Dear World/Internet

Dear World, 

Growing up in the greater Chicagoland area, Oprah has become a well known name throughout my years.  Of course since I am only 22 I never could really watch her show but I have heard of how generous the show has been to so many people.  Now that I know Oprah is in her last season of such a great career in the morning talk shows I have come to realize that I have never heard her discuss one topic.  College Loans.

Myself and many other recent graduates left our Universities back in May 2010 with hopes and dreams of finding that amazing job.  Instead of throwing myself into a corporate position I wanted to taste a bit more of my favorite place in the world, Italy.

But where did this appetite come from?   Well my love of this amazing country began my Sophomore year of college at Miami University.  At that time I was a Zoology major and with that major I had to complete 2 years of a language during my time at school.  After high school I knew my father's native language, Spanish, was not a language I could see myself using in my future.  So I went out on a limb and chose Italian. Yes I knew it was only spoken in Italy but I didn't care less.  This love of Italian language grew into a desire to learn about their culture as well.

So off I went to my study abroad office and instantly I dove into all the programs that are offered throughout the country.  My decision came down to joining the AIFS Richmond University program in Florence, Italy during my spring semester of 2009.  During my time I met amazing people, shared unforgettable experiences, fell in love, and knew that I was to return to Italy many times in my future.

After my semester ended my mother, twin sister and I traveled Italy (mom and I only), Spain, and France together.  I was the last to depart this amazing continent because I wanted to say goodbye to the city and people I loved and cared about in Florence.  I returned home and realized the ticket my University had purchased me was a two way, with one more flight that could lead me back to Italy.  Before I tell you what I did, I want to say I realize I did not handle this the right way at all but I do not regret doing this. 

I was home for 5 days and decided to take a risk and go back.  Not only did I leave home after I had just gotten home, I did not tell anyone.  My 20 year old self left a note to my parents and my Aunt and Uncle who were visiting at the time.  My apologies cannot fix the problems that this has caused to this day but like I said before I do not regret doing this.  After arriving at the airport and passing through security (I was half expecting someone to come running down the hall after me yelling at me to STOP! no one did) I knew that what I was doing was very real.  I called a friend I met in my program from Florence and told her what I was doing and where I was going.  I went back for ten days, it is as simple as that.  I stayed at a hotel and traveled back to my favorite places, Florence, Siena, Cinque Terre, etc.  And I booked my flight home and came back to a family full of emotion.  That summer was one of the most difficult of my life because I almost let go of my love for Italy forever.

Returning to Miami as a Senior, I knew that science and I were not meant to be partnered together.  I had some very serious discussions with professors, and advisors before classes began in the fall of 2009.  There was no way I would allow myself to graduate with a degree I did not have any passion for.  So a few days before courses began I dropped all of my science courses and substituted History courses.  Yep I went from Zoology to History with the click of a mouse and 1 piece of paper.  I threw myself into my new courses over the last year of school.  My experience abroad had completely brought out a new and improved side to myself.  Every opportunity I had to continue learning about my beloved country, I leaped at.   Thankfully my supportive professors were there to guide me every step of the way, and I will forever be eternally grateful to them.

The journey of returning the land and people I loved in Italy, I applied to a teaching position for the summer.  I was able to travel almost every week to small towns tucked into the mountains to large cities like Rome.  The children I worked with were so kind and caring.  They would fall in love with us instantly and saying goodbye was never easy.  Even the families I lived with for such a short time I know I can always come back to them.  The connections I made this past summer were almost magical.  And God knows I miss it.

So now here I am, back in with my parents, working a retail job.  I have over $70,000 in debt that I had to begin paying back this past December.  What I want to know is where do I go from such an amazing experience to a job at a desk in a skyscraper?  I feel as though I am in a limbo, or having a mid life crisis, or just lost again.  My life has hit rewind it seems and I am back to the confusion I was in before I left for Italy.  Out in the USA there are thousands of men and women  like me who have graduated with degrees they loved and want to share with the world but do not know where to turn.  Where do I turn?  Where do we turn?  What happens now?

Which road to I follow?

So I am finally at the point where I have to decide what to truly do with my life.  I know I do not have to stay with a certain job forever but just to have some grounding would be an advantage.  Working with my career center from my Alma Mater has really opened up my eyes to the possibilities at my finger tips.  The one thing I do not want to do is just settle for a job because of convenience or a nice salary.

To fill my time while I am not trying to update my resume and find a fulfilling job, I am working two part time jobs at a local mall.  I am proud of myself for being given so many opportunities with the companies that hired me so soon.  This is of course is not something I want to do forever but with loan payments beginning this December, I had to get some sort of income coming in.  (And yes the discounts are amazing but I have no money to use them.)

