It actually has closet space.
- It’s bilevel. Bedrooms upstairs and living space downstairs means if someone is sleeping, it’s easy to keep quiet and still do what you need to do.
- I have more kitchen cabinet and counter space than I can use right now. Soon to be remedied, I’m sure.
- It’s close to everything.
- I don’t have noisy neighbors. Nice change from living on a university campus.
- Even though it’s big, I’m never far from my wireless router which means I get great signal anywhere in the apartment.
- Opening the windows upstairs lets air all the way through the upper level with a great cross breeze.
- I have a large attic space to store stuff, including boxes I will reuse so I don’t have to go Dumpster diving.
Things that may get irritating about my new place:
- As with most apartments, the paint is cheap. This means that if something gets on the walls, cleaning it off also involves removing a bit of paint.
- None of the sliding windows line up like they should to be locked when closed. I’m going to be talking to maintenance about it.
- The stairs are not wide enough. I finally fell down the last few steps today while the cable and Internet guys were here setting things up. I had slipped several times on the ends of the stairs before, but hadn’t fallen.
- There’s a spot in the floor right in front of the full bathroom sink that creaks badly. It’s impossible not to step on.
Things yet to be done this week (if possible) before being super busy at a new job:
- Get a public library card. I’m desperate for something new to read and can’t afford to buy all the books I want.
- Change my auto insurance policy from Michigan to Indiana and add renter’s insurance.
- Go to the BMV to change my license, registration and plates.
- Stop by my new office to start the paperwork.
- Set up automatic, online bill pay for all my new bills.
- Make sure my address everywhere is changed.
- Close an old bank account and link my new bank account to my online bank.
- Drive around the county to try and get my bearings and figure out where things are.
A new place to call home
My mom, fiance and I just got back today from yet another trip down to southern Indiana. We did some serious apartment hunting and ended up getting about as lucky as you can get. We drove down Thursday, hunted yesterday and came home a day early.
We found a fantastic apartment. It’s a two bedroom, one and a half bath place. It’s actually bilevel with the bedrooms and full bath upstairs and the living room, kitchen and half bath downstairs. The place even has room for a dinner table and a pantry shelf if I want one. It also has a pull-down ladder for some attic storage space. It has a back door that leads to a tiny little concrete patio, which we would use for grilling should we get a little grill. I’ve got an assigned carport spot and there’s plenty of other parking for the fiance and guests. It even has central heating and air conditioning. Even more astonishing is the rent. Ready for this? It’s a total steal at under $500 a month.
It’s a gem of a place — clean, open, airy and updated with appliances (including a dishwasher!) that are only four years old. The carpet is in great shape, with only a few stains in the master bedroom that will likely come mostly out when the carpet gets cleaned. There’s lots of kitchen counter space and storage as well as a coat closet and a linen closet upstairs. The bedroom closets are plenty big enough, as are the bedrooms themselves. There’s no place for a washer or dryer, but the complex’s laundromat is across the parking lot and cheaper than going elsewhere. It’s got some new machines and an exercise bike (of all things) to use while waiting. Added bonus — my water, sewer and trash is paid for with my rent. All I pay is electric and any cable, internet or phone I want.
The place technically wasn’t even available to rent. The story of how we came to get it is kind of sad. We were looking at some other apartments the landlord owns, walking through with him, and he was able to show us this one. The young woman who is moving out this weekend was diagnosed with leukemia and has to move back with her parents for hospital trips and cheaper living expenses. She was 90% moved out when the landlord showed us the place, and is actually happy to have someone taking over right away. The landlord is being really nice, just letting her break the lease with no fees and is refunding everything for her.
The location is great. It’s across the street and back a ways from a 24-hour Walmart superstore and other shops. Surprisingly, it’s very quiet being so close to a main road and so much shopping. My new bank is also right there, as are several other very nice conveniences. I’m only a few miles from work which means I can snooze just a little longer.
A possible future bonus is that they allow pets. You all know I want a dog. This place doesn’t require an additional deposit for the dog and only adds like $15 extra on the rent a month. While we may not have a dog for quite some time, it is certainly a possibility with this apartment. My guess is that we’ll be staying for more than the one year lease term.
