Yes, it really is me, signing on again to give a much needed update into the trials and tribulations of life in Colorado.
Things have been, surprisingly, improving over the last 9 months or so. I've been busy. No, busy doesn't even begin to describe my life. Try "insane," or "manic," or "overwhelming." But they have been getting progressively better, and all things are finally starting to fall into place. Now we just need to cross our fingers and hope there are no more potholes on this road.
Last time you tuned in I was buried deep into many different commitments. Last semester I had just started at my (crappy) retail job as a supervisor, boasting a better wage and more consistent hours. I had also started interning at the Denver Art Museum, which was fantastic. I made some great connections and learned a lot, which is exactly what you're supposed to do during an internship, so all in all it was very successful. The semester kicked my ass, though. I was working every day, either at the Art Museum or at the retail job, meaning there were no days off except for the random few I'd request off for special occasions. Between those two commitments there was also classes: two nights a week with homework, papers, tests, and projects to tackle. The semester flew by, and I felt as though I didn't sleep at all in those few months. But I upheld my solid A- average somehow and when the semester was finally over I was finally able to exhale.
Unfortunately, winter break from school wasn't enough to offset the crazy schedule I'd made for myself. As soon as classes were over I went from working 25 hours a week in retail to nearly 40, as the holiday season was upon us. And, because I'm kind of a sucker and hate to leave people hanging, I volunteered to stay on at the Art Museum a couple times a week through the break. Once again, I plowed through without many days off, counting on the post-Christmas slow-down to give me some time off. Of course, life isn't that kind, and due to someone quitting at the retail job I was kept at near full-time status right up until the beginning of the spring semester.
I wish I could remember all the fun things that happened during the fall, but they are all jumbled in my brain. I do remember the Jimmy Buffett concert I attended with Angela: I'd somehow been lucky enough to win tickets through a social media contest. I was heartbroken, but totally understanding, that my dad wasn't able to fly out on such short notice (I found out I'd won less than 24 hours before the show). But the show was great, and I still can't believe I actually won something!! I've always had the worst luck. I also barely saw my husband, which was really difficult. We tried to make time for each other, and found ourselves squeezing in a dinner date every once in a while, but it was so hard to get through without him. I remember taking a quick evening trip to New Belgium in Fort Collins to meet up with a friend and her husband who I haven't seen since college. But beyond that all I remember is work, intern, class...
When the spring semester was on the horizon I was getting anxious. I was planning to do what I'd done in previous semesters, and take my "class days" off from work, and one other "floating" day off. This meant that I'd have a day off, with no other engagements, and two days off for homework and class. There was a light at the end of the tunnel! Soon I'd be able to rest, relax, get some work done, and would be able to breathe again. But, as it usually is with me, something else landed in my lap.
(Sidebar: I never mean for these rants to sound upsetting - all the opportunities that have come my way this year have been amazing for me and for my future - please know that all this ranting is really positive!)
In November I'd interviewed for a part-time job working for the Business School as a marketing coordinator. I was planning to take it to replace the retail job, as it'd last through mid-May. It'd mean weekends and evenings off. The pay wasn't great, but I was willing to take the hit to get out of the retail job. Unfortunately, I didn't get the job, so I just went along as I'd been doing before. However, just as I'd started the new semester, I got an email from the Marketing Director at the school. The other student they'd hired had quit to take a full-time job elsewhere, and since they still had a contract for a graduate assistant through May and I'd been the second choice she asked if I'd like to come on board.
It was a little debacle. It was the spring semester, and my internship at DAM was over, and I was seriously looking forward to having my days off. However, it'd be the first marketing job I'd add to my résumé. And while it was part-time and it wouldn't allow me to quit the retail job, it was too good an opportunity to pass up. So, once again, I went into a crazy schedule. No days off - ever. I worked Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday at the Business School; I worked Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at the retail job. I had class two nights a week, and the associated homework to go with those classes. It was pretty much the same as it was in the fall... and I was exhausted every day. No time for my husband, no time for friends, hardly enough time for homework, no time for yoga... I really didn't have time for anything, and our apartment got disgusting, and all I wanted was to curl up on my couch in my PJs for an entire day. Unfortunately I drank... a lot... I mean, not "get wasted and pass out every night" but that one beer at the end of the day to unwind.
But the job really turned out to be a good opportunity. My boss owns her own marketing consulting business and pretty much everyone in town - between her and my boss at the Art Museum I had a connection to almost anywhere I wanted to work. I have been learning a lot, too, and have been perfecting my copywriting and PR skills. And it turned into an even bigger opportunity. A couple weeks ago my boss at the Business School sent me a posting for a paid summer internship with a local marketing agency. Within a few days I'd applied, interviewed, and been offered the position. The internship paid about the same hourly wage as the retail job and would last at least through August (though more likely through the end of the school year/my graduation) but would be a full-time, M-F job. Regular hours, WHAT?! Weekends off, WHAT?!?! I had to hop on the opportunity, and accepted the job. I started last Friday, and my last day in retail is next Saturday.
So, at least for now, it appears that my job situation has greatly improved. The new job/internship may prove to be the biggest opportunity of them all, as it is currently a two-person show and has the potential to turn into a full-time "real job" if I work hard enough. It's all a little scary, but exciting too, and we'll just have to wait and see what happens now.
But wait, there's more! I also found out that I was accepted to the study abroad program for May this year, so for three weeks I'll be studying in London. I'm so excited I can hardly stand it, but I'm a little nervous too. I've only been abroad once, and never on my own, so it'll be interesting. The course fulfills my Sports and Entertainment Management requirement, so we are going to several sporting arenas, seeing The King's Speech and meeting the producer of the show, and seeing a few sporting events. In addition, because of my job at the Business School, I'll be keeping a travel blog... AND getting paid for it! So watch out, I'll be doubly posting to this blog so all three of you can read about my adventures :)
And... there's still more, but not anything super important... at least not anything that sticks out in my head. But I swear, more blogging will happen this summer... promise! Between the trip to London and the new job I'm hoping to have some exciting stuff to talk about... and hopefully not all of it will be as depressing as it's been in the last 17 months.
THERE! Consider yourselves updated!
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