Grey's Anatomy Season Premiere... With a Twist

**Huge Spoiler Alert**

"Grey's Anatomy" || Courtesy of boomtron.com

Fans of "Grey's Anatomy" were finally able to stop holding their breath on Thursday night. After four months of anticipation, viewers were finally able to... um, be disappointed.

Catch up on the finale of season 8 here, but if you already know about the devastating plane crash that took place in the woods, then chances are you were shocked with the twist of events that took place in just the first few minutes. "Going, Going, Gone" wasn't meant to an ordinary premiere. Not only did the Shonda Rhimes circumvent the core details of the crash, but she left viewers frustrated throughout, as scenes jumped from the present to the past and right back again.

Now, don't get me wrong... Rhimes' writing was genius. As annoyed as I was during the first several minutes, I can definitely respect her style of script writing. She threw everyone off. We all expected her to take us back to the site of the crash and we expected her to reveal to us who survives, but she instead brought viewers to Seattle Grace, looking as normal as ever.

"Dying changes everything" are the chilling words of Meredith's narration at the start of the program. New faces emerge and viewers can see that they are brand new interns eager to learn the ropes. Dr. Jo Wilson is apparently afraid of Meredith (known as "Medusa" by the newbies) and when she approaches her, Meredith's tone is sharp and she then dismisses her. Bailey is evidently amused, and asks how Cristina is doing. According to Meredith, she loves Minnesota.

Viewers then see Cristina heading outside of the hospital in Minnesota. She speaks with her Attending, Dr. Parker, and realizes that he wants to change her schedule, due to Dr. Thomas' request.

Meanwhile, back in Seattle, Derek is exercising his left hand--the same hand that he had to smash with a rock, in order to free himself from the rubble of the plane. Webber checks in on him and lets him know that they're all set for 5 o'clock.

As Bailey is doing her rounds with the interns, Ben interrupts and she fails miserably at hiding her bliss, as the interns watch her. With limited time on their hands, she and Ben head straight for the on-call room, but discover the door is locked and occupied by Alex and Heather.

Callie and Derek || Courtesy of tvline.com

As people walk by Callie in the hospital, she insists she is fine, when she catches them staring at her. Viewers can only wonder in horror what became of her wife, Arizona. Derek feels like he is ready to perform a surgery that day and is willing to join her. Callie says it's a big deal, but he repeats that it's not. Even though Callie had already cleared him for surgery, Meredith doesn't think he is ready; yet, Derek said he feels good and he needs to do this, "especially today."

It's 7 hours until 5 o'clock and Callie is seen by Marks' bedside, speaking to him, but we discover that he is on life support. The plan is to grant his wishes and disconnect him if there is no signs of recovery after 30 days.

1994 appears on the screen and a video of Derek and Mark is shown. They are in their black tuxedos preparing for Derek's wedding with Addison. "You will never, ever find another friend as good as me, ever," Mark tells Derek.

Time moves forward to 2007 and a video shows Mark and Callie about to get intimate, right before Callie throws a pillow at the camera.

In the present, Cristina sees how Dr. Parker's OR differs from what she is used to, when she walks in with a question and all surgeons cease their procedure and give her their full attention. There is no multitasking done in there. She doesn't want to have to perform surgery with Dr. Thomas, the "big talker." Cristina and Meredith talk via video chat and Meredith finds out Cristina's flight to Seattle was pushed back, so that she can conduct a surgery. Meredith can only hope that her friend makes it to Seattle Grace by 5 like she said she would. Owen overhears this and of course, his expression is that of interest but pretty hard to read.

During lunch, Jo tells her fellow interns that she'll never see the inside of an OR as long as "Medusa" is her attending; but just as she says this, Meredith walks over to the table and announces that Jo will be performing an appy.

When Dr. Barnett (the new Peds Attending) is introduced to Callie, he says that he heard about her wife and that he is very sorry. Callie later breaks down in the supply closet and at that point, viewers can only assume that Arizona succumbed to her injures in the plane crash. Why else would she be sobbing like this, right? Anyway, Alex and his frisky self comes in with an intern, but soon realized Callie's presence. Despite Callie demanding that he leave, Alex shut the door and silently sat on the floor.

A 2010 video shows Mark conducting a surgery. It's a video in which he's speaking to Avery who's holding the camera and showing him a procedure. He then tells him to scrub in and finish up--which Avery is happy to do. In the present, Jackson is by Mark's bedside talking to him about patients. He speaks to him as though Mark is responding to him.

Back in Minnesota, Cristina is watching a surgery while web chatting with Meredith. She tells her that she won't make it by 5, and has no problem voicing her thoughts that Dr. Thomas needs to retire.

Miranda and Ben || Courtesy of watchtv-showsmoviesonline.com

Miranda and Ben are getting comfortable in the on-call room, and even has her intern slip her a scan under the door. After hearing soft chattering and giggling in the hall, Bailey opens the door to find several interns scattering in different directions. As Alex and Barnett chat, he finds out that he is not continuing with the exchange program, and so this gives us an idea that his John Hopkins plans might change.

Derek is greeted with an applause as he enters the OR and everyone waits for him to declare his renowned introductory phrase: "It's a beautiful day to save lives." During surgery, Derek drops his surgical tool and he immediately flexes his hand. Callie calmly instructs him to take a second, but he walks away from the table. He later states angrily that his hand went numb.

In the present, Meredith is instructing Jo in her first surgery and the interns are watching from the window above, making comments they didn't know were audible at first. Jo freezes when the patient begins to bleed out, and so Meredith quickly takes over. In the Midwest, Dr. Thomas tries to take Cristina's surgery, but she definitely was not about to have that happen.