And I’m moving in literally a week, starting my new career soon after. Despite how terrifying the process is, it’s all starting to come together… and fast.
Shifting worlds
My life is about to change. Hugely. Massively. Mount Everest-ly.
I just had an interview in southern Indiana. The managing editor of a community newspaper called me a while ago and scheduled a phone interview for the very next day. At the end of that interview, he invited me down to Indiana to interview in person, run a test story and take a style and grammar quiz. I did exactly that yesterday after driving down Thursday and crashing in a hotel paid for by the paper. Not 30 minutes back onto the road for the seven hour drive home, my cell phone rang.
They offered me the job.
I will soon be the newest staff writer for the six-day daily newspaper in southern Indiana. I’ll be covering the county beat, but also acting as a general assignment reporter. And they need me as soon as possible.
Commence the freaking out.
I have no idea how to do this. This is such an incredibly huge shift in my life. I’ve never rented an apartment, much less one seven hours away in another state. And I have to move my entire life in a matter of a few weeks. Though I’ve done nothing but search for a real job since graduating, I’ve had no time to plan. I feel like my life suddenly turned into a giant game of KerPlunk. I shifted one too many sticks and the marbles are all crashing down at once. I’m cycling between thrilled and happy, tense and overwhelmed on a ridiculous, gut-wrenching ride. By the way, I hate roller-coasters.
Thank God for my steady-as-a-rock-thinks-of-everything mom. She’s simultaneously (and regularly) calming me down and making lists. We’re taking inventory and planning to bring a load of furniture, kitchen stuff and everything else I don’t need here down to Indiana to stash in a storage locker until I have an apartment. We’re heading back down next weekend to do some serious apartment hunting, hopefully getting me approved and signing on the dotted line while we’re there.
My dad and I were crunching numbers this morning. I won’t be making a whole lot of money, but I’ll be able to live comfortably. It’ll be even better when my fiance joins me and adds his income to the pot, relieving me of half the rent, utilities and food. But he won’t be moving in with me until he can find a job in the same area. I’m hoping and praying that it won’t take long as I want him with me as soon as it’s possible. The first little while will be hard enough living entirely by myself in a completely unfamiliar area with no local friends and being baptized by fire in a new job.
So I’m excited but terrified, thrilled but thinking, “Oh my God what have I done?!” Does everyone in my situation feel this way?
On the hook
I should be hearing from a very internationally well-known company very soon about a job. I’ve had two interviews and both went really well, and I want the job so much it has entered into my dreams a couple of times.
Enter fishing analogy.
I hate being on the hook, waiting to either be caught or released. It’s jangled all of my nerves to the point where I’m getting butterflies when the phone rings. But I guess the analogy is a little backwards because I want to be caught and put in a tank with the other fish. In the tank, I’ll be taken care of — fed regularly, able to get medicine for sickness and free from predators. Back in the lake would mean fighting it out again, or still, depending on which way you look at it. More freedom, true, but I’d rather have the security.
Some say that the waiting and anticipation is the best part. Well, for Christmas absolutely. This kind of waiting is on the flip side of it. The waiting and anticipation is killing me, slowly but surely, and probably more so because I want this job so much more than I’ve wanted anything else I’ve gone after simply because it pushes my buttons more than anything else has. The company is also like the #1 place to work with the most incredible benefits and perks EVER, which only sweetens the deal. It sucks being on hold while someone else makes a decision about you that has the possibility to affect your future so much.
I haven’t yet resorted to pacing, but that is still entirely possible. I’d go run on the treadmill to get rid of some energy, but I don’t want to be all huffy and out of breath if they call. My cell phone and the house phone are with me everywhere I go. I’m not getting in the shower because I don’t want to miss a call, so thank the lord I took one in the evening yesterday because I was freezing and wanted to warm up. God works in mysterious ways.
But I hope that if I get thrown back into the lake, I’ll still be okay. I know there’s probably hundreds of people fighting for this job, some of which I know have got to be far more qualified than I am. I’ve known that all along. It will suck if that happens, but I don’t think I’ll be devastated.
