Speak to me

This will likely sound cliche, but I have been noticing lately how much music speaks to me. I have been having some difficult days; as you may know, transitions really aren't my thing. So my mood is a bit less peppy than I wish it was.

Having spent a lot of time in my car recently, going from training to training, my iPod is currently my closest companion (sad, I know, but true). I am one of those people who makes playlists for the different moods I am in, and the one playing most frequently these days is the one entitled "down." It may sound stupid to play sad songs when you're in a sad mood, but it works for me. Alas, I have also been paying more attention to the words in songs and the real meanings behind them. Today I went to the Fray concert, and I really felt the music. I felt the words and the beat and the heartache that often accompanies true works of art. Maybe it is counterproductive for me to want to find meaning or relatable material in songs about sorrow. I'm not sure. More to come on that I'm sure.

Down for now,

Amanda

"Happiness"

The Fray

Happiness is just outside my window
Would it crash blowing 80-miles an hour?
Or is happiness a little more like knocking
On your door, and you just let it in?

Happiness feels a lot like sorrow
Let it be, you can’t make it come or go
But you are gone- not for good but for now
Gone for now feels a lot like gone for good

Happiness is a firecracker sitting on my headboard
Happiness was never mine to hold
Careful child, light the fuse and get away
‘Cause happiness throws a shower of sparks

Happiness damn near destroys you
Breaks your faith to pieces on the floor
So you tell yourself, that’s enough for now
Happiness has a violent roar

Happiness is like the old man told me
Look for it, but you’ll never find it all
Let it go, live your life and leave it
Then one day, wake up and she’ll be home
Home, home, home

Transitions

Its been a hell of a ride since I wrote my last blog post. The result of that is a severe lack of any communication other than quick Facebook updates and wall posts. Lame, I know. But I promise after you hear about it, you'll forgive me for abandoning my posting for a while.

Egypt was, in a word, amazing. I am SO glad that I took the plunge and did something that was out of the ordinary for me. I had so much fun learning about anything and everything I could while I was there. It was hard at first. I admit that there were a few days when I wanted to hop the next plane back to the states. But through the help of some great classmates and discussions with my parents, I was able to keep myself going. After a few rough days, I had SO MUCH FUN. The country is amazing. I would highly recommend a trip during anyone's lifetime. Totally worth it.

After getting back, I started my last semester of college. It was a blur and seemed to be gone in a heartbeat. But I was ready. I continued to work at the Target store in Woodbury for the semester, gaining a bunch more experience and keeping ties with my colleagues and friends. I graduated on May 22, 2009 with a bachelor of arts degree in Communication Studies with a minor in Business Administration. It was a great day, and I'm so glad I made it!

Then, I convinced my mom that I needed a break from the real world for a few days before I started my new job with Target. With that, we planned and went on an awesome trip to Chicago, IL. I had never been there as an adult, so I was psyched. Plus, I love to be in the city, as I learned while living in Cairo. It was a great trip. My mom, our friend Deb, and I had an awesome time on our "girls trip." (Mom has already mentioned planning one for next year, so I guess it went OK for her too!)

Then I came back and started Target's management training program. I have been training for 2 weeks so far, and I'm having a blast! I am currently training to work in Logistics, which is an overnight/early morning process. It has been tough to work out the sleep schedule and still feel attached to the waking world, but I have learned a ton and am really enjoying what I am doing. Now there's much more to come, so I may have some tough days ahead, but I know that I can take it :)

So that's my story in a nutshell. A simple one, with little drama or excitement. However, I'm slowly transitioning into my new life as an adult, even if it is just one step at a time.

Peace-

Amanda

Hi There!

Hey all! I'm writing this post before I leave for Egypt in the morning...super psyched, and excited to share my adventure with you! Check back and I'll update as often as I can...

A Little look-see

Here's a glimpse of what I worked on over the past few weeks.  Haven't gotten a lot done, but I like what I did, so that's always an accomplishment!

Ta ta for now-

Amanda

My last first day

Today was my last first day of school...I'm a senior now (and I can't change that, no matter how much it scares me)!  I had a good day.  Not intense at all, just that syllabus-reading, getting-to-know-you kind of thing in both classes.  I've got two more new classes tomorrow to go to, and then I'll be fully back into a 16-credit term of college.  Yikes.  

School is the center of my life now, but I'm trying to figure out how to balance school and life-in-general.  I think sometimes I take school and work too seriously - I let them be the defining parts of my life.  Now, I don't think that this is necessarily a bad thing, but I want to be able to look back on my college years and know that I had a good time.  I have lots of friends on campus - just have to try to to things outside of school with them every now and then.  

Peace-

Amanda