Career Insight...

As college students, we go into college to get the so-called "college experience." Somewhere along the way, if we're lucky, we figure out what it is we want to do with our lives. Once we figure this out, we begin the hard work to make sure that we can attain what it is we have decided to do. We go to class, pay attention in class (or at least try to), do the research on companies around to see where we might want to work, join organizations to help us network for later in life, and finally begin the process of trying to find an internship! This last part, yeah thats where I am. And to tell you the truth, it's frustrating. Really frustrating. 

I have interviewed with two companies for summer internships and have been told no, both times. I felt that the interview went well, that I was confident in the process and that the people liked me and felt comfortable within the environment. I guess I was more confident than they were. Granted, I'm not graduating until December so I have some time, but I would like to have some experience before I try and jump into the workforce of HR and be on my own. I have applications and resumes in with 3 different companies right now and am waiting to hear back from another possible opportunity. Not only would the experience be worth all the hard work involved in an internship...the extra money for Matthew and I as we are saving money for our wedding and life together would be much appreciated! 

So why am I writing this? Mainly to vent my frustration, but also to see if anyone sees this has heard of any paid internship positions out in the Knoxville area. I would be much obliged if you would pass along the information! Well thats my little tidbit of what's going on in my head at this moment! Thanks for listening! 

Fun Times with Family :)

This past weekend, Matthew and I took the weekend off from work (and homework) and made a trip up to Indiana to visit family. We hadn't been up there since we got engaged at Thanksgiving and it was time to go back and see them. I know I was excited about going up there and continuing to build the relationships I started when I met his family for the first time, and I know Matthew was ready for a trip home!

We left Knoxville around 1:00 or so and got to Matthew's house around 4:30 in time to meet Larry as he was pulling in the driveway. We got ourselves situated in the house and brought everything in (I promise we didn't move our entire belongings in the house) but we did bring a lot of stuff! After that, we sat around and talked for a little bit and then Kristen, Matthew's cousin, told us about a talent show that their cousin was in at Matthew's high school, so off we went! I got to visit Austin High School and see where Matthew spent his 4 years of high school...despite not being able to find the Scholastic Team pictures from his year, I loved being able to see where Matthew went to school! :) The talent show was good, a normal type of high school talent show....some were were really good, and some were not so much. But I give everyone props for getting up on stage and having the confidence to showcase their talent (I'm not brave enough to do that!) Ally, of course, did absolutely wonderful and looked so pretty too! I wish I had a picture to put up but I couldn't' get a good shot! Anyways, after the show, we talked a bit and headed back to the house to eat some dinner and scan some pictures of Matthew when he was a kid and hit the bed! We had a fun day planned the next day! :)

Watching his face looking at the pictures was SOOOO cute :) 

Saturday morning! We had good intentions to get up and go running, but it was sooo cold we decided we would go later when it was warmer. So we slept a little longer, got up and got ready and then headed out to visit Grandma and Grandpa Coomer before we went to eat and see a movie with Kristen and Sarah! It was soo good to see them again! I just love how at home they make me feel as I walked in the house and got a HUGE hug from Grandma Coomer! She is just precious! We caught her up on everything that was going on and ended up coming out with a green and white blanket made by her sister and a queen bedspread for us to use if we wanted! It was so sweet! Plus, the blanket kept me really warm that night while I was sleeping! :) After we visited with Grandma and Grandpa, we met up with Kristen and Sarah and headed out to eat Chinese (MY FAVORITE) and to see HOP! :) Chinese was soo good...it was mine and Matthew's splurge meal for March (I know it was in April but we decided to forego one for March and then do two in April) But we didn't eat too much, just enough to make me happy and full! After that we went to the theater and saw HOP, with about a zillion little kids! It was good though! Such a cute movie, even if we were the oldest people in there who didn't bring kids with them! lol

I think Matthew said this was his "Shoot I've been caught at a kids movie and now everyone knows my love of bunnies" face :)

Nice face babe! But adorable as ever!

 My girl Kristen :) 

 The girls :) Aren't we hot? 

After the movie, we went back to Kristen's house to get the car and were welcomed with a yummy chocolate chip cookie from Aunt Amy! :) It was soo good! Then of course we ended up outside taking pictures on the trampoline (or at least Kristen and Sarah were) We just stood there and supervised! It was such a pretty day though! :) 

 My, "I want a cookie" face! 

 attempt #1

 attempt #2

 attempt #3

 attempt #4

 there we go! That wind was killing me :) 

 I mean, the sexy windblown look is totally us :) 

 Love her! Beautiful Sarah! :)

Sweet Little Ally! :) 

After our day at the movies and lunch, we went back to Matthew's house and went running. We ran a mile and then walked a mile! I was ready to die and give up about 1/2 a mile in and was so upset that I didn't feel that I was even any better than the first time I ran a mile in January with Matthew. Matthew quickly squelched any of those feelings and told me that I was moving so much faster than I did the first time and that he knew I could it! I just felt so discouraged, but Matthew kept pushing me and kept me going and we successfully ran a mile in about 8 minutes or less! He believes in me more than I believe in me! :) Then we went back home and Larry and Melissa cooked us an amazing dinner :)

Sunday morning, we woke up around 8:30 or so and then went to visit Matthews Grandma Bowsman and hung out there for about 3 hours or so! :) We got to see Matthew's aunt and cousins and little baby Quintin! Quintin does the coolest dance and it is amazing. I might have to have a repeat performance at the wedding and then possibly use the dance for the rest of my life. I just have to say this one thing, Matthew's Grandma is absolutely the coolest, feisty lady in the world. She's just awesome! When we left, we left with a care package and some persimmon pudding (which we sadly left at his mom's house when we headed back to Knoxville) It was such a good day! 

Around 3:30-4:00 or so we packed up the car and headed back to Knoxville. It was bittersweet leaving, but we will see them again in about 5 weeks or so when they come down for Matthew's graduation. This weekend was absolutely wonderful, I loved going up there and visiting family and being with Matthew all weekend long! It makes me want December to get here even sooner so I don't have to say goodbye at the end of the weekend! 

Anyways, this ends my blog of the last weekend! So thank you Matthew for taking me up to visit and for making it so much fun! I enjoyed EVERY single minute of it :)