Melanie

Setting yourself straight,

2013-03-07T02:44:33Z

I'm going to be real honest here and tell you all, that, that Senioritis is R-E-A-L. No joke. And I am not the only to be suffering from it. It's a bad case of Senioritis and stress, and it is literally driving me nuts. One piece of advice for you all when you get to your last semester, relax when you start to feel overwhelmed. I know it probably doesn't sound like a good choice, but do it, because you will need it so that you don't overexert yourself and feel really overwhelmed. Slow your life down a bit because it's the best thing you can do for yourself.
I think the thing that stresses me out the most right now, is probably what I am going to be doing afterwards. It is literally driving me nuts making me not want to focus. But you know what, I am going to promise myself, that I am going to use my resources to my advantage. I am not going to try to do this alone. So guys, wish me luck! And good luck to those of you graduating this year both from High School, and College (regardless of what diploma you are getting)!
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Jobs,

2013-02-14T05:11:47Z

As a college student, you figure you kind of have to work a lot to tie a few loose ends, if not all loose ends... In my college career thus far, I have held up to 5 jobs at the same time, and to top it off, be a full time student with decent grades...crazy isn't it? I know, tuition rates going up, and the economy going down, takes a toll on all college students no matter where you are. But now as my senior year is progressing...I'm down to just 2 jobs....amazing huh? Just how the world works. Sometimes even I am amazed at the outcomes of many things...well I guess you could say at all things all the time.

I guess what I'm trying to say too is, no matter how many jobs we have in our college career at the same time, towards the end of it, it will probably dwindle down just because you are so focused on completing everything and actually looking for a "real world job" which not too many people find right away. But from talking to people who have graduated already, have no fear, because you never really know who is watching you. And I have to say for myself, I am scared of what is to come, but I am prepared for it as well, as prepared for it as I will ever be.

Honestly, even with taking classes and going to career services and getting all the help and experience I can, it really does fall right back to Y-O-U! Because it is up to you to take the first step and to trust that you have made the right decision. I met someone the other day who probably gave me the best advice ever about applying to jobs, it never hurts to apply to something you don't exactly qualify for because what employers are seeking, is authenticity. And also from what I have learned and heard over and over again, it is the people you know who will help you or know the contacts of possible positions you can apply for, not your excess level of skills with no network, but your decent amount of skill and network.

Since we are on the topic as well, networking events are always fun to go to and the best things you can do for yourself! Why you ask me, because you get to meet people, people who can mentor you, people who maybe looking to hire, anyone really. The most important thing though, is to bring your resume! Any networking event you go to, I have learned, being your résumé, a notepad and a pen! It really makes you stand out when you hand over your résumé, and take their information if they have no business cards because most likely, you're the only one with a resume --making people remember you intentionally. And having your résumé, just makes you look good and prepared for anything. You never know, you might just get a call back about a job opportunity. Good luck!

Senior mid-way experience,

2013-02-04T19:27:54Z

I'm so ready to be done with school! I can't do homework anymore, actually I still can, but that senior slide, let's hope that it doesn't full blown kick in cause that would be bad! But I really can't believe that it's my last semester of college, four years has truly flown by way too quickly.

If you're wondering what it is like for me right now, I'm pretty sure I can relate to many graduating seniors. Really just being excited at the beginning of the year, then becoming afraid of what is to happen, making sure that you get all the graduation preparations ready, and then knowing what you'll be doing afterwards. I don't really think you can escape these feelings because I have friends who also are experiencing the same feelings.

As of right now though, I am worried about what I'm going to be doing after I graduate because like most seniors, I have yet to find a job after graduation yet. I've applied, but no interviews yet, which does kind of scare me a bit. You're probably wondering if I'm choosing to get into grad school too huh? Well, I really don't know what I want my Masters in yet, so I can't answer that for you, but what I do know is, my deadline is Spring 2014. That's when I'll go back to school for my Masters.

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Work Buddies,

2013-01-24T04:18:49Z

I have to honestly say, I so miss my work buddies. The four of us together. Though we probably used about 1.5 of our staff meetings to just laugh and surf the web...I have to say, I truly miss my old co-workers at the Y. Not that they all have graduated, but they've focused on their majors now, which are very demanding...science and math based...yeah you can imagine the work load there....

As we have worked together for the past three semesters, four? together, we have grown close to one another and know each other strengths and some weaknesses, circle of friends, etc...Which reminds me....I am way too attached to people, but I suppose it is a part of who I am. But I do miss them a lot. And I really can't wait to see them this Saturday at my program's event. I'm super stoked about it and will post up some photos. :)

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Winter Break,

2013-01-23T14:26:02Z

I'll have to say, I did work a lot but also had a mini vacation (will post in another blog later) over break. And it's the last winter break I'll have until I go back for my masters! I can gladly say, I'm ready for it all to be over! Super excited to be doneeee! Let's just hope this senior slide doesn't hit, so far so good!

