What? A blog post that hasn't been thrown together at the last possible minute to meet the once-monthly quota I've set for myself? Needless to say, I think it's time I revamped this blog.
I wasn't fully satisfied with my last post. In fact, I feel like something has been missing from quite a few of my posts lately. They are all very cheery, and I don't think they are painting the full picture of my life or what this blog is about. Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of things in my life worth celebrating; I would just like my writing to be as honest and realistic as possible. And part of life is struggling and overcoming those struggles.
It's pretty universally accepted that the best writers are those who read. I've been reading some really great blogs lately, with unique styles and interesting topics. This blog is nowhere near that caliber, but that was kind of the point of it all along. I'm the Last Learner, the one surrounded by social media and books and art and blogs and movies and projects that are completely creatively inspiring, and all I'm trying to do is catch up and play in the big leagues.
I will never be able to consume all the Awesome that is out there. I will never watch every great movie or favorite every brilliant tweet. I will, however, contribute to that Awesome in whatever way I can. I will not make excuses for myself. I will not be seasonally creative. Let this blog be actual written documentation that I will try to add to the world's supply of Awesome all year round, even during school when I'm stressed and have "more important" things to do.
It's time for a change in perspective. I am in college to learn what I can from the books I buy and teachers whose salaries I help pay for. But I am also in college to take in inspiration from my surroundings and produce something that may inspire others. Being "smart" and being "creative" are equally important in my book and I'm not doing myself any favors by favoring one over the other.
This blog isn't really meant to be a journal documenting what I've done over the past month; it's more of an exercise book. It's a place to flex my writing muscles, test out ideas, and practice. It's not a burden; it's a key to a locked door. By writing, I can open up the creative part of my mind that I keep shut too often.
I plan on taking on more creative projects and possibly collaborating with others. Collaborative writing is something I haven't really delved into yet (at least not in a very positive light) and I'd like to see what it holds for me. So stick with me because I'm kicking myself into shape!
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Friday, August 30, 2013
Post-Summer Musings
The summer has ended and my internships with it. I've just completed my first week of junior year. I've jumped into clubs and extracurricular activities, new and old. It seems like things have taken a 180 degree turn!
My world really has been turned upside down recently. I loved both of my internships and got some amazing opportunities and learning experiences from them. I met some extremely kind, smart, funny, and interesting people, most of which were older and more experienced than me. What's more, I didn't have homework!
Now I have a completely mixed up schedule and perspective. Everything is different, down to the smallest detail. Instead of turning right when leaving my building, I turn left. There are people my age everywhere I look. I go to class for a few hours here and there and then I have homework in the evening. It seems so strange to be a student again after working for a full three months.
It's amazing how easily we become accustomed to our roles. I've been a student my entire life, but when I had a different way to occupy my time by working at my internships, I left the role of student behind without even thinking about it. It's nice to go to school again and spend time with my friends, but I can't help feeling as if I've gone backward somehow. The order of life goes "Grade School --> High School --> College --> Work", right? Since I've had my work experience, shouldn't I be done with the school part?
In the working world, you learn through experience; in the college world, you learn through study. They offer different ways of moving forward, but either way brings progress. It really doesn't matter what order you go in, or whether you fully complete every step. Life is certainly not a straight line. That's what makes it so interesting and exciting!
The important thing for me at the moment is not necessarily to follow the exact path I was going down, but to maintain the intensity of the creative energy I felt during the summer. I plan on keeping up with Gerome the Gnome and all his social media projects (he's been a lot of fun so far!), as well as doing social media for the environmental club on campus and singing in the gospel choir. I've started my Chinese class too! It's a challenge, but it's going to be fun.
I can't believe I'm already halfway done with my college experience. Obviously, I'm pretty excited to join the workforce, but I won't forget to enjoy the time I have left as a student. There are opportunities for me here that I won't find anywhere else. The best way to prepare for the future is to fully live in the present.
My world really has been turned upside down recently. I loved both of my internships and got some amazing opportunities and learning experiences from them. I met some extremely kind, smart, funny, and interesting people, most of which were older and more experienced than me. What's more, I didn't have homework!
Now I have a completely mixed up schedule and perspective. Everything is different, down to the smallest detail. Instead of turning right when leaving my building, I turn left. There are people my age everywhere I look. I go to class for a few hours here and there and then I have homework in the evening. It seems so strange to be a student again after working for a full three months.
