Growing Up can be Cool, Too

So, while growing up can be totally scary, but I guess there are some things that can be cool, too. I know that my last post was kind of whiny, like "OMG growing up. Wah!" but I am starting to see that lots of things can be cool about growing up, too. I have been blessed with many different opportunities this year. Let me just tell you about them...

• Serengetee is an organization that makes clothes and bags with fabrics from around the world. When you purchase something from Serengetee, you can shop by fabric. Each fabric correlates to a specific cause in the country that fabric comes from, and when you purchase the shirt, a portion of the proceeds goes back to that organization. It's pretty cool, right? I know that for me, as a poor college student, this is a great way to support causes that you care about because you are also getting an awesome shirt! That is something that I know I can totally justify. So, I am a campus rep with Serengetee, which means that I try to promote Serengetee, especially through social media. If you feel like it, check out the website! 

• The Center for Justice is a nonprofit in Spokane where I have started interning! CFJ is a legal advocacy organization that assists people who have nowhere else to turn. So, that is super awesome. I am working with the Development Director (she is awesome) and helping her with all kinds of things! Research, writing thank yous, contacting caterers and printers, and basically anything else she needs me to do. It's pretty exciting. I am learning a lot about nonprofit work that I did not have any idea about before, so that's cool. If you want to check out CFJ, go to its website! 

• Keaton Row is a new, super exciting thing that I have started. It is a website that allows you to be paired up with an online stylist who creates lookbooks for you at absolutely no cost! The clothes are from four reputable retailers including Nordstrom and Asos. There is no cost for shipping and no cost for having a stylist! It's super great, and the perfect thing for busy, professional women who don't want to take the time, or don't have the time to go shopping! So, through Keaton Row, I am now a stylist! This has always been something I have wanted to do- I love putting outfits together for people, and the chance to get paid for it, that's like a dream come true! I make commission off the clothes that my clients purchase and basically get to play dress up all day! If you want to check it out, go to my website! 

So, obviously, there are some wonderful things going for me right now! Although it is still a little scary for me to grow up and graduate, things are looking up and I am getting more and more excited for my life after college! Now, I am looking for a "real job" which is kind of lame. If you have any ideas about places that are hiring, please feel free to let me know! Anyway, that's my life right now! It's pretty awesome. 

Growing Up is Hard

So I am about half way through my final year of college, and let me tell you, growing up is stressful. I could have graduated about a quarter early (or earlier if I wanted to take a million credits all the time- no thanks), but decided that it would make my life extra crazy to try and figure out how to be a grown up three months earlier than planned. I mean, there are certain aspects of growing up that I am learning as I go through college, like how to pay bills and set up things like internet and electricity, but I have a feeling things will be totally different once I will just be working and not a student, without my parents' kind assistance and government aid and scholarships.

In June I will graduate with my BA in International Affairs. I have learned all kinds of things about international relations and governments, stuff like that. Although IA was what I planned on studying once I decided to attend Eastern, it did not end up being the degree I expected. As I told a professor in a reflection paper, I hoped to learn more about different cultures and how to work between cultures and across borders; however, it ended up being much more focused on governments and international relation theories- far more theoretical than tangible.

Needless to say, with a degree that is not what I expected, I have absolutely  no idea what to do with my life right now. I do not know what kind of work I should be doing, or where I should look, or anything. And it is really stressful for me. Right now, I am really envious of people with specialized degrees, like teaching and nursing- their path is pretty clear and straightforward. But international affairs? What does that even mean? People often ask me what I'm going to do with that degree and my response is always "I have no idea. I could work for the government or a multinational corporation, but I don't think I want to do that. I've thought about nonprofit work, but at this point I'm not really sure what to do!" Clearly, I have really thought things through.

So. Now I'm trying to become a real-life grown up from my current life as a semi-grown up (at least according to age), with a degree that I don't know how to use. I know that everyone goes through the process of growing up and it often takes people a long time to figure out "what to do with their life," but that really doesn't make it any less stressful for me.

With all of these feelings and thoughts running through my mind, I am approaching the end of my college career. I am hoping and praying that God reveals His plan to me, preferably soon. I know I am  not supposed to worry, but it is really hard not to. If anyone reading this feels like joining me on this journey in prayer, I would be most grateful. Growing up is hard. And, despite how whiny this post is, this is just part of my processing, what to do, how to grow up. Even though it is difficult for me, it is slightly encouraging for me to know that everyone goes through a process like I am.