In the World, that's for sure.

Well, after a painful and extensive search, I found a job shortly after that last post. I'm currently a Community Marketing Associate for Wyndham Vacation Resorts. Sounds pretty cool, huh? Yeah it sounds pretty cool. I wish it actually was. I definitely thought it was going to be (obviously or I wouldn't have taken the job) and it has since let me down. I have now been working for 5 weeks with only one of the those weeks actually being a good week. Unfortunately it was the first week and I've been internally and somewhat externally debating whether I should stick with it for the past month.

I hit some speed bumps thats for sure. Personal life stuff that affected my demeanor and motivation at work. Seriously sick for almost 2 weeks with quite a few days missed. And overall concern around the office about the change in management. Everyone has been treading very lightly around the subject but the tension is unmistakable and very disheartening. So im very discreetly looking around for another job while trying to keep up a smile at my current job.

I think i've been most disappointed in this job with the lack of thought involved. I was raised and have always been encouraged to use my noggin. No one wants you to use your brain in this establishment. Do what you're told and only think about how much money you're making doing absolutely nothing of value. I want to improve myself, to be a part of a free-thinking environment where learning is a major focus. Don't get me wrong, its not a bad environment, there's just not really anything to learn from this job, there's nothing to move on to, it is and will be what it already is. There's nothing more.

Oh its all just silliness. Once again, ill barrel through this uncertainty and hopefully come out on the other end a stronger, more empowered and motivated individual. Money is the unfortunate and desiccating bane of my youthfully idealistic existence. Money sucks. To put it intelligently.

Ok, going to Michael's for some canvas and paint (which I can't really afford) then going home to create some inspired decorations for my apartment. Inspiration: my bistro table. It's called the Amelia table. It's from World Market and its perfect. Perfect colors, perfect floral pattern. Hopefully creating something that will complement it's brilliance.

I Told You Big Things Happen Here...

Well its my last night in New Orleans and its been quite an eventful week. I've gone out and done something every single night and I got to see most of my family which was exactly what I came for. 

Tuesday I spent the day at home with Paw and his helper Rowena. She is here because he needs help eating and taking his medicine during the day but she really is pretty useless after that. I don't intend that to be a cruel statement, it's just a fact. She sits around watching TV and being on her telephone. You can't really blame her, there's nothing else to do, but it just seems strange to me. We watched some excellent court shows (haha) and my friend Lindsey, from school, and I were planning on going to see Up and The Hangover on Tuesday night when Lindsey got a call from her aunt with some VERY exciting news. Her aunt had a friend who had extra COLDPLAY tickets for the concert that night in New Orleans. COLDPLAY FLOOR SEATS FOR FREE. We sat at the end of the row and when the whole band walked into the back of the stadium to do a small set, I TOUCHED CHRIS MARTIN. He was basically high fiving the whole row and I was one of the lucky ones who actually made contact. I was told this would be a life-changing concert and oh my God was it ever. They were phenomenal. There is no better way to describe it. Arguably THE best concert I've ever seen. Well done, Coldplay, well done.

Then we went to Camellia Grill for some late night snackin. Crazy ladies, late night snackin. Sonic commercial, anyone? Anyway, got my traditional meal (with extra toast of course--no better toast in the world) and then we went back to Lindsey's to spend the night. We had a good chat before we had to go to sleep b/c she had work early in the morning. So I left in the AM when she left. Spent the next with Paw and Rowena again. Those court shows were really starting to grow on me...

Wednesday night I went back over to Lindsey's and we decided to go out on the town. So we did. An experience to say the very least. I don't think I'll be elaborating on this subject.

Needless to say, we didnt actually get moving until about 2:30 pm. When we actually went to see The Hangover. We were in the appropriate physical state for sure and it was absolutely hysterical. So so funny. Vulgar and horrifying at times, but truly funny. Then Lindsey and I sadly parted ways and I came back home. My cousin and I were babysitting our baby cousins that night and we had alot of fun. I love those little ones to death. The babies are actually our second cousins b/c their mom is our first cousin. Lili told me today that my baby cousin Lauren woke up and said, "When do I get to see Melissa again?" Now, if that doesn't make someone feel good, I don't know what does. Children are always the best judges of character. They see through everything.

