Degree or No Degree?

A few years ago, after just a year of college, my boyfriend told me he was thinking of not going back to school. When I asked what his alternative plan was and he had none, I let him know in the simplest, if harshest, way that I would not date a bricklayer for the rest of my life. After my nerves settled a bit I politely persuaded him to give college a second chance and just get some sort of degree under your belt. You know, as a "just in case" security blanket, even if it's an Associates, just have something. So, after a few discussions and healthy persuasions, he decided to stick with it and go for his degree.

Because of his roller coaster ride decision making process on where to go, what to study, and what sort of degree he wanted to get, it set him back a year on "normal" graduation time. In other words, I graduated in May (2008) and he is rounding out his second to last semester. He really bit the bullet and went for the Bachelors degree. I was happy with his decision, for a while even felt bad for feeling like such a strong influence on making him do something he did not want to. But he still claims to the day that he is really glad he stuck with it. But while I was preaching about the importance of a degree these days, I soon realized upon graduation, oh what little did I really know about the plug and chug of the real world.

College is supposed to prep you for the real world right? So why am I sitting here six months later, with a Bachelors Degree in Communications and Media Studies...and I have yet to put any of that knowledge to use. Want to know why? Sure you do, cause it is the real kicker of this whole ordeal. The sole reason I am having such a hard time finding a full-time job is because I lack experience.

Oh really? I thought that was what those two internships I completed were for? I thought I was gaining experience, along with enjoyment, by being a writer and editor for my school newspaper, the Public Relations Director for the Student Government Association. I thought I was displaying leadership by being captain of the soccer team for two season, not to mention leading a team that won their Conference and advanced to the Division III NCAA Tournament. I thought my solid GPA and my volunteer work showed I was able to be organized and balanced with my busy schedule, while maintaining good studies and a healthy social life.

I think I thought wrong. Or did I? I mean, when did the college degree suddenly become not enough? All of sudden I am sitting here with piles of student loans to pay off, health insurance payments to try and cough up, while also pumping gas in my car and splurging on, not only a cell phone bill, but a few cheap perks for myself here and there because I enjoy a good Starbucks latte from time to time.

I laughed my way through college, thinking I had it made and I was paving a golden road towards immediate success. It's sad but true, we humans expect immediate results or we are not happy. It's been proven in studies, we rely on emotion, we thrive on success and seeing results sooner than later. So I've got this piece of paper hanging on my wall in a beautiful (and expensive) frame that's telling me I completed four years of ... what?

I went in for an interview the other day. I was pretty excited about it because it was entry-level, and seemed like a good opportunity to get my start in the Advertising world. I went into the interview with confidence, a little nervous because after all I am human, but I was also hopeful that this would be my big break. I can sum up the interview real easily for you because it lasted a mere ten minutes - if that. Not a good sign at all. I walked out of that door feeling completely opposite as a did prior to walking in. I knew there was no way I was getting this job. Why sound so glum? Because of one of the very first questions he asked me.

After a few moments of me briefly introducing myself and trying to sum up my life and who I am in about a 30 second window, all the while trying not to bore this man, he asked me about my internships. I piped up at the question and proudly announced (though a slight tinge of annoyance had slipped through my brain at the fact that if he had really read my resume he would know all about my internships) nonetheless I explained the two that I had completed at Star104 and WPXI. After a moments pause from him he asked with a hesitant eye whether I had had any advertising internships.

Well, no. Was all I could muster for a reply. My hopes were shot down quickly but I tried my best to bolster them back up by explaining that that was why I was so interested in this position. Despite the fact that the company seemed like a fun place to work at (seriously - I wasn't just buttering him up) but the position was posted as Entry Level; which I interpret as some or no experience is really required. So why was I sitting at the table suddenly feeling inadequate for the position? Maybe because after my stifled "No" to his question, all the rest of the interview seemed to plummet. He seemed to have no more questions for me while I continued to spit out dozens to him in hopes of saving face and trying to keep his interest in me peaked.

After the interview I drove myself to work - at a little restaurant not far from my home. I mean, I really like the job, but it's not what I went to school for. At least it passes the time and pays the bills for now though. But on my drive to work I was really grinding my thinking gears trying to figure out what I am missing. I have been on at least a dozen interview since the spring time. And all seem to give me the same turn-down answer: "Sorry, we are going to go with somebody with a little more experience than you." Interesting. Did I miss a very large chunk of the puzzle here? Or am I just looking for a job in the complete wrong industry? But it's what I want to do, so what am I supposed to do? Settle for a close but no cigar type gig? Which might I add is what I have already done. I have accepted, for the time being, a part-time job at a local TV station. It's by no means my ideal job but it's something for now.