2009 flashes on the screen and viewers see a video of Mark talking to the camera and congratulating Arizona and Callie on their marriage. "If you had a partner who would it be?" the camera man asks. "Oh, that's easy," Marks said. "Lexie Gray."

Avery goes back in Mark's room and speaks to him one last time. "Plastic Plastic posse's gonna live on," he says. "Because... I can take it from here," and he tries to keep it together as he leaves, but it's obviously hard for him to deal with this.

Although they were well aware of the procedures, Dr. Webber still explained what he was about to do to Derek and Callie, because as much as they thought it would be easy, Webber assured that it wouldn't be. Evidently, Mark's final requests were that only comfort care be given to him in his final moments, and so Dr. Webber finally turned the ventilator off and then extubated him, as Callie and Derek stayed by his side.

In Minnesota, Cristina is in the middle of surgery and she watches the clock strike 5 o'clock. Meredith is in the middle of her own surgery and she sees the clock as well. Later, Meredith says that she's going to the airport and will be visiting Cristina.

Chief Owen Hunt || Courtesy of buddytv.com

Owen finds Jo crying in the hallway and she asks why Dr. Grey is mean. Owen let her know that the surgery was purposely designed for her to fail. She brings up the plane crash as a possible reason for Meredith being the way she is, yet, obviously has no details of the situation. Owen defends Meredith saying that going easy on her would be a disservice and ultimately tells her to cry somewhere else.

Cristina meets with Dr. Parker in his office and requests the Thomas be steered in someone else's direction. Parker doesn't think she is thriving and reminds her that this is not a competition. He gives her a mandatory leave for a while, telling her to "sharpen up those sharp Seattle edges"--in other words: Relax.

Miranda finds out that her nickname is no longer "Nazi" but, BCB (Booty Call Bailey). She thanks Alex for letting her know before he leaves Seattle Grace "forever."

Meredith reaches the airport and bumps into Alex for is headed for John Hopkins, and she gets mad at him for leaving. "Everything is different. Everyone leaving and everyone is dying," she tells him. He doesn't care, because he knows Hopkins won't wait forever. We then see Owen at the airport as well, bumping into Alex and then running to show his ticket and catch his plane.

Why Mark? Why? || 
Courtesy of abc24.com

We see Derek and Callie by Mark's side, as the monitor shows his vitals weakening. He ultimately died and both are distraught. A clip of Mark holding Sofia is shown. Mark Sloan fans may have been in tears at this point.

Meredith is seen seated on the aircraft, but gets up and makes a scene demanding that she be let off the plane. Later, at the bar, she chats with Cristina on Skype and even Cristina admits her own fear of flying. Alex shows up at the bar and sits next to Meredith--he couldn't go either. Alex mentions bumping into Own at the airport and everyone believes that he's on his way to see Cristina.

Owen finds himself on a farm and out of a barn emerges April Kepner. She is shocked to see him and is surprised to know that he is there to rehire her. The next scene is quite a shocking one, because we see Callie talking to a woman in bed, whose back is turned. It's none other than Arizona! Callie is clearly upset and frustrated and demands that she get out of bed and snap out of this. Arizona looks angry and tells her that she can't "snap out of this" as she pulls back the covers revealing her amputated leg that she blames Callie for.

Dr. Mark Sloan || Courtesy of sheknows.com

The final scene shows a happy moment between Arizona, Mark and Callie. Arizona holds the camera and tries to take a photo of Callie, Mark and the baby, but the camera continues recording. Mark takes the camera from her and points it at himself, happily says that hes's got it, and ultimately snaps a picture of himself--all smiles.

R.I.P. Mark Sloan 1968-2012 is on the screen and by this scene, the Mark Sloan fans have either emptied their tissue boxes or have officially ceased watching Grey's Anatomy for good. 

Again, kudos to Shonda Rhimes for being so bold! But come on, Mark? He was favored by so many! And the fact that the next episode is continuing where the season finale left off, is just so... backwards! Either way, fans have been anticipating this upcoming episode in particular because we still need to know how they got out of that intense situation.


It's been a long journey for Grey's so far, and Season 9 doesn't seem to be holding back!

What Now?: Options to Consider During Post-Grad Life

The nights are getting chillier, the swimming gear is being packed away, and the school bells across the country are being rung--which means: Summer is pretty much over.

As lovely as being a college graduate is, the feeling of being out of school is a weird one. Whether you loved academia or hated it, one thing's for sure, once you've entered into post-grad life and the energy of summer has dwindled... it gets you thinking about a lot of stuff. Many graduates have just started getting adjusted to their new Grad School, others are still job hunting, and some are still inquiring: What Now?

If you're in the What Now? box, there's a lot of options to consider before getting too stressed out:


Get a Job Experience
Getting a job is a no brainer to a lot of, if not all, college graduates. Isn't one of the reasons why you worked so hard to obtain your college degree, to establish yourself successfully in the professional world, giving yourself more of an advantage in the job market?

The word "Job" sounds soooo dry and 9 to 5; but "CAREER" is so much more vivacious and professional. Your goal should be to gain experience so that your skills will be molded to fit your prospective career choice. Sure, getting a paycheck is important, but the right job that provides you with the experience and new skills you need, will be most beneficial.


Further your Education
Don't be afraid to go back to school. Never assume that you're too "dumb," too "old," or too "busy" to further your education. Although there's no reason to rush into Grad School right after your Undergrad career, there's also no reason why you shouldn't consider going back to school to obtain another degree.