So here’s to hoping and to keeping my fingers (and toes, arms, legs, eyes and hair) crossed. With my body so contorted, I might just find myself too uncomfortable to pace.
Restless thoughts
I hate it when I know I should be sleeping but I can’t seem to turn my brain off. My eyes are tired and heavy, but I can’t seem to sleep. So here’s the list of what’s on my mind in the hopes that getting it out will allow me some peace.
1. I had a phone interview today. I think it went okay but I can’t help but go over my answers in my head, what little I can remember of them. I keep thinking of things I should have said or phrased differently. Somehow during interviews, I always feel like I’m pulling stuff out of thin air, no matter how well prepared I am and how much I know the information I need to give. I keep finding reasons why I may not be what they’re looking for and it’s killing me slowly. Being tired doesn’t seem to be helping the pessimism.
2. Soon I will be seeing very little of my fiance. He’s taking on a part-time job in addition to his full-time one. This second job will certainly give him some valuable experience as well as the chance to learn brand new things that can help him land a better job. The shop owner actually wants to teach someone the ropes and provide learning opportunities. That’s rare. But with both jobs it means all he’ll have time for otherwise is sleep. I want him to take the job and get some valuable experience and learn some new skills, but I’m worried about how I will handle it. I’ll certainly do everything I can not to make it harder but my track record is against me on this one.
3. I’m out of new books to read, but I’m reluctant to go to the library. I have no idea why I don’t go. I never know what to pick up or what I might enjoy reading. I end up looking for all the familiar names and titles instead of picking something totally new. I think I’m going to bite the bullet this week though, because not having anything to read sucks. If you have any suggestions, please do let me know.
4. Speaking of books, I wish I could buy more for my own library. The problem is that books are expensive and then you have to find somewhere to put them and move them with you when you leave home. I LOVE the smell of new books and absolutely love reading a new one that is actually mine and hasn’t been dog-eared or stamped on.
5. I want to take a couple more classes that might help me in my career. I want to take a photography course as well as one in Photoshop. Among my other classes I would like would be design programs (InDesign mainly), HTML and web stuff in general in addition to a possible course in advertising or marketing. Problem is that I don’t want to register and start a class and then have to move for a job. The plan thus far is to wait for the job then fit in the classes if I can. It sounds nearly impossible.
6. The pillows on my bed are terrible. I’m going to have to find some new ones in the closet downstairs. You can bend them in half and they stay folded — definitely a sign they need to be replaced.
7. I miss the lake… still. Wouldn’t the world be a much better place if everyone felt like they were on vacation the entire time? People would be so much nicer and generally happier. The area we were staying in a week ago is so beautiful and full of life. I had something to do pretty much every day and what I had to do was fun. There were more things I wanted to do but we didn’t have time to do everything. Another week would have been so incredibly wonderful, especially with the whole family there.
8. I feel like I should be keeping a journal or something. But I’ve tried several times to start the whole journaling thing and I never can seem to keep up with it. It eventually seems to just drop off of my list and get completely forgotten about because I don’t usually have much to write about. But I’m always attracted to journals themselves and have several blank ones I’ve bought because I love the whole idea of journaling. There’s something about the idea of writing down your life in a nice leather-bound journal that seems like the best thing in the world — even if I’ve never been able to do it successfully.
Now I guess it’s time to try and get some sleep… again. Hopefully this little blogging babble will have paid off and my brain will let me rest.
Back in the saddle again
My internship is pretty much over. This unfortunately means that I have to hit the ground running in the job market. And as we all know, it’s a wreck of a market, especially in Michigan where I live. Michigan’s unemployment rate was at 14 percent last I heard. 14 percent! It’s the highest in the nation and is a record, I believe, for the state.
I don’t want to move too far away from home but I’m left without much of a choice. This economy is just wreaking havoc on my ability to find a career. I’m sure everyone out there can say the same thing to one extent or another. The major majority of my family is here in Michigan. I love my family. I don’t want to have to travel several hours just to come home but it’s looking like there’s no other way.
