I graduated about 2 and a half months ago and so far the only firm thing I can tell you about the “real world” is that you will hear the following question more than enough to last a lifetime: “what’s next?”

If you’re me, you don’t really have an answer.  Although depending on whom I’m talking to I sometimes like to make up answers: “I’m going to be a professional moocher,” “I’m going to put my belongings in a handkerchief tied to a stick and the riiiide the rails*,” “I’m half of an aspiring hip hop duo,” (Okay, so that last one is actually kind of true).  But, for the most part, I answer with a truthful “I’m not really sure, I’m just at home looking for a job.”  The subtext all of this of course being, “Do YOU have a job for me???”

Instead of what I want to hear, (something along the lines of: “You don’t have a job yet?  Someone as talented and intelligent and beautiful as you must surely be employed!  I happen to have the perfect one for you!”) it seems that without fail I will hear something about the tanking economy and about how it’s a rough time to be looking for a job.  Great.  But I must admit that while this is not the most encouraging thing an unemployed recent graduate can hear, at least I have an excuse for not having a job other than my so far lacksidasical approach to my search!

So by now you’re probably thinking that I should stop making jokes because it’s really starting to sound like I’m actually half way to being a railway hobo.  In reality, by the good graces of my wonderful parents, I’m living at home and not in a boxcar.  I’ve been keeping busy, too.  In general I’ve been trying to enjoy what people have been calling my “last summer,” spending time with friends from home who are soon leaving to start their own jobs and friends traveling through the Bay Area.  I’m also reading for fun, which is something I could only dream about in my extra-long twin bed at school.  I’ve finished about a dozen books so far and it feels so good!  And since I don’t have to pay rent just yet (though my mom likes to remind me that it could start any day now…) and there is a six-month grace period for student loans (yikes!), I earn my spending money working a few hours a week doing paperwork and running errands for a real estate agent.  But with the threat of rent payments and the now four-month gap between my bank account and student loans closing in, I can feel the “real world” calling me.  I hope you will join me on my journey forth, and who knows?  Anyone know of a website called theidealjobforheather.com?!  A girl can dream =).

*Courtesy of B.F.