You make my dreams come true. from Martine Haanschoten on Vimeo.
I'm starting this off sitting at my desk at work debating on what color I am going to paint these walls. I have been trying to conjure up the most brilliant of paint schemes and have drawn a blank. I have drawn a white wall. I work in the creative field and my creative juices only run so deep. I need encouraging words to entice me to paint these walls. Not motivate - entice.
I then started thinking about words of encouragement. I read an essay today about words of wisdom and commencement speeches sending you off into the world with hope. I don't remember a damn word said during either speech at my college graduation. Who the speakers were is on a totally different avenue that flew under my feet because I don't remember that either.
I graduated after five years of college in May of 2010. Five years is correct. I like change, a lot, so I decided to change my major four times. I wish I had learned my lesson after the first time. Change is time-consuming and the last place you want your time consumed is college - because it's expensive. Nonetheless, I still like change.
I Digress.
I started off majoring in Broadcast Journalism. I wanted to be a sideline reporter and sportscaster. I wanted to be a cross between Doris Burke and Erin Andrews (I still do actually). Doris Burke is legit and knows her stuff. Erin Andrews is hot. People wouldn't know what to do if I were a sportscaster. Games wouldn't be watched; just me.
I then found logic and double-majored in Biology and Chemistry. I love science and am good at math so it seemed obvious to become a nerd. However, after being scolded for sticking my head under the fume hood in Organic Chemistry lab too many times, I decided that was no fun.
I chose Kinesiology. After being surrounded by baseball and softball players I quickly averted my genius to Health Studies. I was dunked in a tank of water and hooked up to some machine via Electrical Impedance. Soon after that, I decided maybe journalism is the safe way to go. Though, this time I would do Advertising and PR.
I kept my minor in Health Studies because really, that was fun. I wore a swimsuit to class.
With that being said, I did eventually graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism. Let me tell you something about journalism: its equivalent worth is $.01. It's true. It's up there with sociology and psychology. No offense.
Some people are fortunate and get a job right out of college. Thankfully, I am some sort of eccentric genius and got a job at an advertising agency two blinks after graduating. I'm not here to give you encouragement about finding a job or how to spiff up your resume. I am going to share with you, the few things I have learned since graduating. Words of hope for your future:
Buying packages of bottled water is a waste of money. Save the environment? No. Save your change. When you get out of school, I hope you're independent. If not, get that way. It's the only way to learn your financial mistakes. Buy one water bottle, wash, refill. It's cheaper to have a Brita or Pur system.
Appreciate your weekends with all you have. Weeks used to be one big day. Class, work, party, work, class, day off, party, work, Ramen, etc. Now Monday - Friday, 8:00 - 5:00 is here. Saturday is always just around the corner but don't take it for granted sitting on your arse all day. Live it up. It's all you have.
Mapquest is not a helpful tool. Mapquest is especially useless when traveling down frontage roads or to hotels when Mapquest thinks a driveway is a street or vice versa. GPS is not the way to go either. You're only heading in the right direction while on the freeway. Once you exit, the British voice all of a sudden thinks she's back in the UK and has no idea what to do while driving in the right lane.
Do not keep leftover condiment packages. This will end badly with a junk drawer full of ketchup, soy sauce, mayonnaise/salad dress, and ranch. Buy your own condiments no matter how "Fancy" those Whataburger ketchup packages are.
Do not believe that you will have time to iron your clothes. If you are even moderately successful in life you will not have a sufficient amount of time to iron. Do not buy linens that require ironing. When all else fails, put your clothes back in the dryer. And in the essence of time, don't believe that you can shave later. Shave now, when you have the chance.
Run like the wind when a friend sits you down and starts the conversation with "Can I be honest with you?" Don't remove the dirty sheets from your bed when you are exhausted. You will not have the energy to then go to the linen closet and get clean sheets. This leaves you sleeping on a mattress or mattress topper with an itchy blanket. Do not pass a police car in traffic.
Do not spend more money on your hairstylist than on your therapist. If your therapist is also a hairstylist, praise the Lord. Don't make your hairstylist angry while getting your hair done. You may leave with less hair. Refuse to live your life by Committee.
Be yourself around everyone. Don't fuss and don't stress about those you are around or going to be around. Don't feel the need to be at your best or look your best around your significant other. He/She should not care. If they do care, drive away. This doesn't mean look like a wildebeest everyday. Just be comfortable. Don't force anything.
Sleep is the most important thing next to having fun. Dancing is more important than eating and working. Don't forget to eat. Never ask anyone if you look fat, especially if they are or think they are fat. Don't drive drunk, text drunk, dial drunk, accept marriage proposals drunk or write in your journal drunk. Keep confidences.
Play hooky from the nonsense the world wishes you would take part in. Create your own nonsense. It will be twice as rewarding. Have a fantastic time or a bad time, but don't fake it. Take naps. Floss. Hydrate. Say no to what doesn't fit in your life. Invent your own cure for a broken heart, and then tell your friends.
Most importantly: Believe in your own eccentric genius. You decide how many licks it takes to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop.
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