It's ok to take a break from school, however, once that brief break is over, you've got to be back on your game and look into the Graduate schools that interest you. Apply to those schools and apply to the many scholarships available. If you can't commit to a full-time degree, consider going to school part-time in order to make room for an employment position you may already have or are making room for.


Get an Internship
Yes, you read that correctly. This goes hand-in-hand with my first suggestion--get experience. Internships are not only for [college] students; it's meant to provide minds, that yearn for knowledge, with the experience they need to be successful in whatever career the internship is geared towards. Now here comes the hard part: If you've graduated and are still job hunting, whether it is paid or unpaid, an Internship is a GOOD IDEA. The "I can't afford to accept an unpaid internship" mindset needs to be combated with the "I can't afford not to have an internship that will help push me in the right direction."

Think about it, would you rather be a prospective journalist with an unpaid/low paying intern position at the NY Times, MSNBC or other renowned company OR continue to restrict your job search, locking yourself in a box of little growth.


Continue Learning
You may be finished with academia, but don't stop learning! Read books that will enrich your life... Download iTunes U and listen to some real class lectures... and pick up the newspaper or tune in to CNN for once to stay informed.

Mid-way through the summer, I purchased a book called "101 Tips for Graduates: A Code of Conduct for Success and Happiness in your Professional Life" (Revised Edition) and not only have I been recommending this book to almost every grad I know, but I learned quite a few things... one of them being this: "Your degree is an accomplishment. It doesn't entitle you to anything. The effort you put forth and the attitude that you approach your work and others with can either help you or hurt you... as you enter the work world."

Take a moment to let that marinate... Powerful, isn't it? It's very true, and makes so much sense when you think about it.

This book (which I picked up in the Business section of Barnes & Noble) focuses on Work Skills, Communication Skills, Leadership Skills, Social Skills, Self-Discipline and demonstrating a positive attitude: areas in which all grads should be learning more about.


Be Productive
Waking up at 2 in the afternoon, making a hearty breakfast and starting your job search at 3:30 is nowhere near productivity. If you're out of school and currently job hunting, try making a schedule. You've had to deal with class schedules all your life practically, so maybe a schedule is just what you need to maintain productiveness as a post-grad.

Plan ahead what you'd like to accomplish in the upcoming week. Even if you have to write down a time and a task, and repeat until you reach your bed time, then so be it! Start early, so you can get the most out of the day. Wake up ready to work, even if you don't necessarily have a job to go to. Wake up ready to build networks. Wake up determined to find experience/a job. Most importantly, wake up with an optimistic mindset, everyday.

*

If you're still in college, well then you still have some time before the post-Grad life. Be sure to check out my post "What every College Student Should Do Before Entering the 'Real World'"

"Switched at Birth" Premiere Recap

After about five months of patience, one of my favorite TV shows (there aren't many) finally returned to ABC Family with brand new shows. The fall premiere of "Switched at Birth" was an hour long long episode that I enjoyed with a small bowl of Kettle Corn.

Spoiler Alert: If you haven't watched Monday night's episode of "Switched at Birth," then there is no need to read any further just yet...

Courtesy of  hollywood.com

This is the Color of My Dreams is the title of the premiere episode, and Regina (Constance Marie) is seen walking down the aisle in a wedding gown. Everyone is visibly filled with bliss, except, Adrianna (Ivonne Coll), of course. She shakes her head in disappointment as her daughter gets ready to take Angelo's (Gilles Marani) hand in marriage. We find out that Regina's new fling is the priest and he asks her "Why are you doing this?" Regina is awoken from her slumber by her alarm clock and it's evident that it was all a dream. Obviously, she was thinking back to what John (D.W. Moffett) told her in the last episode, that the only way to avoid Angelo's possible deportation is if he were to marry a U.S. citizen.

Bay and her new boyfriend || Courtesy of  funny-videos.eu

We then see Daphne (Katie Leclerc) and Toby (Lucas Grabeel) swimming laps in their pool, just as Bay (Vanessa Marano) returns home from an Enrichment Program in the Galapagos Islands and surprises the family with a guest--her new boyfriend, Alex. It seemed to me like an obvious rebound, considering Bay's recent heartbreak, after discovering that her deaf boyfriend, Emmett, regrettably cheated on her with Simone. Nonetheless, Bay seems to have moved on and doesn't want to think about Emmett at the moment. She went as far as to tossing a note from him (delivered by Daphne) on the top shelf of her closet, out of sight.

Meanwhile, both Kathryn (Lea Thompson) and her husband, John, are getting adjusted to her new-found fame, thanks to her newly released book, "Switched at Birth," which details the complicated lives of both the Kennish and Vasquez family and their amazing journey. Alex is still trying to catch up with all the details of Bay's interesting life, and skims through her mother's book, during her Book Party. He stumbles across Emmett's name and dashing description and Bay quickly retrieves the book, storming into the house asking her mother why he was even mentioned. Kathryn made a great point stating, "Emmett's apart of our story; I'm sorry, I can't erase that."

Regina later learns that her new fling isn't a fan of marriage, but he sees her as apart of his life it seems. She later visits Angelo in prison and hopes just as much as he does that he is not deported, due to past mistakes. As the court date approaches, he beats himself up for messing everything up and wishes more than anything to finally have a father-daughter relationship with Bay.

