I need to apologize to everyone because I have not kept in touch nearly as much as I should have or would have liked to this summer. Many times from work I come home absolutely exhausted and fall asleep immediately just to get up in the morning to start the process over again.
I had a relaxing move into my new apartment. I really love this place and cannot get over how quiet it is in this neighborhood. That´s one prominent change from college! My cat has adjusted surprisingly well, too. She has befriended my roommate very quickly and even runs to greet him at the door when he gets home from work.
As for work, it´s been a tough adjustment filled with a combination of highs and lows. My expecatations and the reality of corporate America differ in many ways but I think that is to be expected with any new college grad. All in all, it´s been a very positive experience so far. My first month on the job was strictly training at headquarters. The last few months (and through the end of September) I am in customer service, learning the back end operations side of the business. Starting in October, I will be in sales. I am really looking forward to this transition.
My schedule is highly sporadic so I am having a difficult time developing a social life because I cannot commit to any activities. I don´t have weekends off, my shifts are not consistent nor are my two days off a week ever really together. I have, however, found an adult swim league that is willing to excuse my frequent work-related absences so I will be joining that in October. I am extremely excited to meet new people outside of my work environment!! There are people 25-85 years old on the team and they compete about 4 times a year.
As some of you have already heard, I will be taking vacation to South Korea to visit a dear friend of mine from college. I will be staying with her family and getting to see firsthand what the Korean culture is really like. I can´t wait to try homemade Korean cooking!! I will primarily be in Seoul, the capitol city, but will take some trips throughout the country to hike, visit national monuments, etc. I couldn´t be more ready for an international experience than I am right now!
In my free time this summer, I have gotten to downtown Chicago a few times for a few festivals. I have gone back to Madison a few times, as well, to visit friends in the area. Also, my roommate from Spain just got married. I went to her destination wedding at a resort in the middle to Wisconsin´s peaceful nature. I also took a day trip to Indiana to visit a friend that I haven´t seen in almost 10 years. It was like we hadn´t even been apart for a day! Spending time with all of my wonderful old/foreign/college friends has really been a great blessing.
I will do my best to keep in more regular contact with everyone! Please update me on how all of your summers are going. I would love to hear! All my love from the midwest!
