Since I moved back in with my parents in April I haven't really posted anything informative so here is a real update:
The summer got off to a slow and boring start. I was really excited about spending a few months back home for the first time in about 2 years but it wasn't really living up to my expectations. The last time I was home for an extended period of time, none of my friends had serious jobs or were in school. We had all the time in the world to do whatever we wanted. I'm not sure why I still expected it to be like that since we are two years older and have a lot more responsibilities. But I've adjusted to the change and my summer is going great so far.
When we can, we've been spending a lot of time outside. Annie and I spent an entire day at Bishop Park just reading, hanging out and flying kites. Then for Memorial Day, I got together with a bunch of friends at Elizabeth Park and had a picnic. We spent 6 hours hanging out and relaxing (pictured below).
Tomorrow it looks like Annie, Luke, Jordan and myself are going to be attending the spring "
speakeasy" in downtown Wyandotte. We're dressing like classy flappers and it should be a really good time.
Since I am within my last 30 credits of graduating I cannot take classes anywhere other than Grand Valley. This means that I'm not taking classes at all this summer. I have been going to school year-round of the last 3 years so this is weird for me to not be taking classes this summer. I'm also not working because I'm still collecting unemployment from when I was laid off. Even if I did find a job, I'd have to quit soon when I move back to Grand Rapids in August. So I'm just taking a summer off to relax.
But my sitting home, relaxing and doing nothing is about to come to an end next week. After completing my public relations internship at the Make A Wish Foundation office in Grand Rapids, I applied for an internship in Detroit. Not only did I get an internship in Detroit but I got another at the Ann Arbor office. In Detroit I will be working as their graphic design and web assistant. I'll be working on various communication projects, which include: web edits and updates, working with Google Adwords, keeping track of MAW Flickr, YouTube, and Twitter accounts, and the creation of general communication materials (postcards, web banners, images, logos, event related materials, etc.) In Ann Arbor I will be a communication assistant and will be dealing to newsletter stories, web articles, letters, press releases, etc. My primary focus will be on Make A Wish Foundation's annual
Wish-A-Mile Bicycle Tour (WAM). With WAM I'll have to pitch stories to the media regarding the event as well as promoting the event along its route and dealing with media opportunities. I'm really excited about this internship because I loved seeing the
Make A Wish Foundation's spring gala come to life right before my eyes. Now I'll get to do the same thing with the bicycle tour. Both internships are unpaid and I'm not using them for college credit, which I don't really mind because it is such a wonderful cause and it's great hands-on job experience.
As much as I love spending time at home... I'm not too excited to be living back with my parents. After a few years of doing what you want and coming and going when you want, it's a really big adjustment. But I know when August 7th comes I will be sad to be moving into my new townhouse.