It's amazing how easily we become accustomed to our roles. I've been a student my entire life, but when I had a different way to occupy my time by working at my internships, I left the role of student behind without even thinking about it. It's nice to go to school again and spend time with my friends, but I can't help feeling as if I've gone backward somehow. The order of life goes "Grade School --> High School --> College --> Work", right? Since I've had my work experience, shouldn't I be done with the school part?
In the working world, you learn through experience; in the college world, you learn through study. They offer different ways of moving forward, but either way brings progress. It really doesn't matter what order you go in, or whether you fully complete every step. Life is certainly not a straight line. That's what makes it so interesting and exciting!
The important thing for me at the moment is not necessarily to follow the exact path I was going down, but to maintain the intensity of the creative energy I felt during the summer. I plan on keeping up with Gerome the Gnome and all his social media projects (he's been a lot of fun so far!), as well as doing social media for the environmental club on campus and singing in the gospel choir. I've started my Chinese class too! It's a challenge, but it's going to be fun.
I can't believe I'm already halfway done with my college experience. Obviously, I'm pretty excited to join the workforce, but I won't forget to enjoy the time I have left as a student. There are opportunities for me here that I won't find anywhere else. The best way to prepare for the future is to fully live in the present.
Saturday, July 27, 2013
My Summer Project: A New Friend
Every summer, I take on at least one project to do in my spare time. Sometimes it's writing songs, sometimes it's making a scrapbook of the previous year, sometimes it's designing my dream home or planning my dream wedding. This summer, my project is of a slightly different kind. Instead of putting things on paper, I'm putting them online.
My roommate and I received a gnome our freshman year of college for our birthdays, which are both in October. We named him Gerome and displayed him proudly in our room for four semesters. This summer, we decided he needed some fresh air. I now post photos and the occasional video of Gerome exploring campus and the city beyond. And that's my summer project: creating and maintaining a quirky, adventuresome persona on social media.
This project has been incredibly fun! My roommate and I have to come up with new ideas for Gerome's posts whenever we can. We have to think about interesting places and events, and then go to them. We thought we were giving Gerome fresh air, but he helps us get out of the house, too!
This project is really helping me grow as a person, oddly enough. I'm thinking creatively, exploring Milwaukee more than ever before, and developing quite a healthy sense of humor (which is more than necessary when you're holding a gnome at arm's length and taking a picture of it on a bustling street corner). I'm learning a lot about how social media works and making connections with some really interesting people. It's a great experience, and it mostly happened because I was bored and feeling a little silly.
It's good to let go and not take things too seriously sometimes. Who cares if you get a few odd looks for crouching behind a statue holding up a gnome while your friend takes a picture? The result makes people smile. That's more fun than going through life without stirring the pot. Don't be afraid to shake things up, be creative, be quirky, make a fool of yourself. It's all part of the adventure!
Gerome is on Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, Vine (@GnomeOnCampus), and Google+.
My roommate and I received a gnome our freshman year of college for our birthdays, which are both in October. We named him Gerome and displayed him proudly in our room for four semesters. This summer, we decided he needed some fresh air. I now post photos and the occasional video of Gerome exploring campus and the city beyond. And that's my summer project: creating and maintaining a quirky, adventuresome persona on social media.
 |
| A happy gnome by a happy building! |
This project is really helping me grow as a person, oddly enough. I'm thinking creatively, exploring Milwaukee more than ever before, and developing quite a healthy sense of humor (which is more than necessary when you're holding a gnome at arm's length and taking a picture of it on a bustling street corner). I'm learning a lot about how social media works and making connections with some really interesting people. It's a great experience, and it mostly happened because I was bored and feeling a little silly.
It's good to let go and not take things too seriously sometimes. Who cares if you get a few odd looks for crouching behind a statue holding up a gnome while your friend takes a picture? The result makes people smile. That's more fun than going through life without stirring the pot. Don't be afraid to shake things up, be creative, be quirky, make a fool of yourself. It's all part of the adventure!
Gerome is on Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, Vine (@GnomeOnCampus), and Google+.
Sunday, June 30, 2013
A Month of Milwaukee Summer
It's been just about a month since I moved into my new apartment in Milwaukee, and time has just flown by! It seems like only yesterday I was wondering which angle my couch should be facing and which bus I should take to get to work. Now I've figured out the perfect layout for my apartment, the fastest bus routes, and some other life lessons, like the fact that cooking isn't always terrifying; it can actually be fun! This summer has just begun, and already I know it is the best of my life so far.
I have two fantastic yet very different internships, where I am learning a lot about the entertainment and marketing communications industries. I could not ask for better people to work with or more interesting opportunities. I don't know how I managed to land two awesome internships at once, but I hope my luck continues! I wouldn't trade them for any other work.