Tyler is also in the same boat. He has something good going now with Chrysler, but it’s only temporary. There’s a tiny chance they could hire him on permanently, but it certainly can’t be counted on. And as both of our careers are up in the air, we can’t plan for anything. As anyone who knows me will tell you, I hate not being able to have a plan. I absolutely despise the fact that our plans for getting married and finally living a life tied together are almost entirely dependant on the job market. One word – UNSTABLE. I hate it.
But I’m spending the day researching jobs and sending in applications. It’s nearly all I can do at this point and time. I hope and pray every day and night that something will turn aroud for us. Soon.
Out of school and bored
Okay, okay. I know I’ve been slacking. I’m not used to this whole non-school part of life and there hasn’t been much to write about lately. My room is super clean, my closet is organized and so is the rest of the house. I’m still waiting on a phone call to see the outcome of my interview last week. I would imagine I’d get a call by this Friday, but who knows.
In other news, my best friend is back from London where she’s been going to Richmond University. I think she leaves in about a week, though. I haven’t seen her in so long – maybe almost a year. Today is my first shot at actually seeing her face-to-face since she’s been home. We’re going to do a double date thing with our boyfriends and go see the new Star Trek movie. What can I say? We’re nerds, but no we don’t qualify as “trekkies.”
Has everyone heard about the tragedy in Iraq at Camp Liberty? Army Sgt. John Russell opened fire on the camp, killing five of his fellow soldiers. Ironically enough, he was at the stress clinic for the camp when he decided to start shooting. He is now being charged with five counts of murder and one count of aggrivated assault. Russell was on his third tour of duty. His story just further proves how incredibly taxing war is on the human mind. I’ve written about the guy I work with before and how incredibly angry he is. It’s actually scary sometimes. I can see him cracking and doing something like Russell did – he always seems just barely contained.
What does everyone else think of war, or what experiences have you had with someone who has lived through it?
Holy exciting news!
I got a phone call this morning from the executive editor of The Flint Journal. He was calling to schedule an interview with me for a full-time reporter position. This is my first professional interview and I’m excited at the possibility of kicking off my career. I could end up working for the Journal, the Bay City Times or the Saginaw News. The interview itself is in Saginaw, which is about two hours or so away but I’m gladly driving to take my shot.
I’m going to do some studying and research tomorrow to help me feel more confident and relaxed as well as informed. It may also give me a very tiny edge over other possible candidates. In this day and age, I’m battling people with far more experience as the industry has been cutting back so much. I just have to trust in my own capabilities and go all in, win or lose. I think I’m a strong contender for this position, but if someone else proves stronger then I will have gained some valuable interviewing experience and at least know that they were interested and may not be totally out of the running for future positions.
I was so thrilled to be considered for the job. Even though it is entry level and doesn’t pay much, I completely expected that. I still get overtime, which I would imagine reporters are at least occasionally if not frequently getting, along with good benefits and a 401K matching program. They also provide reimbursement for expenses, as usual, and also any technology that may have to come my way in order to do the job. It sounds like a great deal overall and I still wouldn’t be too far from home.
My sister and I went shopping after the call came in. I just discovered that the suit I’ve had for a couple of years no longer fit the bill – as in is now too tight across the chest and back. Does anyone else loathe the process of trying to find clothes that fit well and don’t run up the credit card balance? Sometimes I swear it’s nearly impossible. I ended up finding something that looked good and wasn’t too incredibly expensive, much to my relief. For some reason I just never thought about trying on my old suit before that phone call. Silly me.
Can you tell I’m excited?
I do exist!
It’s been so long since my last post. First off, I apologize to my few regular readers. I have been returning to a normal life after graduating (YAY!) and moving back home (read: mooch off my parents while I still can). I had boxes and laundry baskets full of God knows what crammed into my room for three days while I tried to sort things out. It’s been kind of crazy and I’m sure you understand.