Daphne and the Chef || Courtesy of welovesoaps.net

In the world of Daphne, viewers see just difficult it is for her to have a successful job interview once the interviewer discovers she is deaf. She went on 12 interviews and Daphne ultimately felt defeated. However, she followed Toby's advice and asked Kathryn for help, since she had connections. The next thing we know, Daphne goes in for what she thought was an interview at a restaurant called MAIZE, but is instantly hired by the stern Chef Jeff Reycraft.

Meanwhile, Bay decides to open Emmett's note and realizes it's a map. She hops in her baby blue jeep and follows his drawings, until she reaches a lot. On a white wall, she sees a pair of hand-drawn female eyes and male eyes looking at each other with the words "First meet June 2011" underneath. She walks along the side of the wall and is welcomed by more art/words with each step: "First kiss" ... "First birthday surprise" ... "First 'I Love You'" ... "Emmett makes a mistake" ... "Bay Forgives Emmett" ... and finally, "Bay and Emmett Forever."

Daphne is excited about her brand new position, and is thrilled to be in the kitchen doing what she loves. However, on her second day, we witness the difficulties that Daphne's deafness brings to the kitchen. After misunderstanding a spoken ingredient and making a mess after bumping into a chef behind her carrying a tray load of food (who loudly stated his presence), Chef Reycraft demanded that she leave the kitchen.
The next day, Daphne is back in the kitchen and what the chef says to her is a clear sign of ignorance and idiocy on his part. Not only did he insult Daphne's capability of doing anything as a deaf person, but he demoted her to Dishwasher, deeming her unsafe, stating that she couldn't do much damage washing dishes.

Kathryn's popularity is at its peak and this means: meetings, book signings, phone calls, emails, and late hours. John is obviously getting tired of it and didn't realize that his wife would be so busy with little time to be with him and the rest of the family. "This isn't the end, this is the beginning" were words that he may not have wanted to hear from Kathyrn, but he's not willing to give up and says calmly, "I'll get there".

While on a date with Alex, Bay struggles to explain her life, but gives up and changes the subject. It was obviously easier to discuss things with someone who had lived through the events with her. Throughout the entire date she is evidently distracted by thoughts of Emmett and eventually is honest with Alex about how she feels. She clearly hates being hung up on Emmett still.

In the next scene, Daphne feels pigeonholed and feels like everyone in the world won't give the deaf/hard of hearing a real chance at careers. Back at MAIZE, Kathryn stops by the restaurant and is angered by the chef's injustice towards her biological daughter, wanting to speak with him personally. Daphne stops her immediately and tells her to go home, leaving Kathryn at a loss. Later on, at home, Daphne explains to Kathryn that she's used to handling things on her own. With tears in her eyes, Kathryn admits to wanting to protect her, even though she had only been her "mother" for a few months.

Emmett and Bay || Courtesy of  theangstreport.blogspot.com

Meanwhile, Bay and Emmett meet up and tears fill Bay's eyes as she explains her hurt to an apologetic Emmett. Bay said that he ripped the fabric apart and he can't just tape it back together with words. Emmett's response was that he will wait until he figures out how he can. Bay drives away leaving Emmett standing alone in the night.

Daphne returns to MAIZE and takes initiative by installing a mirror overhead, so she can know who is behind her more quickly. The chef approves nonchalantly and viewers can assume that things in the kitchen will be OK for Daphne after all.

In court, the judge brings up points that seem to side with Angelo and the possibility of his release; however, the fact that he overstayed his visa and that the court cannot ignore the pattern of law-breaking, the judge granted the government's petition for his removal and his return to Italy within 48 hours. A distraught Bay is too much for Regina to handle, and knowing she didn't do everything she could for her biological daughter to have her father in her life, led her to run back into the court house. Next, we see Regina and Angelo in the  Municipal Court room, standing in front of a man who ultimately pronounces them man and wife.

*

So, many viewers think that we are now in season 2 of "Switched at Birth," but we're actually still in season 1. The second season is set to premiere in Winter of 2013, but for now, there are nine episodes left in this unique family drama. I can't wait!

My Career Fair Experience... and some tips

Last week I attended a career fair (my first one actually). I planned that I'd do everything right. I arrived a half hour early, wore the proper attire, and had an optimistic mindset.

Well, to my surprise, there was already a line of over 40 (maybe even 50) people that formed outside the building, not everyone wore business attire (I glimpsed some sneakers and jeans here and there), and not everyone was as positive as I thought one might as well be (two guys behind me were discussing their failed attempts at obtaining a job and how difficult the job market is and how they were called in to interviews, yet received no follow-up and blah, blah... you get the picture).

There were a lot of things that caught my attention while I was on the line and while I was inside the building.

A Career Fair || Courtesy of flickr.com

So, before you nose dive into a job or career fair, how about using the following guidelines as your floaties?


Arrive early
You won't be the only person who has this idea in mind. The lady who stood behind me was all the way from New Jersey and I'm sure there were other non-New Yorkers waiting on line with me. Although the career fair was from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and no one is required to be there promptly at 11 a.m., depending on how spacious the indoor venue is, chances are entry will be done in groups. So, the earlier you arrive, the less likely you are to be in a line that wraps around the block (something I was able to avoid).