When I'm not doing my intern duties, I'm lucky enough to spend time with some of my closest friends, who either live nearby or come for visits. We've gotten into all sorts of shenanigans, from attempting to go wedding dress shopping on a Sunday afternoon (none of us are engaged--it's a good thing that plan didn't work out) to heading out to the Summerfest grounds for concerts and Polish fest. Even just exploring the lakefront or a new side street has given me experiences that I will never forget.
That's really what this summer is about for me: new experiences. In my living situation, work, relationships, and the things I see and do everyday, there is always something new to learn. With each new experience, I gain a bit of knowledge about the city, those around me, and even myself.
This summer is about more than just being independent. I'm not just surviving; I'm thriving. I'm coming into my own and enjoying every minute! Living away from home doesn't have to be scary. It's a part of life, and a very exciting part at that! No matter where you are, there is always something to do or see. Collect those experiences like stones or stamps because they're worth more than anything you can put in a box. They're bits and pieces of who you are.
I have two fantastic yet very different internships, where I am learning a lot about the entertainment and marketing communications industries. I could not ask for better people to work with or more interesting opportunities. I don't know how I managed to land two awesome internships at once, but I hope my luck continues! I wouldn't trade them for any other work.
When I'm not doing my intern duties, I'm lucky enough to spend time with some of my closest friends, who either live nearby or come for visits. We've gotten into all sorts of shenanigans, from attempting to go wedding dress shopping on a Sunday afternoon (none of us are engaged--it's a good thing that plan didn't work out) to heading out to the Summerfest grounds for concerts and Polish fest. Even just exploring the lakefront or a new side street has given me experiences that I will never forget.
That's really what this summer is about for me: new experiences. In my living situation, work, relationships, and the things I see and do everyday, there is always something new to learn. With each new experience, I gain a bit of knowledge about the city, those around me, and even myself.
This summer is about more than just being independent. I'm not just surviving; I'm thriving. I'm coming into my own and enjoying every minute! Living away from home doesn't have to be scary. It's a part of life, and a very exciting part at that! No matter where you are, there is always something to do or see. Collect those experiences like stones or stamps because they're worth more than anything you can put in a box. They're bits and pieces of who you are.
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Growing Up and Up and Up
In a few days, I'll be moving into my first apartment to kick off what I hope will be the greatest summer of all time. The preparation has been intense. Packing, cleaning, organizing, disposing, donating: verbs that have ruled my life for the past few weeks. I've figured out a monthly budget and paid the first month's rent. I've got two internships lined up (one of which pays, thank goodness!), and I've downloaded a mobile banking app. I've got groceries and cleaning supplies. I am ready.
I guess all this financial planning and the gathering of basic survival tools means I'm turning into a real life grown up. Not so sure I'm ready for that. At least not the label. When I was a kid, 20 seemed ancient, like the age when you get married and stuff. Now I want to push all of that as far back as possible! Still, being more independent is in the cards for me as a 20-year-old, and it's something I really do desire.
I don't think there is an official age when a person becomes an "adult". It just sort of happens gradually. Baby steps lead to adulthood. And we never stop taking those baby steps.
I think we grow up a little each time we learn a new skill, visit a new place, or form a new relationship. The accumulation of experiences is really what aging is. It's what life is all about. It doesn't stop when we turn 20 or 35 or 62. My dad discovers something new on his iPhone almost every day, which usually drives me nuts because he asks me questions as if I know all things about technology, but it's actually pretty cool because it means he's still learning; he's still growing up, just like I am. And we can help each other grow.
Being human in this day and age is a pretty spectacular thing. Technology is kind of the great equalizer, where young people usually know more than their older counterparts, and older people usually know more about real life experiences--like getting an apartment, for example. There is something to learn from every person you meet, no matter their age, gender, etc. Take a chance to listen to someone, whether it's your grandpa, a freshman just arriving on campus, or a person at the bus stop. You just might learn something.
I guess all this financial planning and the gathering of basic survival tools means I'm turning into a real life grown up. Not so sure I'm ready for that. At least not the label. When I was a kid, 20 seemed ancient, like the age when you get married and stuff. Now I want to push all of that as far back as possible! Still, being more independent is in the cards for me as a 20-year-old, and it's something I really do desire.
I don't think there is an official age when a person becomes an "adult". It just sort of happens gradually. Baby steps lead to adulthood. And we never stop taking those baby steps.
