Time waits for no one - job apps!

So despite the peaceful start to this semester, it is about to get really busy. As you all know, I am in a ONE YEAR Masters program, which means that I need to start finding a job NOW! Everyone has a different starting point and mine happened a while ago when I first visited the career counselor in the fall. I started with the basics of refreshing my resume and my cover letter. John, my career counselor, has been great in helping me edit my documents and recommending networking opportunities to attend.

I am also taking a professional development class, which is focusing on helping us understand the jargon that comes with job applications and the nuances that we should look out for. Ross, our program manager, is teaching the class and it has been enlightening to hear different student's perspectives and insights on the job market and the interpretation of some job requirements and criteria.

I have started looking for jobs now, mainly in California. The search has been fruitful, but the key is determining if I am qualified for the position and if I will be successful in that position and setting. It's been a long process and I hope to send out my first few applications soon. My hope is to secure a position before I graduate so I can get started right away doing the things I love.

Having just started Spring semester, I know already that the next few months will be extremely different than fall semester. Now on top of the classes and the assistantships and the social life, I will add job search to the mix. I will be busy and overwhelmed until graduation, but the materials I am learning and the experiences of this graduate program has been extremely rewarding and self-enlightening.

Back from winter break! Part 2

It's been a hectic week! We had our first official snow days and so everything is a little bit backed up. So to continue from my previous post...


FRIENDS REUNION
These were the most rewarding times during winter break besides hanging out with family. Several of my friends are actually working now so meeting up with them regularly is difficult, especially now that I am at the east coast. So whenever I have a break my close friends and I would always try to plan something (basketball, lunch, anything). It was great catching up with all of them and see how everyone's doing. I think it's exciting every time when I find out about big news or past dramas when I reconnect with old friends. When you talk about the past, you never know what you will remember!

MOVIES!

One of my family traditions during the holidays is to watch movies. I watched Frozen, Hobbit: The desolation of Smaug, and Saving Mr. Banks. If you haven't noticed already, I am a big fan of Disney and will usually go for those Disney movies more often than not.

Frozen was absolutely spectacular and the music was amazing. I have been told by several friends that the songs have been stuck in their head for long periods of time because they were so catchy! The hobbit movie was epic, like all Lord of the Rings movie, though I always hate the 2nd movie out of the trilogy because I feel like the story starts at an awkward spot and never really ends properly (because they need the third movie to wrap everything up). Nevertheless the movie was great and I can't wait for the last movie to come out! I also went back to my hometown library just to check out the book and read it! Lastly, Saving Mr. Banks is a very heartfelt movie talking about the back story and the origins of the Mary Poppins show. The movie beautifully captures Mary Poppin's original author and her struggle to release the rights to Walt Disney for him to make a musical out of it.

I usually never watch this many movies in such a short period of time but this time both my mom and my sister wanted to see multiple movies so we seized the chance and went several times! 

Back from winter break! Part 1

Hi everyone!

I apologize for not blogging during winter break! It was just too comfortable hanging out with family and friends that time just flew right by. I got back to school a few days ago and have started working in my GA already. Classes start today and I am excited to see my cohort members again after this long break. But first, let me recap what happened over winter break!

My Birthday
I got back right on my birthday that weekend and started with day with my girlfriend at the movies. I wanted to watch Frozen really bad and I wasn't disappointed. The movie was great and it challenged the traditional views of the "one true love". It was great seeing Disney stray from the traditional viewpoints and embrace the modern approach on these values. Plus, the songs were awesome!

one of the best movies I've seen!

WEATHER
Everyone was talking about the weather difference between East Coast and West Coast over break due to the "polar vortex" news that came out. I have to admit, I did have a mini adjustment  getting used to the California heat again. It was so hot that my family and I enjoyed an 85 degree Christmas day! It was abnormally hot in California for a while before dropping down to around 60's or so. I do have to say though, because my house has all wooden floors, the early mornings were actually pretty cold!!

A little bit of sunshine for everyone!

FAMILY TIME
This winter break was spent mostly to hang out with family and my dog. My sister is applying to vet school so every now and then I would get updates from her regarding her acceptances or rejections. I am super proud of her and I know that she is going to do great things with animals in the near future! It was also great seeing my mom and my doggy again as well. It's been a while since my sister and I were home for a long period of time. You can see the excitement in Bummper's eyes when I first walked in that door. this little guy has been with the family close to 10 years now and he still looks like a puppy! Each morning he would sit right next to the dining table where the space heater is and wait for us to drop anything from breakfast. Then the rest of the day consisted of playing with him and walking the little guy to get some exercise. It wasn't much, but it was relaxing to just hang out with family and the dog for a while and recharge.

The mornings were cold so bummper would huddle next to the space heater

Part TWO coming soon! I got lots to say about my break!