Things come in threes ~ Finding the good

Have you ever noticed that things come in threes?

It's an old wives tale, that in my small town back home seems to hold true to.

However, it's not just the old ladies who see it, I've seen in with everything in my life, or almost everything. Recently I had three groups of three bad things that happened in my life. Deaths, illnesses, health scares, you name it. I was sitting at eight for about a week and was getting pretty antsy. I didn't think I could handle more bad news, more loss, more sorrow. 

Something I think we forget is that it isn't just bad things that happen in threes. Good things can come in threes too. I believe that you will never just get the bad, all bad has to come with some good. You just have to find it, and in some cases that literally means you have to make the choice. I was tested this week, I had to make a choice I almost made myself sick over it, and that was completely unnecessary. Try as I might, those moments when I think that I'm chilling out and a becoming laid back human who lets life take me where it wants to? Yeah, well throw a decision in there and I'm right back to high anxiety Kaite. 

You have to choose the good, choose happiness, whether that means a job offer you've wanted or basking in a sunny day after rain. Go out there and choose to find the good. I did and obviously it was a step in the right direction because the universe threw two more things back at me, good things mind you. I have a summer internship in the field I love, I have a place to stay (and a friend from home as a roommate), and I won the student government position for the next school year that I'd been campaigning for. 

I'm excited and now that my life has settled a little, I'm trying to figure out what is going to happen next. Because life is never smooth sailing, it has highs and lows, and that to me is the beautiful thing. Tragedy really does make the good things seem that much better. 

Another thing this has taught me? You have to actively pursue what you want. I don't know if everything would have worked out if I hadn't taken that first step, that first decision. Everything happens for a reason, and we don't always get to know why. 

So my PSA for the day? Go find the good. Find it and when you find something you want, go after it. Life has a funny way of paying you back for things like that. 

Holiday Cheer or Fear?

Happy December,

All in all this semester has been kinda crazy for me, not sure about you but 2014 was definitely the year of change for me. I picked my concentration, decided what I want to study for my Masters program that I will apply to next year, went on an amazing trip, took time for family, made bad decisions, applied for an internship, and made a decision to graduate on a normal four year track. I've become centered in life and in my head, but it took a lot to get there.

I know that not everyone probably had as many ups and downs as I did this semester, but they had their own which were bigger and smaller in their own ways. 

I'll probably write more on several of the things I have above, mainly because I know that two years ago I would have loved to know that someone didn't have a clue what they wanted to do for a career somehow had opportunities fall in their lap because of their classes, and no you didn't read that wrong. 

Right now I know that the holidays always seem to bring high levels of cheer and high levels of anxiety, about bills, presents, grades. But something that no one seems to remember is that we come up on this every year, every year we have to deal with the same stress and anxiety. Sure the year will always make it slightly different, but at its core we deal with the same thing every year, AND WE GET THROUGH IT EVERY YEAR. Seriously just let that sink in. 

Now realize that you know how to deal with this, you know how to budget, you know how to study for finals. The world always feels like its coming to an end right now. Like there is way too much going on and you will never get it, never be able to make the time for everything that has to happen. Seriously there are ugly sweater parties, mixers, socials, study sessions, last minute papers and projects, and can we not even talk about Christmas shopping? Everyone and their dog is worrying about this right now. Slow down breath, realize that you don't have to have everything figured out. 

This is the end of the year and right now we are just wrapping everything up, literally and figuratively. Stick hard to your studies don't let the holidays and the upcoming break get to you. I know you can do it, because I've been able to. 

The holidays can be the most wonderful time of the year, be extra nice to the grocers, tell your best friend how much you appreciate them, let your family be crazy and revel in the them-ness that you can be overwhelemed by. This is my favorite time of the year and no matter how hard it is I try to always be a glass half full person right now, because so many people need that. Be that person, you never no who's day you end up brightening and I can tell you it will make you happier too.

First Day Back

Hey all,

Hope this last weekend before classes went well, mine flew by. From going around with family to hanging out with friends I hadn't seen all summer I looked up at about midnight last night and realized how long I'd been away.

I'm officially done with classes for the day, I love my that I'm done with class before noon on Mondays, it makes them much more likable. It doesn't seem to be that bad of a Monday, mainly because the first class is always going over the syllabus and getting a handle on your Professor.

It seems so crazy that school is finally in swing, and getting used to what's going on around you. You may even have had homework get assigned already, I did. Get a jump start on it now. It's the very first day and what has been assigned isn't awful, however it will start to pile up by the end of the week. I'm going to try and crank mine out after lunch so that I can go to work (yes I now have a real job! All the paperwork is done!) not worrying. Then when my busy day tomorrow hits I'm not worrying about already assigned homework.

Can't wait to see what this week has in store for us, how was your first day?


-WyoBelle

Packing Up

Today marks the day of getting ready for going back to school. Tomorrow I begin to pack my clothes and other possessions.  In less than a week it will be time for move in and soon after starting school. Thursday is the official move in for on campus dorms here at University of Wyoming and I can't wait.

The big question is what to take to school? Remembering last year I realize that I overreacted. I in all the infinite wisdom of a new graduate decided that my room would be as empty as possible so that my parents could use the room as whatever they wanted. I took almost everything I owned, including almost all of my clothing. What I didn't take I put up in my closet or up in or attic. My room was absolutely bizarre looking after I was done.

