This past week was my first week working at Subway. I like the fact that the hiring manager and the store manager that I did my training under are very friendly, kind, and passionate about what they do. I learned a bit about businesses that I didn't know before/or realize. For example, if the business is down at a store, they are likely to cut back hours or transfer the employees to other stores. Also - didn't realize until recently that money that is made either through business or commission is important for payroll. I also do enjoy the fast pace that Subway has during the shifts - it is constant with making subs, cash register, customer service, keeping the place clean (I was stoked that they actually have to-do lists!), and stock.
In the meantime, I am trying to get into the habit of going to the gym consistently... even if I don't want to walk 2 miles to the gym from my house... (although I am a fairly motivated person and I love the feeling I get after I work out). I am also hoping to be able to run for long periods of time (I really want to push through running without fear of my asthma flaring up holding me back), utilize yoga into my workouts (before and after main workout), and become more toned. Right now, I have a Pinterest board dedicated to yoga - so I hope to keep learning more about poses and which ones that help my body with movement... (Maybe pick up some grace in my life with yoga but who am I kidding - I fell the other day walking and constantly run into things)
Also, another goal of mine is to learn to budget in a way that works for me... I have heard different things about opening savings account (1+), balancing my finances (or balancing a checkbook - but I have used Excel before), and living as if I have very little money. I like all of these ideas but I need to utilize what is best for me to do. I like to think I am on the frugal side - especially with my hygiene stuff, medicine + supplements, and foodstuff. However, I do tend to spend more on shoes (and for good reason - haha) and have gotten into the habit of eating out/lazily - so I do need to stick with good... So my goal for next month is to have a running Excel sheet for expenses and to monitor what is in my bank account more closely.
Also, my parents are having the floors redone, so I will have the opportunity to learn New Britain and fingers crossed to visit CCSU tomorrow :).
Sunday, September 24, 2017
Thursday, September 14, 2017
"Adulting"
So - not too much has happened since I left Vermont. Things have been busy with filling out online job applications, in person job applications, interviews, a job offer, waiting to hear back from this places, reaching out for a faculty member to research with in Graduate School, and so on.
I have had several interviews now - and waiting. I have one offer and a 50/50 shot at a job at Walgreens. At the job interview for Walgreens, the manager asked how I would feel about working in the pharmacy - especially with my biology degree. This was an option without needing licensure but I would still be able to work in the back. The Subway Position is on the table but I would likely to take the Walgreens job if they were to offer it to me before I begin. I also had an interview at Kohls - in form of a group interview - which was different. There was another interview opportunity but I had an appointment that would have conflicted with it. I am happy with something because I am bored out of my mind and need activities to do to occupy my time until I attend graduate school. The job search is a frustrating and tedious one with A LOT of things that come up - including not hearing back, rejections, online sites that have numbers to call, etc.
Speaking of graduate school - I have heard back from the faculty member I would like to work with (medical entomology - yay). I am also planning on visiting the open house in October and maybe even visit the campus if I can. I can't wait to jump back into research!
Also - I recently joined Planet Fitness - mainly because running and the elements are not in my favour (even though I am in a place with different allergy seasons etc). But I am determined to be as active as I can and to take care of my health. Speaking of health, I had my first annual physical (aside from just a normal asthma appointments/sick visits in the past). I had a slip up with not realizing these blood tests are fasting based - and I drank coffee this morning with milk - and found out after from my stepmom that can cause problems (In my defense I was asked if I ATE anything - not asked about drinking anything).
And I finally have a plan of action for asthma. I decided to try Fluticasone spray, in addition to my two inhalers - and if there is no difference then try Singulair. (I really don't take pills but if I have too). And for the event of being sick - I would go visit the doctor and get prescribed a short round of predisone (so I don't have weeks of attacks and symptoms - I am slightly struggling with exercise)...
