'Tis the season for an update

I need to try to remember I have this. There hasn't been a whole lot that's been new since last I've typed, although I can say I feel I'm settling into my job rather nicely. I'm still learning something new every day, but I'm beginning to feel more like a forecaster instead of an outsider. Thanksgiving came and went; Alex and I had our own Thanksgiving dinner which was nice, although we won't be able to do the same for Christmas sadly. He and I work two different shifts those days, which also means I won't get to Skype with my folks during the time of day that I'd like to. Ah well. I'm thinking of going home for a couple of days next week. I have four days off in a row due to last month's scheduling (working holidays and such) so I figured, when is the next time I will get the chance to do this without taking any vacation days? Plus, with the holidays around the corner, it would be a good time for me to see the family for a little and get some stuff I left behind. It's been difficult for me to get into the holiday spirit, given that I'm so far away from the only people I've ever celebrated it with. Plus the prospect of not doing anything but working or sitting by myself in my apartment on those days hasn't helped fill me with cheer, either. Don't get me wrong, I'm not moping or anything, just saying that it doesn't really feel like Christmas to me and I'm hoping this little trip home will put me in the spirit. We'll see. Anyway, that's all for now. Thanks for reading!

When Life Hands You Lemons...

Well a lot has certainly happened since last I posted. I don't even know where to begin, so perhaps I should go on a month-by-month basis. August: I last posted in August, and at that time I had been feeling pretty discouraged. Summer was winding down and the job prospects, both in Meteorology and just minimum wage, weren't looking very good. September: Fast forward to September. A small glimmer of hope. My old security company called me to say they were interested in hiring me. I was happy to have a job, don't get me wrong, but the prospect of working for minimum wage again was really depressing. It seemed as though I was going backwards, not forwards. Still, I told myself it was temporary. It was a necessity to pay the bills. I think my spirit got really low by the end of the month but something occurred that renewed my faith and hope, albeit a long shot. I was called by a company out west in North Dakota, a private company that was hiring Meteorologists whom I had sent my resume to. A good friend of mine also was working there and had told me of the opportunity, so I sent my resume in and lo and behold they called me back to set up an interview. It was a tough interview but I made it out alright and was given the opportunity to provide them with a couple of mock forecasts as part of the interviewing process. They chose the cities. Chicago and Seattle. SEATTLE!? My arch nemesis when it came to forecasting the weather challenge! Nevertheless, working a third shift that night at security didn't deter me from making the best forecast I could and submitting it the next morning. I later checked on the forecast and was very happily surprised at how well it was verifying. This definitely lifted my spirits. October: Well weeks had gone by since the interview and I was already planning on not going anywhere for awhile. Just when it seemed like all hope was lost, I got the call from that company and they told me they'd like to hire me. I was ecstatic to say the least. It was kind of scary, too, because I didn't have much time to get a place out there and move all of my stuff, not to mention the difficulty in leaving everyone behind. Luckily I had a good friend or two out here already waiting for me, but it was still difficult leaving my family and friends back in Michigan. Still, moved I did. November: And now here we are. I am now currently living in North Dakota forecasting. It's been an incredible last few months. I'm not sure what's in store for me next, but now I have a renewed determination to be optimistic and to feel more confident. I forecast for several different states around the country. It's quite challenging but is also allowing me to gain a lot of forecasting experience in very different climates/terrain. From west coast to east coast, the Canadian border to the Gulf of Mexico. It's approaching winter, though, so we'll see how I far in one of the biggest winter players in the Contiguous U.S. It's funny how life works out sometimes I suppose :-)

Where has the summer gone?

It's been awhile I know, and it's not like I didn't have the time to update this, just that I forget or get busy when I remember.

The last several months have been...unproductive. Mostly. I am caught between feeling relaxed and feeling guilty. I've used the last couple of months as one would a summer vacation, but now that fall is creeping up I'm left wondering if I should not have been more diligent in finding work. While I certainly did enjoy the relaxation and lack of responsibility, it is now time to get back to life. I only hope I haven't squandered too much time.

It wasn't all a wash, though. I did maintain a steady rhythm of sending out applications and resumes to both career and local jobs. I have yet to hear from any, however, but I will continue to do so.

Other than that, I haven't got much else to say. I turned 27 since last I updated, but until I hit 30 my birthdays aren't much of a "to-do" for me. I haven't maintained my other website much but I think that should change. I am now getting very antsy and ready to work and get something done.

Here's hoping that my financial outlook is sunny and bright!

Graduation

Finally. 9 years of post-secondary education finally completed. I have in my hands now the culmination of my hard work; My Bachelor of Science degree. It's a great relief but at the same time it's difficult to keep optimism when I have not a clue as to where to go next. I am putting out resumes but as I already expected, no positive returns. Well, not all hope is lost; I shall continue to pursue this as I have the degree. Perseverance and all that.

In the mean time, I am enjoying some much needed "vacation" time. I have been getting over a recent cold but luckily for once I don't have anywhere I have to be, so I was able to get plenty of rest and am happy to report I am feeling much better.

Not a whole lot else to report for the time being. Until next time, I leave you with this link:

Some fascinating photos of Iceland's Disruptive Volcano

Well no surprise there!

Been awhile since I've updated this.

So far I've kept MOST of my aspirations that I had for after graduation. I've maintained a nice vegetable garden which is coming in nicely. Stayed on a sensible diet and have been exercising (almost) regularly. I've even been putting out a lot of applications although not to much avail (yet).

Well, we'll see how things go. Right now I just wish the weather pattern would transition a little more to the summerly. Is that a word? Probably not, but I like it.

Anyway, for the link of the day/week/whatever, if you use gmail but don't want to always have to go log into your account to see if you have mail, use this:

GMAIL Notifier

An icon in your taskbar will alert/notify you any time you get an email. Until next time!

Freedom

As of last Saturday I have graduated from Central Michigan University with a B.S. in Meteorology and Geography (and a minor in Math). It's bittersweet as I have a lot of fond memories of my years in college, but I'm also excited to see what comes next in my career. I hope that it doesn't take me too long to find a job so I can start putting my knowledge to use and to expand my knowledge.

In the mean time, I have put in a garden and started my diet. It's going well so far but we're only on day 2 haha!

We'll see what else happens. Anyway, that's all for now. My posts should start to be a little longer and more frequent (at least until I have something else to do and occupy my time).

Here's something different. If you like video games (like I do) and video game music, try OverClocked Remix

Projects and Banquets and Tornadoes...oh my

Corny right up 'til the end. Finished my Numerical Weather Prediction presentation and did surprisingly well on that (95%! ...not to brag or anything). Attended my last senior banquet last night, and witnessed some of the horrific footage from AL and surrounding areas as one of the largest tornadic outbreaks in years took place.

It has certainly been a melange of good and bad events this week. All that is left are my final exams next week which I will start to study for now. Hopefully all goes well and then, I shall be done.

I don't know what the future holds for me, but with cautious optimism and some slight trepidation I shall journey forward. That's all for now!