Ever lay down in bed, only to have your mind race? This happens to me quite often. I read somewhere that it was your brain trying to process and digest all the events and emotions from the day. When you lay down in bed, you are finally giving your brain the time it needs to perform this task. Unfortunately, it's also the time you're trying to fall asleep. Talking with someone or writing in a diary can help your brain work through everything so you don't spend an hour staring at the ceiling thinking about a mistake you made at work.
So, what am I doing here?
I'm trying to blog myself to sleep.
I'll tell you a little bit about myself.
I graduated from a top engineering school in the US in winter of '14. I spent my last semester of college not partying or celebrating, but very down in the mental dumps. Like a lot of people, I didn't have a job lined up after graduation and found a very generous source of anxiety in my uncertain employment prospects. There was also a girl problem, but that's a story for another time.
I had a few interviews and was flown out twice for onsites, but couldn't get the offer. This is where I love to look back on myself and marvel at just how bad I was at interviewing. Oh -- another one of those things that keep me awake at night: reliving embarrassing, cringey moments. And yes, some of those are related to the aforementioned girl problem. Regardless, I was eventually contacted by a recruiter for a contract position for one of the largest Biotech companies around. I looked at the job description and then looked at my resume. It was the first position that I filled every requirement. I couldn't believe it. A few weeks pass and I'm offered the job. $21 an hour starting two weeks from then. I was ecstatic. Finally, something managed to go right!
From there it's been a steady climb. Difficult with slips here and there, but steady enough. I was hired full-time at a decent salary 5 months later and given more and more responsibility at work. My manager is great, and so are my co-workers. Most of them, anyway. Currently, my manager is on maternity leave and gave me a great opportunity as the interim team lead. I'll have a much better idea after this 3 month period if I want to go into technical management or not.
As of now, I'm 23 years old and living at home. A family friend, M, moved to Chicago for his job, and we decided to room together in the big city. We've signed the lease, made our payments, etc. and just need to move in and start the cable/internet. I'm excited. I still need to find a running club, but in the mean time I am going to enjoy exploring the city. M is bringing his electric piano, so I'll still be able to practice and hopefully get around to recording the Game of Thrones piece. It's close - there's still a few measures that are hit or miss. I was never a big "dater" (read: never dated or been in a relationship) and am excited to start. I'm single and ready to mingle (oh, yeah).
That's a "little" bit about me. Don't worry, you'll learn much more as time progresses -- probably too much. Hopefully this blogging thing sticks and I start sleeping better. Maybe after reading this, you will too.