And in other news - learning to budget and efficiently save money --> because of insurance (medical and car), plane tickets, probable rent, graduate school fees, etc. Time for the spreadsheets!
I have had several interviews now - and waiting. I have one offer and a 50/50 shot at a job at Walgreens. At the job interview for Walgreens, the manager asked how I would feel about working in the pharmacy - especially with my biology degree. This was an option without needing licensure but I would still be able to work in the back. The Subway Position is on the table but I would likely to take the Walgreens job if they were to offer it to me before I begin. I also had an interview at Kohls - in form of a group interview - which was different. There was another interview opportunity but I had an appointment that would have conflicted with it. I am happy with something because I am bored out of my mind and need activities to do to occupy my time until I attend graduate school. The job search is a frustrating and tedious one with A LOT of things that come up - including not hearing back, rejections, online sites that have numbers to call, etc.
Speaking of graduate school - I have heard back from the faculty member I would like to work with (medical entomology - yay). I am also planning on visiting the open house in October and maybe even visit the campus if I can. I can't wait to jump back into research!
Also - I recently joined Planet Fitness - mainly because running and the elements are not in my favour (even though I am in a place with different allergy seasons etc). But I am determined to be as active as I can and to take care of my health. Speaking of health, I had my first annual physical (aside from just a normal asthma appointments/sick visits in the past). I had a slip up with not realizing these blood tests are fasting based - and I drank coffee this morning with milk - and found out after from my stepmom that can cause problems (In my defense I was asked if I ATE anything - not asked about drinking anything).
And I finally have a plan of action for asthma. I decided to try Fluticasone spray, in addition to my two inhalers - and if there is no difference then try Singulair. (I really don't take pills but if I have too). And for the event of being sick - I would go visit the doctor and get prescribed a short round of predisone (so I don't have weeks of attacks and symptoms - I am slightly struggling with exercise)...
And in other news - learning to budget and efficiently save money --> because of insurance (medical and car), plane tickets, probable rent, graduate school fees, etc. Time for the spreadsheets!
Friday, September 8, 2017
Patience is a virtue?
I want to write about a concept that we are taught from a young age and is a necessary concept throughout one's life. Patience is a virtue...
So, I am the type of person who is very patient with other people (I was once told I had the patience of Job by one of my professors after I let another student talk to her in the middle of an ongoing conversation and waited until he was done speaking to her). I have worked with young children, been with special needs individuals, and children/ teenagers from the worst of situations at my old church and at camp. This helped me develop a strong sense of patience especially when a child is slow in cleaning up, challenges in getting to places, has a problematic behavior, so on. Yet --- I have a hard time waiting for things in my life... especially now as an adult!?!?!
I have had several instances in my of having to wait on things to happen: I started my undergraduate career a semester later than I planned on... And because of this, I had to start my major courses later than those who came in during the fall with decided majors because of limited class availability... but I was able to go to school to fulfill my dream of going to college... Then at the end of my junior year, I learned I would be graduating with an extra semester and a semester later due to the changes in my degree (from psychology, both psychology and biology, to a BS in biology - to a BA - not once - BUT TWICE) and needing classes to fulfill graduation requirements. This wasn't a bad thing - I graduated with three minors, took art classes, got a research and conference opportunity, and got to graduate with my friends who graduated in May.
Now for those who know me - I have yet to get my license. Partly, because I was in circumstances I couldn't control in high school and the other part lack of time to put into driving and a rough time with driving lessons in NC because of unresolved vision issues and anxiety. NOW, at 24 years old I am attending drivers education for adults and driving lessons that my parents did for a graduation gift. Again, I had to wait to start them because I took a job offer at Kenmont/Kenwood camp over the summer.... But thankfully my dad understands because he got his drivers license in his mid-late twenties. AND I WILL BE BEYOND GRATEFUL FOR MY LICENSE!
