Happy New Year!

            Another promising year has dawned upon us. As I think about the future that awaits me, I first have to reflect on my past. What an accomplishment 2012 was! I graduated college, received a B.A. in English, spent months creating a forty-page paper that received a “Work of Distinction,” and attended my first Phish concert (an event that was long overdue). I also had the privilege of having saved enough summer earnings to fly to the British Virgin Islands on a memorable spring break with just under 20 of my closest friends. However, this past year was also very unpredictable after my summer ended. I chose to take the summer off, in the sense that I did not actively “job hunt,” and squeezed in one more season waitressing in Rockport, MA. Ironically, after the beach house shut down in October, I was living right back in Weston, reminiscent of my days of acne and college applications. It was then that I realized I had to buckle down and truly throw myself into landing a job.

            Despite tireless efforts, here I am, jobless, at the start of 2013. Sure, I am a bit discouraged, but I also believe that everything happens for a reason. WARNING: The next section of this post WILL contain a slew of clichés. I knew I had to come to London when a few of my job leads fell through. In fact, the most common advice I’ve been given from my older family members is to take advantage of the free time I have. My cousin PJ said to me, “things can get pretty serious pretty quickly.” Therefore, my primary resolution for the New Year will be to live in the present. I do not want to spend my days in anticipation or anxiety about finding an occupation. That is no way to live. In fact, every friend I have seems to hate his or her current job, so I have actually changed my perspective on what it is I want to do. Certainly, at this point, I do not have very specific career aspirations, because I envision myself trying several things before settling into what makes me happy. That is just the kind of person I am. Someone recently told me that life is about trying everything. So that is what I plan to do. I will not knock anything until I try it. Perhaps I will love working in an office setting. Perhaps I will find that being in a job where I travel and I’m working in various locations is more my style. Either way, I will not allow anyone to label me based on the facts I have compiled on an 8” x 11” piece of paper that we call a “resume.” I can figure out on my own what “type” of employee I am. Maybe I’ll decide that I do not want to be an employee and will start my own business. Also, the personality traits I possess currently are due to change as I gain more knowledge about the “real world.” As long as I continue to read What Color is Your Parachute? by Richard N. Bolles, I’m bound to find my general purpose in life, right?

            Last night, before I went out to Camden Town to ring in 2013, I found an old fortune from a Chinese restaurant that read, “Be willing to believe in anything that is good.” I have exactly two weeks left in London. I will begin this year with optimism. Keeping in mind that good things come to those who wait, I will also not take an opportunity merely because it will result in my “doing something.” I would rather spend my days searching for that perfect first internship or job. On my way home from the pub, riding the tube at about 2:00 a.m., I began talking to a kind lady who eagerly shared that her company was offering internships. Now, she did caution that most companies would not offer me work sponsorship as an American, but she still gave me her card. She is the Associate Director of PRCo. I voiced how grateful I was to even receive her opinion about job searching. I value everyone’s opinions. That way, I can satisfactorily prove people wrong when I finally receive a coveted position within a company. Some will doubt me; some will believe I can achieve anything (my parents). At the risk of appearing dramatic, this is the most unpredictable year of my short life thus far. At least I don’t have to join weight watchers (I shed a whopping 20 lbs since last year!) but instead resolve to maintain my healthy exercise and eating habits. I will find a job soon. I can feel it. Until then, I promise to continue writing and finding a style/direction for this blog. I will read more news and novels this year so that I continue to gain knowledge about this wonderful world. I will make mistakes. I will learn from them. I will love unconditionally. I will do what makes me happy. I am scared but ultimately ready for a stupendous year. These butterflies in my stomach are weirdly comforting. Welcoming this year does not make me take my life for granted. My parents, siblings, extended family, and best friends will encourage me to find the best within myself, and for that I am blessed. Bring it on, 2013!