Like many college graduates of my generation I graduated in the worst job market in a very long time. I was very fortunate to have two job interviews, however I was unfortunate enough to not find a teaching job before school started. This whole trying to find a job process can be very stressful and disheartening. It is a tough world out there and I need to keep confident and strong, but some days this summer it has been very hard. I moved back in with my parents after graduating because financially it was the smart thing to do. I then went back to being waitress at a local "upscale" restaurant in my hometown that I had worked at previously. I lasted there a little over a month until I remembered why I hated it there in the first place. The restaurant is disorganized, dirty, and over all not very well run. My final motivation to leave was the fact that they were giving their employees their paychecks late and the pay checks were coming out of the drawer. I got a job at the Olive Garden before I left the restaurant in my hometown in order to make sure that I would still have money coming in. For restaurant work Darden isn't a bad company to work for and I have been making more money at OG than at the restaurant in my hometown. I don't really like being a waitress, but I am young, smart, sweet, and decent looking. These are all a good combination for being able to make decent tips, so the money is what keeps me there for now.
I have been trying to keep up with a hobby this summer.... something to keep me happy and something to keep me learning. In January I began taking harp lessons at Indiana University from the harp department. I absolutely love the harp and I have wanted to play the harp ever since I was a little girl. I finally had enough time in my schedule my last semester of classes to take harp lessons. I found out that I have a natural skill at the harp and Ella the harp professor said that she doesn't remember the last time that she has seen anyone pick up on harp technique as quickly as I have. I miss Ella. She is great. This summer I found a lady in town who teaches harp. She is really great. She plays harp professionally and teaches harp to children and adults from her beautiful home on Lake Michigan. She found me a harp to rent and I have been taking lessons this summer. It makes me so happy that I have been able to continue playing such a beautiful instrument. I love the harp. I wish that I could play it all the time, but it hurts my back to practice for too long.
As I had mentioned earlier I have also been looking for a teaching job. I had two interviews at two different schools. I thought I had a decent shot at getting both jobs, but with so much competition in the job market right now.... I didn't. The second interview was at the end of July. The interview was an hour and fifteen minutes long and the principal showed me around the school and I could tell that the interview committee liked me a lot. I was so hopeful. It was very sad when I found out that they gave the job to someone who already lived in the area.
Despite the fact that I didn't find a teaching job this summer, I think that it all happened for a reason. About two weeks ago I got a call from my boyfriend (though he calls me every day =) ). He called me to let me know that he got a full time job for the theatre company that he has been working at for the past two summers. The theatre is in Massachusetts in the Berkshires. At the end of October/beginning of November I will be moving out there to live with him. We have been together for two and a half years. I am happy that after having to spend so much time apart we will finally get to be together again. I plan to look for a teaching job out there and also continue with my harp playing. I can hardly wait until I get to see my love every day again. I miss him so much. I feel bad leaving many of my friends and family behind, but I will be back to visit sometimes and I will get to see them then. I am excited and nervous about moving away from Indiana. Indiana has been my home for my 23 years of life and soon I will be leaving it. I think that it is about time though. It is time for a life transition. I have created this blog so that I will be able to record this part of my life and share it with those that I will be leaving behind. I will miss you all very much, but I want you all to know that I will not forget you and I hope that you do not forget me even if I am far away.