I try not to complain too much. I am well aware that the economy is absolutely atrocious for the time being. And I am trying to deal with what I have but it gets frustrating. I try to keep calm about it and tell myself that something will come around soon. As a good friend once told me, "It's not our time, it's God's time." Hm, I wonder of they sell a God's-time-watch anywhere?

Steelers stomp the Texans

On a beautiful Sunday afternoon, the Pittsburgh Steelers did what they needed to do. They began their 2008 season with a solid performance, resulting in a victory over the Houston Texans. Coming into the regular season after four sub par preseason games, Pittsburgh needed to do a little revamping. Despite going 3-1 in the preseason, the majority of their points came off of Jeff Reed's toe, kicking a total of eleven field goals out of the four games, including a 50 yarder against the Eagles in the first game.

Despite the fact that many were aware that this was a must win for the Black and Gold, the team out on the field looked much like the Super Bowl champions of two seasons ago. With key players returning this season like safety Troy Polamalu and running back Willie Reed recovering from a broken leg towards the end of last season, the Steelers were able to round off a full roster of strong, healthy players, looking hungry and eager to play. Even nose tackle Casey Hampton, who was put on the physically unable list the first day of preseason because of his weight, was impressive when he stopped the Texas from converting a 4-and-1 to a first down by stuffing QB Matt Schaub. Then again, Hampton does weigh 350 pounds.

Regardless, the Steelers got the ball into Big Ben's hands and let him go to work. After eight plays and 52 yards of hustle, Parker found his way into the end zone for the TD, followed by Reed's extra point to put Pittsburgh up 7-0 in the first quarter.

It was all downhill for the Texans after that. After three quarters of play, Roethlisberger missed only one pass attempt, going 13 of 14 for 137 yards and 2 touchdown tosses. When Ben wasn't busy passing, he was handing it off to Parker who had 25 attempts, racking up 138 yards and three touchdowns.

On the receiving end of Big Ben's gun, Pittsburgh proved they have diversity across the field by completing passes to six different players. Hines Ward brought in six passes totaling 76 yards, not including the 75-yard bomb that was called back for offensive pass interference. Despite that one play, Ward still nabbed two touchdowns to keep tallying the score. Heath Miller had three receptions for 26 yards, Santonio Holmes went two for 19 and both Carey Davis and Matt Spaeth caught a pass totaling 16 yards.

Along with the offense doing well, the defense did not falter at doing their job either. Second-year linebacker LaMarr Woodley proved his position, having a standout game which included an interception, a fumble recovery and a sack, amongst other stellar plays. His size mixed with his agility and speed ought to make for a successful season this year. Also adding to the defense was the much missed Pro Bowler Polamalu who grabbed his first interception in two years, proving that his injuries are no longer impeding his playing skills.

Maybe it was the sunny and warm weather, maybe it was the mere excitement of the start of another football season, maybe it was the few beers that I'd had at the game giving me the buzz of delight I got from watching the Steelers march up and down and all around the Texans. Regardless, Sunday's performance was impressive, hopefully it keeps up throughout the difficult schedule the Black and Gold have ahead of them.

Next week on the 14th, Pittsburgh travels to Cleveland for an 8:15pm kickoff.

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday

Finally, the lulling preseason games are over and the grueling regular season can get underway for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Saying that the Steelers' schedule is difficult this season is like saying water is wet. It's a no brainer to determine that it will be a challenging year. However, they have the opportunity to start off right on Sunday when they take on what you could call an "easier" team than what the rest of the season's opposition is proposing.


Pittsburgh will take on the Houston Texans for the third time in history. Each team claiming a victory on the road. Hopefully the pattern does not stand true for Sunday's game to start at 1 p.m. at Heinz Field. Pittsburgh has yet to lose a home opener since 2000.



Most of the Steelers are finally healthy and in shape for the game. Concerns of Larry Foote have been dismissed as Tomlin has expressed his confidence in his return against the Texans. The greatly missed Troy Polamalu will be back in the lineup to help contribute to the defense. And we are all praying to the sweet Lord above that rookie Rashard Mendenhall's mental stability has recovered after fumbling the football three times in two games.

To add to the line up, C Justin Hartwig finally stole the spotlight from Sean Mahan as Mahan was shipped off to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With Mahan off the roster, the Steelers were able to aquire tight end Sean McHugh from the Detroit Lions.

Under the official title as captain, Big Ben Roethlisberger will look to lead his team to another AFC North Championship. Despite falling short of a strong playoff rally last season, Roethlisberger threw impressive numbers during the season, proving that he is much more of a threat in the air than some may have predicted. Last season alone he threw 32 touchdowns and a total of 3,154 yards. He also managed to cut his interceptions in half from 23 in 2006 to 11 in 2007. Add all of those numbers up and you get an impressive 104.1 quaterback rating, falling just under Tom Brady.

