apartment revival

A home should represent those who live there; give off a certain personality if you will. When I first walk into someone else’s home, I anticipate all of the intricate details (from the chosen color scheme, to that one-of-a-kind piece found on vacation, to the type of artwork displayed) in order to learn more about the person. Mulling this idea over, I have to admit my hypocrisy. As I looked around our apartment of roughly over a year, the only personality I can drum up is of a sporadic, noncommittal, bland decorator.

A home is a further extension of your personality; so what should it say?

-That you have no children? Crave adventure? Appreciate culture? Or have you allowed yourself to become the families' dumping grounds, accumulating all things “vintage” and “fixable.” This combination instantly reminds me of my impeccable taste in all things free during my college years. Sadly, I currently find myself stuck somewhere in the middle.

Sure there are a few highlights that we are very proud of but it is a far cry from complete. It is definitely not from lack of interest or even time that our place still looks so unfinished a year later; I've just never planned on staying in one place that long. Now I find myself like many other twenty-somethings out there, ready, but with a lack of funds. Quick research shows that helpful advice, tips, and DIY remedies for the snowy white walls, dated beige kitchen, and the awkward room layouts that we have found ourselves occupying can be remedied.

We did it. We started the never-ending project. It had to be done.

Monotony has been to known drive me crazy. So why would I want the apartment (that I’m inevitably stuck in due to Ohio winters) to feel so depressing? A new furniture piece will soon be finding its way into our home. So we decided (well I decided, and begged until he gave in) that this was the perfect opportunity to rearrange, even recreate our living space. Spring is symbolic for revival, so why not begin right at home?

I cannot begin to explain what a difference it is making already. To actually enjoy being in the apartment that I have felt imprisoned in all winter long. Try it. Love it. Repeat often.

describe yourself challenge

Inspired by a recent interview, I decided to take the plunge and truly answer the clichéd question, “Describe yourself in 3 words.”  (On a side note, I had worked with this interviewer for the past year.) After my initial confusion had passed, I found answering it to be much harder than anticipated. For interviewing purposes, does one remain generic -listing words the interviewer wants to hear, or does one bare all in a truthful response? In addition, I was experiencing “adjective overload." Which ones would be appropriate, sound intelligent, and show the most depth of character? There was clearly not enough time for analysis.

So, I mumbled off 3 words that I could not remember 5 minutes later. Great work...

That got me to thinking about my students (seniors) who may be given similar questions on college applications and/or job interviews very soon. Breaking through their inevitable senioritis excuses, and reaching beyond the resume writing tutorials was this fantastic, narcissistic, real world application to their lives. Come on, what teenager doesn’t love to talk about themselves! Seniors a.k.a. know-it-all’s were required to do a bit of soul searching, among numerous other ways of critiquing themselves and each other. The goal was to consider who they really are at this stage of their lives, who do they aspire to be, and most importantly, if they were planning accordingly for their future.

PROJECT = SUCCESS!!

The following is my abridged version of the project using 28 descriptive words about me (for my 28 years.) The selections are not all flattering but it is from this list that your “3 words” should ultimately come. I encourage everyone to do this. Brainstorm. Write everything down, good or bad. Pick a final number, then make your list much longer than that. Look at the words as a whole. Is this the person you are today; the person you aspire to be?  Ask others for their opinions. Then condense. Hopefully the result is just as gratifying for you as it was us.

1. Honest

2. Loving
3. Loyal
4. Spontaneous
5. Driven
6. Crazy
7. Strong
8. Nerdy
9. Optimistic
10. Pretty
11. Sarcastic
12. Picky
13. Clumsy
14. Fun/Silly
15. Passionate
16. Bitchy
17. Smart
18. Open minded
19. Independent
20. Organized
21. Extroverted
22. Leader

23. Healthy

24. Classic
25. Fashionable
26. Critical
27. Stubborn
28. Reflective

Goal: to remain ever-growing.