Almost Done!

Thursday, May 14, 2009

I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I finally finished my last day of classes on Tuesday and I have my only final next Monday. The last week and a half has been uber crazy and though I wanted to write a post, I just didn't have any time! I finally finished all my articles and papers, including getting only an hour and a half of sleep Tuesday night working on my final paper for my world politics class.

So yesterday I went back home for a day to get some last minute errands done because I won't have time to do them before I see TR in a few days. I had a job interview with the USO for a part-time paid position this summer and I'm glad to say that I got it!! I'm so excited! My summer is finally coming together. I get to do my internship and get paid at another job that is really an amazing opportunity and also both are in the city! It's been my dream to work in the city and I get to do it all week long. At the USO, they're going to have me working on publishing pamphlets and newsletters and the such. I also will probably get to be writing some news stories for them along with taking photos of events. I can't wait to get out of school, see TR and get my internship and job started.

My roommate pretty much moved out today so now our room is really bare and white and I really don't like it. I can't wait till next semester when I'm in a slightly bigger room. I think I know how I want it set it up to maximize on the space we have.

Tomorrow I'm going to a lunch at my work sponsored by the journalism department congratulating our media organization on a year well done. Pretty pumped about that. Then a few hours later I will be working there, haha!

Going to watch the season finale of Supernatural now. SO excited!

Ciao!

I got the internship!!

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Yep!! They e-mailed me Friday and congratulated me on my acceptance into the program. I am really psyched that I got in and have the opportunity to work so close to politics. The access I will have will be incredible. So excited!!

This weekend I slept in a lot to recover from three straight nights of work. But heck, I was earning money so I'm not complaining too much.

Today was soooo hot and disgusting. Walking around campus with a laptop, three notebooks, a water bottle, and all other miscellaneous items in a backpack did not help things. But I was able to escape the heat for a few moments when I had to travel through an underground tunnel from one building to another. I had heard about it before, but never had to use it. It was pretty chilly down there, but definitely a walk I'd take again if it gets back up in the 90s.

I was looking for this department that offers Pashto, the Afghan language, because I want to sign up for it in the fall. As I was telling the woman at the counter what language I was interested in, one of the workers in the office turned around from his computer to look at me. Haha! I guess they don't get that request a lot.

I have an interview tomorrow morning with a veteran who created a group on campus that brings other veterans together to talk and find resources for opportunities offered to them. I've been trying to get a hold of him for about a week now and just relieved to finally move on with this article.

Since I decided to stick with the internship, I'm trying to look for part-time work so that I can have some money this summer to spend. I e-mailed the local USO to see if they have any positions available and the woman who wrote back asked for my resume, so I am really crossing my fingers that I'll get it.

I also finally booked my plane ticket to see TR in the coming weeks. Pumped!! I haven't seen him since January 11th (wow, that really is a long time ago...) and we are both really excited to hang out for a week before I start my internship. It'll be fun to be "domestic" and get to know one another more.

And as a closing thought, here is a photo I took today of someone's car bumper. It made me smile for it's take on the peace sign and the simplicity of the idea. Love it!

Why can't I be a Russian Bride?

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

I just called the people who are in charge of applications for the Post job where TR is. They said that it could be 30 to 60 DAYS before I even hear anything, and that is only if I get the job. They also said that it would most likely get referred to a military spouse! Who would have thunk that it would be easier to get a job if I married someone? It's like affirmative action, married spouses vs. girlfriends.

I really can't risk waiting to ever hear back from them and risk my chances for the internship. That would just be really stupid of me.

Little do they know, they have the power to keep me from TR this summer or not. And it's killing me...

As my mom always says, "Welcome to Army life".

Joy....>_<

Jobs, Jobs, and More Jobs!

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

So after my classes today, I went to talk to this Major that is at the Army ROTC on campus to ask him for an interview for my article. I hadn't heard back from him in a while and wanted to meet him in person so that we could sit down and talk about setting one up. He was a really nice guy and gave me some information on the G.I. Bill and a source who looks like he will be able to help me a lot with my Veteran article. The interview with the Major will be at the end of the week and before then I have to send him my questions so that they can look them over. It's to be expected of the Army. But I'm really excited about giving the interview and learning more about what Veterans are doing to get back into school and how they are adjusting to their new role as a student.

TR also sent me an e-mail with a bunch of links to summer internships for next year with the government and one of them looks really interesting. They pay for my housing and travel and I get to work with people in the field. Exciting!

Right after the first e-mail, he sent me another one for a vacancy that closes tomorrow! Great timing, honey. He then proceeds to call me and pressures me into applying. So now I have to scramble around campus tomorrow to see if I can get my transcript asap (don't know if that will happen...). It's a nice paying job for the summer, not in my field of interest, but still a foot in the door. I'm still hoping to get the job where TR is now and waiting to see what the people for this summer's internship have to say about my interview.

Oh! I bought that SEAL t-shirt that I said I was going to buy in my last post. It should be at my house in about 3 days. Wicked psyched!! I had TR look at some of their other shirts and I might get him one in the future.

I also FINALLY got my fencing team jacket today! Hallelujah! We had to send them back because they didn't outline the lettering on the back of the jacket, the same mistake they supposedly made last year. Very frustrating! But I have it now with my name spelled correctly, so I am all set. It's just too bad that I am getting it at the end of the season because I really would have liked to have worn it in some of my past tournaments. Oh well. Just going to have to wait till next semester I guess.

