Lost in too much to be grateful for…

I feel like I have taken the past four months as a challenge, how many milestones can I fit into one summer? Depends on what qualifies as a milestone but I’ll say roughly 6. In the past four months I have gotten my first ever straight A’s (1), those straight A’s walked me across the stage to graduate college (2), I found a full time job (3), I got engaged (4), I turned 24 (5), and my fiancé and I are closing on our first house in 36 days (6)! Is it too much in such a short amount of time? Is there such thing as too many good things? Is it too pessimistic to think that it can only go down from here? With all the happiness and amazing life events is it out of place to feel lost? We have all been told that if it’s too good to be true there’s probably a catch and I think I’m caught. With each moment that is so impactful on my life and building me to who I am and who I will be, I almost feel more lost.. School ended in a screeching halt and where school left off, the rest of my life picked up and sprinted whether I was ready or not. There was a point where school would have been the death of me and in the worst I found the best. I was drawn to the most important, strong, loving people I will ever have in my life or maybe they were drawn to me. I owe my success and happiness to my fiancé, my mom, my family and my chosen moms. Without these people I would have been left in the dust to fall short of the shallow goals I set for myself but with them I achieved goals they set 10 times higher for me because I didn’t have to reach them alone. And it’s almost like having reached the top of a mountain, now what? It’s literally only down from here. I have accomplished my hardest challenge, now what? What happens to these people who I depended on on a daily basis to talk to and laugh with and spend time with almost everyday? And what I thought was my hardest challenge had yet to come. Starting a full time job and looking for a home and doing what a grown adult does after college has taken all the many good things and tinged them. It’s like signing a yearbook “keep in touch over summer.” You have the best of intentions and you don’t think any less of that person but life goes on. We find a way to patch the void, not fill because there is a hole, but lightly patch over it to look put together. My void is all those people I have let fall through the cracks in the past four months, the conversations and laughs and routines I had with these individuals that made me, me. There is less time in the day to hear their voices let alone see them. There is more catching up to do, more “I’ll talk to you later,” less “I’ll see you tomorrow,” longer hugs to make up for the lack of. For all the milestones in my life I feel like I am miles from the ones who I want closest to celebrate with me and if you can’t see it, it’s killing me slowly. These people are my oxygen, my blood, my love. It’s like breaking up and not wanting to. It’s like drowning in a desert… There’s no reason to not be happy because look at all of these great things but the “older” I get the more I realize it really is about being happy. It’s not about the ring or the house or the job or the degree. It’s waking up everyday and knowing you will see amazing people and have amazing conversations and laugh and be loud and be unconstrained. It’s learning to separate yourself from people who don’t care or need you in your life, it’s being mature enough to not deal with the bullshit and to only surround yourself with people who build you up.  

    
    
   

 

 I would do anything and give up everything for these people. I am nothing without them in my life. A person is more than just skin and bones, there’s a soul and a light that isn’t just there, it brightens and grows and learns from others. I always say I have my given mom and given family but I also have chosen moms. I have people in my life who I have been so grateful to have no choice but to be stuck with (in the best way) and I have people in my life who I have chosen to stick with. I surround myself with a powerhouse of strong women I can look up to, business owners, moms, independent women and men in my life who treat not only women but people and animals right. Men who are the real definition of striving to be the best. I have everything I need in these people and I need to keep them in my everyday life, every day. 

The perfect gift

Baby O isn’t technically my niece, but it’s easiest to just say she is, plus she looks like me. I love that baby with all my heart and with her only being 4 months old she needed help with her mom’s first ever Mother’s Day present! I knew exactly what to do for sweet baby O. I decided we would make a canvas picture, by we I mean me. I looked on Pinterest for some tutorials but they didn’t work out quite how I wanted so I did my own thing. I know this is late for Mother’s Day but you can use this tutorial for a birthday, wedding present, house warming present, really anything depending on what picture you use.  Here’s what you need:

• A canvas. Any size you want, I used an 8×10
• A quality picture print in the same size as the canvas
• Mod Podge Matte
• A foam brush

Optional:

