Wide open spaces

I am finally almost 100 percent moved into my apartment. There are a few odds and ends I need like better sticky tack since my posters keep plummeting to the ground, garbage cans and a brighter lamp for the bedroom.

But so far it has come together really nicely. The bookshelves look great and I hung my Nittany Lion poster over them and put all kinds of little decorations on them -- and books, too, of course. I wish I could have brought more of my books from home to fill up the shelves, but I'll go home in mid-August for my mom's birthday and can pick up a few things I left behind.

The complex is really nice, and quiet as well. It's in a residential area and has different sections. I live in Oak Hill Court. I haven't met my neighbor yet but can hear her TV softly through the walls so I'll have to be careful about playing music too loud.

I have a balcony looking onto a grassy area and neighborhoods, which is nice. There are families across the street with kids who where playing and running around yesterday. There are a lot of people around, walking their dogs and jogging -- so it makes me feel safe.

I need to get some more art for the walls -- I'm not used to so much empty space! There's also an empty spot where a dining room table should go. I might use some of my first paycheck to by a small table and chair to make it look less empty. The apartment is bigger than what I am used to, especially since I am living by myself.

I also have to give a big shout out to my parents, aunt Kathy, uncle Tom and cousins for making the move in less hectic. They were all so great about everything -- even the dresser from hell which had useless directions and is still not quite working properly (never buy a dresser from Wal-mart!)

My parents worked very hard and were great about getting me furniture, a flat screen TV and anything I would need to be comfortable here. But I can't wait to get paid, relieve that burden from them and become financially independent.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful Memorial Day! I think I'll enjoy the sunshine and sit in the grass outside and read, then do a little shopping and clean up the rest of the apartment.

[I'll post some photos this evening!!!]

Tomorrow!

Leaving at 9 a.m. for Maryland. For now I am just trying to finish the last of the packing I have to do. So, so sick of packing!!! I'll be glad to settle into my apartment and no longer have to live out of suitcases and boxes.

I probably won't have Internet for a while, so you can reach me by Twitter (ramonesgirl212) or through my cell phone.

Let a new journey begin!


I Can Go the Distance
[I listened to this song religiously before going to PSU, so it seems appropriate before I head to another new place.]

(Also, what do you think of this blog? Is it too personal? Boring? Let me know your thoughts!! Especially since I'm not even sure who actually is reading this...)

Ready to hit the road ... no matter where it leads me

I'm finally more than ready for my move to Westminster. The furniture is bought (for the most part), my goodbyes are said (for the most part) and I am packed (sort of...).

Without having anything to do the past two weeks but prepare for the move I have become very restless. At Penn State being busy was just a way of life. I complained about my lack of downtime, but in all reality I really don't need that much of it. I love to be busy -- and busy with purpose. Which means I am ready to get back to copy editing, back to working in a newsroom and back to doing what I love.

At home I feel less independent and like everything else is on hold. I've grown so use to doing things my way that actually being told what to do is odd. While the things my mom and dad ask of me are quite reasonable, I'm ready to be on my own again and living on my own terms.

I can't wait to decorate my apartment and make it my own. I can't wait to explore Westminster and find a go-to coffee shop and make it some place familiar.

Being home is wonderful -- but I'm still on the title page of the next chapter in my life, and I'm ready for that page to turn.

Saturday can't come soon enough.

It's not all about the Benjamins

Lately I have heard a few people say that maybe I didn't pick the best profession to go into. Newspapers are hurting, the pay is bad and (as a copy editor) the hours worse.

And I've been giving non committal answers to those comments with "It'll be fine" or "This is what I want to do." But what I really need to say is NO, I did not choose the wrong profession -- I chose the one I've wanted since I was 15. In life a job shouldn't always have to be about the money, and maybe not always even the security, it should be about following one's passion.

When I try to imagine what else I could do after graduating, there's nothing but being in a newsroom. I love every aspect of newspaper work, but copy editing is where I found my niche. It's also what I am good at and what comes naturally, which is also very important. If you enjoy something, but are bad at it that doesn't make an easy career path and nor does being good at something but hating it. I've found the perfect formula of something I truly enjoy doing and also do well.

It would be amazing to be a doctor ... but that's not a possibility considering I cover my eyes at many of the surgery scenes in "Grey's Anatomy." I'm tone def, I can't act my way out of a paper bag and being a lawyer is out since I don't particularly enjoy arguing with people. So copy editing looks like a pretty good deal stacked up against that.

And the hours are late -- but that gives me sunny afternoons to read on the balcony of my apartment or volunteer at the library or local arts center. The pay isn't fabulous, but why does it have to be about the money? It's paper and metal! Why does it define our lives so much? I admit I have never had to worry too seriously about money -- so that may cloud my view of it -- but all the same I am willing to forgo some luxuries to have a job I love. In essence, to be happy.

Material things are wonderful, but I don't think it would do me any harm to cut back on what I spend my money on during the next few years. As long as I can afford to eat (and drink coffee), have gas in my car and pay rent and cable/Internet, then that's all I really need ... well, besides a library card and sunny days.

I can go the distance

I'm officially graduated. I am a PSU alumn. I start my first professional job in 15 days. I will spend the next two weeks ordering furniture for my new apartment, packing and picking out my graduation present -- a car.

I'm on my way ... time to write a new chapter in my life.

Not quite excited... not yet

It's strange to me when people say "aren't you excited!?" about me being graduated.

I mean it's a great feeling in some respects and it's great to begin a new chapter in my life.

But I'm not really excited.

And those who think that's weird, well, maybe college wasn't the same for you as it was for me.

The best four years of my life ever? Maybe not. The best of my life so far? Undoubtedly.

I stayed up until 5:45 a.m. this morning sitting on the lawn of Old Main laughing and talking with some great friends after spending a night out at the bars. If that isn't an indication of why I am not excited it's over then I don't know what is.

All of the people I have shared these four AMAZING years with are now moving all over and starting on a new path. But no matter where everyone goes, there are a lot of people I refuse to lose touch with. And thanks to Twitter, Facebook and Gmail, it's really easy to stay connected.

So keep in touch everyone!!! You never know when our lives will bring us together again. <3

Good friends are like stars

I know I have said this before, but the hardest part about graduating won't be leaving State College behind. It will be leaving the wonderful, smart, funny and caring people I have met here.

I went to Gettysburg today with a group of some of the nicest people I know. On the way back just thinking about not being able to do something so fun and spontaneous as that with them again made me feel sad.

It's so strange to become so close to people for years -- or even a few weeks -- and then have to say goodbye, when there are many things left unsaid to them and left undone with them.

The most I can do is hope we will stay in touch. With the advance of the internet and social media it is easier than ever to stay connected -- and there's no reason not to.

It may not be quite the same as seeing each other every day, but to those I have shared so many memories with in college: I will always be your friend if you need me.

I'm a big quote person, so this will happen a lot, but this one is very fitting for the sentiment of this post:

“Good friends are like stars ... You don't always see them, but you know they are always there”