Graduation went really well. The speaker turned out to be Richard Smith, a top dog from Newsweek and someone in my field. Oh, how I wish I could have talked to him instead of immediately being shuffled outside. I would have done pretty much anything (within reason) for a chance to talk with him, even for a few minutes. It also turns out that I graduated summa cum laude and my senior thesis was accepted by the Honors College. It was a GREAT day.
And now I turn to more serious matters. It’s just more bad news bears for the automotive industry as Chrysler declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy yesterday morning. When are the automotive people going to get around and come up with a solution that works? Clearly something needs to be done toward alternative fuels in addition to changing operations. I’m sorry, but CEOs need to take a pay-cut too – and a big one at that. Continuing to earn $3 million plus is NOT okay when the average joe is getting his measly salary cut in half. It seems like the economy needs a hero of epic proportions.
But I am also pleasantly surprised that I have been able to apply for several print media positions across the state of Michigan. I wasn’t expected to see the number of open positions as I have seen, albeit not many. My field seems to be just as bad if not worse than the automotive industry in terms of the job market and funding. I haven’t gotten any good news on that front yet, but hopefully someone will see my talent and give me a shot. Lord knows I DO NOT want to keep working at a smoke-filled bar for long. At least I’m able to freelance.
Well, this post has been a huge jumble of thoughts and probably none of it too interesting. But it’s past my bedtime and I’m tired. At least I stayed up to update. Aren’t you glad you have a dedicated blogger to read?
Empty walls and hollow sounds
My apartment on campus is getting pretty depressing. We’re all moving out this week as the semester comes to a close and we move on. My roomies and I have been gradually packing up our stuff and bringing it home. The walls are bare where my roommate’s Twilight posters were hung and the polka-dot wall stickies were removed. My room is also devoid of posters with a nearly empty closet and bookshelf. And it’s starting to echo in the apartment, which is the most hollow sound imaginable when it’s the place you’ve lived in for eight months.
Even though I’m happy to be graduating and moving forward, I can’t help but be sad that I won’t be coming back next year. This year has been awesome and I never thought it would be because of my crazy schedule. I actually got placed with an amazing roommate whom I now consider one of my best friends. She has made this stressful year so much more fun than it would have been without her. I will miss her extremely off-key serenades and drunken debauchery, which always led to some hilarious entertainment and me putting her to bed. I’ll even miss her super pink room where we would sit on her squishy foam-topped bed and talk for hours. She is hands down the best roomie I’ve ever had.
I don’t know what the world will hold for me after graduation. I’m so used to being a student that I’m not quite sure about how to operate in the professional world. I’m not a kid any more, though I still go running home to my mom when something happens – she’s always been my rock in this hectic world. I know that these feelings are normal, but it’s scary knowing that you’re on your own now.
It’s almost as though some little piece of my heart just emptied out and I don’t know how to fill the space. Corny, I know, but that’s how it feels. John Mayer sums it up perfectly. I’ve never connected with a song more than I do right now with “Stop This Train.”
Lyrics:
No, I’m not colorblind
I know the world is black and white
Try to keep an open mind
But I just can’t sleep on this tonight
Stop this train
I wanna get off
And go home again
I can’t take the speed it’s moving in
I know I can’t
But honestly, won’t someone stop this train?
Don’t know how else to say it
Don’t want to see my parents go
One generation’s length away
From fighting life out on my own
Stop this train
I wanna get off
And go home again
I can’t take the speed it’s moving in
I know I can’t
But honestly, won’t someone stop this train?
So scared of getting older
I’m only good at being young
So I play the numbers game
To find a way to say that life has just begun
Had a talk with my old man
Said “help me understand”
He said “turn sixty-eight
You renegotiate”
“Don’t stop this train
Don’t for a minute change the place you’re in
And don’t think I couldn’t ever understand
I tried my hand
John, honestly we’ll never stop this train”
Once in awhile, when it’s good
It’ll feel like it should
And they’re all still around
And you’re still safe and sound
And you don’t miss a thing
Till you cry when you’re driving away in the dark
Singing
Stop this train
I wanna get off
And go home again
I can’t take the speed it’s moving in
I know I can
Cause now I see I’ll never stop this train