I think we grow up a little each time we learn a new skill, visit a new place, or form a new relationship. The accumulation of experiences is really what aging is. It's what life is all about. It doesn't stop when we turn 20 or 35 or 62. My dad discovers something new on his iPhone almost every day, which usually drives me nuts because he asks me questions as if I know all things about technology, but it's actually pretty cool because it means he's still learning; he's still growing up, just like I am. And we can help each other grow.
Being human in this day and age is a pretty spectacular thing. Technology is kind of the great equalizer, where young people usually know more than their older counterparts, and older people usually know more about real life experiences--like getting an apartment, for example. There is something to learn from every person you meet, no matter their age, gender, etc. Take a chance to listen to someone, whether it's your grandpa, a freshman just arriving on campus, or a person at the bus stop. You just might learn something.
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Lovin' Life
With the semester ending and everyone getting stressed, I think this is a good opportunity to look at some of the positives in my life. The past few weeks have had their good points, my present days are filled with new endeavors, and the future is looking up! I have a lot of reasons to be thankful.
Firstly, while my technological advances haven't been great leaps like they were a year ago, I am still learning new things and my iPhone keeps getting new apps. I can't seem to cure my Candy Crush addiction and recently I downloaded Vine! I'll be making videos of my pet fish, Snoop, until I have mastered the "touch-and-release".
Secondly, on a slightly more serious note, I've never felt more comfortable with the choices I've made academically and professionally. I love being able to say that I'm a public relations major with minors in psychology and Asian studies. It's a mouthful, but it feels right!
Just the other day, I had an epiphany about how to put the things I'm studying together into an awesome career. I would love to research different cultures before an international product launch, for example, to prevent embarrassing cultural blunders on the part of global companies. Training executives and other representatives in cultural etiquette would be fulfilling, too. I'd get to learn new things all the time, teach, promote cultural understanding and harmony, feed my curiosity with research, and help companies build relationships! What could be better?
To get there, I'm going to have to do some work. I've already started the process with my current internship, which I've really grown to enjoy. I've learned so much from it and met some of the nicest people. I'll be sad to see it end! Still, I have high hopes for life after internship #1. I've got at least one internship lined up for the summer (I'm hoping to get a second), and both are very different from my previous experiences and each other. I can't wait to learn new things and meet new people!
Speaking of summer, I'm pretty sure this will be the best one yet. I've got my own, super-classy, hipster apartment (I plan on putting a typewriter somewhere in it--don't judge), as well as a super-classy, hipster roommate. We will get into all sorts of shenanigans, like figuring out how to cook for ourselves (eek!), going to concerts, and of course figuring out how to fit our internships into all the fun! I am so excited to see what else Milwaukee has to offer when the semester ends.
I'm so excited that I've even started looking ahead to the fall, when the new semester will begin. That's a pretty big deal for me, since I usually don't plan ahead much more than a week! I've decided that I'm going to keep the positivity going. In addition to taking classes that I think will be pretty awesome, I'll get back to one of the things I love most: singing. I signed up for gospel choir to do just that. I have very little experience with gospel music, but I'm ready to work my alto range and learn something new!
I think this is one of the longest blog posts I've written in awhile. Thanks for sticking with me for this long. I hope those of you that read this have just as many things to be optimistic about (or more)! Don't be afraid to share the great things that are happening in your life, and don't forget to be there for those who don't have as many great things going just yet. Happiness is meant to be shared!
Firstly, while my technological advances haven't been great leaps like they were a year ago, I am still learning new things and my iPhone keeps getting new apps. I can't seem to cure my Candy Crush addiction and recently I downloaded Vine! I'll be making videos of my pet fish, Snoop, until I have mastered the "touch-and-release".
Secondly, on a slightly more serious note, I've never felt more comfortable with the choices I've made academically and professionally. I love being able to say that I'm a public relations major with minors in psychology and Asian studies. It's a mouthful, but it feels right!
Just the other day, I had an epiphany about how to put the things I'm studying together into an awesome career. I would love to research different cultures before an international product launch, for example, to prevent embarrassing cultural blunders on the part of global companies. Training executives and other representatives in cultural etiquette would be fulfilling, too. I'd get to learn new things all the time, teach, promote cultural understanding and harmony, feed my curiosity with research, and help companies build relationships! What could be better?
To get there, I'm going to have to do some work. I've already started the process with my current internship, which I've really grown to enjoy. I've learned so much from it and met some of the nicest people. I'll be sad to see it end! Still, I have high hopes for life after internship #1. I've got at least one internship lined up for the summer (I'm hoping to get a second), and both are very different from my previous experiences and each other. I can't wait to learn new things and meet new people!