• Black paint
• Gold push pins

1.  Here’s the picture I wanted to use. I took it when I was having a date with baby O one day. Those are my favorite of days! My chunky muffin! I got a print made at Walgreens because I tried normal computer paper, smudged. 
2. Take your print and glue it to the canvas well. You can use a different glue so you don’t waste the Mod Podge if you want, just make sure it sticks! Once the print is glued to the canvas, cover the print with the matte Mod Podge. I know this seems scary! It won’t ruin your picture, use the foam brush and do an even, thin layer. 
3.  Next, I took the foam brush and stippled the wet glue to give a canvas look. One Pinterest tutorial said to take another canvas and press it on top for the same effect, no thanks that goops up a whole separate canvas. Once the first layer dries, repeat this Mod Podge and foam brush stippling until you are happy with the texture.
4.  The gold push pins were an accidental addition. I did not glue down my picture well enough and was looking for a way to make sure it wouldn’t peel off or be pulling away. I happened to have these push pins laying around and evenly spaced them and pushed them, fairly easily, right into the canvas and the wood frame of the canvas. (look at that texture!) .                                                                                    
5.  Here’s where the black paint comes in. If you don’t want a white edge, or canvas showing just carefully paint the edges, I guess it would work better if you painted them first, even before gluing down the print. 
6.  Here’s the finished product! Who doesn’t want to hang that face on their wall!! 

I mean, really, she looks like me right?!?!

DIY planner

Since graduating college, I figured I can’t use the free planner they handout in the student center for the rest of my life. I was on the hunt for the perfect planner but with it being May there wasn’t any reason to buy a full 2015-2016 planner because half the year was behind us, and I was also very picky. I searched Pinterest and websites for free planner designs and print outs and just wasnt satisfied so, I decided I would make my own! I bought a small, 1in, 3 ring binder, blank planner pages, small, plastic sleeve dividers, some stamps and went at it. I hand stamped all the dates and months on to the pages, this also made it easier to start where I wanted in the year and not be wasteful. I’m old school and while my phone calendar is great, it’s just not the same as writing down my plans or little blurbs that I need to remember.  I also taped together month abbreviations for stamping so it was 1. Faster and 2. More consistent. I was lucky enough to find everything I needed in one stop to Target and the stamp sets were in the $1-3 section! So if you can’t find your “perfect planner” make your own! 

 

Giant size Jenga, put some power tools in my hand!

    With my graduation party coming up within the next week I have been searching for great food, drinks and activities. Giant Jenga after a few glasses of fruity sangria sounded perfect! So, I headed to lowes to get this project started. And yes, I rebelled against my dad and brother saying I’m not allowed to use power tools, blah blah blah. I should have majored in carpentry because I have quite the knack for building. This isn’t a difficult project but if you do have to cut the wood yourself be careful! 

• I got 5 3×2 and had them cut into 7.5 ish lengths so that they would square up 3 boards across and 3 boards on top. If you want to do 2×4’s or any other size board just measure accordingly. And do as many pieces as you want just remember you need multiples of 3. 
• Lowes was kind enough to cut my pieces of wood into the sizes I needed, in store for no extra charge. Otherwise, diy at home with a table or hand saw. I did have to do some at home adjustments on some pieces because the length of a full 3×2 wasn’t an exact match for the length of the needed pieces. *wear eye protection* I can’t even imagine the pain of an eye splinter! Also, let someone know you are using power tools, just so someone knows to maybe check on you every once in awhile or listen for a yelp! Be smart when you are using something that can cut your whole hand off in one sweep. 
• Once the pieces were cut I took a hand sander and sanded all four sides and “rounded” the two ends. This got rid of splinters but also helped the blocks move between each other for the game. 
• My last little touch was spray painting the blocks with “Jenga.” I took scrapbook letter stickers and used an exacto knife to cut out the letters on card stock. This gave me a full word stencil to use over and over for each block. I only stenciled the two slimmer sides because that’s the part you will see during the game. (spray lightly because it will build up on the stencil. I found I would have to wipe off the extra paint every once in a while so it wouldn’t bleed on the blocks before I even sprayed.) You could also do a date, phrase or name instead if the game is for a special occasion and then give the pieces as a party favor at the end of the night. I plan on using it for years to come so I kept it generic. 
• Stack and enjoy!! 

Vietnamese, vegetarian spring rolls with spicy peanut sauce

  So, when I worked in oak park the other day we ordered Vietnamese vegetarian spring rolls with peanut sauce. I had never had a spring roll before but I figured why not try it, sounds good. It was so good I was craving it the whole next week so I decided to do my research, take from each recipe what I liked and whip up these yummy treats. 

