Merry Christmas & Happy New Year Everyone Best Wishes Natalie & Clayton.

Wow it has been a while since I've posted on this blog. A lot has happened over the last couple of months. Life changing decisions, I think in the long run our decisions will pay off. First off we have decided to stay in Washington state, with all that's been going on with the economy we thought it would be best to stick around. However that wasn't the main reason. Clayton and I have seriously been talking about starting a family, with that taken in consideration we wanted our children to know Clayton's parents. We are already 6000 miles away from my family we don't want a plane ride in between Clayton's parents. Clayton is looking at getting a job with the local railroad out here so he can still live his dream, however, that might take a while to get hired on. So in the mean time he is looking for a Manager trainee position. He graduates in January with a BA in Communications.

As for me I have decided not to get a job within a graphic design company. I have been very successful with freelancing and have gotten a number of jobs. So I decided to start my own small business of freelancing. This way I can work from home this will help when we finally have children so I can be a stay at home mom. My website is Natalie Lucy Designs.

Things are going really good and I'm excited to see what the next couple of years will bring.

You can stop the search party, don't put out that APB. I'm back and I'm alive and kicking. What can I say it's been an interesting Month and a half. I'm still unemployed, I've had a couple of interviews since the last time I blogged but no luck. I had been volunteering at the local Radio & Electricity museum doing some fliers and such, but that's now come to a halt. I've been trying to freelance where ever I can but there's just so some much local competition. Over the last week Clayton and I have come to a decision, we are going to move next year for sure. Actually if one of us gets a job sooner then we'll be moving. Clayton has applied for a few jobs in Chicago, and now I'm starting to look. We have picked Chicago seeming Clayton was born and raised there he knows the area. I'm anxious to start working and I'm not going to find a job in this town. So I've been looking into moving trucks, apartments, jobs etc I'm really excited nervous and scared to start the new chapter of our life, but I think we are more than ready.

If anyone has any advice on how we can go about this smoothly let me know. It's really tricky starting out and trying to find a job in a new State and relocating. I have no idea how to go about it.

Last night was my Graduation ceremony, I was super excited & nervous all day. I had to check in at the college at around 6pm, there I met my fellow classmates and got ready for the ceremony. There was a photographer taking photos of everyone, so I had a couple of photos taken with my friends. I liked my cap and gown the color was maroon. It was so exciting I'd never done a graduation ceremony before, I know Americans graduate for high school but in the U.K we don't, we just graduate for college.

We started to line up, it was nice to be able to line up with my fellow class mates so I got to walk with them. We walked through the college to the gym where the ceremony was being held. All the faculty were around campus applauding and giving their congratulations. When we got to the gym the graduation song was playing and everyone was applauding, it made me feel very proud of myself. Once we all got to our seats we were asked to be seated. Then the president of college starts to speak. She asks graduates to rise if they had honors, I stood up with other gradates, and the audience gave applause. I stood up when she also mentioned if you were a member of the Phi Theta Kappa, and a Work Study student.

A student then sang the National anthem, and the student guest speaker gave his speech which I found very inspiring. Following that, were awards given to teachers. Then by line the graduates stood to receive their degree. I was in the last line to go up to the stage. I handed my card and my name was called with my degree and honors. I shook the presidents hand, she said congratulations and then we turned to get a photo. I walked down the stage and then back to my seat. The president then said to move our tassel to the left indicating that we were graduates, then balloons fell from the ceiling.

We walked out of the gym with the graduation song playing. On the way out all the teachers were hugging us, applauding and congratulating us. We got to the fountain outside where the reception was being held there was cake and punch, I really needed a drink at this point! I hugged all my friends, and waited for Clayton and my parents & uncle in law. Once we got together we took some photos, and then we left to celebrate with dinner.

Throughout the whole ceremony I just felt so proud and happy for myself, I have come so far in my life. I've worked so hard the last few years and I'm so glad it has it's rewards. Yesterday I definitely realised something, I want to go and get my BA not sure when or where but I will be getting it. I'm waiting for my professional photos to be emailed to me, but until then here is a photo that we took after the ceremony of Clayton and me.

I feel so depressed! I didn't get an interview with the company I missed at the career fair, I emailed back no response. Had an interview on Friday for a Web development position which was a freelance web designer. Interview went great, the job was perfect for me but I told everyone I wasn't going to get my hopes up too high. Got an email this morning, saying they have chosen someone else with more Web skills, and that's when I broke down and cried. I was secretly hoping to get this job, I just don't know what to say. The internship I was so exited about nothing came of that, turns out the company isn't in business anymore and that position looks like it was for last year. Each interview I have they say I have great interview and personal skills, it's just I don't have that much experience in the field. I know that, I'm trying to get the experience if people would give me a chance. My other fellow graduate has got a job with a printing company, and has moved away.