Eat breakfast

Courtesy of flickr.com

It was a pretty hot day and standing on that line for what I knew would be a half hour or more wasn't easy. I saw a young woman in line, sitting off to the side on the concrete, in some shade and hadn't paid much attention to her until the line started to inch forward. She got up unsteadily to rejoin the line and asked the man and woman in front of me for a drink of their water. The couple exchanged glances and the woman hesitantly offered the lady the water bottle she was sharing with her beau. After the lady brought the spout directly to her lips, the woman told her to keep it and the man asked if she was ok. At that point, I realized how pale she looked, as if she was about to faint at any second. The woman who offered her the drink helped her to the front of the line and returned several moments later solo. Apparently by the time they reached the front to talk to security about her condition, the lady could barely stand up on her own.

I'm not sure what that lady's situation was, but generally speaking, heat mixed with hunger isn't a very nice combination. Prepare a light breakfast before you leave the house, because you just never know how long you may have to wait before you eat a decent meal. It could leave you weak, or irritable and you want to be as alert as possible once you arrive inside.


Be prepared... really
So many people think that they're prepared, but in actuality, they're far from it. The night before the interview, make sure you have resumes printed and stacked neatly in a folder or briefcase, have your clothes pressed and ready to go and your shoes polished. Not only that, but when going to a career fair, you want to know what to expect. Be sure to research the companies that will be in attendance and the ones that stick out the most.

If the company rep asks you if you visited their website, you may think you can lie a white lie and get away with it, but good luck inventing answers for questions about a site you didn't bother to look at prior. You've got to do your homework; it's that simple. Prepare questions to ask the company reps and be sure the answers cannot be found simply on their website.


Look like you want a job

Courtesy of flickr.com

Inside, while I was waiting inside to speak to one of the company reps, a woman who was also waiting shrugged and said she's gone to plenty of career fairs and always dressed up, but this time decided she wasn't going to. She planned that she'd still look decent, yet relaxed. Although there's nothing wrong with feeling relaxed, looking too relaxed may come off as nonchalance to prospective employers.

Ladies, if you've suddenly gotten tired of dressing up for career fairs, don't even think about going in dark jeans and sneakers. The day you do so, just might be the day you connect well with a job rep, but he/she didn't take you seriously enough due to your preferred clothing.
Fellas, you may not like the uncomfortable suit and tie, but if you need a job as much as you claim, you'll leave the "swag" behind and dress to impress the ones looking for the right candidate.


Act like you want a job
When I was finished speaking to one of the company reps, I firmly shook her hand with a smile and proceeded to fill out my information on the available form. Next to me, a young lady approached the desk rather hesitantly. She said a soft "Hi," and the rep responded with a jovial greeting.
*Silence*
"So what are you interested in?" The rep asked her. The girl provided the answer softly, but with uncertainty.
*Silence*
"So are you interested in ___[Company name]___?" The rep asked, obviously feeling the strain of the conversation. "Yes," the girl responded. *Silence*

I couldn't believe it!

Of course, years ago I was probably one of the shyest people around, so speaking confidently to strangers was something pretty difficult for me to do. However, with practice and leadership positions I was granted at my university, it helped mold me into a more assertive person. Sure, I'm still quiet and sometimes soft-spoken, but when events call for voice projection and boldness, then it's something I know I have to do and be no matter what. If you want a job, you have step out of your comfort zone and play the part.


Don't drop your resume and run 
So many people love to show their face at career fairs, toss their resume on a table and leave.

What's the point?

If your goal is to obtain a job, use your presence to your advantage as you hand over your resume that says so much about you. If the rep tosses your resume in the pile of resumes in the corner, well then, this is your chance to let your resume shine through. Show your interest, be polite, and inquire about the company--something not mentioned on their website that you'd like answers to. The more opportunities you get to talk with someone, the more chances you have to build a promising connection.


Be open-minded
It seemed like a majority of the tables were of no relevance to me, a writer/blogger and prospective Journalist/Editor. I was by no means interested in Insurance companies or Medicine or Nutrition, but I went around to most tables inquiring about their websites and possible positions that I could fit into.

My last stop was a table where a woman who apparently was providing resume tips and suggestions. I felt like my resume was fine the way it is, but I decided to be open to more suggestions and waited in the short line. I was feeling pretty disappointed that my stops at the other tables seemed to be of no help to me, but decided that maybe this woman could offer advice for ways I could enhance my resume.

When it was my turn, the woman, Ms. Catherine Schuller (co-founder of Your Image Power) and I ended up having a much longer conversation compared to the other job-seekers. She said that the company was in search of freelance writers to provide content for its website and after telling her my writing experience and qualifications, the next thing I knew, she said I was the missing link the company needed. She asked if I was available to do a few postings for the company and I accepted. Just like that. Networking is a definite by-product of any career fair, and you just never know who you will meet and what opportunities will arise.

The point is, Career Fairs can be a bit nerve-racking for some and "just-another-job-fair" for others, but going in with the right attitude and readiness will be very beneficial to you. 
The job market can be pretty demanding and plain frustrating to the job-seeker, but don't give up, because the moment you do you might miss out on the perfect opportunity that was just around the corner.

Job Tips: How to Grow a "Thick Skin"

Courtesy of flickr.com

Not everyone is as assertive or outspoken as many employers would like. There are all sorts of personalities in the world, from the most confident to the severly timid and sensitive; because everyone is unique.

However, when you know that you're an overly sensitive person, this may become very detrimental to your tenure on the job, especially when it's time for constructive criticism from the boss.

To make yourself more valuable on the job market, try out some of these tips to develop a thick skin.



http://www.jobsnhire.com/articles/2478/20120714/job-tips-grow-thick-skin.htm

Study Methods for College Students: Pros and Cons

Student studying || Courtesy of flickr.com

There have been so many study theories and techniques drilled into students in elementary and high school, that by the time students enter college, there's so many study strategies clashing in their heads that they end up developing poor study habits overtime. There have been many misconceptions of what the "right" way to study actually is. In fact, there may not be a right way at all.

