Spring Break

While this may not be the most blog-worthy post ever, it contains the things that have been on my mind the whole semester. By that I mean, I'm trying to a find a job and I've been pre-occupied with it since January. So, I spent much of spring break job hunting. And folks, it's tough out there. I applied in January to numerous visitors' centers throughout the state of Wisconsin, a few museums, and to a couple organizations with PR/Writing positions available, and came up empty-handed. This week, I applied to a few museum jobs, and I especially desire two in particular. They are both really fabulous museum-type tourist traps outside Chicago. One is called Cantigny Park, which contains gardens, museums, and a whole mess of other attractions for folks to enjoy. I'd be an Education Assistant basically, so that would be solid. The other is called Naper Settlement, and it's a Victorian village. Again, I'd be doing Education Assistant-type things. Needless to say, I WANT them. BAD. Also, I know my cousin would love it if I came to live by her :)

The other two museum jobs I'm less thrilled with. Of course, any of them would be awesome. Let's face it, a job in almost any field would be awesome at this point. One is in Wausau, which would mean I could live with my parents and save rent, etc. But I'd also be living with my parents. I realize that a lot of college grads end up back with Mom and Dad, but after leaving for a while, it's hard to live with them again indefinitely. The other is in Phoenix, AZ, and while that would be cool (hot weather, no snow, far away, etc.) I'm not sure I'm ready to move quite so far away from family and friends. So, I really want those jobs in Illinois. I can't believe I'm actually saying that I want to move to Illinois. :)

I also applied for a few communication jobs in multiple hospitals and clinics throughout the Midwest. And while those jobs would be great, anyone who knows me well also knows that I want to work in museum education. It's my dream. But I'm being realistic about the economy at this point in time. Bottom line: I need a job. I really want a job in museum education. But if I don't find that, I'll take anything else that kind of-sort of-maybe relates to either of my majors.

It is depressing? To know that I may not get my dream job, well, perhaps never? Yes and no. I've come to find that the more you plan, the more your plans change. So I'm not planning. Wishing, hoping, dreaming? Absolutely.

But enough about that. The rest of spring break has been filled with enjoying mindless television, eating home-cooked meals and gaining the required amount of pounds from said meals, and then working out to work off those pounds. I also spent some time with my parents, which was nice. Hopefully I'll be heading up to Mankato for a long weekend to see a good friend who's in grad school up there. Oh, homework. Can't forget that. I've done a bit, and will do some more. I can't escape it. But come May 21, I will have won. Ha.

What I've Learned

A while back, and by that mean in high school, I read something called "What I've Learned." It inspired me to write, but at the time I didn't think I was wise enough (or mature enough, really) to write something similar. I guess five years makes all the difference? Not really, but I decided that in my final semester of college (gasp!) I would put pen to paper, or key to computer screen, and attempt to write what I've learned in my twenty-three years of life. So here goes...

1) I've learned that there is such a thing as pushing too hard. Like 38 Special said, it's better to hold on loosely.

2) I've learned that time changes people, sometimes for the better, and sometimes for the worse. However, I've also learned that it's not my position to judge that.

3) I've learned that everyone has insecurities. It's how you handle them that makes all the difference.

4) I've learned that I would rather be amazing at one thing than average at many things.

5) I've learned that I don't have to be perfect at everything. I've also learned that achieving perfection is impossible.

5) I've learned that it's not worth it to change yourself for others.

6) I've learned that others can't love you if you don't love yourself.

7) I've learned that good things to happen to good people, given time.

8) I've learned that being on top isn't all it's cracked up to be.

9) I've learned that you can't force love. You have to let it grow naturally.

10) I've learned that stress can be good because it provides perspective.

11) I've learned that stress can be bad if you don't know how to handle it.

12) I've learned that friendship doesn't mean talking every day. It means still feeling a connection to someone you haven't spoken with in two months, and picking up right where you left off.

13) I've learned that people come into your life for a reason and leave when they have served their purpose.

14) I've learned that sometimes, you have to rely on yourself.

15) I've learned that it's important to pick your battles.

16) I've learned that sometimes you have to make things happen, and that sometimes you have to let things happen.

17) I've learned that my parents are usually right.

18) I've learned that some conflict is healthy.

19) I've learned that writing can ease pain, heal hurt, and cure loneliness.

20) I've learned that if I don't give everything I have, I will be unsatisfied when I reach the end.