Sky Scarf Saturday 6/7/2014

It’s been a while since my last Sky Scarf Saturday. I had to catch up on a couple weeks worth of knitting this morning due to the busyness of finishing up school, moving out, and starting my new job.

But I’ve got exciting news for you: It reached a high temperature of above 86 degrees this past week, which meant I got to unravel my skein of neon yarn this morning.

Although it is a bit of annoyance to add back colors I haven’t used in a while, I love the randomness of how singular stripes look against a mostly dark or light background. I’m totally geeking out over the nerdiness of this scarf.

Halfway There

Today I had my last classes of Sophomore year. It is completely mind-blowing how fast college goes. It’s so cliche, but people don’t lie when they tell you to enjoy every minute of it. I’ve been having a rough last few weeks and I keep saying that I can’t wait until the semester is over because of how horrible and stressful things can get, but looking back, it’s been a great year!

Last August I made myself an Sophomore year a to-do list. Let’s see how well I did.

1. Step out of my comfort zone. This goal has been fulfilled in so many ways. I’ve done a lot of networking this year, especially this past semester. I attended ECAASU, went to several career fairs, joined clubs with many networking opportunities, and just made a lot of new friends this semester within my major and minors. Socially, I have definitely worked hard at stepping out of my comfort zone. And guess what? It gets a little uncomfortable. Now that I’m not afraid to attend networking events, I need to work on going up to people and talking to them. I talked to a woman who did a talk here at UD and I found out that she can connect me with an organization that does exactly what I want to do. The little things add up. I’ve also academically stepped out my my comfort zone, taking courses in disciplines that I have never taken before, and doing well in them. It’s eye-opening how much you can do once you put yourself in a position to do these previously unimaginable things.
2. Get out there. Definitely. Shall I list all the officer positions I now hold? I’m on the executive board of a total of 4 clubs, including business and culture clubs. I’m on the flute staff for the next marching band season as well. I just need to flesh out my reach to service and community service. It’s really odd that I don’t regularly volunteer while wanting to work in the non-profit sector.
3. Stay healthy. I’m not really sure how this one went. My diet has not had a spectacular track record this semester, however I have started weight lifting in the gym twice a week. (I skipped today because I had to study for an exam…) Let me just tell you that there is nothing more intimidating than huge muscular guys lifting 200 pounds to a petite Asian girl in the weight room. But I’m determined. I will become not only mentally strong, but physically.
4. Work hard, party… a little. To keep it short and simple, yes, this goal can be checked off. ;) Don’t worry, I didn’t go too crazy. But to be honest, I prefer the quiet lifestyle.
5. Be efficient. My no all-nighter record is still going strong. So time-wise, I guess so. I really tried to clean out my wardrobe and utterly failed. I like my thrifty finds too much.
6. Dress for success. This one gets problematic on those bad days. I think I’m getting closer to finding my “personal style” though. It’s a hectic, schizophrenic journey but Im getting there. I also recently bought a lot of new business casual-type clothes for my internship this summer. I’m hoping to integrate some of those pieces into my everyday wear.
7. Maintain my Etsy shop. This one’s gonna have to be a no. I think I’m finally giving up on Etsy. Commission from friends and family are always welcome, though. As much as I love knitting, when something becomes your “job” you tend to like it less. It’s proven by management theories that I learned in class as well. Right now, I want to focus on finding that dream job that I’m imagining and working towards it.
8. Get paid. You are looking at UD’s Lerner College Career Services new Student Assistant. In time I will soon be a resume master. I mean, I’m pretty close. Just look at this bangin’ resume. I am so glad that I can count on having this position until I graduate, as long as I don’t screw anything up. It’s part-time and it’s almost minimum wage but it’s money.
9. Study abroad. This can officially be checked off May 31st once I land in Hong Kong! Check out my study abroad blog for more on it.

 

I completed almost everything on my list. And I’m alive and have a GPA I’m proud of. And I have a nice start for new goals for the next year.

This school year has been so enlightening for me. I think I am finally figuring out what I want to do after college. I am finding causes and careers that I am passionate about. I am learning things about myself, what I’m good at and what I need to work on. I’m going to do my best to make the most of these last two years!

Charlie the Octopus and Oh yeah, I started another blog? + Random Thoughts

 

Yes, I made a knitted octopus Charlie Chaplin. I didn’t really plan for him to turn out this way but he ended up looking strangely similar to the silent film star.

So what’s on the needles currently? Nothing. There is just too much going on in my life to knit anything with a big commitment. However, it does seem like I have a commission for one of my bow ties coming up from my new boss/supervisor. Yup, I have a job now, too.

And as I mentioned in a post before, I’ll be studying abroad and working in an internship there at the same time. I made a new blog for my adventures in Asia so check it out! I’ll be posting there sometimes and here sometimes depending on the subject. When I go searching for a yarn store in Hong Kong I’ll definitely be at least linking the blogs to each other.

I am just so ready for this semester to end already. Next week I register for fall classes! Holy poop, my college career is nearly half over. They weren’t lying when they say time flies fast. That reminds me. Today I found out that this last post I wrote to any rising college freshmen and college students in general was not completely unfounded in my unconventional thinking. I went to a networking/panel event today called “Empowering the Next Generation of Business Women” and all the wonderful ladies there said almost the exact same things that I wrote about. Women like them are definitely my role models in life. One day I hope to find success and happiness like them.

But back to reality. I’m trying this thing when I live in the present. My uncle gave me this book The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle and I’m trying my best to take his advice. Focusing on the Now is more difficult than you think. So, now, at this very moment I think I’m going to go to bed early (haha 11pm is early for a college student!) because I have a headache and an exam tomorrow that I don’t want to study for any more. There’s no use in studying if I won’t be putting my full effort into it so I might as well do something good for my health.

I hope to get back to blogging more so look forward to more updates like this.

End of internship, end of summer…

Today was my last day interning for JDRF Delaware. Ah, it’s truly a sign that summer is coming to an end!

I had an awesome time working with JDRF. I met the three awesome ladies that work in the office. I can’t imagine managing all the JDRF activities in Delaware with just 3 full time workers but I guess a lot of effort is also put in with the handful of volunteers like me. I got to meet some other interns and volunteers that help this organization run smoothly, including another Operations Management major that also goes to UD.

While there were a bunch of interns working this summer we each had our niche. My main job within the internship was managing and revamping their chapter website and social media accounts. I guess all the time I spend on the computer pays off! While it may not have been directly related to my major (Operations Management), I did learn a lot about working for a non-profit, something I could see myself doing in the future. I could definitely see where an operations manager could be needed in a non-profit organization in which funds and resources must be allocated to yield the best possible outcomes.