Wednesday, August 31, 2011

A pick-me-up

I've been feeling a little down in the dumps lately, so I thought to myself, Self, you deserve a little fun time! So I made a lunch date with the blog and Panera, because they have free WiFi and the food makes me happy.

Why so blue, you ask? It's a bit silly, I suppose, when you really think about it. It's just, I was on the floor for my first night of server training at my new part-time job, and the other servers were kvetching about how abysmal the tips are sometimes (hey, it's a college campus), and it just got me down. I know I'm lucky to have enough work to support myself. I just really wish I didn't need three jobs to do it.

Plus, returning to the food industry yet again feels like such a big step backward for me. I graduated from an excellent school, and I'm still struggling to get by with the job I was fortunate enough to land. Therein lies the problem with our generation: We were told that after college, the world would be our oyster. We'd have every opportunity imaginable at our very fingertips, because we'd be college educated. Maybe that was the case for our parents' generation, but from what I've seen in my life and those of my peers, it isn't the case for us. We're disillusioned, yada yada yada, I know. That doesn't make it any less of a struggle.

Sorry to get so deep and depressing here, folks. I write what I'm thinking, and that is what I'm thinking about today constantly. But that's not why you all are here. You're here for photos of clothes. So here are some clothes I wore a few weeks ago:






shirt and necklace: New York & Company
jeggings: Burlington Coat Factory
shoes: Payless


Wore this to meet up with a fellow OU journalism grad who also works in Columbus. It's funny, we graduated the same year, knew a few of the same people, were in the same school within the College of Communications and even had dovetailing extracurriculars (her student PR firm worked with my student magazine) but we never met! We got drinks at Bar Louie, over at Easton. For you non-Columbusites, Easton is a giant outdoor shopping extravaganza of amazingness. We talked for a long time and it was a great meet up!

It's weird to say, but I was a little nervous before I left the apartment (if my face doesn't show it). I've never been good at networking, mainly because I've never really done it before. I always assumed that networking was one of those meaningless buzzwords that get thrown around a lot, like "synergy" and "Oh, I suppose I'll just have one tiny glass of wine tonight." (Okay, so that last one doesn't fit, it's just my poor attempt at humor. I should just leave the funny to people who actually know how to do it.)

What was I saying? Oh yeah. Networking. It's fun, because you get to talk to people and have interesting conversations, which is one of my favorite things in the world. Which is why I'm blogging from Panera and can't stay away from Twitter for more than a few hours. (Thank god for smartphones, right?)

6 comments:

  1. Sorry to hear you are down in the dumps! I promise, it will get better :) Good things happen to good people at times when you feel your worst.

    Either way, you look cute for your meet up and you don't look nervous at all! I love Easton, but it is definitely a dangerous place for someone on a shopping ban like me!

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  2. Totally feel you on the job front. I've been out of college for 4 years and my jobs have been either entry level and not in my field or bar tending. I feel your pain friend.

    Also, cute jeans :)

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  3. Cute top. I love dates with Panera and the internet. Good work with the new job and everything.

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  4. My best friend Beau just graduated with an English degree and now he delivers pizza. My friend Matt just got a degree in philosophy and was unemployed forever. It's so frustrating that you have to get so many student loans for school, graduate, can't find a job and then get slammed with a giant debt you can't pay back. It's a crazy system.

    I'm sorry you have to have three jobs. I would never be able to function. However, you totally inspire me to stop being so lazy all the time! I only have one job, and I could definitely use a little more money. I'm glad to hear that your meet-up went well!

    I hope you're feeling better now, Emma!

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  5. You are speaking the truth about our generation with this post. Whenever I tried to speak it to my parents on it, I get guilty sighs. It's a different day. We have to have that extra something to set us apart. And even if we are going crazy trying to hold it together, at least we can blog and get uplifted, right? Count the blessings daily and keep going! Really enjoying your blog, thanks. :)

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  6. three jobs? Wow, you are amazing!
    Keep your chin up, things always get better :)
    And hey, not that it really makes up for struggling, but at least you look cute... love the outfit :)

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