New Additions and Life :)

Life is so interesting to me, and taking a look back on what I have done and what is to come still in my life...it is exciting! Things have been well lately, I know I haven't been in the blogosphere in awhile. I am getting fully settled into my new home now and have happily added 2 additions to my family.

This little cutie came first. Kevin text me one day when I was at work with her picture. He said he had found her at a garage sale, she was free, had her first shots and was spayed. I couldn't say no. It took her a bit to warm up, the poor thing had been taken home and the father said no...so they had to give her away. After moving to several homes over a couple days' time, she came to my house and has fully taken it over as her own. She is a sweet kitty that likes to cuddle, but has quite the sassy attitude, which is why I named her Sassy.

And this kitty was originally Molly's. Not that she didn't love her very much, but Molly had gotten Berry from an old roommate basically, and just ended up keeping her. We decided, once I moved out of the dorms and into a home where I could have cats again, she was all mine. So, we planned that. Then late one Saturday, Molly text me and said she could bring the cat that night. Around 2 am in the morning, Berry (Little Kitty) arrived at home home and found  her place in the basement. It took some time for her to even feel comfortable coming out of hiding other than when I was downstairs, and Sassy was pretty pissy with her for about 5 days. But now they are pretty good friends. They play with each other and have slept close to each other. Everyday they seem to be becoming more and more accustomed to each other and enjoying the other's presence...so I have hope.

One other memeber of my family will be coming in a couple weeks. I am getting a puppy! I have reserved a pure bred Beagle from a guy in Vassar. I am very excited to get her when she is finally old enough :)

Other than that, I have just been working. I am actually enjoying my position at Diplomat, and am now in a place to start preparing for my Certified Pharmacist Technician license test that I plan on taking in late fall/winter time. I would like to have it around my 6 month mark at the company, because that is the time that I am eligible for promotion, and well...I want to move up from here. The  sky is the limit.

I have also started to look at graduate programs. I am hoping to possibly start one in fall of 2014 or Winter of 2015. I just need to find my right fit.

Right now, I just look at how lucky I am at the moment with  everything in my life. I recently got to spend time with my brother and celebrate the upcoming birth of his daughter, Aribella. I am so excited for her to be here. July 12th is the due date, but she really could  come any day now. Jessica's birthday is the 3rd of July and she stated that if she wanted to come that day, she would share her day :). Another July baby, what a popular month for our family!

I'll leave you here today. I've been writing this between calls at work as I'm on incoming calls and have nothing to do between calls. I hope you all have a wonderful hump day and I'm sure I won't be talking to you until after the 4th holiday, so have a great 4th...and see some fireworks!

Moving On Campus: What To Bring/What Not To Bring

Every fall, thousands of students move on campus. For some of these students, they have never lived away from home before. For these students, what should they bring and what should be left at home.

