Hi guys!
So, I had a birthday last week--29! I had a blast and came back to Baltimore on a mission. The semester is wrapping up, so I had a lot of work to catch up on. Kinda boring.
But more exciting, I got to spend a day shadowing a friend at 18F--sort of the fed version of Googleplex--and learning about the Presidential Innovations Fellows program. #lifegoals
I have a year left in my program and I need to spend that time learning to think technically--and convincing the right people that I can think technically so they will hire me :P
And I need internships--lots of internships. Right now, I've got my eyes on CommunicateHealth, the Department of Health and Human Services, and 18F. It's tricky to work around a full-time job, but not impossible. And a part of me wants to throw my job to the wind and focus this last year on immersing myself in user experience research--the thought of giving up my paycheck though. #sob
Anyway. 29. #gah I remember coming to DC as a fresh-faced, straight from grad school 24 year old--five years ago!
I can assume I'll be doing some travel and finishing up with school, but I have other pre-30 ambitions:
1. Find a new job. I'm ready to stretch my wings a bit with the new skills I've learned, so I've been on the lookout for positions that will challenge me. The perfect job will mix my health communication skills with design and development.
2. Decorate. Sounds simple, but I hope to stay in my apartment for a while. It would be nice to have a statement wall in my bedroom, a picture collage on the wall over my desk, and to actually hang my pictures and art. I'm loving the pink, black, and gold scheme from Casas & Lulu. And buy more art! I have an old friend who always buys art when he travels abroad. I love that idea--it feels so enlightened and bohemian.
3. Budget. Budgeting money is a constant battle for me--I'll be really good about it for a couple of months, then I'll fall off and be really bad. Apparently, this is normal. I would be so proud of myself if I could spend this year maintaining a budget. I have the same struggle with cooking for myself. If I have to make myself read Suze Orman's Women & Money another time around, I'm going to scream. #threepeat
4. Cook for myself. #seetheabove
5. Be grateful. I have to admit that I complained a lot at the end of 28, mostly because I felt uninspired and bored in my 9-5. I decided to embrace my job until I find something new--that means finding joy in the small things.
6. Random road trips. My new favorite habit is to rent a car and hit the road for a weekend getaway. It can be something close--Philly, or far--Nashville. They're solo and involve a quick Lonely Planet itineraries and last minute Priceline bookings. These have been sanity savers! I love driving, having time alone to think, and exploring new places. Also, not planning every detail challenges the part of me that needs total order and organization.
7. Narrate an audiobook. Go ahead--laugh. The truth is I have always loved storytelling--listening to it and delivering. I love audiobooks and harbor a secret, not so secret now--desire to narrate one. LibriVox will get me started.
8. Fine dining. Sounds like it would contradict #4, but my current weakness is fast food. One of my besties only eats out at really nice restaurants, but mostly cooks for herself. Every time we go out, I know my tastebuds will be in for a treat. She has the right idea.
9. Network. Network. Network. One of the things I hated when I moved to DC was how some people networked--leeching themselves on to people they perceived as being able to propel them. I was on the other end of the spectrum--speaking when spoken to and mostly kicking it with my peers. Both methods are less than ideal. I've learned that there is a tasteful medium--it's possible to be forward, especially in an environment where others are doing the things you're interested in. The silver bullet--doing a bit of research beforehand so you know who to approach and for what reasons, and thinking about what you bring to the table. Also, getting invited to the right parties and actually going! Less Netflix nights on the couch, more partying! #andtheintrovertinmesobbed #andthrewatantrum
10. Spiritual flow. This year was tough--I battled with the idea of switching to a more diverse, but less accessible branch of my church. #sowebo Ultimately, I decided to stay put. #downtown I started morning stretches, with prayer and meditation. #lifechanging #selamtayogamats #selamta #peacebewithyou I just need to read my bible more :)
These are things I can do. And if I happen to meet a nice guy along the way... :)
Hugs and kisses peeps,
Bethany
So, I had a birthday last week--29! I had a blast and came back to Baltimore on a mission. The semester is wrapping up, so I had a lot of work to catch up on. Kinda boring.
