Wisconsin

I am back in the frigid cold of Logan.  My family gave me weird looks when I was shivering in Salt Lake yesterday.  Utah is still 20 degrees colder than Wisconsin.  And let me tell you, the weather was a rude awakening for me when I hit Wisconsin.

Anyways, my day began at four in the morning last Wednesday.  The joys of living 1.5 hours away from the airport.  And then I got onto an airplane going to Chicago.  And you know what's more annoying than a really high-pitched four year old who talks nonstop?  Having that same said child speaking Chinese nonstop while sitting behind you on the airplane.  Needless to say, I was kicked for three hours straight all while listening to high-pitched Chinese jibberish.  I didn't catch up on sleep like I was hoping.  But oh well, maybe the kid enjoyed the flight.

And then I was in the O'Hare airport.  Never been there.  I think they need to implement some sort of underground train like the Atlanta airport has.  I swear I walked more than fifteen blocks to the other end of the airport to hit my connecting gate.  At least I got my exercise in, right?

I eventually hit Wisconsin.  I had the chance to walk around and enjoy the sites.  But it was 80 degrees there and humid.  Needless to say, I was dying.  So, when I got back to the hotel, I changed into pj's and pulled my hair back.  Then I passed out for what I thought would be an hour.  Silly Blackberry phones don't recognize time changes.  And apparently, three instead of eight hours of sleep from the night before messes with my ability to tell which time is correct...

On the University of Wisconsin campus.  It's a huge campus, and I was only on one end of it.  So, I took a few pictures of the buildings and scenery...

I want to have a castle on my school's campus...  I thought this building was hilariously awesome.

One of the two lakes that is in Madison, Wisconsin.  In case you were wondering, Madison is surrounded by two lakes (not the Great Lakes; it's an hour and a half to Milwaukee which is next to Lake Michigan).  There were a lot of boating and water stuff going on.  So different from Utah.

So, I woke up three minutes before I was supposed to meet an Epi( employee for dinner.  I'm so glad that I'm not one who has to primp myself when getting ready.  I changed and brushed my hair, then ran to the hotel's elevator.  Did I mention that I had a Governor's Club room where you had to use a key card to gain access to my level?  Yeah, hotel royalty was awesome, lol.

Anyways, my nerves finally got the best of me the night before the interview.  I woke up a few times in the middle of the night; I wasn't going to be taken by surprise with the time difference again.  I had a bad dream that caused me to jerk awake with cold sweats.  Yeah, I was getting nervous.

And then the day came.  I went to Epi(.  The whole day felt more like I was being introduced to the company than an actual interview.  Sure, I took some assessments and had an actual interview.  But I guess it really felt surreal.  I hope I get this job.  The work environment was amazing.  And I think I would fit in well and enjoy my work.  I won't hear back from Epi( for another two weeks though.  So...  I'm excited and keeping my fingers crossed!!

The Capitol Building in Madison.  Did you know they have the biggest capitol building other than the one in Washington, DC?  Yeah, I didn't know that either.  It was big.  And there's a gold statue on the top.  It made me think of an LDS temple which made me laugh...

One of the conference rooms at Epi(.  This one had a space theme.  Those are glass-stained windows also.  All of their conference rooms are themed.  They're amazing looking.

One view of the campus.  The landscaping is amazing.  And the company is very steered towards to being environmentally-friendly.  The parking is underground, geothermal heating and cooling is used, and the left-over building materials were used to build a tree house.  I didn't get a picture of the tree house though.

Yes, they have a water fall.  And you walk under it in the tunnel.  All of the buildings are connected together (except for one or two I think).  That way, you don't have to brave the cold weather in the winter.

All of their buildings have different themes.  This building was jungle-themed.  I had to take a picture of the main entrance area.

What does this tunnel resemble?  I'll give you a hint, it's a movie that involves Harrison Ford.  Yeah, this walkway is themed after the Indiana Jones scene where there's a boulder chasing him.  And there's even eerie music playing in this tunnel, haha.

