Some reflections on the end (which is actually the beginning)

      It is almost time for me to be finished up with college! In December I will be officially finished with my academic career at USM. It's a pretty scary concept, but more than scary, it's EXCITING. In a month my job/apartment search will begin! I won't be looking for the job of my dreams however. I'll be looking for a job that will pay the bills. Eventually I would like to put my degree to use, but I am going to use the next year or more to live as big as I want to live.

        What does living big entail for me? It means I will have the ability to come home at the end of a long 8 hour day and go for my daily run around back bay, kick my feet up and read a good book, or head down to the beach to walk my dog, or just poke around the tide pools. I don't want to throw myself into anything too quickly. Over the past summer I had the opportunity to live with a few of my best friend and work with them as well. We were all tired after the long day, but we got very comfortable with our 9-5 schedules.

       But please don't get me wrong. I plan on doing everything and anything I can to milk my life/future for all it's worth. I will have obtained a degree in Media Studies at the end of this trip. My interest has mostly been in marketing and advertising. I do not however see myself marketing the latest clothing or electronics products. I have no interest in formulating advertisements and market plans for products that I personally do not want to be persuaded to purchase. I am incredibly interested in jet engines, airplanes, boats, oil platforms and other various forms of engineering. My interests almost pulled my major in a different direction several years ago. I had seriously considered transferring to a maritime academy. Even though I didn't make that leap, I still intend on spending my time around the things that I love most. I hope to land a wonderful job helping to market and do public relations for a contracting or engineering firm/company.

       College has transformed my outlook on life. Growing up in a small town in the middle of Maine did not allow me to visit many places, especially since both of my parents worked. I had always known even as a small child that the world held wonderful opportunities and beautiful experiences. It wasn't until college that I realized just how lucky I am. Inspiring classes and good and bad experiences have helped me to grow as an individual. There is not one negative experience that I have had in college that made me feel even for a moment that I wouldn't be able to reach the goals that I set for myself. 

       Just today in class (Room 215 in Bailey) I found my eyes wandering to the right hand wall, which has a large world map covering it. My eyes wandered down to Chile, which made me think of the recently rescued miners, to the Hudson Bay, which made me curious about it's aquatic environment. Inspiration is everywhere. Embrace it and let it drive you!

-Kaili