Bring

1. Clothing: bring enough clothes to make it through. If you aren't moving too far from home, only bring clothes that will bring you through a season. You can always switch out when winter comes. There is little room in a dorm, so the least amount of clothing (and shoes) you can live without, the better.
2. Hangers: You'll need hangers to hang up all those clothes!
3. Bedding: Most dorm beds are Twin XL, which means that a twin sheet just isn't long enough. Make sure you bring bedding that will fit, pillows, blankets, etc. as they won't be provided for you.
4. Bathroom Items: This means towels, wash cloths, soap, toilet paper, shampoo/conditioner, brush/combs, deodorant, lotions, perfumes, make-up, shaving cream, razors, bathrobe, first aid kit etc. Most of these things are NOT provided (except some campuses will provide toilet paper). 
5. If you have communal showers, you'll want a bathroom bucket. This holds all your bathroom items so you can carry them down the hall to the bathroom. 
6. Cleaning Items: Bring a broom, sponge, dish soap, cleaning sprays for bathroom/kitchen, plunger, toilet brush/cleaner, vacuum (if possible). YOU will have to keep your room clean, and you'll need the supplies to do it!
7. TV: Most dorms have cable of some sort. Make sure you bring your own co-ax cable too!
8. Microwave: Make sure you don't already have one (the dorms I live in do!) but if they don't you'll want this kitchen staple!
9. Mini-Fridge: Also, if your dorm doesn't have a fridge, you may want to bring one of these along.
10. Laptop/computer: You'll want this for school work, trust me!
11. Small set of dishes: You won't need too many as most students have a meal plan, but you'll want something to make some coffee in, or some late night Ramen. Make sure you have plates, cups, and all utensils (spoons, forks, knives). You'll also want to throw in a can opener!
12. Alarm clock: You are going to need to get up for classes, make sure you have a working alarm clock thrown in.
13. Hair dryer: You know what this is for!
14. Fan: If you live in a dorm that doesn't have AC, or you tend to get warm, throw in a fan for your comfort.
15. Laundry Items: This includes laundry soap, dryer sheets, hamper/basket and a roll of quarters. Laundry isn't free and those quarters will become your best friend.
16. School stuff: notebooks, binders, pens, pencils, calculator, backpack, planner, books, etc.
17. Camera: You'll want to document you time away from home.
18. Chargers: make sure you can charge your phone, ipod, computer, etc. Also, have some batteries on hand.
19. Games/sporting equipment: Have fun board games? Bring them. Like to throw around a ball? Bring it. You'll find other people on campus who will join you.
20. Snacks/food: The cafeteria isn't open all day and night, so it's good to have some back up food and snacks on hand if you get hungry. If you live in a dorm without a meal plan, you'll need to plan meals more.
21. Lanyard: Trust me, you'll want one of these. This can hold your room key, ID card and other important keys to get you where you need to go. They will always be around your neck so you won't forget them places!
22. Coffee Machine: If you need caffeine in the morning, make sure you have this with the coffee.
23. Small chair: Something like a butterfly chair that can fit in a corner. Can also be a beanbag.
24. Gaming systems: If you have them and don't worry about them, bring them. You'll find other gamers to join you.
25. Matress padding: You may want to invest in a memory foam pad for your bed, the mattresses aren't the most comfortable

What not to bring

1. Furntiure except mentioned above: Most dorms are fully furnished. That means they have a bed, desk, closet/dresser, etc. Call ahead to see what the dorm has/does not have
2. Candles: No live flame in dorms. This can cause fires which can be bad news bears! Also, no incense!
3. Toasters, hot plates, toaster oven, etc: These have open heat elements that can also cause fires.
4. Pets: Sorry, but you can't bring them along :( Some dorms allow fish though!
5. Waterbeds: Yeah, you're gonna have to deal with the dorm beds, and these can cause a flood.
6. Nails/screws for portraits: Command Strips will be your best friend when hanging photos
7. Alcohol: Most dorms are dry, leave it at home.
8. AC Units: Sorry if your dorm doesn't have them, but you can't bring them either.
9. Weapons: All campuses are gun free, so keep it that way.
10. Heaters: These can cause a fire too!

Life Just Flies By!

So, I finally have a moment to sit here and think about the past few weeks of my life and how so much has just happened. Life has just been crazy but amazing all at the same time. 

For one, I graduated. May 5th, 2013 will be one of the proudest days of my life. I walked across that stage and completed one of the last promises that I ever made my mother. I remember when I was young, I promised her that I would graduate college and she would be there to see me. Now, sadly she wasn't there in person to see it happen, but I know somewhere in the universe, she was smiling her huge smile as I walked across that stage in front of those couple thousand people, shook the hands of the heads of the University and received my diploma cover. In a few weeks, I'll receive my diploma in the mail and the package will be complete. I am so happy, and will be able to look back on my 5 years at UM-Flint as years of great learning, great growth and amazing memories. 

Later that day, unknown to me, Kevin planned me a graduation party. Though now that I know, I could see where he got really close to letting go the surprise of the whole thing. But he didn't. When I pulled into his driveway that evening, I was welcomed by 30 or so of my closest family and friends who were there to celebrate me. It was one of the best gifts I could be given by anyone (and another thing crossed off the bucket list). I got to visit with people I hadn't seen in a long time and enjoyed it thoroughly.

Yup, he got me!

The week after that was moving week. I had just signed papers on a 2 bedroom/2 bath home in a lovely neighborhood in Flint. My friend Hoffa moved in with me so we could split the rent and the bills. That week was full of friends help (thank you guys sooooo much!), a frenzy of boxes, much cleaning and saying goodbye to Riverfront where I had called home for 3 years. 

