After an almost year-long hiatus, I've decided to continue writing. It's good for me to process through writing, and I thought I might take this opportunity while I don't have other things (school) distracting me.
This year has been full of many surprises and disappointments. I spent a lot of time working and trying to manage an unmanageable schedule. It's not possible. I wouldn't recommend it.
I went back to school in the fall of 2011. Many days and nights of nervous energy led up to this moment, but it was time. After all that had happened working in UCO and meeting so many great people, I was excited to spread my wings and get some more experience in the business arena. It worked for a bit, but as much as I tried, I seemed to be sinking. Taking 16 credits in the first semester back and working 30+ hours per week was a ridiculous notion and one that I hope not to repeat.
School:
Being back at the daily grind of schoolwork was actually a lot of fun. I felt more ready for it than I had given myself credit. I am studying Business with a concentration in Human Resources. The amazing formation I received through UCO and my first couple years of school really prepared me well for this field and I am content with the area I am studying.
The most difficult part of the first year back was statistics. As much as I disliked the grades I was receiving in stat class, I liked the subject much more than economics or accounting. My professors just made the course really difficult. I am glad for that because I was challenged to think outside the box. One thing that particularly struck me was that it wasn't that I didn't understand the course, I just didn't have enough time to practice and study it. C'est la vie!
Group projects: the bane of my existence. If you've ever experienced this awful, tedious persecution you will have realized that although some people will experience this in their future careers, most of us don't have this exact experience in our work environments. I, for one, put forth the most effort in these classes and still felt a little burned by classmates who didn't complete their work. Some of the professors were to blame, but for the most part it was the people involved. Bogus, but whatevs...it's done for now.
Work:
For about 10 months, I worked at a hotel. For most of those months, I had no regular schedule. I started working the front desk, then would pick up some night shifts, then security, then maintenance and after awhile, I learned housekeeping and by default I needed to pick up a breakfast shift. In all of this, I learned (to some extent) each area of the hotel and at the same time, lost a bit of myself. As a result, I spent most of the year exhausted, and I lost a lot of time that I could have spent with good friends. My life may have been a lot less stressful and I might have made more money somewhere else, but I learned something in all of it. I realized that while I have a heart for hospitality, I really don't want to work in a hotel. I might someday want to work in a B&B or do something crazy like that, but for the long-term, I know I can't waste that kind of time while there are soo many other jobs and opportunities that lead me outside of the confinement of four walls. I need a flexible, stable job and it was a useful lesson to learn through this experience.
In all of this I had a short stint at Beezy's, a local (and my own personal) favorite cafe/eatery in Ypsilanti. For about 5 months I was able to spend time in this lovely, life-giving shop and meet the people of Ypsi. I loved working here, but with the new job, I had to discontinue my time working here. I will still regularly frequent this place, but just on the other side of the counter :grin: Thank you to Bee, Erin, Joanna and all the other staff - you made my 2nd semester super!!
In June 2012, I interviewed for multiple positions and took a job as a receptionist at an auto body repair facility. I love this job - especially now that I understand most of what it entails. It has become comfortable and I think I mesh pretty well with my co-workers. What a relief to be in a different environment. I have my nights and weekends back and I feel more of myself. Just in time to start a new semester.
I have almost exactly six weeks until school begins again and in that time I will be working, taking a trip to Cedar Point, celebrating the marriages of a few friends and my parents 40th wedding anniversary at the end of August!
Enjoy this lovely and oh, so hot summer!