Since everyone is different, every individual learns material in his/her own way and pace; however, it doesn't hurt to get some suggestions on helpful study habits with some pros and cons in there as well.

Click here to read the pros and cons of some of the study methods you've heard about.

Phone Interview Tips: Being Professional in Your PJs

Girl on phone interview || Courtesy of flickr.com

You may feel like a phone interview is a pleasant opportunity for the interviewer not to see you relaxing in your pajamas, but although the PJs are fine, you might want to still maintain as much professionalism as possible. Phone interviews are used as a way of screening potential job candidates and narrowing down the pool of applicants who will be invited for an actual in-person interview. In the midst of your job search, be sure you are prepared not only for a face to face interview, but for an over-the-phone interview as well.


Click here to read some tips on how to ace your next phone interview.

College Tips: How to Make This Summer Productive

Courtesy of flickr.com

Summer has arrived and this is the season for shedding the layers of clothing, booking vacations, crowding the beaches, and forgetting about schoolwork for a bit.

"It's important not to revert back to your high school mentality of summer--we all remember how jarring the first week back to homework and a busy schedule was after a lazy summer, and that was just high school," says Hannah Faust, a rising senior at Loyola Marymount University. "If you lay around all summer, you can count on being behind in school starting day one of fall semester."

Click the link and find out how you can make this summer productive and still enjoy your time off from school.

http://www.jobsnhire.com/articles/2430/20120711/college-tips-make-summer-productive.htm

Tips for College: Writing an Effective College Application Essay

Courtesy of flickr.com

Students preparing for college often have some trepidation when it comes to writing college application essays. It feels like teachers are steering you in one direction, tips in books and online are veering you down another path and when it's time to write, your thoughts and ideas are all over the place--cluttered with confusion and second-thoughts.

If you're getting ready to write an essay for your college application and are tired of staring at a blank page for hours, try putting these tips to good use, for an effective essay recruiters will enjoy...

Click the link!

http://www.jobsnhire.com/articles/2406/20120710/tips-college-writing-effective-application-essay.htm

Tips for College: Finding the Right Grad School For YOU

Courtesy of Flickr.com

Finding the right Grad School for you may sometimes feel like one of the most daunting tasks in the world. It can make any student feel like his/her career is at stake by just one decision.


Click here to read some of my critical tips to keep in mind, if you're trying to find the right grad school.

What every College Student should Do before entering the “Real World”

Graduation Day || flickr.com

If you are a student about to enter your first year of college, there may be a lot of anticipation mixed with some nervousness. It's a chance to be out on your own, meet new people and earn a degree in a field that you're passionate about, all while trying to adjust to a very new setting. If you're entering your senior year of college, chances are you are making sure this summer vacation counts. When fall arrives, there's a lot to think about; from tuition and fees, to fulfilling credits, to graduation cap and gowns, to your career and life after graduation.


Click HERE for helpful tips that you can take with you from freshman year all the way to your final year of college, before you enter the so called "real world":

7 Tips on How to Write a Professional Email

Woman checking her email|| Flickr.com

You may think the days of writing letters are over, but in reality, it has merely transferred from pen to keyboard. Keeping an email professional can be somewhat difficult, especially when we use computers, laptops and smart phones during our leisure time. Text message slang and Internet lingo are often unintentionally fused with emails that are meant to be strictly professional.


Click the link below for some tips to keep in mind, the next time you have an important email to compose:


http://www.jobsnhire.com/articles/2343/20120705/7-tips-write-professional-email-signature-salutations.htm

5 ways to avoid Job Search Frustrations

The back of this 20-year-old's shirt states:
"Jobless not hopeless, ask me for my resume"
and the front reads his Twitter name. 

Whether you are a recent college grad who has been bombarded with discouraging words concerning the job market or an individual who has been searching for a job for quite some time and feels like there's no hope, frustration is bound to kick in. It happens to the best of us, especially when job hunting is involved.

Click the link below to find out 5 tips that will put you in the enthusiastic stage of job hunting again and will eliminate the nagging feeling of frustration... forever!


http://www.jobsnhire.com/articles/2087/20120613/5-ways-avoid-job-search-frustrations.htm

Writing a Cover Letter that sells YOU

Hate writing cover letters simply because you just don't know what to write?

Fear no more.

Click the link below... read my tips... and maybe, just maybe, you won't hate writing them anymore. :-)

Click Me! Click Me! Click Me!

Marvel Comics’ newest Superhero, The Blue Ear, inspires hearing-impaired boy

Here's a link to my article:

http://www.gamenguide.com/articles/1793/20120525/marvel-comics-newest-superhero-blue-ear-inspires.htm

Grey's Anatomy Finale grips you from start to finish

Warning: This review contains spoilers. So if you haven't yet watched last night's episode of "Grey's Anatomy," I suggest you stop reading here. Believe me, you're going to want to watch this for yourself first--it's that intense.

Meredith Grey is distraught after the plane crash

Last week's episode ended with the image of a mangled plane that had just crash-landed in a remote area. Fans of this medical-drama series were left questioning the fate of Doctors Meredith Grey, Lexie Grey, Cristina Yang, Derek Shepherd, Arizona Robbins, and Mark Sloan.