And lastly, patience is needed for job searching and graduate school... I have been applying like crazy to many different places... I have a limited selection until after December and when I get my license - so I am focused on retail, grocery, and food jobs... I got a job offer for Subway - and I have 10 days out until I start and I will have some limited hours (at first - but then once I am trained I can ask for more hours and be placed at other stores... surprisingly A LOT of subways are in Bristol). However, there may be a possible chance I may need to switch to a place with more hours or add a second PT job - but I won't know until I find out what my hours are and of course when I get my license. But for now, I have a job and they were impressed with my patience and understanding during the interview and my work ethic.
Then this leads to the last thing - graduate school... GAP years are not for the impatient... thankfully I took it because unless I cloned myself senior year, I would have never had the money, time, or ability to apply for graduate school. Application fees are hefty, there is so much time that goes into writing personal narratives, tracking down three recommendations, resumes, financial aid, contacting who you want to work with, etc. And when I start my masters it will be the greatest feeling ever - well aside from the stress that will come with thesis of course! So all in all, patience is a good thing but it can be a challenging thing. Having to wait for things to happen isn't always bad as in my case but it is difficult, especially as a young adult finding her way in the world...
So, I am the type of person who is very patient with other people (I was once told I had the patience of Job by one of my professors after I let another student talk to her in the middle of an ongoing conversation and waited until he was done speaking to her). I have worked with young children, been with special needs individuals, and children/ teenagers from the worst of situations at my old church and at camp. This helped me develop a strong sense of patience especially when a child is slow in cleaning up, challenges in getting to places, has a problematic behavior, so on. Yet --- I have a hard time waiting for things in my life... especially now as an adult!?!?!
I have had several instances in my of having to wait on things to happen: I started my undergraduate career a semester later than I planned on... And because of this, I had to start my major courses later than those who came in during the fall with decided majors because of limited class availability... but I was able to go to school to fulfill my dream of going to college... Then at the end of my junior year, I learned I would be graduating with an extra semester and a semester later due to the changes in my degree (from psychology, both psychology and biology, to a BS in biology - to a BA - not once - BUT TWICE) and needing classes to fulfill graduation requirements. This wasn't a bad thing - I graduated with three minors, took art classes, got a research and conference opportunity, and got to graduate with my friends who graduated in May.
Now for those who know me - I have yet to get my license. Partly, because I was in circumstances I couldn't control in high school and the other part lack of time to put into driving and a rough time with driving lessons in NC because of unresolved vision issues and anxiety. NOW, at 24 years old I am attending drivers education for adults and driving lessons that my parents did for a graduation gift. Again, I had to wait to start them because I took a job offer at Kenmont/Kenwood camp over the summer.... But thankfully my dad understands because he got his drivers license in his mid-late twenties. AND I WILL BE BEYOND GRATEFUL FOR MY LICENSE!
And lastly, patience is needed for job searching and graduate school... I have been applying like crazy to many different places... I have a limited selection until after December and when I get my license - so I am focused on retail, grocery, and food jobs... I got a job offer for Subway - and I have 10 days out until I start and I will have some limited hours (at first - but then once I am trained I can ask for more hours and be placed at other stores... surprisingly A LOT of subways are in Bristol). However, there may be a possible chance I may need to switch to a place with more hours or add a second PT job - but I won't know until I find out what my hours are and of course when I get my license. But for now, I have a job and they were impressed with my patience and understanding during the interview and my work ethic.
Then this leads to the last thing - graduate school... GAP years are not for the impatient... thankfully I took it because unless I cloned myself senior year, I would have never had the money, time, or ability to apply for graduate school. Application fees are hefty, there is so much time that goes into writing personal narratives, tracking down three recommendations, resumes, financial aid, contacting who you want to work with, etc. And when I start my masters it will be the greatest feeling ever - well aside from the stress that will come with thesis of course! So all in all, patience is a good thing but it can be a challenging thing. Having to wait for things to happen isn't always bad as in my case but it is difficult, especially as a young adult finding her way in the world...