I was so ready to celebrate the holidays and greet the new year, I had to go shopping! Winter break had it good points even though I worked a lot. I got some shopping done, and slept in too. I think that's the best part, though I did wake up early-ish still.

Breaking Barriers,

2012-12-07T04:26:25Z

With the program that I work with, breaking barriers has always been a challenge. Through my years of just getting to know people and work, I've found that its natural for people to build barriers or have their walls up to protect themselves. But today, today I broke some cultural barriers. And I feel good. I love getting to know people and the beauty of their cultures. Every culture no matter what it is, is just absolutely beautiful. The language, the clothes, and the people themselves are beautiful people. The struggles that we all have faced or will face, has made very beautiful with impacting stories to tell come into my life and vice versa.

A word of advice for you all, don't let any barriers hold you back from getting to know people, because they could be the most beautiful people you come to know.

Hair issues,

2012-12-01T18:13:30Z

So every time after I shower, and do my hair, I always struggle with this thing called voluminous hair. I love love love my hair, but sometimes it gets to be way too much, which is why if you ever see me, my hair is up and away from my face or braided away!

With the exception of today, where I actually did my hair, *sigh, hair problems but not really either. :/

Three More Weeks!

2012-11-28T18:12:57Z

Three more weeks and we are done with school! For the semester that is! I'm so ready for Winter Break now! Senior Slide it is...I'm really hoping next semster will be easier, seeing that I am taking only really 2 classes. :) Btw, I have to say, I'm so excited for my Horse Back Riding class next semester! I fell in love with them 2 summers ago working at a Camp. Long story short --they are some of the most gentle animals ever. Literally.

]]> Anyways, back to classes --three more weeks and we are done. Now that reminds me what I still need to get done for this semester...The list goes:

-Final Paper for English

-Paper for History

-Final Paper for Field Studies

-Senior Portfolio for Field Studies

-Self and Site Evaluation form for Field Studies

-Two more exams for Research Methods (including final)

-Final exam for History

And then WINTER BREAK! YAY! I'm excited! :)

Black Friday,

2012-11-24T01:30:05Z

My first time ever going Black Friday shopping last night/today, and I can see the craze! It's because they've got some really good deals on SOME not all things.

We ended up spending about $190 total on 20 items. Not bad h say. We got the whole Harry Potter series in blue ray, two sets of picture frames, a griddle, a hand mixer, the last two remaining Lord of the Ring series that we were missing, a pair of shoes, and a decor piece as well! :) we also got some other miscellaneous things too. :) next year, I am going to make sure to save up some more so I can shop all night and day! Well not all night and day, but all night for sure. :)

Thanksgiving break,

2012-11-21T18:35:08Z

Campus is already so empty, with many students headed home for the break. It's a good break and is, I think very much needed right before crunch time!

]]> I'm always excited for Thanksgiving break, because it means a lot of goooooood eating! And this year is kind of special too! My uncle (one of my mom's brothers) who lives out of state is visiting early this year! Usually he comes over winter break to spend Christmas with us, but this year, he's visiting before that! YAY! We only get to see him once a year for about a week and a half, then usually he has to go back. It's kind of depressing at times, but I get really excited when he visits just cause it's non-stop family time. :)

Besides him just visiting, he's also bringing his girlfriend up to meet the family as well, which is exciting, and nerve-wrecking at the same time. I understand why too, but that's just that. Life is life!

I think though, for me, I'm just most excited because it's kind of a day of unlimited eating, until our tummies are stuffed full, and family time. :) I honestly don't know what I would do with out them. I'm very thankful for the wonderful family that I have.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Stay safe, and eat lots of food too!

Field Work with Families course,

2012-11-13T03:42:32Z

I honestly did not expect this class to be this much work, but considering that it is one of the last courses I have to take in order to graduate and that it is being taught by the undergraduate head adviser, I can see why it's so hard!

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Besides just that, I also have to create my senior portfolio as well, which is going to drive me nuts. I have to think about all the classes I took, and write up a summary on them all too. *Sigh, this class, man it's really going to make me work, but I know it'll pay off in the end. Oh, by the way, did I mention, I also have include course work that I have already done as well too? Yup. A lot of work must be put into this portfolio and paper. Let's just hope that I get it done by Dec 4 at the latest! Wish me luck!

