Will you be my friend?

I think the biggest question people ask is how do you make friends after college? We are no longer surrounded by people our age, bombarded with eligible soul mates, or forced to interact with strangers. It's like socializing has become totally optional and a bit of an up keep. I am starting to understand why people want to get married right out of college and avoid any self-discovery that my come with solitude. But why be tied down when this is your first chance to break free? I remember the moment my parent left me at college, sitting in my dorm room all alone, and I realized that I could do whatever I wanted yet I had absolutely nothing to do. A similar moment occurred again when I moved after college. With freedom come a lot of boring.
So naturally, I began plotting my attack on society and how I would lure these new people into my snare of friendship. Following the trends of TV and popular movies, I was lead to believe that just by walking into a coffee shop or taking any mode of public transportation a friend would magically appear. Reality check: TV is not real life. Random strangers won't magically strike up a conversation with you (unless you look like a celebrity or give them a dollar). This is a moment when practicing hobbies really pays off. Common interests are key in meeting new friends.
Church has proven to be the best place to meet people after college. Since it is in a classroom type setting and sometimes broken up by life stages (college, 20's, 30's, 40's, etc.), it's like friends are being handed to you on a silver platter and all you have to do it grab one. Taking a class is another good way to find people who want to be your friend. Toastmasters forced you to get out of your comfort zone and talk in public. Zumba or Pilates is more active and you can meet fitness gurus who can motivate you into an entirely new body. Go out and meet your neighbors. You never know when you'll be living next door to the creator of match.com or the event planner with free tickets to everything. There are always the more interesting methods like stalking, going to a bar alone, handcuffing yourself to a stranger, or throwing rocks at people until someone decides to chase you down.
Although making friends in 'the real world' is not as simple and effortless as it was in college. I think its a growing experience and helps build self confidence by continually putting yourself out there and trying new things. Ask yourself what you and your best friend would be doing right now and then go do it, because your new best friend is probably there waiting to meet you.

Relocating can be a MOVING experience

After college, its almost inevitable to move into a different home, city, or even state. And in my opinion, its a good first step into a new stage in life. So you've graduated and now what, you basically have three options when it comes to a place to live. 1) move back in with mom and dad 2) keep living in your college apartment with the party roommates 3) find a new place to start life. I chose the third options, and it was a good one. I moved 5 hours away from home, for my job, and it was a process. Fortunately, the week before I moved, my sister moved about 12 hours away so I got to use her as a guinea pig trial run for moving techniques. With this first move, we only took a small car and a small SUV, so organization was key. Everything you own must fit like a puzzle piece to get it all packed. Unloading everything reminded me of the parable in the Bible about the five loaves and two fish because that stuff just kept multiplying. I never believed that those cars could hold enough stuff to fill her entire apartment, but to my surprise, it turned out perfect. My move was a different story because all my stuff definitely would not fit in a small car. My dad and I unloaded all my furniture, drug it up three flights of stairs, and moved it several times to get it just how I wanted it. Then we went to the store where I bought my mattress from because I somehow forgot to mention that I would want to get it delivered so we had to pick it up and then move it in ourselves. Let me tell you, watching me and my dad juggle a giant queen size mattress and box springs up three flights of stairs, around tight corners AND in the rain was quite a sight. But from all the moving events, I learned a few things that I thought could be helpful to future movers.

1) Don't buy all new things because then it won't feel like your home.
2) Be creative with decorating, (ie: I made a headboard out of my old vinyl records).

3) Work out a lot before moving to gain strength to lift lots of heavy things.
4) Reusable grocery bags are easier to move than boxes.

5) Anything larger than a couch should be delivered. If you're moving higher than the second floor, anything larger that you personally should be delivered.
6) Movers are handy and do a fantastic job, but it saves a lot of money doing it yourself. Plus it's a good experience and memory.
7) Put paper/styrofoam plates between all your dishes as extra cushions so nothing gets broken.
8) Label EVERYTHING! even if it says miscellaneous, at least you know where to put it.
9) Be sure to bring a case of water or stop at the store before you start unloading.
10) Take everyone that helped you out to dinner as a thank you.

Roommates

I've lived with a few roommates, and I would say half of them where good. However, my most recent roommate experience turned me off from sharing an apartment. I lived in Arlington this past summer with 3 girls that I had never met. I had a crazy idea that since I was moving to a new city where I didn't know anyone, I should live with other people so I would have someone to call an ambulance if I suddenly discovered I was highly allergic to olives. Unfortunately, these roommates would of probably let me die on the kitchen floor if I ever had an allergic reaction. I remember one day I came home from work and one of the girls I lived with stopped to talk to me (a rare occurrence) and informed me about a birthday party she was having for her sister. Naturally I was excited for her and asked about the details. She proceeded to tell me the date and time and their plans, then politely told me that I could just stay in my room while they had people over. Needless to say, these three girls were not my biggest fans. By the end of the summer, I told my friends to hit me the next time I said I want to live with a random roommate. Now that I am getting ready to move again, I was set on living alone to avoid any awkward occurrences or unnecessary drama. That didn't last long... 

