Renewal

It's been a month, 1 week, and 3 days since I've graduated from Tufts, and I'm still unemployed and living at home. In the beginning, I was a job seeking machine, but after weeks of waiting to hear back from employers, I'm becoming discouraged with the hiring process. I feel like I'm dating. They all promise to call back soon, but they never do. I'll call and e-mail, but no one ever responds. Then I start to think, am I not good enough? Have they found someone better? Essentially, I'm the equivalent of a Warcraft-playing, chicken-legged preteen trying to get his game on.

So, I've lost my momentum on the job hunt, and I've replaced job searches with post-bac applications. I've been looking at post-bac programs at Tufts and UPenn, which are catered to pre-med students who want to enhance their academic record by taking advanced science courses. The program at Tufts has many advantages--my close friends are in Boston, the classes mirror the med-school curriculum, and I could get a masters in a year. As great as it sounds, the UPenn program has a more flexible coursework that takes place in the evenings, so I would also have time to volunteer at a local hospital and/or get a part-time job. Even though I'm a little scared of living in an unfamiliar city, I think it'll give me the motivation I need to become more independent and I'm actually more excited about the program at UPenn than at Tufts.

In an effort to remain unfused from the couch in clothes littered with crumbs, I've been trying to keep myself busy by studying for the MCATs, reading, playing the piano, and running. Yes, running. Well, more like a combination of running and walking. At first, it was exhausting, but now that it's become part of my daily routine, it's become very liberating and energizing. Maybe that's just the endorphins talking. I probably look like a panting, asthmatic dog, but I enjoy running (Did i really just say that?).

I've also realized that I need focus back in my life. Whenever things get difficult, I end up throwing up my hands and giving up too quickly. I feel like that's the reason why I quit the clarinet, the piano, the violin, and the piano...again. Even though I haven't played the piano in years, there's still something that resonates with me whenever I hear Chopin's Ballad No. 1. Throughout the years, I've forgotten what it's like to have discipline and passion, and I miss the feeling of accomplishment and pride after mastering a piece. I've been going through my old piano books, clunking away at the keys and trying to regain something I've lost.

On a more positive note, I'm going to Mexico with Tracy and Lindsay to visit Pascale from July 25th to August 3rd. We'll be splitting our time between Mexico City and Oaxaca City, touring the markets, cathedrals, parks, and murals. We're planning on taking a day trip to the Teotichuacan archaeological site, the location of the world's third largest pyramid, and I'm sure we'll be taking other unforeseen adventures. After all, we'll be traveling with New Jersey Pascale, who we've deemed the female version of Indiana Jones. I'm really excited about this trip, and I'll post more when I can!