What am I doing wrong?? I don't know weather to keep looking, or get a job at a grocery store just to get some money in. This is the first time, since moving here that I feel I haven't got a purpose. Since I've moved it's been one ordeal after another, the wedding visa, work, school. Now that I've got my degree I just don't know what to do next.

I just feel so mad with myself right now. Tonight I had a career fair there wasn't very many Graphic Design companies I spoke to 2 and gave my resume, they weren't looking but would keep me in mind. Didn't visit with any other companies as they were more into the high tech computer world, Clayton told me to go visit but I said nothing would come of it. Came home and I went onto the job site, and there it was... an Entry level position for a graphic designer with one of the companies I didn't visit with from the job fair. I felt like crying, I'm so mad with myself why didn't I visit with everyone there, I could have had an in!! I have send my resume to the company and my portfolio site so we'll see what happens. I just really needed to vent. I'm an idiot!!

Monday morning came and went and so did my new job. I got to the job with an undecided mind, but I thought I'd give it a chance. However the hours of the type-setting job was just not in my favor. They wanted 6am-2:30pm and there are no buses that early in the morning, it's not really fair on Clayton to take me seeming he works nights. Anyways they ended up putting me in book binding and I was there for an hour and just said no I couldn't handle it. That job wasn't for me, I felt like a factory worker. I talked to the HR lady and she was really nice and understanding about my situation, and let me go. She said give it some time and you'll get something you'll really enjoy. I got home and went straight on the computer to find some more jobs, I then stumbled onto a local company. They have a part time Graphic Design internship, so I applied and I'm waiting a response. I'm so hoping I get an interview, this would be so perfect as it's really close by to where we live. Let's just hope!!

A new blog layout and a new chapter to my life. I've done a lot of soul searching since I graduated from college. I've been having trouble finding a job that fits my qualifications, had a few interviews but nothing came of them. Then last week I went to a local company for an interview and I got the job. I know your all saying congratulations, but it's not even to do with my degree. It's a Typesetter position nothing to do with graphic design or web design. The job is only seasonal, and the money isn't that bad. However, I just feel like I've wasted the last 2 years getting my degree and I'm not even using my talents. Many people I know are saying that I should still do the job, "you never know who you might meet" and I will go for the job not because I want too but because we could use the money. It would be great if I could find a junior graphic design job where I live, but that is highly unlikely. A lot of the jobs are in the big city and even then they are requiring a BA and 3-5yrs experience. But how can you get the experience if no one will hire you?? I have been thinking of getting my BA online like Clayton is, but we just don't want to be stuck with two student loans. I start my new job Monday not looking forward to it, maybe the scheduling won't work and I'll have to look for something else.

My graduation ceremony is June 13th, I have to buy my cap and gown. I'm looking forward to that, just wish I knew that my hard work would have paid off.

In other news I'm trying to lose weight and get fit, I've been working out with Leslie Sansone Walk Away the Pounds. I've been doing really good lost 8lbs and I feel much better in myself.

Well I did it, I finally made it through 2 years of college. I finished my last quarter last Wednesday I graduate with an Associates in Visual communications - web interactive media/graphic design. I might get my BA online after Clayton's done and settled in a job, that pays pretty well. Right now I'm hoping I can find something that'll suit my needs for about a year, until Clayton graduates and is ready to move. I'm looking forward to the future.

So right now, I'm enjoying my freedom before I get a job. I've applied for a few places but you know how it goes just have to wait and see. I'm enjoying our new furniture, we had a big tax refund and decided to remodel our living room, we bought a new microfiber recliner sofa and loveseat and some nice new lamps and a computer desk that we bought on craigslist, it was a good deal. Below are some pictures.

Thought I'd write a quick List of what's going on, before Sarah leaves too many messages for me to update!!

• I'm back at college for my last quarter, I'm taking 5 classes to graduate.
  
• I'm busy all week, Monday - Friday!
• I know what your thinking... "She has the weekends"
  
• My weekends are occupied with housework & homework!
• I have so much homework, that I barely have time to have any nookie with my husband.
• I had to cut back on my work hours, so that I had time to breathe.
  
• I was trying to give up caffeine, but failed! I drink more cups now than I ever did.
• Even with all my work I still managed to pull in As for my 1st projects. (Hence the bigger caffeine addiction.)
  
• I haven't even reached midterms yet.
  
• End of quarter is March 21st.
• WTF I then have to go out and find a real job!! When was that part of the deal??