Speaking of summer, I'm pretty sure this will be the best one yet. I've got my own, super-classy, hipster apartment (I plan on putting a typewriter somewhere in it--don't judge), as well as a super-classy, hipster roommate. We will get into all sorts of shenanigans, like figuring out how to cook for ourselves (eek!), going to concerts, and of course figuring out how to fit our internships into all the fun! I am so excited to see what else Milwaukee has to offer when the semester ends.
I'm so excited that I've even started looking ahead to the fall, when the new semester will begin. That's a pretty big deal for me, since I usually don't plan ahead much more than a week! I've decided that I'm going to keep the positivity going. In addition to taking classes that I think will be pretty awesome, I'll get back to one of the things I love most: singing. I signed up for gospel choir to do just that. I have very little experience with gospel music, but I'm ready to work my alto range and learn something new!
I think this is one of the longest blog posts I've written in awhile. Thanks for sticking with me for this long. I hope those of you that read this have just as many things to be optimistic about (or more)! Don't be afraid to share the great things that are happening in your life, and don't forget to be there for those who don't have as many great things going just yet. Happiness is meant to be shared!
Saturday, March 30, 2013
1000 Page Views?!?!
Is this real? In just over a year, my blog has reached 1000 page views! Thanks to all who have taken an interest. I really do love this blog (even though I don't get a chance to post as much as I would like), and it's so nice to see that I'm not the only one who enjoys it! That's not to say that 1000 people out there are my blog's biggest fans; I'm sure a hefty percentage of those views are from either my parents or people from other countries who stumble upon Confessions and move on an instant later. Still, I love seeing that number!
One of the reasons I love this blog so much is that it documents my growth as a student, as a pre-professional, and as a person. Looking through the old posts, I can tell what I thought, feared, and overcame at various points in my college life. Obviously, most of that had to do with technology, but I think there are subtle hints to changes in my personality as well. Writing this blog has forced me to learn more about technology, but more importantly, it's helped me to learn more about myself.
At this time last year, who knew that I would have multiple Twitter accounts connected to my phone (or that I would even know how to set that up)? Who knew that I would be about to declare a second minor in Asian Studies, which requires a lot of history classes, my most dreaded subject in the past? Who knew I would be considering market research as a future career, when getting me to write research papers was always like pulling teeth? Many of the things I thought I'd like have fallen short of my expectations, and the things I never expected to take an interest in have turned out to be quite fulfilling.
A lot of these decisions of mine seem random, even to me, but I think I've been moving in this direction for awhile. A blog like this is precious because it's a map of where you've been. It also validates where you are and points you in the direction of where you might want to go. And it doesn't have to be a blog. Whether you're writing, drawing, painting, making videos, or recording podcasts, as long as you can put your thoughts and feelings into something tangible, you can map out your life. That's what expression is all about: letting yourself and others know where you've been, where you are, and where you're going.
Thanks again to everyone who helped me get to 1000 page views, especially those of you who actually took the time to read about all the crazy moments in my life. Your interest and support has helped make my map that much more colorful.
One of the reasons I love this blog so much is that it documents my growth as a student, as a pre-professional, and as a person. Looking through the old posts, I can tell what I thought, feared, and overcame at various points in my college life. Obviously, most of that had to do with technology, but I think there are subtle hints to changes in my personality as well. Writing this blog has forced me to learn more about technology, but more importantly, it's helped me to learn more about myself.
At this time last year, who knew that I would have multiple Twitter accounts connected to my phone (or that I would even know how to set that up)? Who knew that I would be about to declare a second minor in Asian Studies, which requires a lot of history classes, my most dreaded subject in the past? Who knew I would be considering market research as a future career, when getting me to write research papers was always like pulling teeth? Many of the things I thought I'd like have fallen short of my expectations, and the things I never expected to take an interest in have turned out to be quite fulfilling.
A lot of these decisions of mine seem random, even to me, but I think I've been moving in this direction for awhile. A blog like this is precious because it's a map of where you've been. It also validates where you are and points you in the direction of where you might want to go. And it doesn't have to be a blog. Whether you're writing, drawing, painting, making videos, or recording podcasts, as long as you can put your thoughts and feelings into something tangible, you can map out your life. That's what expression is all about: letting yourself and others know where you've been, where you are, and where you're going.
Thanks again to everyone who helped me get to 1000 page views, especially those of you who actually took the time to read about all the crazy moments in my life. Your interest and support has helped make my map that much more colorful.
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