Spring is here and I finally get a break

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Hey! So sorry I haven't been updating. I had the week from Hell last week and luckily I'm getting a long weekend to relax and post.

A lot has been happening. I'm writing two feature articles, one for my journalism class and one for my media organization where I am an editor. The one for class is going to really bite me in the butt because I haven't been able to interview anyone for it and it was due last Thursday but my teacher said I could have more time because of all my work. Last week I had no time to interview any sources because they either couldn't make it, or turned out to not have the information I needed. I'm writing about veterans coming back to college life and what adjustments and issues they have to deal with. I have one friend on stand-by who can help, but because we are actually friends, it would really be a conflict of interest.

For my other article, I am writing about the marching band on campus and how they don't have a building to officially call home. They were kicked out of their original building in 1998 and have since been spread out over campus. Their current offices are actually in a condemned building that is in the budget to be demolished, but hasn't been because they are there and the University can't do it until they can place them somewhere else. Trying to get in contact with the head of band is also really hard because he is such a busy man. Hopefully I can schedule something with him this week.

TR has also had some big things happen. Since he's moved into his new house, he's been able to build some of his furniture and have his place semi-organized. His parents visited this weekend and helped fix the place up a bit while he was at work! I love his parents! They are some of the nicest people I know and have always been good to me.

TR also has his first funeral tomorrow. Because I've been so busy, I wasn't able to write about it. He is now the funeral detail officer-in-charge i.e. the officer who passes the flag from the coffin to the next of kin. It is a huge honor to represent the nation and I could not think of anyone better to support a family than TR. He has such a kind and gentle manner that I'm sure they'll find comfort in his presence.

I'm glad his first assignment isn't a young soldier, because I know he has to get used to the emotional weight that comes with this duty. Having to deal with something so tragic as a life cut short would not be a good start to an already difficult duty.

I also have a very hard decision to make. I applied for an internship that involves new media (video, photography, internet, twitter, etc.) and press and they had me come in for an interview this past Friday. I think I did really well and they really seemed to like me. The internship sounds amazing and it would be totally awesome to do it for the summer. However, it is unpaid and I would have to find a part time job (or ask for money from my parents, blah! Trying to save up as I write this!) and I wouldn't be near TR.

I also applied for a position near TR and would be able to see him everyday for the entire summer and get paid. However, this isn't in my career focus at all, but I would be able to develop my relationship with TR.

Even though TR and I have been "together" for 10 months, we've really only been physically together for about two months. Most, if not all, of our relationship has either been on the phone or on Skype. It's really hard to develop when we don't spend that much time together and learn about each other's quirks, likes and dislikes, and the consistency of a regular relationship.

So for me, it is really important that I get to know him as much as I can with the time I have because he can't move from where he is, so it is up to me to decide when I can come see him. This summer would be the last time we would ever have this much time before his deployment because as the months get closer, the busier he will be with training.

I have to decide whether to go for this internship if it is offered to me or go to the job where TR is if it is also offered to me. I am at a crisis and trying to find my way through it. I know that I have time to do this internship again next summer, so that is a plus. Also if I wait, I would gain more experience at school with my media organization and classes. I just hope I find out soon (like this week) what my options will be for the summer. That is probably what I will be praying for today at church when I go.

Has anyone had to make a hard decision on whether to see their significant other or pursue career experience/education/work?

Job market is not so good for a civilian girl

Monday, April 6, 2009

So as my semester begins to whine down and final exams are a month away, it's that time of year again that I dread: Summer Job Hunting.

Now, last summer I thought finding a job was really bad. I had filled out at least 3 to 5 applications for work all over the place, and my best friend even put up 10 (she has a car and could get to more while I have to a more limited range) and she didn't get a bite either! Luckily, I was able to find work at a local pizza joint, but even that didn't last the whole summer.

This summer doesn't look that good either. And what bites most is that I want to start doing internships for my career because they are helpful, if not necessary, for getting a good job in journalism. I am currently in the process of applying for one (I have a phone interview tomorrow) and like most internships, it doesn't pay.

BIG PROBLEM!

I'm planning on studying abroad next year and that means I have to save money now because I can't get a job while I'm there.

So, I need an internship to gain experience in my field and I need money to get me the education I need to gain the experience that will allow me to enter my field.

Ahh, the dynamics of life.

You see my predicament? However, I'm trying to work it out by also looking for work where my bf is posted. I'm looking at a job that will give me a good salary, flexible, and active. The catch is that it is not even remotely related to my career path as a journalist. But hell, it's a summer job and I need money and time with my bf.

Applying to this job is kind of a pain in the butt. I have to have my resume in a specific format and follow all of these rules and answer all of these questions. I just remembered that I wanted to call them today and ask them some questions about applying. I just need to get it all done so that it can be off my chest and not be a constant worry while I'm trying to deal with school matters.

Now, my bf gets to flaunt the fact that his career is "recession proof" and his pay won't be affected at all, whereas mine is definitely not recession proof and is pretty much on the verge of dying. It's the reason why I want an internship and the reason why I want to study abroad to get more experience. I guess no matter how much you plan, not everything will work out and you just have to make the best of it.

I'm probably going to choose getting a job that pays over an internship. It's not what I want, but it is best for my current situation.

I just hope I don't end up like this later in life.