Tuesday, September 5, 2017
Who am I and Who I am
I want to warn readers that this blog will be slightly philosophical in nature. This question is something I wanted to blog about after watching Mayim Bialik's videos and what it means for me now in this stage of my life. These are common questions we wonder about from time to time, especially as young adults. Who am I? Where will I go to school, graduate school, work? What am I doing with my life? Will I fit in? Will I get married... etc. the list goes on and on.
In several videos by Mayim Bialik, she talks about never fitting in and being a geeky mom. NOW... this was surprising to me because she is super amazing to me. Especially since there are many people out there that are doing well in life but still feel like they aren't good enough or they don't fit in... She is an actress, got her Ph.D. in neuroscience, and is very adamant about what she stands for. She is confident about herself/life, dresses modestly in public, and sticks to her morals/values, which I can only imagine as being difficult in Hollywood.
Several months ago now, I moved to Connecticut after spending 20 years of my life in North Carolina and four and half years at a small college, where I felt the most comfortable... I felt like I lost part of my life - where there were people who understood my quirkiness, strengths, and likes/dislikes. Yet - what I failed to realize was that I am still me. My life has been influenced by so many people, from friends, church family, to mentors/professors. I still think about Dr. C showing me images of spiders and explaining the different species every time I go out with my camera or see a spider. I think about how taking creative writing in high school helped me realize my potential as a writer - even though I didn't want to for a while and how I am writing in my field now as a freelancer. And also the influence of Dr. H as a mentor on my career path and how at times it seems like I am a bit like her (and so people say). I think back to the day in Panera Bread when she asked me if I wanted to do research with her or making fun of her for studying mosquitoes and belly bacteria. And the list can go on and on...
With this said, I am in the process of finding temporary jobs until I start graduate school and assistantship programs. It is easy to become discouraged and feels like I am not going in the right direction or feel "stuck" (a term I often use) sometimes. But with confidence is slowly building, I know who I am and where I am going - even if it doesn't seem clear at times. At the end of the day, I am glad that I have my four-year degree, have been able to have the opportunities research/intern/present, and am able to pursue a freelance job. I am strong, independent, compassionate, passionate, patient, creative, free-spirited, and active person.
Sunday, September 3, 2017
September is Here! - Gap Year Adventures continue
So - things have been slower than I am used to and of course, there have been ups and downs. But that is a normal part of life.
I have been doing work for Dr. K, including editing a piece down to an 8th-grade level, drafted a piece to put in a rotary newsletter, and have audited both the desktop and mobile sites. The audit was definitely the most challenging task to complete next to the writing at an 8th-grade level. I am so beyond glad that I have a job I enjoy while I am searching for a job. While on the topic of finding a job - it is challenging to find a job. I have heard back from places but every so often. Most of these places want a person to have experience - which I have job experience(s) but not in fast food or retail OR need a license (for example I would love to take a job nannying or working with special needs adolescents - but driving is important). I was offered a job interview for nonprofit, Citizens Campaign for the Environment but turned it down because of the travel time (2+ hr commute via bus) and driving lessons would cause time conflicts. Also, I have an interview for Subway this coming Wednesday - hopefully, something works out on that end and I will find something regardless of how long it takes.
On the other hand, I am looking to apply to Central Connecticut State University for the fall of 2018... I got the information in the mail about the school and what I need to do about applying, Additionally, I reached out to a faculty member and she is interested in working with me to help pursue my goals and keeping in touch with me if I am interested in pursuing CCSU. I have to get three recommendation letters, a letter, and my transcript and apply. This should work out! I hope - but I am nervous but excited thinking about it. Superstoked to attend the open house on the 14th of October.
Meanwhile, last week I found out on of my friends (from college) died. It was definitely hard because I hadn't talked to her much in the past year and a half - both of our lives got too crazy to keep up with each other. And this is one of my fears that I have always had... But it also goes to show you how precious life is and to cherish everyone and every day.
