Reflecting on my college years

I'll never forget when I was in my most recent internship, I was told by a cubicle-mate to "enjoy my college years, because they go by so fast." It took everything in me to not laugh in her face. For several reasons: the first being that this was in the last 3 months of my senior year; the second, being that I was doing a full-time paid internship, averaging a 50-55 hour work week and taking a full load of night classes -- I was no longer your "typical" college student. I was a full-time employee just like her, except I didn't have time for happy hour, I didn't receive benefits, and I wasn't guaranteed a paycheck after my 12 week term was over. I realized my identity as a college-student no longer had any real meaning. No frat parties, no social life, no time for anything but work and school. In fact, I had been doing summer classes, internships and volunteer work for so long, I didn't know what a "college experience" was supposed to look like. I just gave her one of the smile-and-nod responses, and listened to her talk about how "big girl jobs suck" and how she'd "give anything to be back in college." Secretly, I was thinking, "you have no idea who you're talking to."

But do I have regrets? Absolutely not. I have learned so much about myself, my work style, my strengths and my weaknesses. I learned how to be scrappy. I learned how to get the work done, and I got used to making sacrifices for "the work, the work, the work." I met my best friends and my wonderful boyfriend through those busy years, and I wouldn't trade any of it.

I can't help but wonder, though. Should I have taken more time to invest in something not work/school related? Yeah, I pursued my study of the Spanish language, and in the early years I taught ESL classes and baby sat some precious Spanish-speaking kids for a non-profit. But what do I like to do? I like to have great conversations about good creative work. I like to ask people about brand affiliations and perceptions. I like to learn and read the Wall Street Journal and Fast Company.

But don't think that I'm not well-rounded. I am. I'm a spare-time musician, amateur fact collector, lover of professional and college football, MLB and UFC. I dabbled in combat arts and playing the mandolin. I know a lot about the army, the holocaust and American art. I'm incredibly adaptable and curious.

With each passing day, I learn more and more what college doesn't teach you. That I have so much more to learn. So much to learn, and only one life to live.

Let's get to know eachother

They say the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The next best time? Today.

That's how I feel about this whole blog thingy. I should have started my blog in college, to give potential employers a way to get to know me better, but that didn't happen. So here I begin. Today.

I'm a recent graduate of Dallas Baptist University, with my bachelor's in Business Admin/Marketing/Spanish. I did a few internships in marketing, advertising and PR, but here I am, 2 months after graduation: jobless. Unemployed. Living at home. With my parents. And my dog.

I'm in a time of  limbo transition, and about to embark on a journey -- the big transition from college kid to adulthood. So many unknowns, so many variables. **DISCLAIMER** This blog is going to reflect my current state of transition. It is without identity, without direction, without genre. Keep reading at your own risk. 

Perhaps it'll simply be a collection of the various DIY projects and crafts I will be doing. Perhaps it will be a chronicle of marketing-related insights, or perhaps it will be a story of how a job huntress landed her dream position. Time alone will tell.

As for the name? "Fox tails and Houndstooth" -- I'm not really sure. Its something trendy, I thought of. Perhaps someday I'll start an antique boutique or flower shop with the same name. No meaning. No substance. Just trendy. 

I'd like to give a shoutout to The Petersiks, the cinderella's of bloggers. They are my inspiration as I start this new project.