What you need: 

• Spring rolls- I found them at meijer surprisingly. They come as a kind of hard, thick “paper” 
• Seedless cucumber 
• Carrots
• Bean sprouts
• Radish 
• Lettuce
• Red pepper
• Bean strings- aka those weird “noodles” that are white and hard and turn clear and rubbery when you cook them. 
• Cilantro
• Mint
• Peanut butter
• Rice vinegar
• Chili and garlic sauce- the peanut sauce called for garlic and hot chili oil, I saw a small jar of chili garlic sauce by the stir fry section and it worked perfect
• Soy sauce
• Pinch of sugar
• Water 

First I softened the bean strings because it said it would take 20 minutes. It didn’t take that long though. Read the package directions or you could always fry them for a crunch in your spring roll.

Slice all your veggies thinly. The spring roll wrappers are delicate so you don’t want a huge thick veg ripping through it. The bean sprouts are fine as is. 

The spring rolls I bought didn’t come with directions or if they did I couldn’t read them, but being addicted to the food channel I knew how to use them. You want warmish water in a pie pan or bowl that the spring roll will fit in. Basically you submerge the spring roll wrapper and rub it gently until it starts to soften. Don’t go too long or it will just die in your water. Have it just on the edge of al dente I guess. 

*alternative to the spring roll wrappers : egg roll wrappers (won ton wrapper) and fry them for a crispy roll. These wrappers need to be cooked. *

Lay your softened spring roll on a clean surface and later up your veggies. I did cucumber on the bottom followed by carrots, red pepper, lettuce, bean sprouts, bean strings, radish, a little cilantro and mint and then rolled it up like a burrito. Try to roll it tightly, the spring roll wrapper will be sticky. And ta da! A spring roll ! 

The spicy peanut sauce: I did about a 1/2 cup of smooth peanut butter, about 1/2 a cup of soy sauce , about 2 tablespoons of rice vinegar, a pinch of sugar and maybe 1/2 a tablespoon of the chili garlic sauce. I mixed it all together and then added water until I got a consistency I liked. If you like it thicker then don’t add water if you like it thinner add more. If you want it spicier add more chili sauce or red pepper flakes. To serve the sauce I topped it with a thin layer of the chili garlic sauce. 

Super easy, super yummy, super healthy ? 

Enjoy! 

Blackbird

“Blackbird singing in the dead of night

take these broken wings and learn to fly 

all your life

you were only waiting for this moment to arise” 

This “Blackbird” is me and as of May 9th 2015, with mended wings I have finally become a college graduate. It would be selfish to say I earned this degree on my own and there isn’t enough space on that diploma for all the names of people who have helped me and supported me through this long journey, but one name in particular and if only we shared a last name already, would it almost be enough. My best friend, my love and my future husband, this is for you.

Never have I met someone who I fell for and grew a deeper love for every single day. A love not from a movie or book, a complex love that started at the surface, skin deep, and became more about a love for the person under the skin and within the everyday thoughts as time went on. Of course there’s a story to back up each year that we conquer together, but he’s a man of few words and more about actions and watching me walk across that stage at graduation confirmed more than any number of pages could say. I’m the one for words and it’s a love story worth writing, so here it is.

You just know when someone is right for you and as silly as it was the first night we texted each other and he jokingly asked me to marry him, even though we didn’t know it then, we were a force to be reckoned with. Our relationship was like slowing being consumed in a fire, it started with an undeniable spark that led to a flame and eventually completely consumed our lives. A fire that was fueled not by superficial things or material items, but a challenge. We both saw something in each other that we thought we guarded well but unfortunately was recognized easily by the other. In my case, in his exact words, ” I knew from day 1 you could finish school and you did. I saw this smart, well-versed girl hiding behind a wall, trying to act tough and too good for school. I saw a blackbird.”

” Blackbird singing in the dead of night

take these sunken eyes and learn to see

all your life

you were only waiting for this moment to be free.”