My career counselor made a good point about my resume and where I can go with it.  I have had a great background in work experience and not to gloat but it is because I am a very driven person and worked hard to get those jobs, and keep them.  Now the issue is putting everything I have done in the past into simple phrases that define who I am as a person looking for employment.  I wish interviews and resumes could all be done through person to person contact, not through a piece of paper that describes my past.  After applying for the jobs at the mall and going in for many interviews, and second interviews, I realized I do well in that setting.

I just want a future that's all.  A future that doesn't leave me in an office with barely any windows or happy faces.  Where can I find this? Only time will tell.  Until then I am still on the lookout.  Cross your fingers for me. =)

Peace, Love and Laughter,

Stephanie

Piles of Paper

LOANS!

Many college graduates enjoy a 6 month vacation after graduation until the bills begin to pour in.  My life is currently consisting of figuring out where in the world I am headed next (and working part time jobs during this) and paying off my college debt.

The United States seems to be such a developed country in many aspects but when it comes to higher education, we are very much lacking in how to allow students to finance it without ending up with years of debt that must be paid off.  I am very proud to be an American and I am thankful for everything my education offered me; however, there was never a class offered on how to stay out of debt, or how to decrease your loans when you're in college, or how to save effectively.

I am in the beginning process of figuring out what I want to do with my life, but I cannot just look in the newspaper and put my name on a few websites.  It is all about connections, and if you do not have many it takes a go get em attitude.  From applying to various positions at a local mall nearby I noticed during the group interviews that the questions were very valid...especially one being "What do you plan to bring to our business?"  This can be seen as a very vague question but I believe it has a much stronger meaning behind it.  Every public corporation and private business is looking for people to benefit their future.

Now I have to find which one fits what I want as well. Why work at a place that makes you miserable?  Yes it may have a very nice salary and benefits offered but if you're unhappy it will effect your performance and overall your value with the company.  So I say go for your dreams because a pile of papers is a pile of papers and as long as you're responsible and smart you can get through it.  So I am telling the infinite void of people online that you shouldn't give up, ever!  I'm not planning on it. Here I come world!

Peace, Love and Laughter,

Stephanie

The Simple Things in Life

A friend reminded me today about some things I use everyday here in the States and rarely ever found available in Europe.

ICE!  Drinks do not come standard with ice on a regular basis in Europe.  It would of course come with a tasty cocktail but if you order a water or coke, expect a cold bottle and an empty glass.

INTERNET! Say goodbye to regular internet service if you plan to go abroad.  Since being back in the USA I have relied on internet for directions, job searching, email, this, and many more things.  While I studied abroad, traveled, and worked in Europe this was not an easy or cheap thing to come by.  As refreshing as it is not to get emails or facebook on my phone or pick up a wireless connection wherever I went in Europe, I do have to say have awhile I really began to miss it.  In this world we live in staying connected is now done through applications such as Skype, Ichat, Facebook, OOvoo, etc. If the technology is available why not use it?

24 HOUR STORES! The easy of being able to go to a store for a last minute necessity is such a wonderful  part of living in the USA.  However stores, in particular Italian stores, decide to close when they please.  You can make all the arguments to the store owner that his or her sign out front says they close or open at the given time, but hey after all they do as they please.  Oh how I missed simple drug stores, Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid, etc, but if you are deathly ill and need a medication to get some relief, well you have to wait until the Farmacia opens at 10am.

Now vise versa.  My parents and I had an interesting debate on the high speed trains I rode frequently in Europe compared to the loud, slow, uncomfortable trains the USA is lucky enough to have.  For the "highly developed country" we claim to be, why in the world is the average train speed in the USA 63 miles per hour??? The high speed trains I was lucky enough to travel with in Italy went on average 225 miles per hour.  Thank you Ferraciarossa for getting me there faster and on time always.  It is a major plus to be able to plug in my computer with a table and recline my seat and zone out to the soundless beauty of these trains.  Cmon USA let's get with the program here!

Oh how things you think make life so much easier here actually are sometimes unnecessary, but the ability to have them is definitely appealing.

Peace, Love and Laughter,

Stephanie

Woah Reversed Culture Shock. Nice to meet you AGAIN!

Damn you reversed culture shock.  Even though I have gone through you two times, now this being my third time meeting you again our encounter is not as pleasant.  What I mean is that coming back to USA after four months in Italy, and Italy ALONE, has really opened my eyes to things I like and don't like about both of these beautiful countries.

USA.  Why in the world do people desire their material objects to be unnecessarily huge?  Only two blocks away from my parents house their are two streets I refer to as the "new mansion estate drive".  These new homes include two, two door car garages, heated driveways (because heaven forbid you have to get outside and use your muscles and shovel the snow), and gas lamps with real fire in them.  Goodness gracious how vain can people get?  I understand that I have no idea who these people are or what they do but must you really have all of these things?

