Juniah

Brief Update, I decided not to return and finish out my co-op.  As much as I tried to get engaged with my work, It just wasn't fitting and I knew something had to be done.  I began exploring what my interests really were.  as I began to explore, I began to wonder if I was barking up the wrong tree altogether.  So I went to talk to a career counselor, and after much thinking, praying and searching, I decided to change my major.  So now have moved from Mechanical Engineering Technology into Industrial Technology.

This semester is going vastly better than previous semesters.  I've been engaging a lot more in my classes, doing a small amount of reading on my own time about the subject (I borrowed a book from a teacher). and I actually hope to pull off mostly A's!  It takes a certain mind, I think to be a mechanical engineer. To be able to see all the nitty-gritty details and stuff that go into product design and such.  I began to realize that I didn't have this mind. If you know me at all you know that I'm not very good with remembering details.  So Industrial Technology focuses more on the big picture, which I must say I'm much better with.  It works with the concept of everything coming together, and finding the best way to get products through the process as quickly and efficiently as possible.  This I think I will be a lot better at, and actually enjoy.

As a matter of fact, even at Howmet where I was supposed to be a product engineer, I was looking for ways to make their process better, and even submitted some ideas to do so.  So with that thought in mind i'm changing directions this year.

Being an upper classman is quite strange.  I still remember vividly being a Junior in high school. The other day I told someone that I was a Junior and had to catch myself because it didn't sound right.  But indeed it was, I am a Junior in college.

It is strange to think that college is starting to close down.  I'm on the downhill side of this mountain, and soon I will be deposited into the lake of real life.  Just praying that I'll either be able to swim, or that there will be a boat to get on once i'm there.  I've been a lot more peaceful about it recently.  I've definitely gone through the stage of being terrified that I won't know where to go, or what to do, or when should I really be worried about finding a job, house, wife and whatever else accompanies getting a real life.  I know the fear will all come back again as it always does, but right now I'm pretty peaceful about it.

Also, being among the older ones in the PYG is strange too.  I am now in the position that I used to look up to.  Scarier than that, I'm sure there are others out there who are looking up to me.  So here I am trying to be a good example.  I do wish I could tell others to stop looking at me.

My first two years felt like ones of growing, and climbing and figuring stuff out.  Now that i'm to the halfway point, It feels like my life consists of mostly preparation.  Like I'm standing on top of this college mountain.  Not that I'm not still growing and climbing, but that's not quite the feeling I get anymore.  I'm looking out over the landscape wondering what might be out there next, and trying to prepare for whatever it may be.   

We are also looking into getting a house for next semester.  Marsteller has been awesome, especially for the early years of college.  This is where I've built some amazing friendships and become a part of the group. There has always been stuff to do here. There's rarely a dull moment that is for sure.  But as I enter my senior year, things feel different. I want a place that I feel that is mine.  Sharing a 10 x 10 bedroom doesn't really give you that feeling.

We're looking for a place for 6 guys, so if we got one, we would still have a good group there.  We are also looking for a place that would put us not too far away from Marsteller, so we wouldn't be too disconnected. Finding a place like that is going to be a trick, especially since we have to re-sign our lease this week.  I would really like a house, but realistically it doesn't look like we will find one in time.  We may be able to find people to take our spots after we sign, but we'll have to see.

I've been praying about it, so it's all in God's hands, I guess we'll see how this all turns out!