When Adam met me I was this broken winged, sunken eyed blackbird. Not to be mistaken with damaged but simply put I needed to relearn how to reach and see my moment. It’s easy to get carried up and consumed in a life that isn’t yours and Adam made me focus on myself. Even without his knowledge he started to prepare me for my moment. At the time we met he was starting his senior year in college and I was on my second year of quitting that same school. As the school year progressed and midterms passed and finals approached and second semester started and graduation neared, he was slowly but strongly inspiring me. It was a different kind of attraction to see someone so determined and focused on an end goal and willing to pass up time together to study. I had never been more mentally attracted to someone. He wanted to learn, he wanted to do well, he was committed to the same school that I let rip me apart and he was the one succeeding. Simply put, I wanted to be like him. His whole attitude about school put a new motivation in me and I slowly started looking back into my own personal hell. In highschool I found out college was “optional” and I had my mind set then and there that I would leap and skip over that part of life and make it without a degree. Even as a “legal” adult, I had a lot to learn, one of them being that I was wrong. And as I look back I realize the pieces fell into place, it wasn’t something I was ready for at the time because I wasn’t doing it for me, I was trying to fit the mold we are expected to fill. That summer I applied to community college and told Adam I was going back, he didn’t hesitate to state that I would finish, and finish with flying colors. If you told me three years ago that I would have a bachelors degree from the same school that tried to kill me and the same school that Adam buried in 4 years I would have bet all the money in the bank that that school would claim me again. I had a loaded semester of 7 gen eds to finish from two different school both online and off to get my associates, which I received in December 2012. That was only the tip of the iceberg of challenges to come but it was a battle won. I took a semester off, trying to prolong my fate of going back and committing the time and effort and money to something I believed so strongly against. But one thing rung in my ears, all my life my mom had asked one thing of me; to finish college. It broke my heart to tell her I wasn’t going to do it, to fully accept and believe that that one thing being asked of me was unattainable, and I know it broke her heart too, because she knew I could do it but she wasn’t going to make me. The following fall came fast approaching and my semester was sealed, I would be a returning NIU student with a transferring associates degree, a fresh GPA and a full load of classes and I was scared shitless. I had grown so comfortable working where I worked and seeing who I saw and following a schedule that now had to be completely broken to start the steps to finishing a 4 year degree. It was hard to let go of the structure I had been in charge of and I had the upperhand in but Adam assured me that it was all within reach, it wasn’t an unreasonable request. Fall 2013 passed with my usual average student status. I was neither above or below average, I was just making it. Spring 2014 had a hit out on me. It was the semester that NIU was bound to do me in and claim me victim as a college dropout once more. It was before midterms and up until the last couple weeks that I was failing three classes, finding any excuse to skip class, bawling on the commute to the armpit of IL and losing my sense of self all in one semester. I was done. I fully accepted that school was not for me. College could have my unclaimed credits and thousands of dollars and in no exchange for that expensive piece of paper. The closest people in my life were watching me fall apart disastrously fast. And that’s when Adam really became my rock. If he had to hold my hand through it all he would, right up until I could walk across the stage on my own and graduate. It was in that spring semester that he would play the song “Blackbird” for me. He would send me the link continuously to calm me down and to put my situation into words, words someone else had written and experienced and found comfort in. He pushed me out the door everyday for school, he held me accountable for going to class, he made me study and he carried me through my worst semester ever and we came out victorious. When I say I didn’t earn this degree alone I honestly mean it. Yes, I took the tests and I wrote the papers but I had a powerhouse of support and tactics to get me through school. A powerhouse of family and friends who pushed me when my heels were dug in because they knew what was best for me and knew my limits when I didn’t know for myself. But the leader of my powerhouse was Adam. My parents took on the financial burden of school for me, my mom set one milestone and everyone else did their best to fit what ever support, advice and stories they could to make college a little less painful. After a horrible spring semester I had basked in the summer months and mentally prepared for another year, one more year, my last year of college. Fall 2014 again was an average feat and left me with one semester between a degree and I. Spring 2015 was my moment. I started the semester strong and with confidence comes success. I was getting A’s on every test, in every class, in every subject. In one class I was the highest test score of the entire class. I didn’t even recognize myself on paper when it came to grades. I was an above average student, I was taking my last semester at NIU and rubbing the universities face in my success. I was winning the battles and the war. I had met all my credentials for graduation, I was on my way to my first ever semester of straight A’s and I couldn’t be more proud of myself! They say it always gets darkest before the dawn and spring 2015 was my sunrise. I still wouldn’t believe I actually graduated college if I didn’t have the pictures to prove it. It was a long, horrible, miserable road but it was all worth it. I came out on top, we came out on top. I’m so happy and humbled that I can share this milestone with more than myself. I had a sturdy foundation and when I let my wall down to go back to school, my love, my other half, my Adam took it upon himself to guard for me while I was doing my best. He’s the stronger part in me and I’m the softer part in him and he will tell you, we are “completely incomplete.” We are just getting started, we are a force to be reckoned with.

