Melanie

Setting yourself straight,

Wed, 06 Mar 2013 20:44:33 -0600

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.

Jobs,

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 23:11:47 -0600

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,

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 13:27:54 -0600

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.

Work Buddies,

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 22:18:49 -0600

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....

Winter Break,

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 08:26:02 -0600

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,

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 22:26:25 -0600

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,

Sat, 01 Dec 2012 12:13:30 -0600

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!

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 12:12:57 -0600

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.

Black Friday,

Fri, 23 Nov 2012 19:30:05 -0600

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,

Wed, 21 Nov 2012 12:35:08 -0600

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!

Field Work with Families course,

Mon, 12 Nov 2012 21:42:32 -0600

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!

Voting,

Wed, 07 Nov 2012 12:02:19 -0600

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.

Professionalism,

Fri, 02 Nov 2012 21:45:44 -0600

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

Iowa bound and back,

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 21:18:56 -0600

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,

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 15:27:12 -0600

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.