First Day on the Job

Well, today was my first day of training at Wells Fargo. I still have 2 weeks of training left, though, so we'll see how it goes when I actually start to work. :) But hey, 2 weeks of listening isn't bad.

Today was kind of information overload. I'm sure it's going to get a lot more in-depth considering we have a whole two weeks full time training, so I'll remember more of it as I rehear it.

Even though the training is kind of mind-numbing, I think the job won't be bad as long as I stay engaged and try to meet sales goals. Plus the incentives I could get are so worth the energy it takes to exceed expectations. I could get hundreds of dollars in incentives by referring people to personal bankers or using good customer service skills. Plus the benefits rock. 18 days PTO? Hope the benefits on paper are as good in real life.

Settling In

Well, I've just about settled into my new home. I just need some more furniture, like a bookshelf, more seating in the living room, something to put in my dining room, and maybe a TV stand or an end table. Most of these things, I can get for free at my mom's house, once I clean them out of my bedroom. None of my furniture will match, but I can just get matching furniture one day when I'm rich and buy a fancy condo or house custom-designed for me. :)

So far in my living room I have a bright purple rug, a bright red coffee table, a sage green couch, a purple bookshelf and a black table. And a pink flamingo. Blue curtains on one window and a rainbow sarong pinned up to the other window. See what I mean about not matching?

Anyway, I like the place. It's close to a lot of public transportation, which I like. I can take the light rail to work, downtown, the mall, or even all the way to my hometown.

Now all I need is a roommate. And a pet (other than the hamster and fish, because they're only temporary until August comes). I kinda like having my own place, but it's cheaper, safer and less anti-social to have one. Come January, I will probably go stir-crazy if I don't have someone to live with. Luckily, the U and Augsburg are literally within walking distance (I can even see them from the corner!), so finding a roommate probably won't be too hard.

PS: My basement is sketchy as all get out. Maybe I could clean it up and use it for something...

Graduation!

I graduate in 15 hours. I think that's pretty nifty. All the more so that I am finally getting to do one of the big life steps before my older brother (who decided to join the military and be a hero/awesome guy instead, and is graduating only 1 year after me.... but that's beside the point!). It's strange to think that after four long/short years, and another 13 years in public school before this, I finally am finished with formal education (unless, of course, I decide to go to graduate school).

I get to wear a cool teal honor cord for Sociology/Anthropology, too. I mean, I'm sure there will be a lot of people with cords, and even the same cord as me, but I didn't think I'd get one, so I'm pleased. I also got a women's studies pin, but all senior majors did (all the same, that's like 7 of us out of 696 so it's still pretty cool).

I'm mostly glad to be leaving. I feel like St. Olaf wants me to enjoy St. Olaf they way they want me to. The things I am supposed to appreciate are not the things I actually appreciate. Not a huge fan of the choir, or God, or being Norwegian, or the extensive legacy my family has at St. Olaf (none of which apply to me...), like a good little Ole should.

Instead, I appreciate the people who work in the caf, who all signed cards for the supervisors. I appreciate the beauty of campus, despite the artificial landscaping that happens right before people with money come to campus. I appreciate the professors who actually know the students. I appreciate the activism at St. Olaf, whether that's volunteerism or student organizations, especially when it's not handed to them on a platter by SGA or the church. I appreciate the diversity at St. Olaf, especially the student body, because it seems that once we graduate, only the white, straight Lutheran Norwegians with money get asked to come back and be a part of the campus life. Maybe that will change with increasing diversity of the students, but it still pisses me off now.

Overall, I love Olaf. I love the Olaf I know, not the Olaf they want to present to alumni. I really don't like that Olaf. It's not the Olaf I have seen or experienced.

But, graduation! Yay!

Awesome Day

Today was a good day. I got a job with Wells Fargo, which isn't the best job, but it pays well, promotes well, and gives me free time to volunteer to fight the Marriage Amendment!

And, I applied to live in an awesome duplex in Cedar Riverside. I will probably get it. There is someone else who wants to upgrade to that duplex, but I applied before her so I will likely get it.

Yay! I have a future!

Odd to think

In 9 days, I graduate from college. It's strange to think about it. I've already finished two of my finals, so I am officially a Women's Studies and Sociology/Anthropology major. Now I only have to turn in two more assignments, and I will have a Political Science major as well.

I am going to apply to live in a duplex in the Cedar Riverside neighborhood. I went to visit it yesterday. They are renovating the kitchen and bathroom, and replacing the carpet and refinishing the floors, so it looks a hot mess right now, but it's a lot of space and near the light rail and several bus lines, with a park in the backyard and they said I can garden if I want to!

It's strange to think that "real life" is going to happen soon. I hope it goes all right. I'm sure it will!

Prize

So last month I applied for distinction in the women's studies department. I didn't get it, but they did award me the Viola Rossing Prize instead, which is a $100 award for exemplary work in the Women's Studies department.

While it isn't distinction, a $100 prize is not a bad thing to win!

Something I will miss after graduation.

Vegan Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies.

They are so good! I can't get over it! I have memorized the schedule for when they're available in the Cage (2pm every Mon, Wed, Fri), to the point where I know that they will be gone by 2:45 because everyone loves them.

It's gotten to the point where they don't put them on their own platter any more. They just put them all in bags because the line starts at 1:50 for them.

They're so delicious and they feel (remember the synesthesia post) amazing! They feel like cornbread batter (not to most people) and taste like heaven. Light and chunky and sweet with a hint of banana (because they're vegan).

These cookies cannot be beat. They're the absolute best cookies I have ever eaten.