Mrs. Scared to Death

Hi, All. I'm back.

Semester is done and here are the results...

Not bad. It got me a partial academic scholarship (never thought I would say that) in addition to my full-ride leadership scholarship that I have again for next semester.

I'm pretty happy with the results-all things considered. Being a newlywed, taking 17 credits, working 20 hours and then being director over an events program (volunteer)...it got crazy. In fact, Nephi and I almost cried driving out of town on our first vacation. We were so happy, relieved and had some legitimate bagagge and angst against this semester. The hard part for me, personally, was that I had so many classes to work on, it was hard for me to just enjoy one. I gave about equal amount to each class, in the end, but didn't fancy one over the other. I did learn a lot and felt immense growth and more drive towards graduating and starting a 'real job'.

This is where the real tears come in...

No more excuses, it's time to start applying for my first 'real job' post graduation. My emotions race daily with the thought of what is going to happen in December when I graduate.

Am I going to be one of those graduates who has a job lined up and walks into the office first Monday after graduation? Am I going to be one of those graduates that wakes up the day after graduation, grabs the classifieds and starts applying? Or, am I going to be one of those graduates that is going to start applying early, to 15 + places, get 2 interviews and have nothing to show for it except 15 different cover letters?

I fear all 3, especially option 3.

Ambiguity in life plans has never been my strong suit. I am working on it but I do have a strong belief in a system that has worked for me in the past - work your butt off, pray, be good, follow-up and be yourself and things will work out. This theory has proven to work, however, I am still scared to death...

This is where I am at. Thinking every waking hour about where I will be in 5 months. How I will support my husband. How I will feel accomplished. How I will stayed motivated when pushed down. How I will hold back all the tears.

I don't know, but I am willing to find out and prove my theory, right.

Wish me l u c k. (And let me know if you hear of any job openings in eastern Idaho)

Mrs. New Job. Well, kind of.

Since January, I have been working for University Communications as a project manager. It's been such an incredible experience that it is hard to explain. I have grown so much! Job, after job, I always think I can't learn more than I did in the past job or internship-but I always do!

Some of the principles that I have learned is:
*The client is not always right, you just need to make them feel that way.

-I know immediately, all your heads turn to your neighbor and scoff, “Psh, PR. A whole bunch of spinning is what she is doing.” My response would be, yes and no. Yes, this job is PR and no we do not spin the truth –we just give the client a new perspective.

*I am a student, but I am powerful.

-For example, as an intern, there were many moments where I felt like I was treated like a 'intern'. I had to prove myself over and over again and in the end, I felt like I still struggled to win them over. Here, I feel like my work is worth something and with every project I do well, I gain more respect, trust and stewardship. I love that feeling.

*The mission of the University is to serve the students.

-Each project I work on, in a roundabout, is always for the students. Your now nudging your neighbor thinking, “Duh, you work at a university.” Bust seriously. All my clients are sincere about helping the students understand the message they are trying to convey. It’s not about power or position. It's about people.

*My peers are amazing.

-I work with a team of graphic designers and web programmers, all students, all amazing. They shock me with their talents, daily. I have learned so much from them, not just about design principles, but about talent and expressing your talents. I want to be like them when I grow up.


Those are just a few of the many principles that I have learned here at University Communications. This job really was a miracle and I feel good and fulfilled in this position.

Now, along to my ‘new job, well, kinda’ scenario. My supervisor, I guess you could call her, was the Project Coordinator for University Communications. Instead of her just managing print, she does web, video and photo as well. She has a student project manager in each area that she works with but mostly she manages the bigger projects and the face-time. Fortunately, we worked in the same office and became great friends. She is a great example to me and I loved working with her. Recently, she was offered a new position on campus and she felt it was time for a change in her life and switched departments at the end of July.


With her leaving, there was an obvious vacancy that couldn’t be filled immediately. The job posting just closed and they are currently seeking a new employee. So, how have we been surviving? Me. Ahem, humbly. I am now in her position. And since school is out for the break, I am also the photo coordinator and the web coordinator. A doozy, eh? Nah. It’s been great.