I began to pray and ask God to direct me in my living situation and show me very clearly what I was suppose to do. Shortly after, my sweet cousin told me that her really good friend just moved to Fort Worth (where I am moving in 3 days) and that she would be a perfect roommate for me. I met with her and she was nothing like my definition of a roommate. 

Previous roommate definition: n, a person who acts in a manor of impractical or senseless behavior while sharing a living space with another

Now I cannot officially say my definition is completely rewritten since I have not fully moved in with my new roommate, but I have a prediction.

Predicted roommate definition: n, a person who shares a home and acted with respect,  friendliness, and honesty.

For everyone else who hasn't had a successful roommate drop into their lap thanks to God, I've made a pro and con list of living with a roommate after college.
Pro

1. Someone will find you if you spontaneously combust
2. You can always get a second opinion on your outfit
3. You won't have to face robbers alone
4. You have a built in friend/connection to the area your moving to
5. You can split the cost of living

Cons

1. You have to be nice to their friends, pets, and plants
2. You cannot sing at the top of your lungs without anyone hearing you
3. You cannot steal their stuff (because they know where you live)
4. You have to hear about their drama, day, and diet
5. They could leave old cheese sitting around for 18 days

Color me... Professional?

I don't think it has actually hit me that I am done with school and am about to join in the world with professional people. But honestly, why should it? I haven't made any big changes from what I would be doing if I were to be going back to school next semester. There isn't any defining moments or activities that have awakened me into a new reality. So in order to start the process of accepting change and transitioning into a new stage of life, I have decided to update my wardrobe. Unfortunately, old shopping habits are tough to break. I went shopping looking for professional business clothes, rather than fun sweats and casual attire. I came home with neon green and orange blazers, bright fun shoes, and more workout clothes. Even without the ideal results, I think I finally started thinking about the idea of not returning to school. As I shop, I tend to picture myself in the situation that I will be wearing the outfit that I am trying on. So while I kept picturing myself in my office, or in meetings, I began to get more comfortable with the idea that I am about to spend an unnatural amount of time indoors at a desk. Change isn't the end of the world, it just the start of a new beginning. It's almost more exciting than scary to think of all the firsts I am about I experience.

Belize

Well I must admit, traveling in my time off between school and work was the best decision. I went to Belize which sounds glamorous and exotic, but it was a very different than I expected. I stayed in Belmopan, the capital city, instead of the islands and got a full experience of the new culture. In the 8 days, I went cave tubing, went to the Belize zoo which was very exotic, got in a cage with a jaguar and got to pet him, hiked through the jungle, went on a 5 hour birding tour, visited the Amish, shopped at the market, picked up hitch hikers, cooked a pineapple pie and so many more things!

The way of life was so new and different. The people there explained it as an event oriented culture rather than a time oriented culture. I went to church on Sunday that was suppose to start at 10, and it actually started at about 10:15 and lasted over 2 hours, yet no one complained because that was the event they went to, not a time slot they were filling.

Driving around in Belize was a new experience too. The highways are the only roads that are paved, but they are one lane with two way traffic. There are random 'pedestrian ramps' or speed bumps everywhere. Yes, even on the highways. Looking around, I'd see houses about the size of my living room. The poverty was overwhelming. I couldn't imagine how the people there live, and yet everyone was so friendly and happy. It has opened my eyes too a new appreciation for everything I have been blessed with. Experiencing new things is what I love doing, and I feel like it helps me grow as a individual and be more open minded and considerate of others.

Time to Travel

I was told once that the best thing to do after college is to take a trip and travel a little. It seemed unconventional because society it always pushing us to get a job, make money, get married, and start popping out kids like bullets. Now I realize what great advice that really was. This is the last time that I will be able to take a vacation without missing classes or taking time off from work. After I start working, I will have a job for the rest of my life (hopefully). I have nothing holding me down, controlling my time, or bills to pay.
It doesn't really matter where you go I guess, as long as you enjoy the freedom. Even student who paid for college with student loans can take a trip because they can wait a few months before they have to start paying the loans back.
With this is mind, I am headed to Belize for 9 days to enjoy my one off of everything. My family and I have decided to take one last trip together before everyone scatters back into their separate lives. Tomorrow morning will start another new adventure for me. I'm not really sure about the details of this trip yet, but between the historic scenery, beautiful beaches, and great need on the people in Belize. I cannot wait to see what astounding things happen! I'll keep ya updated as soon as I get Internet access again.

Starting Out

Well it's official, as of December 15, 2012 I am a Texas Tech University graduate. I received my degree in Personal Financial Planning in 3 1/2 years, amazingly. I wouldn't trade my college experience for anything, but I am now ready to look to the future and take on a career. At the beginning of my last semester in college, I got a job offer from a financial planning firm that I did a summer internship with. After careful consideration, I accepted this job offer and am now preparing to transition from college life into 'real life.' Because this seems to be somewhat of a gray area in the ideal life plan, I thought I'd document my experiences in order to write my own life journey.
Although this is only day two of my after-college life, it is starting to hit me that I have left all my friends and my home for the past few years behind. I won't get to see my friends every single day, go to class and do projects, or work crazy hours and not sleep for days. However, with the thrill of a new adventure just ahead, I can distract myself enough by focusing on the positive things and all the new and exciting experiences I am about to encounter. Look out world, here I come.