A More Personal Note

It's been a while since my blog served as a portal for my random thoughts to escape from.  So please, bear with me and possibly enjoy...

I am moving from Boston to NYC on Sunday/Monday.  (Watch out, there's a new G.G. in town)

That means there is a lot of loose ends to tie up, packing to be done, hair cuts to be had and nails to be done while I still have my go-to places on tap, favorite foods to be consumed and a whole lot of planning to be done.  (Did you know you have to turn off utilities and turn them on somewhere else?  - oh the things you DON'T learn in a dorm and under you parents' roof - That you have to PLAN AHEAD in a place that you only know from one day trips and movies?!)  Oh and while accomplishing all of this, I also need to work my 13 hour days of multi-family nannying!  

So someone as super organized as I am should be checking off items like a whiz off of a color-coordinated list, right? WRONG.  The list definitely exists, yet it's sitting on the counter.  Instead I am distracting myself left and right with all that the internet has to offer, while simultaneously watching my entire 85% full DVR of WHAT NOT TO WEAR (that's accomplishing something, right?)  Should I feel guilty for learning?  I'm going with NO.  The boxes can pack themselves :)

Here are some of my finds:

• FREE THINGS TO DO IN NYC by Timeout Mag.  I am definitely looking forward to FREE yoga and bootcamp workout classes at Union Square Park compliments of YMCA.
• Mr. Tweet.  This Guy started following me on Twitter and Direct Messaged me letting me know he had suggestions of people I should follow.  I found some great friends and exciting ad industry companies that I had never thought/known to search for!
• SHOCKING pictures of Sharon Stone linked from Cool Hunter.  All in the name of FASHION I suppose.  (Speaking of which, FASHION WEEK in NYC Sept. 10-15 - Search Craigslist Events for working opps to get you in/near the godly white tents.)  
  

Oh and to top it off, I'm also designing a credit card for California Association of Realtors and freelancing for a Ski/Snowboard Travel Company creating a logo, sticker, website and more!  (More to come when the finals are approved!)  Who needs sleep when God made coffee?!

Don't worry, I assure you there has been MUCH more distraction online - many blogs and Tastespotting hours - all in the name of social media and my anthropological cravings to explore the thoughts of others.  However, the guilt of Catholic High School is setting in and I must do something useful.  

(If you know something else pretty cool that doesn't involve tape and newspaper... let me know!)  xx

  

  

Teach for America... Only if it's a Good Fit

Lately, Teach for America has become a lot more than its intended do good program.  It has become a shelter, a money-making scheme and a safety net.  With the economy being what it is, college graduates are seeking to teach within the Unites States for two years, while making a steady income, in order to avoid the current job market.  

Note:  This is one of the most intricately developed, new-way teaching systems in the US.  It serves a wonderful purpose of enlightening America's youth and showing them what they can be if they go to college, and providing students with a greater opportunity for smaller class size and teacher attention in areas that are lacking.

HOWEVER, Teach for America is now attracting college grads who do not necessarily believe in all of this.  They just want to productively avoid the catastrophe that is this market.  Being college grads, they are SMART which is where the problem lies.  A highly intelligent person may be able to master the 4-part interview process and secure a position in the program.  Then, we are left with the classic teacher-without-true-passion problem. 

Teach for America these days is what our parents called the Peace Corps.  It was the safe, productive way to do something admirable and avoid being a real adult - by society's standards.  Now, with the Peace Corps not being so peaceful, students are looking to stay in the country.

Luckily, there are other things to do than be a fake teacher (once again, only if taking the position without true passion).  

Please, if you are one of these fake people, save the position for someone who wanted it before the market sank into a big black hole.

Recently, while using StumbleUpon, I found a website about travel.  After exploring the site that offered to show me how to travel for FREE, I found an article about traveling by BOAT.  I thought, yeah right, that sounds EXPENSIVE.  Then, the author quickly refuted my idea by providing 3 sites that help you pair up with a ship captain where you work some role on the ship and travel the world for FREE.  Within minutes, I was tempted to click to travel to the Bahamas, Portugal and more!  

Remember the wonderful term gap year?  (Where you graduated and traveled and then thought about a job)  Well, why fall victim to society's rule of go-go-go?  Take a "break" and be more productive than you'll ever be working in some soul-sucking cubicle just because you're supposed to.  

Convinced?  Check these sites out:

www.findacrew.net

www.crewseekers.net

www.crewfile.com

That's not the only option either.  Just take a minute, step back and think... where do I want to be in a year?  

Here ?

 Or here?  

Moral, for those of you who aren't keeping up, DON'T LET THE ECONOMY TAKE YOUR SOUL TOO.  DO WHAT YOU'RE PASSIONATE ABOUT AND THINGS WILL BOUNCE BACK MUCH QUICKER AND MORE PEACEFULLY.  If Teach for America is your passion, then go teach the kids that need you.  But, don't take advantage of the program if you're not meant to.