Hello World!
Well, I know many people thought this blog would, in all reality, end when I came home from the Peace Corps. Sorry friends, I seem to think I'm more interesting than that. Now don't worry, I don't actually expect a lot of people to keep reading but I think this is important. Because I think a lot of people my age, even ones with jobs, and apartments and all that other awesome stuff I want to deal with are still wondering what life means and feel like we are supposed to have the answers to the rest of our lives. And the truth is, we don't, and we never will. But you know what, IT IS OK.
I started reading a new book yesterday, courtesy of my parents and their helpful friends at church who have had kids who had to reevaluate their plans. It is titled I Just Graduated...Now What? and it is by Katherine Schwarzenegger the daughter of Maria Shriver. I know, I know, the title kinda gives the point of the book away. But I've only read the introduction so far and it has already changed my outlook. The most important part is, I am not alone, most people my age question their plans, their life, and their futures even when it seems like they are the ones who have it completely together. And honestly, for the first time since I started caring what other people were doing I'm really happy I'm not different, I'm actually the norm.
I came home from Madagascar, for my own reasons, thinking I would start applying to jobs and POOF I'd get a job in about two months. Well, it's been almost three months and I've only had a couple phone interviews and a lot of rejections and that two months is just not going to happen. I know that I was thinking this would be too easy, but I don't think I realized how defeating being unemployed can feel. Some days you want to apply to any job you can get your hands on (that can lead you to bad decisions like taking phone interviews for a call center even though you know it is absolutely the wrong job for you) and some days, getting up and doing anything seems pointless. And while I am in this limbo, I slowly watch my savings disappear. Not the most fun experience ever.
So I had to make some decisions.
1. I can't expect to just get a job and be financially secure.
2. It is time to get a part time job and stop hurting my savings.
3. Living with my parents is nice but I'm using it as a crutch so I need to go elsewhere.
So because of these decisions I am leaving Alexandria to stay with a friend in Orlando, FL (in her spare room) and get a part time job while I continue to job search. I know that it is not what I expected and no one who knows me thought I would be here, they all thought I would be in Africa right now. But I am figuring out my life, and doing in a way that will make me feel so proud of myself and secure in my independence when the right job finally comes along.
I am going to keep updating this blog. I hope you all enjoy it!
Best,
Chloe
