// A Mechanic’s Car//

As a Social Media Editor, I work so much on the magazine’s blog and social media channels that I have long neglected my own. Isn’t there that old adage about a mechanic’s junky car or a nutritionist’s unhealthy diet?

So here’s an update. Writing something is better than writing nothing at all, right? (Well, no, not really, but indulge me, please.)

Things that have recently been on my mind (in no particular order):

- Ambition vs. Relationships. If you’re a workaholic like me— if most of your happiest moments were recently career-related or you have to remind yourself to partake in social activities, call your mother, etc.,— please give this a read.

- Game of Thrones

- EdTech. I’m writing a feature on this topic; the deadline is in a few short days. Okay, so I lied earlier; this is probably at the top of my list.

- My time teaching, in general. 

- The ongoing discussion on women in the workplace, via Slaughter, Mayer and Sandberg. My favorite POV belongs to Elsa Walsh, though. 

- Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day products

- Psalm 136:1

// Change is ‘Chang’ with an ‘E’//

This is the first post I’ve written in about half a year. There have been so many changes— most of them are scary, even more of them unfamiliar, but all of them are good. I don’t want to waste your time with mundane timelines and catch-up posts, so I’ll link you to a blog post I wrote a month ago and let you fill in the blanks yourself. 

What’s exciting is how my direction has changed, how much more my dream is fleshed out now that I took that leap out of my comfort zone. When I started at SUCCESS, all I wanted to do was write for a living. I was so clueless as to what I wanted specifically and so inexperienced and desperate for a job in a dying industry, that I took whatever position I could get. Thankfully, my first offer actually turned out to be the perfect one for me. I’ve learned a lot and grown even more, so it’s given me a clearer vision for the future. I still want to write for a living, but there’s something exciting at being near the bottom of the ladder of a new career.

Unexpected changes used to be my greatest fear— events I didn’t foresee, things that challenged my plans and could turn my world upside down. But, in all honesty, facing my greatest fear was the best thing that’s ever happened to me.

Now, my greatest fear is complacency. Being complacent in my faith, my career, and my relationships. Let’s see how I face this fear. 

// From my A.M. Pre-K class//

Girl singing to herself, haltingly and unsure of lyrics—

Frosty, the Snowman
was a holly, jolly man
and he thinks all day
and he drinks all day
and he sits in his underwear

// Friendships//

With all the change and uncertainty that has been in my life this past year, I see now, more clearly than ever before, how rare and precious authentic friendships are. 

Post-college, you begin to see your friendships divide very distinctly into two groups: fun/good friends and authentic friends.

Good/fun friends are exactly that. They’re not bad friends, by any means. They are enjoyable to be around, you share many common interests, and you care for each other in a sense that you’re willing to occasionally inconvenience yourself for their sake. 

My genuine friendships move beyond the fun times and occasional inconvenience. They involve vulnerability, open wounds, with sharing, crying, and laughing all at once. We allow transparency in our many flaws and shortcomings, but assure encouragement in times of triumph and need. There’s accountability, which means that there’s also arguments and disagreements; but at the end of the day, it touches me to know that people out there care for me so much as to risk discord and hostility for the betterment of my soul. 

Perhaps they always existed in those categories, but it’s not until everybody graduates and begins to move, both geographically and metaphorically to a different stage of life, that you’re hit with the glaring truth of how little time you truly invested into friendships, when compared to your academic career or a now defunct romantic relationship. To my friends who felt like I ever flaked out on them because I was too tired from work/class or because X activity was going on with a boy— I’m sorry. I really dropped the ball. Text me sometime and I’ll treat you to a cup of coffee (Um, but nothing fancy. Who do you think I am, your boyfriend?). 

However, if you’re reading this, then you might already be dearer to me than you think. :)

// Irresponsibility //

I kind of miss how being in college is a blanket reason/exit ticket for many of the problems that normally plague our lives.

Slovenly, disheveled hair because you woke up 10 minutes before your first appointment of the day? Not a big deal. I’m a college student.

Wearing your pj’s out in public because you didn’t feel like doing laundry? No problem. I’m in college.

Staying up late for no reason, eating tacos or pizza at 1am, and wreaking havoc on your body? Heh oh wells! I’m a college student!

And my personal favorite— having an excuse to be cheap. On Craigslist: “Do you think you can let it go for $50? I’d love to buy it, but I’m in college and tuition was due today…” At X eatery near campus: “Hey, I have a coupon AND my student ID; can I have both the student discount and my coupon savings? Because, you know, tuition was due today…” At the movies: “Is there a student discount? Not for matinee? Really? Because I’m in college and tuition was due today…”*

And let’s not forget the almighty blanket reason if you’re a college student— “I had a midterm/final/paper due today.” I once witnessed a guy at the CVS on the Drag attempt to steal something. When he got caught, he badly feigned absentmindedness. “Oh! Dude, I thought I put that back! I’m so out of it today. I just finished taking a final.” The clerk sympathetically nodded his head and the kid got off scot-free. SCOT. FREE.

I miss having that kind of power at my disposal.

*exaggerated