You can also expect to see a lot more out of second year linebackers LaMarr Woodley and Lawrence Timmons this season. The biggest hole that has most likely left the most question marks is whether or not the shoes of guard Alan Faneca can be filled. Chris Kemoeatu is most likely to be the one to come closest to taking on the challenge.

With the second half of the 2007 season proving to be less than subpar, the Steelers have a chance to start off the 2008 season with a clean slate and with a solid victory over the Texans. Game time is set to kick-off at 1 p.m. We can only hope Jeff Reed won't be the only point scorer for this game.

Let's Go Bucs!

I realized last Friday, as I was sitting there enjoying the Bucco game at PNC Park with my family, that the only true point to doing "The Wave" at a baseball game is merely an indirect form of the crowd expressing their complete and utter boredom and disinterest in what is going on in the game at that point.

It started off a little weak at first, late in the top of the 8th inning when fans began to realize in between yawns that the score was still 0-0 and hopes of anyone scoring anytime soon were looking slim to grim.

Then, from a far off corner along the 3rd base line we saw a glimmer of hope in shaking off the sleepers about to form in our eyes, the slightest hint of The Wave was forming. Yes, some calisthenic entertainment was about to come my way. This was even better than the seventh inning stretch. I got to stand up and sit down while flapping my arms gracefully through the air countless times and then got to sit down and watch the effects of it swirl around me like a funnel cloud before it made its way back to where it was my turn again to take part in the oh-so-strange, yet oh-so-entertaining tradition.

For a second there, I had my own "wave" of nostalgia wash over me when I began flapping my arms for the second time as if I were auditioning for a part in Angels In The Outfield. And for another second I almost found it a reasonable gesture to be flapping my arms as if calling for angels to come save the Pittsburgh Pirates from yet another horrendously embarrassing season. (Don't get me wrong, still love you guys and will keep going to the games.)

Not only does The Wave give me the opportunity to stretch my cramping legs, but it also gives me the chance to exercise my vocal cords a bit. Since Lord knows the last few innings have been so dull that I have only muttered a few words to a family member to the left or right of me, when the wave comes curling my way, this means I get to also make that little "Woooo" noise that the rest of my seating section chimes in with me.

It's typically a shame when The Wave dies down, there are usually a few dedicated souls, God bless them all, who try and savor the last few bits that are left and continue to do it for at least five more extra rounds than need-be. But hey, whatever it takes sports fans, keep on waving.

We will always have Italy.

I am still there. Mentally, metaphorically, theoretically; but not literally. It didn't take long to fall in love with. It was easy to part with because I had to. But now, sitting back at home, in the states, all I can think about is that place.

Italy. People ask me how my trip was and I respond with an enumeration of typical words like fun, amazing and awesome. But they cannot do it justice. I took hundreds of pictures. Some of my friends took thousands. And even they will not do it justice.

Its authenticity almost gives you a feeling as if you have landed not just in another country, but on another planet. It puts America to shame when you take the time to realize how wasteful our economy is while you walk through the ruins of when Caesar reined, or step foot into the church built atop where Peter was believed to be crucified.

It also reminds you of how economically savvy they are when you see women in stiletto heals, decked out in a business suit, weaving in and out of traffic on a moped on their way to work with their briefcase strapped to the back. Or the endless row of Smart cars lined up along the streets you walk through that look like a riding tractor would barely fit driving through.

You look at churches (or duomos, as they call them in Italy) that took 600 years to build in the 14th century with little to no technological assistance. Today, because of technology, we can build things and blow them up quicker than it takes me to type this post. There is no such thing as artifacts unless its a dinosaur bone uncovered in the desert, and our definition of antiques are the silver spoons and oil lamps handed down to us from our grandparents, which eventually find there way to a storage bin in the attic until a garage sale takes place.

The pace of life they choose to set is relaxed enough to enjoy lunch and your glass of wine while looking out over the country side; yet it is still fast enough to get things done and make a living somehow, someway.

I can't even remember what I had for lunch yesterday.

Wine is a delicacy. It is their pride and joy. Red wine with lunch and dinner. White wine with cookies...at least that is what they say. I am more of a white wine drinker myself so I indulged in about 20 bottles of Pinot Grigio throughout the week for breakfast, lunch, dinner, with cookies or with friends.

We drove through the country side, between the mountains and the ocean, and squeezed down small alley-ways to get from one place to the next. We walked, and walked and walked and walked.... No wonder they can eat all those carbs and still remain thin. We rode on a boat across Lake Como, shopped all day in Milan, bought leather in Florence, wine in Tuscany and souvenirs everywhere we went. Oh, yeah, and we did play a little soccer here and there.