I attend meetings with the director of University Communications, weekly, as well as manage projects in web, print, photo and video. I meet with the managers of each of those departments weekly as well and make sure they are all on top of things. Yes—it’s weird giving assignments and deadlines to men quite superior to me in age, status and pay grade (especially pay grade). But, they are all WONDERFUL to work with. They only enable me to be better. The other day during my meeting with the director he said that he doesn’t look at me as a student, but as a full-time working professional that is to represent University Communications. Wow—that was nice to hear.

Although I will only be in this position a few more weeks, I again, see it as such a miracle. Again, I have learned and grown so much. I hope this trial period is preparing me for something greater in my life. I know, wherever I apply and work [post graduation] I will be prepared because of the experience I have had here.


There is my new job summary and a small tribute to University Communications. Thanking you.

Mrs...photographer!?

Yes. I haven't blogged in forever. It's bad. I wish I could blog. Daily. I have enough to say, just not enough time. One day. Soon.


FYI, I have a photo blog. I am taking a digital imaging class that has taught me how to take pictures and edit them! We invested in a DSLR Cannon Rebel camera and we really like it! Check out my blog and the work I have done this semester!

Stay tuned. I will be back.

Mrs Life is Cake

 

Here is my schedule for the fall 2011 semester. My LAST semester of my undergraduate studies. Only 16 credits next semester, opposed to my current 17. Feel free to feel sorry for me...lend words of encouragement...put my name on the prayer roll....etc. 

But really, life is cake with this man. 

These past, officially today, 2 months have been incredible.

I don't know how I lasted the last 23 years without him.

Miss Wedding Pictures

Want to see the wedding pictures? Check out my facebook, for now. I will have more posted here soon!

Miss...wait, uh...MRS. Guymon

Just Married

4.14.11

 

 

 new family blog being constructed...stay tuned :)


 




 (Looks like I need to change this.)

Miss Horror Story #2 and ONE WEEK!

Horror story # 2:
{refer to horror story # 1, if you are confused about this sequence.}

I want to first of all say that this story lacks A LOT of empathy. And sympathy, as well...

We filled out a "application" [which we thought was a contract] for an apartment almost 2 months ago. The apartment was going to be great and I hadn't stopped envisioning it since that day. About 3 weeks about, we find out that it was just an application, not a contract. I freaked basically. About every other day since then, I've been in tears about this apartment, trying to get a hold of this guy. I left it up to Nephi and he did everything he could but this was one of the WORST services I have ever worked with.

We would call him, and he would email maybe 3-4 days later with a response, but never fully answering our questions. He asked for basically all our personal financial information, and we got it to him the same day, but still took him FOREVER to get back to us. Even with us basically pleading for some sort of answer, because we were getting married in 3 weeks...nothing. I sent him my resume, a separate application with my information only and I even informed him of my full-ride scholarship next semester. Still, we were a *risk to them. Maybe because my parents aren't paying my rent? ( currently, sarcasm is dripping from my lips.) Finally, one day, after getting out of the temple, Nephi told me he called asking for our financial aid information and I LOST IT! I balled and balled and felt so hopeless. I don't get it. This guy is r i d i c u l o u s. I felt like no one involved was helping us or even cared. So, we decided to look for places on our own. And we did.

Nephi saw a place last week and on Saturday I went and checked out 2 places. It was fun actually. One thing that all these places had in common was, great management. They are a little more expensive (not by much) but their managers are really on top of things. We ended up really interested in this cute basement apartment.

• 2 bedrooms
• Utilities included in rent payment (including cable)
• NICE lighting
• Windows in living room and master bedroom
• HUGE living room!
• Washer and dryer
• 7-10 min walk from campus and Main street
• Current tenants were helpful and easy to contact
• A GREAT manager

It has everything we need, except it's a basement apartment. That was of course pretty weary to us but, we did it anyway!

We gave them our application on Sunday night and by Monday afternoon we had talked to the manager and she sent over a lease. We filled it out, sent it back and all we have to do is put down the deposit and we are good to go!

Lesson Learned. I am DONE with unreliable people and BAD service. You missed out dang renters. We are awesome.

I am SO excited. Really. I already feel like it's our home and I get so excited to think that is is going to be Nephi and I's first place together.

*They told us that we were a risk because we don't have "renting experience"...uh, excuse me, but, seriously. I definately had a mouth full to say after I heard that! Good thing Nephi talked to them, not me.

GUESS WHAT...

In ONE week, I get to marry this cute boy...

Can't wait!



...not for long ;)