"Flight," is the title of last night's episode and when I say it kept viewers at the edge of their seats, it did just that. We initially see the scene from the very first episode of Season 1, when everyone was just an Intern, ready to learn and understand what it takes to become a doctor/surgeon at Seattle Grace Hospital. Clips of the chaos occurring in "Flight" is flashed on the screen as well.

We see Meredith lying on the ground, face bruised, Arizona screaming for dear life in the distance, and Cristina and Mark struggling to find a sense of balance as they walk around the mangled mess of plane debris. Disoriented, Meredith stands up and almost immediately begins looking around for her husband, who, according to Cristina, was sucked out of the plane.

Arizona has a broken leg and seeing the bone devastatingly humors her as she thinks about her orthopedic wife, Callie... the plane's pilot appears to be paralyzed and so must remain in his seat... Derek is missing... Meredith is frantic... and Lexie is in the worst condition, as she is pinned underneath an unmovable piece of the plane.

Despite all that has happened, Cristina appears to be the only character keeping it together, for the most part. I suppose it's something we would expect from a gifted and sought-after doctor who two seasons ago had a gun held to her head while she tried to save the husband of her best friend. She kept it together for Meredith so long ago and she tries to do the same again.

Mark is by Lexie's side and at this point viewers are probably calling Mark an idiot for not seizing the moment before, when Lexie finally confessed the love that she still feels for him. Short of breath, she requests that he hold her hand, but he refuses, stating that she is not dying. He attempts to lift the plane part but to no avail; so therefore, lays back down on the ground, holds her hand and tells Lexie he loves her and has always been in love with her.

Mark by Lexie's side || Courtesy of wetpaint.com

Unfortunately (well, in my opinion) Lexie dies. Fans knew that a beloved doctor would die, but why Lexie?! Moreover, it had only been the first 15 minutes of the finale! I surely was not expecting a death so soon. Meredith's anguish over her sister's death reminded me of her pained cries from season 6 when she thought Derek was dead. A tear falls from Cristina's eye as she shakes her head and Mark, still holding Lexie's hand, remains expressionless and stares off into the distance.

Cristina and Meredith eventually venture out to search for Derek. He meets up with them, holding the hand that he smashed in order to escape the mangles of the plane, and passes out in front of them.

While all of this is happening, viewers are hoping the doctors at Seattle Grace get a clue and figure out something is wrong. April forces herself to be happy for the upcoming dinner Dr. Webber has planned, Jackson is apologetic and feels partially responsible for April's miserable state, Alex is pissed with Arizona for taking him off all the pediatric cases (since he was accepted into john Hopkins), Teddy refuses to leave Seattle Grace (even though she'd rather leave the memory of her deceased husband) despite the offer elsewhere because of Owen's battle with Cristina and his lasting kindness in the midst of her hostility, Dr. Bailey is still uneasy about a long distance relationship with Ben once he leaves, and Callie just can't wait for a "fun" night with Arizona when she returns home.

Cristina || Courtesy of haveyouheard.net

Back in the middle of nowhere, while Meredith and Cristina try to save Conscious Derek's hand, Cristina demands that Mark assist. He is still sitting on the ground, holding Lexie's hand, yet looking pale as ever. Cristina marches over to him and to her dismay realizes that his chest is bruised severely and he has suffered a cardiac tamponade (meaning that blood is filling his chest cavity). Using mere toiletries, they are able to drain his chest, miraculously. It appears as though he is next to die, but Arizona demands that he hang on for her, Callie and little Sofia.

At the end, after April says what she has to say and walks out arm linked with Jackson's... after Alex leaves a message on Arizona's voicemail--pretty much thanking her for making him the doctor he is today, in his own way... after Owen fires blatantly fires Teddy, watches her slam the door in his face and then return with a warm hug of gratitude and encouragement to fight for Cristina... and after Dr. Bailey and Ben are seemingly optimistic about their future together.... AFTER ALL THIS, with just a few minutes of the finale remaining, Owen has the expression of concern as he gets calls regarding the missing doctors. Dr. Webber delays the start of dinner while he waits on the rest of the crew, and Callie is at home wearing her finest lingerie as she awaits her wife, but we all know what's going on.

When Meredith's last match, to restart the fire, goes out, she shares a stick of gum with Cristina who was complaining of hunger. They are bundles up and huddle closer together and sleepily stare out into the night, probably wondering what will become of all of them.

Overall, I give Shonda Rimes a whole lot of credit. She had guts killing off a favored member of the Seattle Grace clan, not only that, every minute was gripping and had me at the edge of my seat. This finale was INTENSE, to say the least, and had me holding my breath a majority of the time.

One hour just wasn't enough!!

I love Switched at Birth

About a week ago, I wrote an entry in Night Owl's Guide about learning Sign Language. (Click here to check it out if you haven't already).

With my schoolwork piling up, there's not much time for TV anymore. I've had to catch up with certain shows online, days after the latest episode premieres, and one of these shows is Switched at Birth. I can watch this show and feel like I'm not only being entertained and humored, but learning something as well! I've got to say, ABC Family got it right when they decided to air this.

Photo courtesy of Hulu.com

Switched at Birth is a Family drama which depicts two families, Bay Kennish who lives with her wealthy parents and brother, and Daphne Vasquez who is deaf and lives with her Puerto Rican mother and grandmother. After studying blood types at school and finding out that her blood type didn't match that of her parents, Bay decides to get a genetic test done just for the heck of it. The test confirmed that she was not biologically related to her parents, and so Regina Vasquez, Daphne's mother, is located and immediately contacted.

