Hope this isn't a sign....

So, the job hunt is still going full-force... with a few *cough* SEVERAL *cough* setbacks. Here's how my day of job hunting went in Des Moines last Friday:

Do you ever have those mornings where you feel like you just shouldn't get out of bed? That was my morning. I just had this feeling like I knew something was going to go wrong. But, instead of listening to myself, I got out of bed and got myself dressed and ready for my trip. Problem #1 : I can't find the right shoes. Dang. I looked everywhere--my closet, the shoe rack by the front door, deep in the pit of my closet... but no where to be found. I finally remembered I left them out in my car from the other day. Crisis #1 solved.
I got my portfolios, resumes and references loaded up into the car and finally hit the road. The drive started out nice enough--semi-blue sky, car working. As I kept driving, things quickly began to change. Dark, ominous storm clouds off to the west seemed to be coming my way. Not a problem now. I figured I would keep watching it, but I knew I'd be in the city soon and it wouldn't be a problem. Then problem #2 happened : the low fluid light came on in my car. I was told by my parents to just keep an eye on it. If it got too hot, I'd just have to pull over. I pushed on.
I finally made it into Des Moines and was by Merle Hay Mall. One block my car was still in the clear, the next minute the arrow points to hot. Crap. I pull over and look around. A Jiffy Lube is only one block away. "Ok car, we're going to make it this one block." I start it back up and quickly drive that block before I hit the red. While my car was worked on in the garage, a huge gust of wind came up. The workers quickly shut both of the garage doors and that's when problem #3 happens : the tornado sirens start going off. I hate storms. I do. They scare me. I figure I'd just wait it out there. The employee working on my car came and old me problem #4 : my fluid was extremely low, they put a whole can of coolant in, but found that it kept leaking out the bottom as soon as they put it in. Great. Well I had an appointment to make at 10:30, so I figured my car troubles weren't that bad and could wait. I hopped in the car, sirens still blowing, and drove to my first location. Then the rain hit. It was hard and it was strong and made the road difficult to see. I did, however, make it to my location just fine. Problem #5: I was locked out. Because the sirens had been going off, they decided to lock the doors. I sat in my car and patiently waited.
One interview down, off to my second location. This was just a walk-in to see if this firm needed any help or was interested in utilizing my rendering skills. I made it to the firm ok and went in. The woman wanted to keep my resume and references but felt bad keeping my portfolio because she knew it cost so much. Instead, a works sample will be emailed.
Off to the second location. I had mapquested it and found it in a business park in Des Moines. Bad thing about business parks : everything looks the same. So, I got a little lost trying to find it and ended up finding a granite distributor and showroom. Good thing to as problem #6 happened : my car began overheating again. I went in and had to wait around several minutes before someone came to help me. I told them who I was, etc, and they proceeded to tell me they don't "hire designers" and that I should "go across the street.... they might take you there." Sure enough the place I wanted was right across the street. Dur. My car barely made it. It was even closer to red then it was at Jiffy Lube. I went inside this beautiful showroom. It was absolutely stunning. I talked to the owner and she gave me an application to fill out and was pleasantly surprised by the fact that I came to the store from the get-go. Awesome! I did what I had wanted to accomplish, so I headed out.
Then problem #7 : my car won't cool down. I'm stuck. I can't even make it out of the parking lot. Will was to the rescue and left work to come down and my parents (after having lunch) made the hour drive to help. I sat in the parking lot of this beautiful showroom with my hood propped up, door open and me hanging out trying to stay cool as the sun was now beating down on my car. This could be a long wait. One of the women I had talked to inside came out to her car leaving for her lunch break, saw me, and told me to go wait inside where I could have a water and a snack. How nice of them to do that for me! I was appreciative and took them up on their offer.
Will arrived and we went and found lunch at Subway. When we got back, my parents pulled in right after us. We hit the nearby Target for a couple cans of coolant, of which an entire can we put into my car. Dad drove it, and we ended up putting more in before we even got out of the parking lot. As we drove down the interstate, mom and I watched the coolant come off my car. My car is now waiting to be looked at by the Pontiac dealership.
Problem #8 : I left my apartment key attached to the car keychain... which was left at the dealership. Looks like Will and I will be coordinating who is home and when.
Problem #9 (unrelated to the job search) : I cut my arm on a piece of display glass at work and drew blood.
Needless to say after problem #1, I should've known to turn myself around and put myself back to bed for the day. I'm hoping after all of the crap I endured that day, that maybe one of those jobs will work out for me. Something good has to come out of it, right? Right?! I sure hope so.
Will keep you updated. Thanks for reading (sorry it was a long one!)
Love,
Amanda

Life...Post-Grad

Wow, it's been a long time since I last updated! And while I feel like so much has changed, I also feel like nothing's going on.
On the good side, I've graduated! I can now say I have a BFA in Interior Design which is something I've always dreamed of. I'm proud of myself and proud of my education I've received at ISU.... now it's on to MAKING something of myself.
Job searching is scary. I'm not sure if it's fear of rejection, fear of never getting the opportunity to do what I love, or fear of settling into a career that I don't really want that scares me so much. I felt like I was off to a good start though in the beginning--the first set of my work, resume and references landed me an interview. I made the trip to Cedar Rapids and the interview went really really well--he really enjoyed my logo I'd made for myself, was impressed by the resume, and we even connected on my wedding color (which he was planning on painting a showroom space that color). Overall he gave me an "A+"...but unfortunately I had to turn down the second interview. I couldn't afford to pay rent in Cedar Rapids, Ames, pay student loans and still eat at the end of the day. And while I feel a little down because I it didn't work out, I know that where one door closes another opens.... I'm just still waiting for that door to open.
Yesterday I knew of a place in Ames that I wanted to take my portfolio package to. I got myself ready--I put on my same White House | Black Market dress and red heels I wore for graduation and drove myself out there. I first asked to see the lady I thought I was supposed to talk to... she wasn't in. I began telling an associate how I was wondering if they were hiring as I had just graduated, etc. She proceeded to tell me she didn't think they were.... but as she was telling this to me, a man came out of the back office area. "Well, actually this is the man you need to talk to." I introduced myself and he proceeded to lead me back to his office to discuss a possible position. It was a relaxed interview which overall I felt good about (just like I did the last job interview). I'm to call back on Monday, so I have my fingers crossed I hear good news and can start a full time job in an area similar to where I want to be.
I tend to find that's how my life goes. I always end up in the right place at the right time. I think that's how I know things will be ok.

There's a picture of myself at the Iowa State University College of Design Commencement.