I was supposed to leave yesterday but my paw wanted me to stay one more day so we could go to dinner. So we hung out again today, watched some court shows (I'm telling you these are addicting) and went to dinner with my cousins and my cousin's boyfriend. Service was horrible but its always a great experience to listen to my paw talk about his life. He always has some new story to tell when we're at the yacht club. I really wanted to try and video some of him this trip but never really got the chance. I have to remember to do that from now on. 

My uncle's band was playing a gig tonight so we went to that as well. There was a whole group of hilarious lesbians watching the band and they were so much fun. Dancing around like crazy. It's refreshing to see people so free and in tune with themselves. They were the most comfortable people there when societal stereotypes would lead us to believe they would feel the most awkward. Absolute fallacy. And thats a good thing.

Now, of course, I can't sleep again but I'm trying because I have to wake up in 4 hours and drive back to San Antonio. It's been fun but I'm ready to get back to my friends. I'm really starting to feel like I need to cherish these last few weeks. Time is closing in on me faster than I'm ready for. Oh well, bring it on.

Summer Sunday BBQ :)

I think I'll go to....New Orleans?

So I got to thinking. I do that sometimes. My part-time tennis camp job was pushed back a week, so I have this whole week free now. I had all of last week free. Seemed great at first, realistically made me go bananas. I decided to make a spur of the moment trip to New Orleans. All of my Dad's side of the family lives down here and if (i mean, when) I get a job, I don't know when I'll be able to come next. My grandfather is rapidly approaching 90 so I need to get in as much time as I can. 

Drove all 9 hours by myself today. Quite honestly, I went into it a little nervous (especially since I only got 3 hours of sleep last night) but it turned out just fine. I had a full 9 hours to sing/scream any music I wanted. I got to pick EVERY song. Now that, is a first. And a victory.

I also get to see a great friend of mine from school while I'm here which will break up my time on the couch watching TV with Paw all day.

Yesterday, I barbecued for 8 of my friends. We are in the same pledge class for our sorority and we have this summer dinner club that we do together. I made these amazing peanut butter brownie cupcakes, grilled barbecue chicken (turned out excellent if I may toot my own horn), hamburgers, hotdogs, fruit salad, sliced watermelon and vanilla ice cream cones. Doesn't that sound perfect for a hot summer Sunday afternoon. It was. We sat by the pool and ate and talked for 7 hours. That must be some sort of record. I'm yearning to stay in San Antonio for things like this. I'm not ready for it to stop yet.

Enough for tonight, I see more NOLA in the future. Big things happen here.

Insomnia

One of the adverse effects of the constant job hunt is the constant insomnia. My mind will not wind down before 4am or later these days. Definition of a vicious cycle: finally falling asleep around 4, waking up at noon. Note to self: people in the real world can't wake up at noon. Note to body: see note to self and go to sleep.

Weekends are bittersweet as well. The upside is the fun. Most everyone is off on the weekends so my social life resurfaces. The downside is that no one is working. AKA no one is replying to my application emails. Thankfully, I can preoccupy myself during the days but then the anxiety switch flips back on at night. Reading, watching TV, movies and/or even TV movies is a waste of my time. Nothing is helping. Even TylenolPM doesn't work for this type of insomnia. I just look at the bottle now and it scoffs at my feeble attempts.

Keeping with the rest of my current endeavors, I'm going to try my best to fall asleep now.

That beloved elementary phrase returns with a vengeance:

"If at first you don't succeed, try try again."

We'll see how it goes.

Mel Weinnig goes Into the World...or tries to.

It's tough out there. Going into the world is much easier said than done these days. As recent college graduates, my friends and I are finding that the job market is not feelin the recent college graduate crowd. Employers want experience or a degree and experience. Quite honestly, that's pretty difficult for a host of people who have dedicated themselves and their money (or, more than likely, their parents money) to four years of college. Sure, there were lapses in that dedication, we took some longer "study breaks" than others, but for the most part, we tried pretty hard. Entering college, we were told to work hard and a great job will follow. Leaving college, we're told to keep a positive attitude and maybe we'll get lucky. An interesting change of events if you ask me.

In any event, I'm trying to keep as positive of an attitude as possible. Applying for new jobs everyday is a workout. Knowing where to look is the hard part. Excavating the good leads and ignoring the not-so good leads is even harder. Still, new opportunities are bound to surface everyday, and I'm going to do my best to find them.