Employed

I have really big news to publish later, but before I do that, I want to post this.

For the first time in, ummm, like five years, I am gainfully employed. To me this means that I have a job that I go to, then I do some work, then I come home and then every couple weeks I get a steady paycheck. I am so stoked to count myself among the employed again, and while I still have high ambitions for the subject of my education, this is a really good opportunity to get my feet on the ground after a long year of school with dubious results, and also to make some money for... the future. Legacy Directories is a local company that makes phone books for several communities in many states (and even some for Canada). Elise has been working for them for several months, and they have been clients of Dad's for many years, and they have been looking for more advertisement designers. We had played phone tag for the last part of the semester, but honestly, I couldn't have hoped to work during school this year. Turns out they were looking to hire in late May (which worked out perfectly for my roadtrip plans), and when I finally had an interview, it went really well. I waited to hear from them, and I was hired just in time to work one whole day before taking off (taking another of their designers with me) to the west coast! I was kind of hoping for (read: expecting) them to hire me if they were looking for another artist, since they just love Dad and have only the nicest of things to say about Elise. I guess I have some expectations to meet, but I'm down with that.

So now, not only am I working, but I am working in an actual art-related field! My aesthetic sensibilities are actually being put to use, and I'm getting paid to use them! I can afford gas and other necessities of life! It's honestly kind of an adjustment to get used to working every day again, especially in a 9 to 5 capacity, but it's an adjustment I'm more than willing to deal with. One thing that I am having a hard time acclimating to (which I expected) is using a Mac. Dooooh, that spinning rainbow of death... And to those who think Macs are so much more user-friendly than PCs and that they never ever crash, I'm now convinced you're living in a dream world. Still, I feel like I'm already getting a hang of the network and system there, and Elise is a great trainer. I feel so lucky to also get to work side by side with my little sister! We're just such wonderful friends, and now she can pay back all the artistic advice and counsel I gave her growing up by directing me and teaching me the ways of the graphic design side of things.

Yay for having a job and making money and being an asset to the community.

Longest Week Ever Angst

This has been the longest school week ever. I'm fairly certain this is the least prepared I've ever been for the first week of school in my entire college experience. Some of this is my fault, but most of it isn't (that FAFSA business is still pending, and I've done my part, so they said at the bank). I was going to outline reasons why this week was so long and awful in bullet fashion, but that would seem so negative, especially after my most lovely Rolla post, so I decided to just point out a few of them, and how some of them are starting to come together.

First, classes: I wasn't able to register for half my classes until they started, but by Wednesday I was able to add the ones I needed, and even in the sections I wanted! This is confusing because of the tuition fiasco, but I don't ask too many questions yet. Next, textbooks: I was quite nervous about paying for books, as the sum total equalled an amount I was not even privy to at this point ($150 for one of the cheaper of them at the used price--outrageous!), but I was able to find the most expensive ones at significantly cheaper prices! Here's hoping the ones I bought a past edition of will suffice, and that they're all legit, and also that they arrive shortly since I'm already rather behind in my heavy reading load. Third, car/snow trouble: As much as I love the snow and winter, the weather early this week was really testing my devotion. It's just not that fun to worry every time you get into your car that it's not going to start, and then even if it does, that you won't be able to get out of your spot onto the street due to ice. Once it took 60 minutes (no exaggeration), two guys, a shovel and some salt to get me onto 800 East in Provo, and then it took yet another push to get me actually going up the road. I love my car, but it is not at all practical in the winter. The tired are bald, the roof leaks and the heat is touchy, if it works at all. But at least I have a car at all. And, my class schedule and Mom's somewhat coincide, so we can carpool a lot of times.

I tell you, if it weren't for my sponsor providing a gym pass, allowing me to run to my heart's (and heartrate's) content, I would die from the stress of this week alone, and all I really wanted to do was go back to Missouri. After I grew accustomed to my classes, the angst started to die down, but then there are other things to work out... Work, money, life, etc. (if you know what I mean) ...

Never mind! I am optimistic! I can do it! Thanks to all those who provide such encouragement and inspiration! You know who you are. But still... Unknown Rich Uncle? Whenever you die, I promise my inheritance will be put to good use.