Decisions, Decisions...

High of 97. Heat Index feels like 110. Awesome. Working at the beach during this hot summer has not been a breeze (ha), but today of all days, I was able to secure myself a day off. Thank God. Today may have been the day that I finally fainted at work (my second biggest work fear. My first is being saved from drowning by the lifeguards). During these heat waves (I feel like there have been ten already…or is it just one continuous wave with a few 80-degree days thrown in there?), plenty of vitamin waters have been provided, ice has been used to cool down body temperatures, and gallons of water have been added to the water cooler, and yet, I’m still grateful that I have a day off. The heat and I are not friends. I want nothing more than for fall to start showing its colors. Summer no longer consists of childhood make believe, water parks, and pool parties. Instead, Summer is hot, and we need to work – It can be over now.

I made a decision today on my day off to not leave the house. There is plenty I can be doing here. I still have yet to secure a “real” job. My summer employment ends in a little over a month, and I have nothing lined up. It’s a scary thought to think I could potentially be unemployed in the beginning of the fall (or longer!). I have plans that need to start occurring. I need (it’s no longer just a simple desire) to move to New York, and I need a job for that to happen. Or do I? I’ve been reading a lot lately about New York success stories. I just finished Kelly Cutrone’s book “If You Have to Cry, Go Outside: And Other Things Your Mother Never Told You.” It was eye opening in so many ways, but the number one thing Kelly taught me is that if you want something, go for it. Kelly moved to New York with two thousand bucks in her pocket and a car filled with clothes. She went on to become one of the biggest names in fashion P.R. Now, I’m well aware that life is not always fair, and stories such as Kelly’s are rare, but if I’m going to work in New York, and try to move my way up through the corporate chain, shouldn’t I be living in New York, not Pt. Pleasant, NJ?

Obviously, this still means I need to sign on the dotted line to begin work at that first job, but so many entry-level positions require that you be at work till the late, late hours. My parents have done the dreaded commute from my town to New York for years, but I think it takes a special person to travel all those hours throughout the week. I’m not searching for a 9-5 job. I know the positions I’m looking at will want me there at 8am, and I won’t be seeing the end of my day till 8, 9 or even 10 pm. That’s the life of an assistant, and I’m willing to put in my time for the reward of being promoted. How am I to do all that and live at the Jersey Shore? I also feel searching for jobs could potentially be easier living in NY. When employers know you are close enough to travel to work/interviews on a moment’s notice, is your chance of being hired greater? I guess I’m searching for advice from my readers once again. Do I start communicating with family friends and relatives who live in the city/ searching roommate websites to see what’s available to me, or do I wait it out and move to the city come winter after I’ve saved some money. I’m feeling risky because life is all about taking chances, but what do you all think?

PS To all my east coast readers…keep cool today!