But more exciting, I got to spend a day shadowing a friend at 18F--sort of the fed version of Googleplex--and learning about the Presidential Innovations Fellows program. #lifegoals
I have a year left in my program and I need to spend that time learning to think technically--and convincing the right people that I can think technically so they will hire me :P
And I need internships--lots of internships. Right now, I've got my eyes on CommunicateHealth, the Department of Health and Human Services, and 18F. It's tricky to work around a full-time job, but not impossible. And a part of me wants to throw my job to the wind and focus this last year on immersing myself in user experience research--the thought of giving up my paycheck though. #sob
Anyway. 29. #gah I remember coming to DC as a fresh-faced, straight from grad school 24 year old--five years ago!
I can assume I'll be doing some travel and finishing up with school, but I have other pre-30 ambitions:
1. Find a new job. I'm ready to stretch my wings a bit with the new skills I've learned, so I've been on the lookout for positions that will challenge me. The perfect job will mix my health communication skills with design and development.
2. Decorate. Sounds simple, but I hope to stay in my apartment for a while. It would be nice to have a statement wall in my bedroom, a picture collage on the wall over my desk, and to actually hang my pictures and art. I'm loving the pink, black, and gold scheme from Casas & Lulu. And buy more art! I have an old friend who always buys art when he travels abroad. I love that idea--it feels so enlightened and bohemian.
3. Budget. Budgeting money is a constant battle for me--I'll be really good about it for a couple of months, then I'll fall off and be really bad. Apparently, this is normal. I would be so proud of myself if I could spend this year maintaining a budget. I have the same struggle with cooking for myself. If I have to make myself read Suze Orman's Women & Money another time around, I'm going to scream. #threepeat
4. Cook for myself. #seetheabove
5. Be grateful. I have to admit that I complained a lot at the end of 28, mostly because I felt uninspired and bored in my 9-5. I decided to embrace my job until I find something new--that means finding joy in the small things.
6. Random road trips. My new favorite habit is to rent a car and hit the road for a weekend getaway. It can be something close--Philly, or far--Nashville. They're solo and involve a quick Lonely Planet itineraries and last minute Priceline bookings. These have been sanity savers! I love driving, having time alone to think, and exploring new places. Also, not planning every detail challenges the part of me that needs total order and organization.
7. Narrate an audiobook. Go ahead--laugh. The truth is I have always loved storytelling--listening to it and delivering. I love audiobooks and harbor a secret, not so secret now--desire to narrate one. LibriVox will get me started.
8. Fine dining. Sounds like it would contradict #4, but my current weakness is fast food. One of my besties only eats out at really nice restaurants, but mostly cooks for herself. Every time we go out, I know my tastebuds will be in for a treat. She has the right idea.
9. Network. Network. Network. One of the things I hated when I moved to DC was how some people networked--leeching themselves on to people they perceived as being able to propel them. I was on the other end of the spectrum--speaking when spoken to and mostly kicking it with my peers. Both methods are less than ideal. I've learned that there is a tasteful medium--it's possible to be forward, especially in an environment where others are doing the things you're interested in. The silver bullet--doing a bit of research beforehand so you know who to approach and for what reasons, and thinking about what you bring to the table. Also, getting invited to the right parties and actually going! Less Netflix nights on the couch, more partying! #andtheintrovertinmesobbed #andthrewatantrum
10. Spiritual flow. This year was tough--I battled with the idea of switching to a more diverse, but less accessible branch of my church. #sowebo Ultimately, I decided to stay put. #downtown I started morning stretches, with prayer and meditation. #lifechanging #selamtayogamats #selamta #peacebewithyou I just need to read my bible more :)
These are things I can do. And if I happen to meet a nice guy along the way... :)
Hugs and kisses peeps,
Bethany
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