Dare You To Move

I'm not sure if you all know Switchfoot's song "Dare You To Move," but I've enjoyed it since I was in high school (find it if you're interested, I think it's worth it!) It's currently playing on my iTunes (for the first time in probably a year), which is what inspired me to write this.

A few weeks before I moved for graduate school, I was hanging out with some friends, and was asked how I felt about the move. I was pretty non-committal I think, but not exactly thrilled about the prospect when almost all of my close friends were going to be staying in the area. On my way home that night, "Dare You To Move" came on the radio, and really moved me. I really felt it was my sign that I needed to move, even if it meant being away from everyone (even though it was only 2.5 hours... I can count on one hand the number of friends who visited).

I've been getting really nervous about this job thing. Yes, lots of part-time jobs are popping up here, and possibly even a full-time (although that could very well be part-time as well) position... but that's about it for this area. A few weeks ago, I had to expand my job search out of the southeast because my stupid imaginary deadline of May had happened and I still didn't have a job. So, I've applied for a job in Washington (state... and DC, but I've been applying to those this whole time). Talk about out of my comfort zone... I haven't lived in Washington in 22 years. But then my mom pointed out to me that she and my dad weren't excited about the prospect of living in Washington either, but it allowed my dad to gain job experience, and 2 years later we were able to move back east. Now, I'm not saying that I'm getting that job, or have even heard back from them... but it's a big deal that I'm even letting myself apply there.

Hearing that song tonight reminded me that it works out, even if I have to move.  
Between who you are and who you could be
Between how it is and how it should be...
Maybe the person I should be doesn't live in the southeast... at least not right now. Maybe I need to escape to become who I am supposed to be? I was not looking forward to moving 2.5 hours away, and that turned out alright. It's all going to work out, eventually. Something will happen soon, and that will be my sign if I really do need to get out of the area.

Fail

Ever tried.
Ever failed.
No matter.
Try again.
Fail again.
Fail better.
-Samuel Beckett

(As seen here- thanks Stephanie for posting the company's link on Twitter!)

It's May now.

So... it's May now. Come May 15, that means I will have officially been without a job for 5 months. So yesterday, I started applying for jobs outside my preferred geographic area. The one I applied for yesterday is just about the furthest I can get away from home and still be in the contiguous U.S. But, it sounds great, is a government job (with government benefits!), and I meet their qualifications without really having to think hard.

You want to talk about frustrating? Let me tell you how crappy this has been. But if there are any tips I can share, it would be these:
1. Just because you think you've got a job in the bag, go ahead and keep applying. NOTHING is guaranteed, especially in this economy. Trust me.
2. Moving in with your parents is not bad. Maybe I should have prepared them for the bad moods (from job applications/ rejections) sooner though.
3. This takes a whole lot longer than anyone told me it would.
4. Patience isn't always a virtue. Granted, I only pretend to be patient. You who actually know me that I'd rather be ripping things to shreds than wait one more week to hear from a job.

So that's all I've got for now. I'm not happy with what's happening. I'll be honest. Each hour makes me less and less optimistic about getting this job.

And I don't want to wait
I just want to know
I just want to hear you tell me so
Give it to me straight
Tell it to me slow

Cause maybe someday
We'll figure all this out
We'll put an end to all our doubt
Try to find a way to just feel better now and
Maybe someday we'll live our lives out loud
We'll be better off somehow
Someday
-"Someday"- Rob Thomas 


P.S. Forgive my pessimistic rant following the awful Middle TN flooding- my troubles are nothing compared to those who lost their homes and lives.