Wednesday, September 18, 2013

New Undertakings

Seeing as this blog is about changing lifestyles, it's about time I mixed mine up a little.   I've been growing increasingly unhappy in the legal profession since I enlisted in the daily grind. It's finally reaching a point though where it's almost intolerable and so, it is time for a much needed change.

I've been giving a lot of thought to what I'd actually enjoy doing and I keep coming back to two answers - teaching or editing. Technically, I can teach with my B.A. in English  but truthfully, no one will hire you if you don't have some type of education degree. I don't have such a thing but I do have enough student loans to constitute a small mortgage. As such, another degree, i.e. a master's in education is out. And so I've settled, happily, on editing. Therein lies the rub.

How in the world do I get my foot in the door in a new profession?  Granted, I am qualified and I do have menial experience having edited countless papers for friends and coworkers, and I review and edit every document or correspondence produced by my attorney, which is a considerable amount.  Unfortunately, absolutely none of it is considered viable experience. As much of a set back as that is though, I'm not going to give up on this. I majored in English because it was the only thing I thought I could tolerate for four years. If it's the only thing I could tolerate for four years, then it's probably the only thing I can tolerate, let alone enjoy, for the span of a career. So, my mind is made up and I will jam my foot into any corner of the profession I can wiggle my little toes into.

In addition to editing, I've also decided that it's well past time that I put on my big girl panties and submit some work for hopeful publishing.  I'm quite certain that I've found an online journal that I want to submit to and I already have a piece in mind to send in. I just don't know if I can handle a rejection. My writing is the most vulnerable part of me and the idea of sending it to a trained critic is terrifying. They say though that to live courageously and boldly, one must know vulnerability. I'll keep you updated on my endeavor to actually become a published writer/poet.

Alright, well enough about writing and shooting for bigger things.  Sorry I've been away so long, I'll try to be more attentive.  Oh, and one more quick update, my boyfriend and I are finally taking a proper vacation in May...to Paris!  We are both very overdue for a vacation, and I am way overdue for a (mis)adventure.  Here's to new careers, different places, and changing ways.  Don't be afraid to mix it up a bit. As for me, I'm trying to practice what I preach.  Happy hump day!

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Quick Update

I just realized that it's been well over a year since I've posted anything here so here's a quick update on the important bits from the past year.

I'm still living in downtown and while I love being in the heart of the city I think I'd rather live in South Tampa. It's a little less crowded, I wouldn't have to always be inconvenienced by every convention that comes to the convention center or the Forum, there's grass not just concrete, and it's five minutes from downtown but a little less crowded. The lease is up on March so we'll see what happens then.

I lost my job at the foreclosure firm in February, which was more a blessing than a headache, and now, thanks to two amazing women at Hood Legal, I have a great job at an incredible firm in downtown. I've been there since April and I hope to be there for years.

I bought a 2012 Fiat 500 in January, right before I lost my job, and I absolutely adore it!  Sadly though, while picking my best friend up at the airport at midnight for the fourth of July weekend, a seventeen year old drove an SUV into the driver's side.  It's in the shop though and I'll get my baby back on the 23rd. I have an SUV until then and that's proving to be an experience!

The last big update is that I'm running my first marathon in December. I'm really excited but a little scared, too. I have a friend who is walking the half-marathon while I run the whole so it's nice for us to have someone to commiserate with on rough training days.  I haven't decided what the worst part about training for a marathon during a Florida summer is - the heat or hurricane season. Both are proving to be trying. Beth and I are carrying on though and that's the best we can do.

Well, that's it for now. I'll make much more of an effort to post more often. Until next time,  keep changing ways.