I have spent a lot of time lately considering my resume.  Now that I am on the cusp of graduation, I need to consider my career options.

I have certainly obtained plenty of skills whilst I’ve been a student, plenty of skills that could get me any number of jobs. 

But that got me thinking.

What would be skills resume look like according to Facebook?

I am an expert farmer, excelling in harvesting crops like soybeans, artichokes, watermelon and potatoes, to mention a few. 

I have a keen ability to monitor the well-being of numerous forms of livestock (just call me Captain Agriculture!), including wild turkeys, turtles, goats, rabbits, penguins, ducks, geese, horses, sheep, reindeer, and a variety of cows (chocolate milk cows, strawberry milk cows, alien cows—yes, I can hear a certain farm girl (Ashlee) groaning at me right now).  I have even birthed several calves. 

Wow, I’m pretty impressive.

I haven’t even mentioned all the time I spend working on my trees.  I am quite the arborist, too.

But I don’t just have experience farming, I am also an archaeologist.  In fact I have secured more than 80 items with various museums around the world.

Alas, I have truly become a world traveler.

I have raced environmentally friendly cars, accumulating carbon credits to help stop global warming (lil Eco Racer).

My efforts gardening have saved hundreds of acres of rainforest (lil Green Patch).

Did I mention I am also an event organizer? A drug dealer (thank you, Dope Wars), wanted by the police (again, thank you Dope Wars), a jewel specialist (Bejeweled Blitz), a marine biologist (lil Blue Cove)?

I am also a regular supporter of events and causes, a fan of numerous types of pop culture (ie. Kenny vs. Spenny and Bjork), and an everyday activist for environmental issues.

Personal development is something I am very passionate about, as is evident by the number of personality profile quizzes I have taken:

-my ideal city is Seattle (no wonder I set my book there!)

-if I were a martial art, I would be Taekwondo (even though I personally prefer and am more active in Judo)

-if I were a Bible character, I would be David

-compare yourself to a dog?  I am a loveable and loyal golden retriever


Even my journalism skills have been called into use on Facebook as I write reviews on movies I have seen.  Sure, they  might only be 18 words long, but that in itself is an art!

Yeesh!  I am overwhelmed just thinking about all of my Facebook accomplishments.  And even with that in mind, I know that I have missed things.

Things like being an excellent communicator (instant messaging), creatively observant (commenting on people’s photos), and personable (199 friends and counting).

Yes, Facebook, you have changed my life.

You’ve made me a better person.

You’ve helped my achieve so much in my life.

All I have to do now is leave the computer and actually do some of these things for real.But hey, if I put any of my FB skills on my real resume, at least I know I’m not lying, and something’s got to be said for integrity, right?

In a recent Creative Writing class, we did a few exercises on character development.  We were to compose a list of questions that we would ask characters, supposing they were real people.

My list included things like favourite hot beverage; paper, plastic, or cloth bags; and favourite author, to name a few.

Part two of the exercise was to turn to a classmate and interview them, using primarily the made-up questions.

Next we each received a random photo taken off the internet.  There was no rhyme of reason, just a bunch of pics given to whomever came next alphabetically.

(and I’ll be honest—I soooo got one of the better photos)

The last step was to write our new characters (a.k.a. fellow students whom we’d just interviewed) into these photos in a single scene. 

So Jarrett Moffatt, here’s to you:


Rufus folded over in a coughing spasm as he tried to catch his breath, his knees crushing the freshly bought danishes in the cloth bag, his copy of the New York Times sprawled across the sidewalk.  He’d missed the bus.  Again.  Maybe it was a good thing his desserts were now a heap of pastry and icing.  He was out of shape, despite his lanky physique, and couldn’t run to save his life.  Or catch a bus.

Rufus slowly stood up and examined the damage.  Yup, they were crushed.  Those sweet, innocent cherry and cream cheese delights.  The swirl of colours looked like the desserts had just been through war, bleeding a delicious cherry flavoured blood.  Of course Rufus would still eat them.  What?  He’d paid good money for them.  And it’s not like they were really bleeding, that’s just gross.  Of course if something could bleed chocolate...  Hmm.  He’d have to pick up a hot chocolate now, too.

No, dammit, no time.  At least his MACbook was OK.  That was all that mattered.  So he’d be late—what else was new?

Rufus’ stomach grumbled.   He should eat.  No, he should get home.  He needed to take his turtles to the vet.  Michelangelo and Donatello.  Don’t ask.  If only turtles didn’t live as long as they did—then he wouldn’t be reminded of the foolishness of his childhood passions.  Well, OK, maybe they weren’t that foolish.  Come on, it’s pretty funny.  Even if they don’t like pizza, they’re still alright.

Whatever.  Enough, no time to be stupid.

Rufus hoisted up his shoulder bag, making himself more comfortable as he began the long trek home.  Suddenly he felt like Tom Joad having just left prison, making the journey home.  Tom Joad.  From the Grapes of Wrath.  Mmm, grapes.

I am finding it quite exhilarating to accomplish things. 

Knowing how close I am to the end of school?  Exhilarating.

Keeping in contact with really good connections?  Exhilarating.

Sticking with some (I can’t say all, but I’m definitely getting better!) of my New Year’s resolutions?  Exhilarating.

So far, now that a month has passed us, this year is going well.  Yes, bad days are still a regular occurrence, but it all depends on attitude.  I’m finding that the days that are the lousiest are the days I’m not starting my day off well.  The days that are going well?  I think it’s safe to say that I am doing something right.

My ideal morning starts:

·      a bit of time in devotion or prayer to prepare for everything that’s coming

·      a good, quick breakfast of complex carbs (like cereal, oatmeal, or a granola bar)

·      a workout inevitably follows. 

o   I do circuit training on Monday, Wednesday and Friday followed by some cardio and a really good yoga stretch and

o   Tuesday and Thursday are pure cardio, again with the amazing yoga stretch.  It totally makes a difference

o   Saturday/Sunday are family days—stretching, walking, playing games, whatever—something fun with family involvement

·      my day can’t continue without something more substantial in my belly—primarily yogurt and some fruit.  (I need to replenish with protein or I’d never survive the morning)

·      then there’s class or life or whatever!

 

It sounds like a lot has happened by the time 9am rolls around, and yes it has.

Do I enjoy getting up around 6am?  Not always, but it’s working.  At least on the days I maintain my routine.  I even like being the only girl working out with all the guys at the school gym most days.  That, too, is exhilarating.  Just don’t tell my husband… ;)