Welcome to a New Chapter

When I started this blog roughly two and a half years ago, I made it my goal to document my transition from college student to independent adult. Though I've skipped a few weeks here and there (last week for example for a quick trip down to Disney World), I've somehow managed to keep up with my weekly posts. Some weeks were tougher than others.

Wish I was still here instead of under 21 inches of snow.

Tomorrow is a big day for me. Not because I have to dig my car out of a huge snow drift (though that will require a lot of strength). No, tomorrow, is the my first day at my new job.

Its another big change after a very long list of changes that have happened in this past year. Then again, what is life if not a series of changes? I made the transition from college to the work force. I survived moving from Maryland to New Jersey by myself. I've learned to live with a roommate again. All changes that I have faced.

Thinking about tomorrow (because I'm always over thinking), I am very much reminded of my feelings leading up to my first day at my first job out of college. I remember wondering if my new coworkers would like me. If I was ready for this position. Or if I had imagined the whole thing and I hadn't actually been hired. (This is just the short list).

I've already committed myself to this change. I just have to remember to calm down a breath. Am I scared? Sort of. I'm more anxious than scared. If there's one thing I know about myself, it's that I like the familiar. Starting a new job at a new company, moving from one state to another, making friends are examples of things that aren't familiar. I just need to square my shoulders, walk with confidence, and be prepared to learn.

I might not be the best at handling change, but I can act like I can. A few deep breaths and a calm mind will get me ready for anything. A great outfit helps too.

If you enjoyed this post (or it really pissed you off) please like, share, and/or leave a comment. I love hearing from my readers and I hope you guys like hearing from me. Here's a picture from Harry Potter World.

I'm going to Hogwarts!

Apparently Jurassic Park is near Hogwarts!

Until next week.

Welcome To The Melt Down

It would figure that throughout this entire week of subzero temperatures that it would end with a huge snow storm. Well I got roughly six inches of snow yesterday. It was pretty. I had wanted to do some errands, but that didn't happen since the snow managed to barricade my car. So I was a little surprised today to go out in 60 degree weather.

Since it's supposed to go down to the 20s tonight (and stay there for the next few days), I'm going to take a guess that my car will be covered in a thick sheet of ice tomorrow. I think this is punishment for having such a mild summer.

The worst part about all of this is trying to get my car out of my parking lot (hey there is only so much I can stand to stay inside on the weekend). My parking lot is uncovered and doesn't always get plowed as quickly as I need it. This particular morning wasn't too bad since it got so warm, but there are other days when it just doesn't seem like I should have put in the effort to get out of bed.

So how does someone dig their car out of a snow pile when they live south of the Mason Dixon line? (Yes techinqually Maryland is south of the Mason Dixon line, I was shocked by this news as well). Here are some tips for those of us who aren't used to more than a few inches of snow at a time.

1) Buy a snow/ice scrapper - I wasn't sure I needed one until it took me twenty minutes to defrost my car one November morning. I was late to work. It helps to speed up getting the ice and snow off my car without getting my hands soaked.

2) Get the spray stuff that gets rid of ice - I haven't done this yet, but it definatly helps you save on gas and time.

3) Have a small shovel handy - the plow that comes through my parking lot likes to leave a small mountain of snow and ice in front of my car. Thus even after clearing all the snow and ice off my car, I still might not be able to leave. Having a small shovel gets that pile out of the way.

4) Salt - And not table salt, salt you buy at a hardware store. It will help the ice melt a little faster and make the walk from your door to your car easier (I've already fallen twice this year). Just don't put the salt directly on your car.

5) Kitty Litter - Yeah I didn't beleive this one either, but it apparently works. Since some people might not have had the opportunity to go out and get salt, kitty litter makes for a great substitute. It allows  for some traction under the tires. So cat owners rejoice, you will have a much easier time getting to work.

These are just some of the methods I have used to dig my car out. There are more ways to free an ice entrapped car and its good information to know. So far these methods I know work. And hopefully the drive is safe once the car hits the road.

If you enjoyed this post, or it really pissed you off, please like, share, or comment. I love hearing from my readers and I hope you guys are amused by my misadventures. Until next week.

Welcome To Working From Home

Happy three day weekend everyone. I am currently watching the Olympics with a good friend. I have been enjoying watching them. Seriously Russia v. USA hockey, I was sitting on the edge while watching! Loved the game. It will be hard to watch any Sweden game though because of all the Red Wings players.