I got in and settled a bit before I started my new job at Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy. Yup, I got the official job offer and start date in the middle of my packing and started training on the 13th. Now that I have had 2 weeks of training, I am very excited to start in my department and very excited to be working for this company. I can wholeheartedly say that they care for their employees and it is going to be an amazing place to work, if for only a few years or the rest of my working life. Who knows? The sky is the limit currently and there are MANY chances for advancement within the company.

Lastly, last night was my first official party of the new home. 25+ friends of mine came out to celebrate and hang at my new home. We played games, laughed and just had a lot of fun. It truly was an amazing time and I am so happy they all joined me. It was also Brittney's birthday, which we also celebrated :)

For now, life is pretty good. I can't complain too much! I am so thankful for all my friends and family who have helped me get to where I am now. Of life!

Dear FutureMe

So the following is from an amazing website that I stumbledupon back in 2009. This website allows you to write letters that will be sent in email form to yourself and others. You write what you want to say, pick a date at least a year in the future and send it out.

This letter I wrote to myself last year. I had received a letter I had written to myself in 2009 and I logged back on to the website to write another.

But the coolest thing about this website is you forget what you write to yourself. Life happens in the year(s) that intervene and when you finally get the letter snuggled in your email, you are touched by the things you said to yourself. I received this one this morning and I shed a tear. What I wrote to myself made me smile, laugh, think and inspired me to keep doing what I am doing. If you want to read, it is below.

The following is an e-mail from the past, composed 11 months and 29 days ago, on May 19, 2012. It is being delivered from the past through FutureMe.org

Dear FutureMe,

First off, you should have graduated college by now. Congratulations if you have. If you haven't, there better be a good reason missy!

Life is interesting. I say this because as life has passed us (as in you and I...which is just me), many things have happened and well "we" have learned some amazing things about ourself and the world.

I hope that when you get this email, you haven't lost track of what you want to do with your life. I hope this finds you in a wonderful happy place. I hope that you are finding solace in the life that you are beginning to lead and have found a way to finally leave the past behind. Just about a month ago, you outed the whole family and they all became very upset with you. I'm curious if things have changed with that relationship or if you're still living at a distance that you have been for the past month now.

Sometimes, the truth hurts. Remember that. And if you aren't on speaking terms with them, don't worry about it. If they matter and they care, they will eventually come around. Right now, remember that you have some amazing friends that you have made into your family.

And an amazing boyfriend. I am curious if you and Kevin are still together a year from now. I sure hope so! If you are, you'll have been together for over a year (17 months to be exact) and well, that is awesome. I really hope that the promise you made him on March 15, 2012 stays true, because he is such a gentleman and so perfect for you.

And Zac, I hope you are still really good friends with him. He makes you think, constantly. And that's not a bad thing, don't get me wrong. He has found a way to bring you out of the pain that you have been dealing with for years and finally make you strong and brave enough to face it (instead of burying it in the deep hole that you had for years).

Right now you are probably trying to figure out what the hell you are going to do with you life now that you have your Bachelor's Degree. Just remember to take each day as they come. You can only do so much, and focusing on tomorrow (which is probably what you're doing a lot of right now) will make you forget what is happening right in front of you. Yes, good luck with whatever the world takes you, but also don't let it all pass you by. Enjoy your days, smile often, laugh tons and be happy.

And also remember that life isn't fair. I know, cliche. But, you of all people should understand this one. You're a fighter. You've beaten the odds in many different ways. And you know what, you'll keep beating those odds if you keep your wonderful attitude that you have now. Know that right now you may experience a lot of rejection as you try to find a job that will become your career. Don't settle. Keep striving for the best. You are worth it and YOU deserve it. You haven't fought this hard and this long to just give in to what's easy. Make a difference because YOU can.

This may be a great time to look back at your life. Think of the people you have love and lost. Think of the people you have met along the way who have changed you. This may be the perfect moment to thank them for everything they have done. Take time, make some calls today. I'm sure that they will appreciate it, and it'll make you realize that you have met some amazing people in your life and will keep meeting and finding friendships in wonderful people.