Best makeup brush tip ever

 So I read an article a couple weeks ago how a lady used one of her friends dirty makeup brushes and is now paralyzed because of the staph infection she got. 

I’m paranoid now! I do not want to spend my life in a wheel chair because of a makeup brush. So while using an antibacterial brush cleaner after uses I also thought how can I keep my brushes in good shape too? 

And good ol’ Target never fails me! I was walking down the travel aisle and saw the toothbrush holders and conveniently I was buying new brushes. To my surprise they fit perfectly !! 

I’m a genius! This is a great way to keep clean brushes safe, together and holding their shape. 

You’re welcome.  

Homemade dog treats for your pup, and you!

I’ve mentioned it before, I’m a puppy momma so…. I spoil my baby. Ever since he was little I’ve made him homemade dog treats. Not only because it’s healthier for him but also because he was so tiny when I got him (2.5 lbs) store bought treats were too hard. Also our older dog Henry has had some teeth removed so he has a hard time with hard dog treats. These are soft, easy to make, and you can eat them too! I nibble on the dough while I make these every time.

I made a video of how I make these treats for my baby, with tips, ingredients and instructions but I will also list them below.

 

 

 

2c whole wheat flour

1tbs baking powder

1c milk

1c peanut butter

In a small bowl I mix milk and pb. My trick is I microwave them together for 30seconds to make the pb softer and then whisk together.

In a larger bowl add flour and baking powder.

Once the milk and pb are smooth, add to the dry ingredients.

Form a dough. If it’s too wet add some more flour, if it’s too dry add some more milk.

Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead into a ball. The more you handle this dough and knead it, the tougher it gets, so less is better.

Roll out the dough into desired thickness,and use a cookie cutter in whatever size or shape you want.

Place cookies on a greased cookie sheet and bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes. Bigger cookies take longer, flip one over and it should be golden. There are no eggs or anything raw that needs to be cooked so time isn’t a big issue.

Let cool completely and place in a cool, dry storage container.

Blueberry, lemon topped cheesecake recipe

I can’t take the credit for this recipe but I have done some tweaks. The original recipe is from foodnetwork

I cheat and use a premade crust, I also mix the ingredients by hand with a fork. I think this just adds to it being homemade, and the first time I made it we were on vacation and the rental didn’t have a mixer so… Don’t fix what isn’t broken… It turned out great so I continue what I’ve done.

1 premade pie crust

2- 8oz packages of cream cheese (softened)

1- pint sour cream

1C- sugar

3- eggs

dash of vanilla

lemon zest

Combine ingredients in bowl until smooth.

Pour into crust.

Place in a bigger pan and pour warm water until it fills about half way up the pie pan. ( This is called a water bath. It helps the filling cook evenly.)

The original recipe says to bake at 325 for 45 minutes…. I find that even after the cheesecake sets that it’s still a little too “giggly and loose” for my liking. I bake the cheesecake at 350 for 50 minutes and chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours. This has given me the best texture, but I’m sure every oven is different so do what works best for you!

Once the cheesecake is chilled, top with the chilled blueberry lemon sauce and serve!

1-pint of blueberries

2TBS- sugar

zest+ juice of one lemon

Simmer in a sauce pan until blueberries start to fall apart.

Take off heat and cool in fridge until ready to serve.

Confidence is key, but preparation is essential

Every spring semester professors ask, “who is graduating in May?” I was always bitter and just stared into my lap as hands around me went up, but not this semester! This semester, every chance I had to publicize that as of May 9, 2015 I will be a college graduate I did! I will write a post after graduation on my long, difficult journey to becoming a straight A, college grad but for now I just want to share some advice and insight that I have been so lucky to have received because not everyone is so lucky and not everyone knows to prepare well for the next step. 

