If you missed first semester’s post you can you know…look at that here…but after a nice relaxing January back at home, I came back to Upstate NY to continue working. It was weird having a break but not going to school and just working. Alas working on a college campus as someone not a higher up I suppose. This post is more picture heavy because it’s easier that way…who wants to read 1000 words about my life…not you.
I had moved out of my old place on campus and with one of my fellow coworkers Danielle and a couple of other girls. So not being alone had it’s advantages. I really want to take this time to dedicate how much Danielle helped me through this semester. She was always there to listen to my musings and chat with me when I was mentally struggling (which was a lot mind you).
Coming back was a big mental struggle, not because I hated Oswego (that much) but mostly because I came back to doing this every morning. Shoveling my car out took at least 30 minutes. Every. Single. Morning.
In the early part of the semester I found out I had been accepted to run the Lake Effect Half marathon. (it had been sold out for quite some time) which was the motivation my running needed after some lackluster races while at home.
The race was awful and the snowfall and ice made for an intense race. However, something good came out of it and I met Heather who became one of my closest running friends.
On the other running note, I also became close very close with Laura who I have spent several weekends going to visit. (Duh-you’ve seen her on the blog several times).
I am also really glad I was able to get lunch so often with Jessica and Jackie. Jackie, my sophomore year college roommate who I’ve chatted about quite frequently also had a younger sister Jessica who went to school on campus. We have quickly become really close as well and naturally I would become closer with her roommate too.
Work was a lot of fun in the spring too as I was given multiple opportunities to go to conferences and interact more with students. Though I look like a student and am only a few years older than most of them, it’s hard to separate myself and remember…no you are not a student just staff. That is something I struggled with a lot working on a college campus. I’m honestly still in a bit of disbelieve that I’m not exactly a student anymore and technically I am in the “real world”.
So cliffnotes version of the Spring. The semester I didn’t think I would come back…it was a great time.
I made so many new friends and became closer with so many different people who I will truly miss.
I enjoyed work to the fullest.
As I tell everyone that asks, I don’t hate Oswego or upstate NY is the slightest…however, Upstate NY does not give me all the opportunities I need to further myself in my life.
Will I miss my friends, coworkers and job? Absolutely.
Am I nervous to make yet another new change in my life? Absolutely.
But with all changes you must eventually plummet and go for them.
Question for you: What has changed in your life since January?
Since January, life has changed quite a bit 🙂 I started a second job, have almost completed my teaching license, found out some great family news, ran my second half marathon and made some great new friends! It is crazy how much life can change in six months!
Since January, my life has changed in the fact I’ve gotten two more surgeries and now deal with issues in my right knee. Splendid. Haha! It’s not all bad, though, I guess. I’ve become closer with my mom since February which is a big step and change for me. I hate when you finally make friends in an area and start to feel comfortable, then you have to leave. All of the kids in my math department became REALLY close senior year (it only took us 3 years to realize we’d see each other every day). Then, we graduated. If only we realized it earlier then MAYBE my college experience wouldn’t be as terrible.
I’ve been married for a year now, this weekend! Our little boy is now registered to start kindergarten in the fall. I’ve ran more double digit runs this spring than in my whole 11 year running career. 🙂
Awww I’m so happy I met you and we got a chance to know each other over the past couple months! Actually what I mean is I’m glad I was able to go from “I totally know that girl from the internet lol I’m a loser” to actually have the balls to say hi, haha. While I am sad to see you go, I know it is the right decision for you and I know we will have running adventures in the future!
Since January… I bought a home. Same job. Same husband (ROTFL). Sometimes I kinda miss the years right after college, and during college obviously, when things changed fast. A lot of things did change last year too but really I kinda like being settled here :).
I applied for jobs on my campus right after undergrad, and what you’ve said, plus looking back on my maturity at 22-24, I really see where it was not meant to be because for the first year or so, when I still had friends who were students, it was harder to separate myself from college. Obviously I still look like a student, but even now at 27, most college students would find me pretty lame to hang out with, especially compared to how I was at 22-24.
I love your big ole headwrap 🙂
It sounds like you did what you set out to do in Oswego but I am so excited to see where your life goes Hollie! I honestly don’t know how you managed to brave such a winter, I give you mad props. Since January my life hasn’t changed too drastically, but I’m sure come 4 weeks (after graduation) I will be signing a different song 🙂
Yesss, the Russian hat! And definitely needed for the Upstate NY winters. At first, I didn’t think things changed too much for me since January, but then I remembered–job and training. Can’t wait to see where the next few months take you!
Congrats on taking control of your own happiness!
I’m in a very similar boat, love my job and everything about it, not so fond of the lifestyle opportunities in the town. As much as I hate the idea of commuting an hour each way daily, I am sick of making excuses, this summer I am taking responsibility for myself and moving, a two hour commute is worth it!
mad props…I would NOT be able to work on a college campus! I would want to pretend like I was still in college lol. It’s definitely tough to separate yourself out especially so soon after graduation. But It’s awesome that you made some good friends to run and eat with – gahh I hate when you FINALLY kinda find your groove and your people in a place and then have to leave. The future is always exciting though! As is being back in warm weather Wawa country 😀
Every morning I would think of you a little girl because I knew the winter was hard on you. My mom is from upstate NY and so is my dad. They don’t want to go back except to visit. I also cannot imagine working at a college and being about the same age. But if you think about it, it kept you feeling young 😀
LOVE that you enjoyed life to the fullest. That’s all that matters, right?! I could go for some chicken wings right now.