Sunburn, Sushi and the West Coast

Look Up More print by The Sea or You

This weekend was eventful. I returned from a great session at the Nielsen Norman group Usability Week conference, and collapsed in a heap. We went for a nice walk at Walnut Creek Park, where I got to check out my goal of "spend more time outside" for the weekend, and then I spent the rest of my Saturday help one of my dearest friends move into a new apartment here in Charlottesville. Ginny is a Cville resident! All is well!

Sunday was graduation, where Cameron received his masters in all things star-related and I got some sunburned knees. It was followed by Devil's Backbone, delicious nachos, and a 3 hour sushi dinner with the fabulous melbelle.

This coming Saturday, I'll board a plane to go to LA for a week, and I couldn't be more ready for the West Coast. With each visit it has tempted me more. And I am well prepared for full on relaxing with the haul of books I plan to bring. Here's hoping I can bring myself to come back to the East Coast.

The LA vacation reading list.

Fortune Favors the Brave

Fortune Favors the Brave print by Small Talk Studio

Lately I have been trying to find things that inspire me. For the last year or so, I have had a trouble feeling motivated by my work or my crafts, but i finally have room in my life for fun things again, both in my personal life and at work. I am learning so much at my new job, and can't wait to take on some big projects. I am also learning a lot about what I really want out of life: simplicity.

I want to take charge and make my life simpler. I want to avoid the drama and just do things with the people I love. I want to have the courage to say no to things I don't want to do, even if they are things that are "good" for my career. I want to learn to be happy with fewer objects. I want to travel. I want to spend more time outside.

Photo by Eric Trine

On Four Years of Real Adulthood

As of tomorrow, I will have been out of college for four years. I have been working full-time since my graduation (believe me, I am grateful to have been employed this whole time), making decisions for myself, paying my own way, and learning how to live within my means. I know I still have a lot of luxuries as a single person with no dependents, but I think I am at a point where I now where I'm starting to relate more to the adults than to the college kids.

The four year mark is also significant for me because it means that I have been out in the real world for just as long as I was in college. I am coming to terms with the fact that this is my life now, and the only changes that come from this point forward are ones that I initiate myself.

So in line with all the blogs and news sites that are giving advice to struggling college grads, here’s my advice to you:

Make the most of every opportunity provided to you. Don’t hold out for your ideal, because it might never come. If you find a new path that looks interesting to you, explore it.

Skills are important, but your ability to adapt is probably more important. Change can be a good thing. It can lead you to more opportunities, more friends, and new career paths. Never be afraid to explore something new, even if it means putting your current dreams on hold.

 Higher education isn’t for everyone. My dad is still desperately holding out hope that one day I will decide to go to grad school, but I am working in a field where job experience is more valuable (and profitable) than schooling. If you can find ways to expand your knowledge base and build your resume without dishing out $100k in tuition, then you should probably reconsider applying to grad school.

 The prestige of your university isn’t always important. Are you looking to going into a career in academia? If not, then whether or not your school is prestigious might not be that important. Having the degree is the biggest value. If you can get a comparable education at a cheaper, less prestigious school, do it.

Your job is not your life. It should be fulfilling, and you should enjoy it, but it shouldn’t consume your every waking moment. There is a whole big world outside the office walls. Get out, meet people, enjoy the time you have.

Learn to be selfish. Our parents taught us not to be greedy, but all that time they were looking out for us, making sure we weren’t being taken advantage of. In adulthood, we have to look out for ourselves, both in our personal lives and in our careers. Never be afraid to fight for your own well being.