Typically, going to college is a path to reach a desired career. I guess that’s me, but really it’s more self fulfilling. I don’t want to look back when I’m 40 and say, ” I wish I graduated college.” So, as a soon to be college grad looking for a career I was overwhelmed with what to do. What does a resume look like, what’s a cover letter, how do you handle an interview? These are all things that you need to know, and you need to know well! I am very lucky with my past work experiences, my parents influence on my work ethic and the people I surround myself with on a regular basis, so I used my resources to my advantage! Here’s my advice to you: 

• Get as much advice on your resume as possible! I sent my resume to at least 6 different close people in my life, in different jobs, different ages and I took the best of each and came up with a resume I am so proud of.
• Stay true to you! I am not a suit and pants, white paper with black text, traditional resume person. That’s not my personality, so my resume has a creative format and a little color, and it’s ok to have more than one resume layout to find the job you are looking for! 
• What’s a cover letter? I had no idea so again, I asked a woman who I trust and does hiring in her career and I did my own research. Look up examples, visit credible sites for their advice articles, try a preset format in your word software and then customize it where you feel comfortable. I have been told, and I truly live by this: your resume (+ cover letter) is you on a piece of paper. I write an entirely new cover letter for each company I apply to. Use their name in the cover letter, personalize it. Research the company and know some facts and info to incorporate into your cover letter, this shows you are actually interested and took the time to look into them. Be genuine make your needs in a job environment and values a key point. Don’t be fake, be you, I have a little attention grabber in my cover letters, a little funny comment or sass and that’s me! If a company doesn’t like that, then I don’t want to work there. 
• Interviews…. Since I have held few jobs, for long periods of time I am not a pro at interviews. An interview, besides your resume is your first impression to the company so you need to ace it! I again, asked people close to me for advice and help and was so blown away when a regular customer at my work place now offered to practice interview me over a couple of weeks. She got interview questions from her HR department and sent them to me to prepare, I dressed up, I did my hair, I did my makeup and I showed up prepared as if this was a real interview. I wanted to show her I respect her time and I am taking her advice seriously. She would ask me questions, let me answer and then critique me. She would look at my resume and ask me to go into more detail or explain this or tell me a time when…. I learned a lot from her so here are my key pieces of advice: 

1. The first question she asked me is what is my brand? What? What does that even mean? Know your brand! This means when someone asks you to tell them about yourself, think of yourself as a brand, what do you represent. What are your best qualities, what do you stand for.

 2.  Eye contact! Don’t be a creep and stare at your interviewer but look them in the eye when they are talking to you, show that you respect them.

 3. It’s ok to take some time to think about your answer to the question, be genuine, not rehearsed. It’s ok to say, ” I haven’t thought of that could you give me a second to think?”

 4. An interview is just as much interviewing the company as interviewing you! Have questions for your interviewer. Examples: what is the work environment like, how many people will I directly be working with, how do you review the positions success, is there room to move up in the company, and most importantly if the position is a previous position and just opened ask why! Why is this position open? This gives you insight into whether or not it’s a high turn over job, if the person got a promotion or if they got let go and why. 

5. Bring a hard copy of your resume with you to your interview. Be prepared and it’s also a resource for you to link back to in conversation. 

6. Lastly, after an in person interview send a thank you note. Show you appreciated the time they took to get to know you and found you have potential for the job. 

The key to acing an interview is practice. Don’t think that you are above it. 

• In your resume, put that you will provide references upon request. I found this dumb, I figured why not provide the info upfront, won’t that show that my references are genuine enough that I don’t need to give them a heads up? Its not about you. When you have references who are willing to speak for you, give them the respect of letting them know they will be contacted soon. Ask for the best phone number or email to provide the company with or a time they can best be reached so that your references are just as prepared and available as you are. You don’t want an interviewer to call multiple times and keep missing your reference. 
• If you live in the suburbs and are applying somewhere in the city, leave your address off your resume. Some companies will write you off right away because of distance . This is a great piece of advice I was given, and commended on during an interview. It’s a smart move. 
• Dress for success! Dress like you want the job, do your hair, take your piercings out and be professional. Show that you respect the person interviewing you enough to clean up. 
• Be on time, be early and if you are going to be late… Call them and let them know. My dad got lost one time on a way to an interview because of construction , he called and let them know the situation and he got the job because he did that. He was the only one to call. 
• Even if you don’t want the job, take the interview, practice and be respectful because people talk! You don’t know who knows who so put on your best face! 
• Lastly, at the end of a good interview your last question should be, “what’s my next step?” 

I know this is a lot but I’ve done all of it and been complimented on how well I was prepared and how well I presented myself. Be unique where you can, places get 100’s of resumes, make yours worth reading, spell check and it’s ok to be nervous no matter how well you prepare, it’s genuine and humbling. 

Go out and tackle the world! Be prepared and with preparedness comes success and with success comes confidence.