Oh, the places they'll go

“Graduation” is the theme of the weekend. Probably by now, GW’s class of 2004 has entered the “real world”. If anything, it reminded me that a year ago I was in the same position. I began to reflect this morning on where I am now versus a year ago.

I can say that I am more adjusted to the “real world”, if you want to call it that. The first few weeks or months out of school I felt like a fish out of water. I’ve settled into the routine of my life nice, and I do find comfort in that.

Professionally, I’m not all that far along. I spent most of the last year doing literally nothing. I used to think getting paid to do sit around all day would be a good thing, but I forgot to think about the boredom. I’m basically in solitary confinement in my cubicle. I am slowly getting assignments, and I’ll admit my case is more particular; my boss doesn’t have his act together. I did get the assignment of chairing a regularly-scheduled meeting, and those are probably the only skills I can salvage from the wreck of my first job. I’ve decided I can learn from a bad experience: I’ll know what questions to ask during a job interview (my boss very much misled me), and I also know that I don’t want to do what I’m doing now. Upon one year of federal service, there is generally an automatic step grade, so in a couple weeks I’ll be a GS-9. That’s probably the only other thing I can take from the job.

Financially, I’m technically a bit better of but not significantly. I’ve always been able to manage what little money I’ve had, so I didn’t learn anything new there, but I was able to apply that much in the last year. I was able to save 15% a month; that much I’ll grant. However, grad school is still going to leave me in the red. Now that I think of it, even when I pay that off, I’ll probably just be buying a house…will I ever be out of debt? That’s the subject for another post, perhaps.

Academically, I’m worried I’m “out of the loop”. I think I’ve forgotten most of the basics. I’m hoping to fix that the first couple weekends of school, once I get my textbooks. A little review never hurt anyone.

Physically, like my brain, I may be wasting away. I’m about 10 lbs. lighter and per the Census Health Fair a couple weeks ago, a half point under the ideal body fat %. I’m not trying to stay I’m looking good in a swim suit, here. I think I’m starving away. That’s what cooking for yourself will do to you. I should add more butter.

I guess I learn everyday skills…well, everyday….just simple things from figuring out my work benefits to fixing a leaky faucet. I’ll try to keep that up.

I wonder if anyone in today’s graduating class is in for a rude awakening. Actually, I more often wonder about former classmates of my own class, both from Norwalk and college. I wonder what they’re up to, and how certain people could possibly be getting by on their own. The reunion should be interesting.