It is time to check in once again with recent graduate Abbey Lee, who earlier in the semester agreed to write two posts for us here on the blog chronicling her job search. Abbey’s search has taken an interesting turn, as you will read. Here is Abbey’s Chapter 2:
Recent graduate Abbey Lee
“A Summer with Penny
Sometimes the best plans are the ones never made.
I had it all planned out.
After graduation I would move to Breckenridge, Colorado to live with my very best friend from Semester at Sea who was given the opportunity to become caretaker of a beautiful mansion just outside the tiny little ski town. We would find fun bartending gigs at the golf course to save up money for future travels, all the while using our free time to really discover where and in what capacity our lives would eventually flourish.
But plans change. They can change in an instant, and by now, I believe those individuals that face and accept change with the least amount of resistance can be just as happy.
My job hunt came to an immediate halt after just one simple realization. I had just finished talking to my mother about summer plans. She told me she would be moving her 86 year old mother, my grandma, from Cleveland, OH to live with us in Sonoma Valley… indefinitely. Grandma Penny is a little spitfire of a woman, full of vitality and spirit, never afraid to drop an f-bomb. However, her physical capabilities have severely diminished over the course of her full and happy life, requiring very special care.
Right after that conversation with my mother, I knew I would be moving home to Sonoma for the summer. I knew I couldn’t just take off like I’d originally planned, knowing full well that my parents would need the extra help. With two parents working full time, it wouldn’t make sense for them to hire outside help, or put Grandma Penny in an assisted living facility, when I am perfectly capable of providing such support. Now, I’m no saint, I’m not sharing this information as a way to glorify my situation or even to justify a move back to my hometown. This was a simple decision on my part. Family comes first. My presence was needed elsewhere.
Plus, as a fun sort of bonus, I randomly ran into an old director from eighth grade, my first night home. Turned out he was looking for one more cast member of Sonoma Valley’s production of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show”… Rehearsals have been fantastic and we open in less than two weeks!
Grandma Penny is just a little confused every now and then, and she wonders how she got here, as I’m sure she’s blocked the 6 hour, CLE to SFO plane ride from her memory, but everyday she’s getting stronger and every day she helps me appreciate my youth, my family and my home.
So for now, the job hunt is off, but that doesn’t mean I’ve stopped thinking about my future or stopped cultivating relationships and resources. I keep up my LinkedIn profile and occasionally check Craigslist to see which jobs I could potentially see myself enjoying. I’d like to admit that I’m truly content right now, and actually I’m even happy with life and my situation. Even though I’m not living in San Francisco with a job, an apartment and the coveted social life of a young professional, I wouldn’t trade this life for anything. No one can take away my experiences at USF that have truly prepared me for whatever life may bring, whether that be an awesome fun job at a new start-up, or a fantastic summer with Grandma Penny.”
Thanks, Abbey, for sharing your update! Congratulations on your graduation and enjoy your summer with Grandma Penny!
Abbey – Thanks for sharing your chronicle and I hope you are able to find wonderful moments to cherish with your grandma! The one good thing about work is that it will always be there waiting for you for the rest of your life! Glad you found some acting work too!