Keep those good thoughts and prayers coming my way.  I hope I get this job.  I'd be a perfectly happy person if I got it.  But in the meanwhile, I guess I'll get back on track with the job search...

Last Minute

So, I'm doing what I always do when preparing to jump on a plane and take a mini-vacation.  I procrastinate the packing.  Never fails.  So, this post will be short.  I'm excited to go to Wisconsin, but I think my nerves have finally caught up with me.  I talked with Career Services to help me prepare for this interview, and I think it just helped me feel even less prepared and more freaked out.

I also got a hair cut.  And I'm still trying to get used to it.  Sure, I like trying new hairstyles.  But trying to feel like me with my new hair is kind of hard.  And I need to feel good and confident pretty quickly.  I'm sure I'll get over my hair soon anyways.  It's not like I'm someone who always has to have the perfect looks all of the time...

I took Gizmo to the vet's yesterday because he's been acting like his leg's been hurting.  Long story short, he has arthritis in his leg.  His diet is being changed to special food that helps improve the joints.  And he is now on anti-inflammatory medication (kind of like ibuprofen for dogs).  Anyways, I could tell he knew what the meds were because he's been on then before.  He got super excited.  My dog's addicted to pain killers, haha.  Anyways, he's been doing a lot better since.  He's now running around again and enjoying his walks instead of forcing me to drag him onwards.

Anyways, gotta go.  Got to prepare for everything.  I don't think I'm getting a lot of sleep tonight...

Interview Trip

So, I am flying to Wisconsin next Wednesday.  It'll be a quick two day/one night trip.  And since everything will be going fast-paced and I want to give the best impression, I'm not going to plan on taking dramamine.  So, let's just hope I don't go crazy on the plane.  I'll try and think happy thoughts and not voice my opinions of how the plane's going to crash and kill us all...

I'm so excited!  I want this job.  It is with Epi( by the way.  I haven't mentioned that tidbit yet.  Epi( deals with medical software; so in a way, it correlates with my dream job.  I'm hoping the interview goes smoothly and everything goes well.  I mean, what company invites you to an all-expense paid trip to interview with them and familiarize yourself with the company if they didn't have a big interest in you?  I hope it all goes well.  I want this job.

I'm ready for the next part of my life.  Whether that means leaving Utah or not, I'm ready to have money that I can play with.  And I want to see what Wisconsin's like.  Hopefully, I'll take to liking it!!

Gratitude

First off, I have to say I have the most amazing family members and friends.  They help me through life and make me want to be a better person.  My family has taught me about God and most importantly about forgiveness.  They really do make it look so easy to forgive someone's past doings.  And while I'm sure it's not easy, it helps make me to aspire to stay positive and happy.  There are some things going on in my life that have hurt me and made me cry recently.  I don't care to go into detail.  But I just hope I have the same kind of light my family has shown me when the time comes.

So...  Sorry my post is so vague, but it's best kept that way.  I just look forward to the greener hillside and a happy (although not perfect) family.

Update on the job hunt.  Both interviews ended well.  One has invited me to an onsite interview, and I have no idea how that all works out.  But I'm going to Wisconsin!!!  Funny how I've never been there, but I may end up living there.  The other job I've applied with interviewed with me today, so I won't hear back from them for another couple of days.  But I think I'll get another request for an interview with them.  Who knows?  We'll see how it all works out.  I'll just keep my fingers crossed that I have a nice career before the middle of this summer.

Support Our Troops

Story Here

It's not easy keeping America free and safe.  It's not easy saying good bye to those you hold dear.  And a lot of our veterans and current soldiers do not get the support, respect, and thanks they deserve.  If it were up to me, all soldiers would have the best benefits available because they go through a lot to keep America free.

Thank you veterans and current soldiers for keeping our country safe.  Thank you family members for supporting your loved ones and letting them go over seas to keep us safe.

Back to the Drawing Board

When a door closes, a window opens.  The only problem is I have a few windows open, and the door never really closed.  Granted, there are screens in the windows that I need to punch out.  Difficult life-changing decisions.  Ugh...