Anyway, it once again snowed like crazy in my area. I am starting to think the Winter Olympics should have been in Baltimore or Philladelphia. We have had more snow than I have cared to see. My sister couldn't beleive how much there was (she felt we were in Michigan). I was stuck in my apartment for two days, working from home.

Working from home is not terrible. I can start working earlier and don't have to worry about my evening commute. However, it can be distracting and cause a bit of cabin fever when you don't have anyone to talk to. I like working from home, but I also like seeing my coworkers and having human contact. You can start going a little crazy if you don't see people after a few days.

Some tips for getting rid of cabin fever:

1) go outside - even if it's just to take out the trash. You need some sunlight and you aren't going to get it in an apartment. Just go out and get some fresh air.

2) Talk to your friends and family at night. Call them via Skype, the phone or smoke signals. It doesn't matter just talk to someone that can answer back. People might start to think something is owrong with you if you don't.

3) Turn on as many lights as you can. You'll feel better and it won't seem so dark.

4) Work out - physical exercise will make you feel better and get those creative juices flowing.

5) See a friend - you won't regret it and you know you're not completely going insane.

If you enjoyed this pose  ( or it really pissed you off) leave a comment or share it with your friends, family or worst enemy. I love hearing from my readers and I thank you for reading. Good luck!

Welcome To Winter

It's Not The Wonderland It Used To Be...

Today was the first time it snowed since I moved out and no long am a student. It was not as exciting as it used to be. When I was a little kid snow meant a day off from school and fun in the snow. I might build a snow fort out of the piles of snow made by the snow plows in my court or start a snow ball fight with my friends. In high school I had a day off to do more studying and get a head start on projects. In college, snow meant beautiful pictures, lazy days sleeping in and a higher chance of breaking something on the brick paths.

Snow now means checking to see if the roads are safe enough for me to get to work on. If they are I have to brave the highways with crazy Maryland drivers (I have finally realized the reason they are such bad drivers is because they have zero clue how to merge). If the roads aren’t safe enough to drive on (read been clear of ice), I get to work from home. This wouldn’t be so bad except I might end up with a huge cell phone bill from overages and I only have one screen instead of two to work on. I am not sure which idea is worse.

I actually can drive in the snow. I proved that today coming home from church. The first time I drove on the highway was in a blizzard driving from Michigan to Ohio. I distinctly recall my mother telling me to not be a baby and drive like I normally would. Since I had never driven on a highway I decided to get behind a truck and hope for the best. It was a wise decision because soon after I started out on the highway we hit white out conditions and they only thing keeping me in a straight line were the truck’s tail lights. I was finally able to give the driver’s seat back to my mother in Pennsylvania. It had been a very stressful two hours, but I learned how to drive in a blizzard.

Honestly the way people are acting you would think we had been hit with three feet of the white powder and all power had been knocked out. It thankfully hasn’t, but we live on the East Coast. We are far more likely to have a power outage because of a thunderstorm and that doesn’t seem to be a huge deal. Okay yes it would be really cold if we lost power because of snow, but that’s why you have plenty of blankets and jackets ready. I even made sure to have a few pairs of socks ready just for going outside.

Alright so maybe I’m making a horrible disaster waiting to happen sound trivial, but I have been in Michigan and Ohio in blizzard conditions. Parts of Texas and lower Midwest losing power do worry me a bit, but I checked the weather reports and it didn’t look like it would be that bad here. Heck one Christmas I had to shovel my Aunt’s driveway before opening presents while it was still snowing. I was unhappy, but we did get to go to my grandmother’s house.

So yes I am grateful that nothing too terrible happened during my first snow fall. I’m waiting to see what tomorrow looks like before I try going into work. I might just have to email my boss and say, well there’s ice everywhere I think I’m going to work from home, but that’s tomorrow. Winter might never be what it was when I was a child (let alone student). It won’t be magical and a break from the crazy school work, but I can still enjoy its beauty. Right now I’m going to curl up with some hot chocolate and Skype the Significant Other.

If you enjoyed this post (or made you laugh, smile or go on a ranting rampage of anger) please post a comment or share my blog’s link. Who knows I might actually meet Ellen someday.