I could go on and on about the show, but with the information I provided thus far, I think it proves to be a pretty interesting show already, wouldn't you agree? Did I mention that Marlee Matlin is one of the primary cast members? She is AWESOME. Make sure you go on HULU or ABC Family and catch up on this show, like I always had to do. It's true--I never had the opportunity to watch the episodes on TV, since I was always swamped with work... so my alternative was catching up online.

I seriously can't wait for Season 2! With all the drama that was in the first season, I can only imagine what will happen in the second. So... what you need to do, is catch up on this amazing TV series, and by then you'll be ready for any rants I may have regarding future episodes.

(Be sure to check out Signing Savvy to learn some ASL!)

Happy belated Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is over. 2 days ago, to be exact. So, why even spend time on this topic NOW?

Well, because it was something pretty much expected on February 14, now wasn't it? Facebook was crowded with "Happy Valentine's Day" or hoping the day dies (for lack of better words), blog posts about relationships or lack thereof were uploaded and cute photos of couples were available for all to view and say "aww" to.

I decided to be different.

I decided to see if sparks are still flying every which way today. I decided to see if anyone is still exchanging gifts--or maybe it's just one sided, as society has led us to embrace... (kudos to all the men that go out there and proudly purchase cute & cuddly teddy bears, a humongous box of chocolates and flowers that have to be just the right quantity and quality). I also decided to see if couples have suddenly forgotten just how special their significant other is. ...I'll let you ponder this.

I don't even want to get into the history of Valentine's Day, so I'll just get to the point. I really like Valentine's Day (or, Singles Awareness Day) because it generally signifies a lot of positive feelings. I could have easily said romance or love, but that's not necessary with Valentine's Day at all. I received a Valentine's gift (candy) from one of my closest friends with an appreciative note attached, and that made me smile because I appreciated having her in my life as well. It was just a little reminder that the friendship that we share matters, which really meant a lot. This was just as special as receiving a box of chocolate in a heart-shaped box and a stuffed animal from my Valentine sweetheart, yet his meaning went far beyond the meaning my friend had in mind, of course.

People say Valentine's Day is overrated, stupid, ridiculous and my favorite term, "a Hallmark holiday," which could all very well be true! But why be so quick to judge the day based on what you've seen everyone else do each year on February 14?

I believe that there are way too many people that forget the importance of every day before and after Valentine's Day. Roses and stuffed animals are nice, chocolate is great, the color scheme is pretty, poems and letters to your significant other is cute... but what happens a week from then?

• Will your money on flowers be spent on something "more important"?
• Will another stuffed animal just "take up more space than necessary"?
• Will the chocolate suddenly become "cavities in a heart shaped box" or simply, unhealthy for your significant other?
• Will you forget how to write that cute poem because the Feb. 14 inspiration from media and advertisements have suddenly disappeared? 

This goes along the lines of Why wait until January 1 at 12 a.m. to make changes you wish to see in your life? (See my "Merry New Year" Blog).
Valentine's Day should be a day of bliss, but so should all the other days of the year! People blame other people of being bitter on February 14, but ever stop and ask yourself: "What did I do for him/her the other 364 days that expressed that I truly cared?" and "Why am I waiting for February 14 to arrive, to express my love for this person who is special to me?"

Only you know those answers.

Merry New Year!

It’s a new year and 2012 signifies a lot of different things for various individuals. At my church, this year defines divine acceleration for each and every one of us (if we believe it and make strides to achieve it by God’s grace, of course), for many students, myself included, it means graduation (after 4 years of hard work, all-nighters and new friendships), for others it is a brand new job or career (which is a category I hope to be in),  for some females out there, like one close friend of mine, their first bundle of joy is expecting to make entrance into the world, and for others, the start of 2012 is simply an opportunity to start afresh.

I’ve hopped off the bandwagon of creating New Year’s Resolutions a long time ago. It made me feel as though I was “all-talk” for the most part—especially if by February (or the end of January, for that matter) I forget all about my resolutions! I definitely respect anyone who decides to come up with New Year’s Resolutions, because it is the root of a goal, and setting goals is what I do partake in. I’ve seen a lot of comments and written thoughts (mostly on Social Media) concerning resolutions for the New Year and it is usually to describe how “stupid” or “pointless” it is. In my opinion, anyone who bashes others because of his/her decision to set resolutions most likely are incapable of viewing the New Year with optimistic eyes. It’s always a great thing when someone makes the outright decision to take action and change his or her life for the better, in the upcoming year. Maybe the question in the minds of a lot of anti-resolution-makers (and certainly my own) is: Why wait ‘til January 1?

Clock striking Midnight on Jan. 1 || Photo courtesy of sodahead.com

Expect good things for this year and when we reach the half-way point, KEEP on expecting good things! Don’t give up on the year you’re in now and sit down waiting for the next year, with the belief that 12 Midnight ultimately defines the “new you”—because it certainly does not. Why waste precious time being pessimistic about tomorrow, the next month and the year you are in? Set goals for yourself. You want to lose weight? Great. Join a local gym and commit to the membership that you paid for! Maybe even go with a friend—that encouragement will keep you going back longer than just one month. Want to get straight A’s this upcoming semester? Beautiful. Log out of Facebook, cease the tweets, turn off the TV, and go to the library to crack open the textbook that is only open during class. Want to be an overall better person? Awesome. Start acting like one and continue being it. You cannot change for the better if you remain stagnant and refuse to make an effort to achieve what you set out to attain.

That being stated, Merry New Year and may all the resolutions or goals you set out to achieve in 2012 come true—not magically, but because you worked hard to see that change happen.