Money changes people and I cannot attest to this because I have never been of much money.  But I do know that I would not take for granted the fortunes I may obtain in my future.  Any day I would take an adorable, reliable, dependable, FIAT 500 over 9 seater SUV found everywhere in the USA.  And when will I really need four different cars? So scratch those two, two door garages which will NEVER be connected to my house.  There is no way I am trying to put myself about these people on "new mansion estate drive" but I will not fall into those poor habits.  Get a grip, a shovel, and use those muscles you work on with the trainer you pay way too much.  Thats all for now.

Peace, Love, and Laughter

Stephanie

See you soon Italy...Here I am USA

The best welcoming back to the USA was the big SUV that almost hit my taxi on my way home from O'Hare Airport.  Thank you Infinity for making unnecessarily gigantic cars!  Other than that fun event I arrived to my street and saw the trees had already begun to change colors here.  Home looked just want I wanted it too look like, a place for me to pass out.

A friend of the family brought me a delicious salad which I could not even stay awake to eat until 1130pm that night.  My sleep and eating schedule was completely off!  I do not remember my jet lag being this bad when I cam back from Italy the last time.  Oh well, the pay off is so worth it.

Since I fell asleep on Monday night at 5pm I woke up Tuesday at the dark hour of 4am.  I was full of energy and ready to get my clothes in the wash and experience a drying machine for the first time in 4 months!  Since I was already up and it was supposed to be a beautiful day I decided to go see the sunrise downtown on Montrose Beach. I hopped in the shower and took off.

The sunrise was phenomenal and full of color.  It was my first morning back in the USA and I wanted to do it right.  Since the sun came up around 645am I was starting to get a bit hungry.  Seeing that I was already in the city I had to get my favorite breakfast (senza American Coffee) at M Henrys on Clark.  YUM YUM YUM!!! I treated myself to some delicious french toast and potatoes.

On my way out of the car I was brilliant enough to forget my cell phone was in my lap and then it ended in the car door, with a smashed screen because I forgot.  Oooops.

Now I am onto my next mission and goal: Italy by January 2011.  Italy is where I want to be and where I feel like I belong more than anywhere else in the world.  Of course this will change but for now I want to live my life by my rules.  Until then I will be applying for jobs in Italy and enjoying my time back in the land where almost everyone speaks the same language I do.  In the near future I am planning to return to my University and see some of the best friends I have in the world.

Peace, Love, and Laughter

Stephanie

Positano Vacation

The trip could not have come at a better time! Let me tell you, What and EXPERIENCE!

Within ten minutes of being in Naples, Italy I saw someone get mugged.  Of course I am not saying Naples is unsafe but when you decide to travel, a little word of advice, never leave your wallet in any of your pockets.  The poor man who was robbed had just arrived in Italy with his wife for the first time.  But they did not let the situation of them sharing a few laughs with me on the train ride from Naples to Sorrento.

The bus ride from Sorrento was packed with tons of tired tourists that were sick of the heat.  I wanted to tell them to shut it because I had been dealing with 110 degree weather this summer.  You come to Italy in the summer, expect warm temperatures.  Once the bus made the turn towards the Almafi Coast everyone was in absolute awe while I was holding back my breakfast.

I knew I had made the right choice in coming to Positano.  Upon arrival to the Hostel Brikette I was happily greeted by the owner and her adorable puppy.  I booked a dorm room and was surprised she upgraded me to a private room and bathroom.  Yay for traveling in Italy in Mid September!

After running up to the room my only thought of what to do with my afternoon was enjoy the beautiful beach below, mind you WAY BELOW! A surprising discovery is that if you have terrible knees, all I can say is Buona Fortuna (good luck).  Getting around this city by walking is all down and up stairs.

The views were spectacular walking down the 800 steps to the beach.  The weather was never a let down, I was fortunate to have constant sun the entire trip.  The first day I was lucky enough to meet a lovely couple from Minnesota! The woman ironically was aware of the town in Wisconsin my family and I would go to when I was young! This world is way too small sometimes.  My dinner was a masterpiece of squid and linguine with a spicy tomato sauce.  YUMMM

The next few days were spent wandering around the curvy and tiny alleys of Positano in the mornings and in the afternoon I would always end on the beach.  My last night I met some great girls from Australia and another from Texas (originally Illinois...way south haha).  The girl from Texas and I had a great dinner at the last Trattoria in Positano.  The service was wonderful and the wine did it's magic.  We came back to the hostel (50 meters away, without steps :D) and just drank out on the terrace and enjoyed some dainty cigarettes.  

Going back to Florence had to happen, it was a reality that I was about to return to the United States.  I said my goodbyes and headed out after a lovely morning swim on the little beach.  Took my last walk up those horrible stairs and went to catch my bus.  In short on the way home my right middle finger was slammed into the luggage door of the bus and no one helped me (hooray for crappy ass tourists) and a lovely polish couple that were spending their last night in Naples.

This vacation was spur of the moment and I am happy I went through with it.  I only now look forward to returning and hopefully returning with a friend or family member.

Peace, Love, and Laughter

Stephanie