Old Soul, Young Heart

Good things are a'brewin'. Yesterday was my last day at Heartland for practicum. Inbetween drop-ins with students, Cecilia, the Director of Advising, came in and asked me what I was doing this summer. Before I even began at Heartland, Cecilia had mentioned that there would be 30 hours available over the summer, but we hadn't talked about it in so long that I just figured a practicum student would be filling those hours. Cecilia essentially told me that I can stay through the summer and that there is a possibility that I could go full-time temporary, which would mean a one-year contract (with or without benefits; I'm not clear on this part). There is also the possibility of one or more advisor positions (possibly even 3-4) opening up within the next year, in which case I could apply and interview for the job I would be already doing. It's super confusing, but Cecilia will hopefully find out all of these things next week sometime. I got really excited about it as sh

I have a second interview at Lake Land College in Mattoon tomorrow! I'm really excited and my thoughts about it are completely different this time. I always loved the job and thought it was ideal, but never really seriously considered the possibility of moving to Mattoon and thought there was no way that they would pick me. This time around, though, I really, really hope I get offered the position. After thinking about it more, looking over the job description, and really studying the website, I'm really in love with the college, I think. The vision is really inspiring and they offer a lot of programs and services. Considering I was basically talking myself out of going to the first interview, this is a huge change in attitude and I really hope it works out! Eek!!!

It's so weird to think that this time last year I was preparing for my last week as the secretary for Mission & Spiritual Care at Advocate BroMenn. It seems like a million years ago, honestly. So much has happened since then. And now, as I prepare for my last week of grad school, I hope I can say the same when I'm looking back on this time next year! I am surprisingly calm about all that I have left to do and about the fact that I haven't found a job yet. I think once I don't have anything to do and I still haven't found a job, that I might begin freaking out a bit. I mean, I'm always going to do my best and try my hardest, which is all I can really do. The rest is out of my hands, so why worry about it, ya know? I am fortunately in a good spot to be able to not worry. This is not to say that I'd be super excited and happy to have a job sooner rather than later!!!

Has this ever happened to you? One of your first interactions with someone, for whatever reason, is awkward... and then, from then on, every time you see that person or interact with them or know they are around, you try so hard to not be awkward, that it becomes even more awkward and then you just feel generally weird around them. And then you start wondering if that person thinks that you're socially inept. This rarely happens to me, but I'm currently in this situation with someone who I need to not be awkward around. Haha. Awwwkwaaard.

I am so relieved that Tuesday and Wednesday are over! I was dreading both days--but mostly Wednesday. So Tuesday I had the interview at Bradley. I would love to work there. The building where my office would be is beautiful and brand new; it just opened last year. The people seem great... really down to earth and just generally nice. The actual job, however, I'm not sure about. It is exactly what I did at Advocate BroMenn and I'm afraid that it wouldn't be much of a challenge and/or all that related to what I just spent two years getting a master's degree in. I think I would enjoy it, but I'd be afraid that once I want to move on that I won't have any real professional student affairs work and that I'd be pigeon-holing myself into administrative work. The interview itself went pretty well, I think. They seemed impressed by me, but it's always hard to tell. I think she said that I should hear on Friday (tomorrow!) what their decision is. I would definit

I've decided that I have expensive taste, even though I'm a bargain shopper. I lovelovelove getting my Marie Claire magazine every month, but I always find that the things I adore most are also the most expensive things on the page. My latest love (though not found in Marie Claire) is this handbag. After I got my Hobo International wallet, I've kind of been obsessed with the brand. The leather is vintage and quality (which is why it costs so much) and this color is great. Perhaps this will be my graduation present to myself. I do have some extra cash from my tax return coming, even though the plan was to save it all. Hmm... maybe just a little splurge is in order. Today was such a lovely day and I felt guilty for only going out to run an errand and get some lunch. The forsythia is opening and all of the trees have little buds on them. The air just smells different once it starts to get warm out. I love it! I had to turn on the fans, though, which is somewhat disappoi

I got the official "no" from Heartland. I'm not surprised and I feel as though I prepared myself for it. Candace left a really sweet message for me as she was breaking my heart (haha)--she said that they discussed me at length and that I did a great job and have a lot to offer. She said that I should "hang in there" because in the future there will be other jobs at Heartland and in Recruitment and that she would love for me to be in the pool of applicants for those positions. I don't really know what that means, but I don't feel terrible about not getting this job, even though I really, really wanted it. I know something will work out. I got another call for an interview today. This one is at Bradley; it's an administrative assistant position for the women's basketball program. I'm overqualified for it and the job responsibilities sound exactly like what I did at Advocate BroMenn. I wonder if it wouldn't be much of a challenge for me a

I just got done watching the movie, "Across the Universe." I wasn't actually expecting to like it as much as I did, since lately I've seen a lot of mediocre movies from Netflix. This one, though, had everything that I like in a movie. Well, it's a musical and I typically like those. Pretty people, decent acting, good music with interesting renditions that aren't exactly like the originals (most of the music is Beatles songs), a love story, a British guy, an alright story line, and a little weirdness. So with all of that being said, here's my favorite part in the movie. To give you context, one of the main characters is drafted into the Army (it's set during Vietnam), so he's enlisting. I just really enjoyed the choreography and the flow. It's smart. (Don't mind the first 30 seconds or so.)

Still no news from Heartland. I'm really hoping that I hear soon. Like really soon. I have an interview at Lake Land College in Mattoon next Wednesday! This is good news, especially if the job at Heartland doesn't work out! The job there is basically ideal. It's an Academic Counselor/Coordinator of Student Accommodations position--all of my experience wrapped up into one. I am qualified for the job, but I definitely feel as though they would choose someone else over me. I have to give a short presentation in addition to the actual interview, so that's even more nerve-racking. I might fall in love with the town and the college and the position, though, so it'll be worth it. I'm already in love with the position, so that's a start! And if not, it will be good interview and presentation experience. I have a lot of studying and preparation to do before next Wednesday, that's for sure.