The plus side to taking so much was the fact that I had everything I needed, and everything most of my friends and hallmates needed as well. Everyone would come to me if they needed to borrow something or eat food, as I was always well stocked up. This earned me the title of floor mom which had its ups and downs. The best part was that I knew almost all the girls on my floor, and we all became really friendly. It also meant that everyone would stop by, no matter when sometimes early in the morning, or late at night, or when I was busy writing a paper. It didn't bother me too much in the beginning but after months of this it took its toll.

One of my really close friends didn't bring much, about three weeks worth of clothes, four pair of shoes, her laptop and notebooks. Oh and food, that girl loved her food. Did she have what she needed? Yes. Did she borrow from me? Yes, but very very rarely. We seemed like polar opposites but for each of our own needs it worked for us.

 It was nice having so much with me and knowing that I would always have whatever I needed. The truth was that I didn't need everything I owned and as the year went, and when I went to visit family I'd take home certain things I wasn't using. Going back this year I have twice the closet space I did before, but I'm going to be taking a lot less. I only live four hours from home and if I realize I'm really going to need it in the near future I can always go home.

Even after the great realization it will be hard for me to leave things and I will probably overpack, but I'm working on it.

Are you getting ready for school? If so what's your strategy? A lot? A little? I'd love to know!!

-WyoBelle

P.S. Best tip for moving clothes on hangers is to leave them on the hangers through a black plastic bag over them make a hole in the top for the hanger loop and cinch the bottom... saved me so much time packing and made it so much easier!

Jobs and Interviews

Today I had my first interview, it was a phone interview which made it a little better and also worse. Better because I didn't have to dress up and they weren't able to see me nervously pace and worse because there was a very quiet woman in the back and every time she talked the phone would cut out, every single time. I was so nervous because this was my first interview and now I know that I really need to do my homework.

Coming from a small town in Wyoming, I never really had to interview and the only time I did was with someone I've known since I was small, runs the high school church group, and is my nephew's Godfather. Not exactly nerve wracking. When I was applying for the Air Force Academy I did have to go through interviews, but I was prepared for almost every question and after three interviews I felt like a pro. Interviews are scary but they don't have to be.

 I'd pinned several things on Pinterest about interviews and what to do, but I really didn't take them seriously and I didn't read them well enough. They tell you to rehearse some things and be ready with certain questions, for example I got asked what my weakness was, a terrifying thing to share with a group of people who you are potentially going to work with, but find some way to show that you have been trying to fix your weakness and that you know how to fix that. Also I seriously recommend having certain questions ready for when they ask you at the end if there is anything you want to as, it shows that you are more serious about working there.

This was a total fluke, I had originally applied because I wanted some working experience and a little cash while I'm at school. I looked through several of the student listed jobs that had been posted and saw varying level of commitment, skill, and time in different jobs. I applied for two I thought would be easy enough to work on while at school and then hoped I'd get some kind of notice within the next two weeks. I got a phone call four days later, but this was for a similar job in a different area. I leaped at the chance. Hopefully by tomorrow I will be able to see if it was worth it.

Jobs aren't for everyone and some people need two to pay their way through college. Every situation is different and I encourage someone to see how much time they really can dedicate to what they are looking at. One must be logical and look at how that will hold up against school. It may be to difficult for some, while others like me need more than just one thing going on to really get the best results out of themselves.

My best tips are do your homework, know what the job requires, how you will be required to work (alone, group setting), and basic interview questions. They normally always end with a goofy question, try to be creative I wasn't ready at all for mine and had an odd answer. Again have a few really good questions for the interviewers.

All my best wishes towards nailing that interview, hope this helped.

-WyoBelle

Freshmen Fifteen?

As school creeps closer and closer it seems everyone has advice for new students. Work hard, have fun, enjoy your time, talk to your professors, and watch out for the freshmen fifteen. It seems like simple advice, but it is beyond true.

Especially the freshmen fifteen, now I'm not saying everyone is going to gain the freshmen fifteen. I didn't, but I had a friend who did and goodness about two months in she couldn't fit into her pants anymore. 

This mostly happens because of the food. I know that Dorm food can't compare to a warm homecooked meal, but some times they have pretty good food. Not to mention Washakie has a large variety of options, including desert at every meal and ice cream on demand. Remembering to eat in moderation and not load up on three entree's is important. Though every once in a while it can be fun too. 

Remembering to get in some form of exercise is the best thing I can recommend, a lot of high school students, especially those from small towns, did a lot of sports in high school. Now that college has happened only the elite are one sports teams, but there is always club and intramural which is even more fun. 

I really didn't want to get into sports again, and every so often I'd go running or hit the gym. Half Acre Gym like many college gym's is free to full time students because its part of what you pay with tuition. These are fully stocked gyms with many types of classes, a swimming pool, a track, four (yes four) basket ball courts, and of course work out equipment. Oh and a rock climbing wall. 

If the gym isn't your thing, I know places like Laramie have so many areas around it that are great for hiking. Vedauwoo for one. They also have a great Nordic skiing area and several Alpine mountains to ski on only an hour or two away!

With all these opportunities there is no reason not go do something physical, plus a good work out means your brain releases happy endorphins and makes your day seem brighter and homework easier to tackle. 

-WyoBelle