Lastly, I have been in Vermont with my parents. My stepmom was able to book us a house on Joe's Pond and it has been gorgeous. We have been able to stop by all the little shops (this is a state is definitely more sparse than some of the towns I lived in Rowan County). I have gotten all kinds of random stuff, from a winter coat for $9 dollars (I was a bit worried about that for this upcoming winter and how cold it is supposed to get), a purse for $7, flip flops, a cute scarf for fall, artisan soap, bracelets/necklace, and all kind of things to send in a mini care package to three of my friends. We also visited Cabot Creamery, where they make cheese and other processed dairy items, and Ben & Jerry's - which was awesome! They even have frozen yogurt! Additionally, we also visited the capital, Montpelier, St. Johnsbury, & Lake Champlain for a huge state-wide fair. Also - I was able to attend my first concert which was John Mellencamp - and I knew exactly who he was and his music (surprising to my stepmom) from growing up and my mom constantly playing 80's music. He was one of her favorite musicians and I remember how she loved the song, Jack & Diane. Hate that I am leaving tomorrow but I am ready to get back in some normalcy and continue my graduate school and job searching endeavours.
I have been doing work for Dr. K, including editing a piece down to an 8th-grade level, drafted a piece to put in a rotary newsletter, and have audited both the desktop and mobile sites. The audit was definitely the most challenging task to complete next to the writing at an 8th-grade level. I am so beyond glad that I have a job I enjoy while I am searching for a job. While on the topic of finding a job - it is challenging to find a job. I have heard back from places but every so often. Most of these places want a person to have experience - which I have job experience(s) but not in fast food or retail OR need a license (for example I would love to take a job nannying or working with special needs adolescents - but driving is important). I was offered a job interview for nonprofit, Citizens Campaign for the Environment but turned it down because of the travel time (2+ hr commute via bus) and driving lessons would cause time conflicts. Also, I have an interview for Subway this coming Wednesday - hopefully, something works out on that end and I will find something regardless of how long it takes.
On the other hand, I am looking to apply to Central Connecticut State University for the fall of 2018... I got the information in the mail about the school and what I need to do about applying, Additionally, I reached out to a faculty member and she is interested in working with me to help pursue my goals and keeping in touch with me if I am interested in pursuing CCSU. I have to get three recommendation letters, a letter, and my transcript and apply. This should work out! I hope - but I am nervous but excited thinking about it. Superstoked to attend the open house on the 14th of October.
Meanwhile, last week I found out on of my friends (from college) died. It was definitely hard because I hadn't talked to her much in the past year and a half - both of our lives got too crazy to keep up with each other. And this is one of my fears that I have always had... But it also goes to show you how precious life is and to cherish everyone and every day.
Lastly, I have been in Vermont with my parents. My stepmom was able to book us a house on Joe's Pond and it has been gorgeous. We have been able to stop by all the little shops (this is a state is definitely more sparse than some of the towns I lived in Rowan County). I have gotten all kinds of random stuff, from a winter coat for $9 dollars (I was a bit worried about that for this upcoming winter and how cold it is supposed to get), a purse for $7, flip flops, a cute scarf for fall, artisan soap, bracelets/necklace, and all kind of things to send in a mini care package to three of my friends. We also visited Cabot Creamery, where they make cheese and other processed dairy items, and Ben & Jerry's - which was awesome! They even have frozen yogurt! Additionally, we also visited the capital, Montpelier, St. Johnsbury, & Lake Champlain for a huge state-wide fair. Also - I was able to attend my first concert which was John Mellencamp - and I knew exactly who he was and his music (surprising to my stepmom) from growing up and my mom constantly playing 80's music. He was one of her favorite musicians and I remember how she loved the song, Jack & Diane. Hate that I am leaving tomorrow but I am ready to get back in some normalcy and continue my graduate school and job searching endeavours.
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