And just remember to relax and enjoy the ride. Remember to not sweat the small stuff because in the end, it doesn't matter. It's all small things, life goes on, troubles come and go. Remember that you always have people to lean on and that when the going gets tough, don't be afraid to ask for help.

And be happy. That's all the matters in the end. Be happy.

Lots of love and good luck in the future.

Your past self

End of College Life

So these past few weeks have found me trying to enjoy the last of what I have while taking all the craziness that life has to offer along the way.

Last Monday night, we had the power go out which ended up in one interesting night. First, it was one of our fellow RA's 21st birthdays, so those of us who weren't "working" at the time left the building and walked to a local bar. We celebrated his birthday...and I even had the bartender make a drink up AND it is part of their recipe book. SO, if you are ever at the Torch in Flint, order "That One Drink..." if you want something sweet and refreshing. Warning, it does have dairy, but it's still good.

We came back at 2 am...and the power was still out. So a bunch of us hung out in the lobby and played some board games until early in the morning. Liz went out to get some ice cream in the middle and since we had no power, everyone in the lobby shared the gallon (there WERE quite a few of us btw).

 The next day, I woke up and it was still out. We had a board game day so we played some more games (woo!) and in the middle, emergency power went out. Lets say, 4 RAs, 1 RD, 3 cell phones on low battery and no lights in the stairways makes for one interesting adventure. We had to make sure the lights were out on all floors...not my idea.

Later in the afternoon (17 hours after going out), the lights came back on and life was all good. Lately we have all been just trying to spend as much time together. Several of us, including me, are graduating in just over a week and we realize how much we will miss everyone. To that regard, almost nightly game nights have happened.

Friday was another one. We played some games. Then every semester, UM-Flint hosts a midnight breakfast where students can have breakfast at midnight for free before finals. A group of is crammed in nick's car and headed over there where we took up a large table and had a bunch of fun.

But it wasn't over then. We came back and played more games until Travis got off the front desk. Then we went to the beach.

At the beach in Port Huron

Yup, you read that right. A group of us drove at 5 am to Port Huron in order to see the sunrise. It wasn't too miraculous because of the clouds but we did have some fun, and it was just something random that we could say we did. We grabbed some warm food before heading back to Flint...and I could barely keep awake. I literally slept all day Saturday after returning, not waking up until 2 am on Sunday.

I'm gonna miss this girl (and Nick in the back!)

Yesterday morning, I finished the last assignments of my undergraduate degree. Now I wait for grades from professors, pack and get ready to move and graduate. Where I am moving to is up in the air still.

And I got a job offer from Diplomat Pharmacy this morning. I am floored. I was so excited that I cried afterwards. Finally, things are starting to be put into place.

And it feels good.

Onto my next chapter...

Grad Photo taken by Shelley at Shelley's Photography

How I Fell Into A Job Upon Graduation.

This morning, I got an amazing call. I was given an offer for a full time position at a local company with great benefits. I haven't even graduated college yet.

Yup, I am one of those students who secures employment that will start right out of college. And you wonder how did I do it?

Many students wish they were in my place. Many wish, once they have that bachelor's degree under their wing, that they can go straight into full time employment. No more part-time, customer service jobs that seem to be all everyone works in college. You want to get into those adult positions, you yearn for a normal schedule, 40  hours a week, a constant and nice cash flow.

But you wait til you are done with college. You think, it'll look better if you wait. That way I for sure have my degree. Or you say you don't have time to submit applications, hone your resume, go on interviews and you don't want to pressure of waiting. Then when you walk across that stage, you stand there asking yourself, "now what?" You put all your time into finding a full time job, many people are not making any money as they are no longer working at all, and some move home even when they don't want to. (I'm not saying that it is a bad thing to move home, some people just feel guilty or stuck when they do).

It's not too late to apply for jobs. I will say this, 3 months ago, I hadn't really applied for anything full time. I knew at the end of May I was going to lose my current job because I can't be an RA after I graduate. I was going to lose my apartment too. I also knew that I wouldn't be able to work the front desk after the 1st of September unless I signed a lease to stay in my current complex.

It really didn't hit me until I was annoyed with everyone who was asking me, "What are you going to do after graduation?" All I could say was get a job. They'd ask if I had looked. All I could say was no.