Voting,

2012-11-07T18:02:19Z

I really have to say, yesterday's election was actually pretty nerve racking for me, personally just because if I am going to continue into Grad School in the next couple of years, it'll be MORE difficult for me, and also the fact that tuition would probably rise even more than what is expected.

Though I do have to say, there are it's pros and cons to both canidates. BUT, I was more nervous about the two amendments than I was the presidental election. The two amendments would forever change history in our state, regardless of which ever way it went. Though being a FSOS major, I would of course, want it to go the way that it did just because I am in favor of what's best for the people of the state, the future of the state, and the children in our futures as well.

]]> Based off the idea that our nation was created under equal rights, it would be taking away people's rights, and we would probably have to eventually, have another major civil rights movement so people can marry who they love and can vote without a photo ID.

Eventually moving into requiring a photo ID will be necessary, but I think at this moment in time, it is not needed. We have so much more to focus on that just that. We have to be able to lower tuition rates so everyone can afford education, low income families who want a better future would not be able to get out of where they are at, if we the people do not help. We would only be creating a larger margin in society which is highly unnecessary. However, the safety of our nation is also needed, way too many wars are going on and we are taking what we have for granted, even if we say we aren't, we are. In order to have true peace in the world, we the people of the earth must work together to create a change and bring together all the people, not just one or two people.

Professionalism,

2012-11-03T02:45:44Z

I guess I'm at the point where I can kind of talk about what being professional is. I may still be a student...but I feel like the 3 years that I have dedicated to my program gives me enough experience to say that, professionalism comes in many different forms. But the most important piece of it, is being honest about who you are, and what you represent.

No one can be professional if they don't know what they are representing and have no interest in what they are doing...that is what JOBS are for...careers on the other hand, are another story.

Here's what profession means:
a calling requiring specialized knowledge and often long and intensive academic preparation

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Being professional from what I have learned as a student, means that one is willing to dedicate time, energy, money, and hard work to sustain what they believe in and what they are doing. If one is unwilling to dedicate any work into a career or a profession, then that is probably not the profession for you at all. You also must be clear and concise about your own goals, and how you is gong to achieve it. If you have no idea what you want, then you need to step our of your comfort zone and explore what you want, only then will you know what your calling is, and will want to dedicate as much as you need to, to accomplish your goal.

Iowa bound and back,

2012-10-23T02:18:56Z

So over the weekend I got the chance to go watch one of my boyfriend's good friend's UFC fight in Iowa. I also had a pretty fun weekend to say the least as well.

Though he lost his middle weight champion title it was still good to go just to see how he, the friend, was doing because last I saw him, was back in July.

To sum up how the weekend went, I'd have to say, Saturday was kind of a long day, well the morning was because the drive there was about three and a half hours. But once we got there everything kind of went by fast. We got ready, went to watch his fight, then hung out afterwards. But I think Sunday was even LONGER. We didn't wake up until 10 AM! It was a pretty long night is just catching up. But then we also went to eat at the Asian restaurant and went to Bass Pro Shops before coming home, to Minnesota.

One thing about Bass Pro Shops, is that this place is soooo much cooler than Cabella's, and I've been to Cabella's and Gander Mtn before too. This place, it was just crazy how much stuff they had in the store. I probably sat looking through the fishing stuff for like an hour before my boyfriend dragged me away from it since we still had to drive back home. I did NOT want to leave at all, but we did. We kind of had to force me to leave. I did pick up a few things there so, I'm pretty satisfied...however, I do hear a new fishing pole calling my name!

Dual Identities,

2012-10-18T20:27:12Z

The other day, a classmate and I had a very interesting conversation about dual identities and what it means.

Dual identities is where a person has a cultural identity living in a country that is not their place of origin. Like myself for example, I am American, but my ethnicity is Hmong, therefore I am Hmong American.

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Students who live a dual identity, like myself, I know for a fact face a big struggle of cultural clash. I don't think it was until I got to college that I really understood what that was. I didn't understand what it meant to be American and Hmong at the same time until I discovered who I was. I will vouch for anyone who lives this same life, that it is NOT easy, nor will it ever be easy. I know that those two cultures I live in will always be pulling at the other.

Besides just living a dual identity, keeping one's own cultural, whatever it maybe alive is hard. My classmate had told me that many young kids where he originated from, in America, speak no lick of his native tongue, and same goes for mine as well. It's hard to keep one's own native culture alive in today's changing society.

Even though it's going to be hard to keep one's own native culture alive, I believe that our native cultures will still live on. Today's young society is changing rapidly, but that doesn't mean that we have to lose our culture. I know many people out there who are educated, Americanized, speak English well, and are still fighting to keep my culture alive, just with new ideas washing out the old ones, especially ones about women. (Which will be written about in another blog)