Panicky Post-Grad Prayers Answered

As a 17-year-old seeped in naivete and egocentricity, I often reminded my parents that if they were to invest in an RV upon retirement, like they had always planned, they would never be able to visit me in my fashionably-cramped, downtown Chicago apartment. There simply wouldn't be anywhere for them to park that ugly thing. I envisioned myself as a swinging single working as an up-and-coming editor at some snot-nosed fashion magazine, enjoying martinis and diamond-studded high heels: not unlike a Sex in the City motif, but without all the giggling. It's such an American cliche, really: you do your part to oil the wheels of consumerism at your job, whilst your personal habits in themselves mirror the self-absorpotion that you inspire in others.

Now that I am a few years older, have sobered up a bit, and have developed the cynicism and self-righteousness to make such a sophisticated cultural critique as the above, my life plans have changed a bit. But not so drastically as one might assume. Yes, I will be living in an apartment in suburban Chicago. Yes, I will be working at a magazine, though not a fashion one. Yes, I will be enjoying alcoholic beverages from time to time, though they will steer clear from vodka and probably be something more like $4.29 bottles of white wine. And no, my parents will still not be able to fit their RV on my street, though they are welcome to visit in their normal-sized vehicle any time.

Life plans change quickly...one week I was living in Grand Haven, Michigan with my grandmother, becoming so desperate to secure any kind of job that I had even applied to be a pizza delivery girl. My days were spent applying to jobs, looking at birds, cross-stitching bunnies and chickadees, and watching Jeopardy. Though not a shabby lifestyle, I knew I couldn't stay for much longer. Plus, doors seemed to be closing in West Michigan - the only job leads popping up were for positions I was only marginally interested in; most of my closest friends had moved outside the region, and with good reason; the dating relationship for which I had returned to Michigan in the first place ended before it really began; plus, the ghastly amount of snow seemed to be sucking my soul away. The next most likely place seemed to be Chicago: only a day's drive away from family, around the corner from several close friends, and one of my favorite downtowns.

By highly unlikely circumstances that I can only attribute to Providence, I was able to secure a job at Christianity Today's Web Resources department, find an outstanding apartment 10 minutes away from the office, and literally across the street from the train station heading into downtown. My friend Sara lives in the apartment building right next to mine, and three other close friends from Calvin live within a 45-minute radius of where I'll be. Though initially hesitant about working at CT, I think it's an optimal place to begin if I want to pursue a career in journalism and that whole faith+culture thing. (One thing I've learned about the post-graduate job search is that you have to find a way to retain your core ideals while still manage to pay your water bill.) I have gone with Sara a couple times to the Episcopal church where her father is the Father, and find it a great place to start learning more about liturgical worship. Overall, I honestly can't think of one downside to this new move. I am so excited, feel incredibly blessed and taken care of, and can only guess what new and challenging life events might be around the corner in the post-graduate stage in my life. Assuming you don't drive an RV, you are more than welcome to visit.