I talked to my boss today.  And he truly is a nice guy.  Sure, we had a rough start in the beginning.  But what can you expect from a crazy, headstrong college student?  I'm just glad he puts up with me and is willing to help me with the research.  But anyways, come to find out, I will have funding for my Master's Degree if I so choose to continue with my Master's Degree.  So, that option is still open to me.

I feel a little bit better about it all now.  I thought I didn't have funding and that I was just a poor excuse of a bio-engineer.  Well, I'm happy to say that my department doesn't think that way about me.  And I guess I shouldn't think that way about myself either.

Anyways, now I don't know what to do.  The idea of not being dirt-broke is so appealing.  And I know I could go back and get my Master's Degree whenever I want and have the company pay for it.  I don't know what to do.  The idea of finally owning a house is very appealing to me.

I guess I could hope to get the best of both worlds.  One of the jobs I'm applying for is in Logan.  If I got that job, I could still continue with my Master's Degree at Utah State.  Granted, I'd be super-super busy and slower at getting my degree.  But I wouldn't be poor.  I'd be able to go to fancy restaurants with my husband, and we'd be able to have mini-vacations.

Cross your fingers for me.  Or pray.  Or think happy thoughts for me.  I know I'll be praying, crossing my fingers, and definitely thinking happy thoughts as I go through these interviews.  I know I'm an amazing person and worker.  The only problem is I also know my shortfalls and tend to think a little too heavily on those.

Graduation Pictures

Jared after he got his diploma holder.

My dad and I.

My awesome shoes!!

My step-mom and I.

My husband with me and my doting family...

Me and my diploma holder...

Jared and I all graduated...  The end to one part of our lives and the beginning of the next part.

Finished

I graduated over the weekend.  The best part about it was I got to lead the Senior Engineers line at the ceremony.  All thanks to the Biological Engineering Department being alphabetically first and me volunteering to lead the line.  It was awesome.  And I wore bright pink heels.  I figured since only 10% of the graduating class could pull this off without cross-dressing, I was going to do it.  And I definitely stood out.  It was fun.  I'll have pictures later.

And now I've moved onto finding a job.  I'm still working at the University, but I don't know how long that's going to last once I let them know that I have no way of financing my master's degree and will therefore not be pursuing it.  I'm also going to apply at some of the retail stores here to supplement my income while looking for that engineering job.

I do have a phone interview sometime this week.  I've filled out two online assessment interview things last week.  And I should be hearing back about one of the jobs this week.  So, here's hoping something works out...

I've been looking over the numbers of how much it really cost to get a college education.  I know I have pulled out some student loans as well as received scholarships.  So, I wanted to list my scholarships to remind myself one day just how much was given to me (so that I may one day give back).

Presidential Scholarship, GPA>3.5 (2006-2010) - $13200

Engineering State Scholarship, attended camp (2006-2007) - $300

Engineering Scholarship (2007) - $400

Don & Melba Corbett Scholarship, female engineer (2008) - $100

Bertis & Anna Embry Scholarship, biological engineer (2008-2009) - $2750

Biological & Irrigation Engineering Scholarship (2009) - $500

Pell Grant, poor person (2009-2010) - $1000

Smart Grant, poor engineer (2009-2010) - $4000

Utah Engineer (2010) - $1000

That comes to a grand total of $18250 in scholarships that Utah State University has given me.  They really did take care of me throughout my college career.  And then, when the state finally recognized me as being poor and not attached to my parents (sorry Utah, my parents did not take care of my college funds like you said they would and should), I got $5000 in grants.  So, the money that was given to me to help me through my college career totals to $23250.  And let me tell you, that definitely was not enough money to fund my college career; it barely paid for tuition, student fees, and books (maybe one or two month's rent extra).  I would guesstimate that a college education at Utah State costs somewhere around $45000 unless you want to be homeless and starving while in school.

One day when I've made my millions of dollars, I will give back.  I aspire to become a philanthropist.  And I really hope that I don't let my not-a-super-rich salary stop me from achieving that.  Opportunities were given to me because I worked hard at being a good student, and I hope that same opportunity will be available to the next generation of students like me.