When Spring Break hit, I knew I was getting close and there was now all this uncertainty that was going to drive me crazy. So I looked around and started applying for just about anything that I would be qualified for and many that I was "overqualified" for. The job market is bleak and it is frustrating out there, I can tell you this.

But I had one thing in my back pocket, all the people I have met. You have no idea what all the professionals that came into your life in college can do for you. Over your years at university, you have met people, made friends, expanded yourself. I was just like this.

We have a pizza place on campus. My second year here, it was taken over by a nice couple who had moved back to Michigan. The husband was a graduate of my university. I got to know them, quite well even. At the end of my second to last year, the wife left the business as she had found better employment. When I saw her around one night, she told me all about the company that she worked for, and I thought it was something that I would be interested in pursuing after graduation. So I thought, why not? So I applied. It was one of many places I had applied to in a fury of filling out applications, uploading resumes and hoping for the best.

A week later I got a call back. It was her assistant. This woman I had gotten to know through the campus pizza place was one of the HR people for the company. Her assistant put me through a phone interview and I hoped for the best.

A week later, I got a call asking me to come in for an interview. A week later I did that. I dressed to the nine's and walked in with a confidence that I have never had in an interview. Because I knew this woman (who I am not naming just in case), I had to interview with someone else with the company. The two ladies who interviewed me made me feel very comfortable and I felt like I made all the right answers and they even gave me a nice rundown about the job and the benefits that it included if I were to get it. They told me I would know in a week.

A week came...and went. I heard nothing. I called the HR assistant and got his voicemail just to check in on the status. Nothing. So I started to give up hope and realize that I probably won't get the job.

So I applied more places. I even applied places I didn't expect to apply. But I did it anyway because I needed to find a job this summer.

Then this morning, this glorious morning, about an hour after I turned in my last assignments of my undergrad, I got a call. And it was a good call. I got the offer for the position with the company. Pending background and drug testing, I will be a full time employee starting in the middle of May.

And that is exciting.

So, you can find a job. Take the time to apply everywhere online. Look at the people you know and the companies they work for. If you aren't quite to graduation, start getting to know more people on campus. There are a plethora of people who could be your ticket to full time employment.

Get yourself out there. Graduation doesn't have to be the big unknown. You can get all your ducks in a row and set yourself up to succeed!

Oh A Change Is A Comin'

Today I am in officially 26 days until graduation. As for classes, I only have about 2 weeks. Eek! It is all coming so fast and though I am pretty excited for most of it, I am also nervous.

With graduation, my job as an RA comes to a close. As I think back on this past year, I leave with both happiness and sadness. The job itself was a challenge and frustrating at times...but I still loved it very much. I will miss it once I leave.

But I am on to bigger and better things. Last week I had a job interview with Diplomat Pharmacy and I feel that it went pretty well. I should know hopefully today if I got the job. I am rather ancy to get that phone call, tell you what! But we will see. All my fingers, toes, eyes, legs, etc are crossed that it is a positive phone call later today!

I am also working on getting an apartment. My friend Hoffa from Lapeer is coming to live with me, so we have been on the hunt for a two bedroom apartment or townhouse and haven't had the best of luck. The current one, the one that I want to live in, has been making me run around and get a bunch of information. It has been frustrating. If everything falls into place right, hopefully an offer letter from Diplomat will be the last thing I need. *once again, crosses everything*

That has been my life the past couple weeks, just trying to get all that in line. I am also working on finishing the last of my class work so that I can graduate. I completed my exit exam last week also, which was interesting for sure but I am glad that it is done.

Now I'm on the homestretch and waiting. Waiting sucks because well...you just want to know NOW! But I have hope that it will all turn out like it needs to and don't you worry, I'm not going to let any of this pass me by. I am doing everything to keep it in motion as much as I possibly can. I'm sure I have annoyed the ladies at Grand Oaks over the past few weeks with all the status checking I have done.

Other than that, life is life. It is going along. I can't complain too much.

Have a wonderful day :)\

Blast from the past! My brother, mom and I at a concert when DTE was actually Pine Knob (It always will be for me anyway!) My Aunt Jane took this picture :)