Bloggers Gone Wild (But Not Really...)

Great quality photo of one of the panels via my Blackberry at the Blog Better Boston Event

As mentioned in previous posts, I attended Blog Better Boston on Saturday, March 24th all day in Cambridge, MA. Since I would classify myself as an amateur blogger with big aspirations, I thought the event would be the perfect way to network and learn more about something that I really enjoy...and I was right!

The event brought together over a hundred bloggers and consisted of several panels and workshops ranging from "blogging basics" to "how to monetize your blog" to even "food photography." When not in sessions and learning how to "blog bettah," I took advantage of the free food and goodies courtesy of the great sponsors.

As seen above: canvas bag from Lyst, another canvas bag as decorated by Picasso (aka ME), a t-shirt from Roster, and a whole bunch of other gift cards and samples .

Now, I don't know about you, but I built my gym/sleepwear wardrobe off of free stuff thanks to three and a half years of college. When I get free stuff, I get excited! Not just normal excited, but "OMG a free bottle of seltzer water! This is so great!" excited. We had breakfast courtesy of Dunkin Donuts (bloggers run on Dunkin too) and lunch thanks to Au Bon Pain (that's French for yummy...just kidding).

My favorite part about the event was probably getting to hear from other bloggers and their experiences, whether it was working with a brand or building a community with their followers or other bloggers. I've only had this blog for a few months and kept my other blog, Boston 2 Britain, as a means of keeping in touch with friends and family at home while in London, so I don't consider myself a pro by any means -- maybe an advanced amateur (oxymoron?) -- but definitely someone who is eager to learn to better serve her loyal and wonderful readers.

Jess from The Cat's Meow looking fabulous and me, looking as though I just rolled out of bed
Photo courtesy of Jess (thank you!)

I think this was after I ate lunch, but I still look like a zombie... with cheetah print loafers

Another favorite part of the event was actually meeting and talking with other bloggers. As much as I enjoyed being talked at for the sake of learning, there's nothing like creating connections with other people with similar interests. While it was a bit difficult for me to break out of my shell at first (I'll blame the exhaustion...), I ended up meeting some really great people. Everyone was really nice and made me excited to call myself a Boston blogger! I might be a newbie, but maybe someday, I could be one of the panel speakers. Hopefully, by then, I'll know how to take a better picture...

Overall, it was a great experience and I felt inspired and excited to be a part of the blogging community. I wouldn't exactly classify the event as "wild" in the way your dirty mind might be thinking, but it was wild that so many people with seemingly little in common could come together and be a part of a single, cohesive community. That might not be your idea of a "wild" day with bloggers, but hey, maybe you should get your mind out of the gutter.

Being a Busy Bee

Cute AND capable of helping you sort out your life. That's legit.

I can't believe it -- but I have actually been busy recently. I know, I know. Pick your jaw up from the floor and continue reading, if you can push past the awe and amazement. It's true. My days are no longer consumed by boredom, endless internet job searches and chit-chatting with my dog. Instead, I have been spending most of my time at the mall in my new sales associate position and in between shifts, eating, sleeping and catching up on my reality TV.

I feel like I'm old me again. I bought a really cute planner from Lilly Pulitzer and for a while, I worried that the only thing I'd be able to write in it was "go to gym," "take dog for walk," or even worse, "remember to change out of pajamas in the morning." Lately, my planner has been filled with my work schedule, my impending vacation days (going to Puerto Rico next week!), seeing the Hunger Games, a second interview for t hat manuscript assistant position and a day of learning how to blog bettah with other Boston bloggers (more on that in a later post, I promise).

While in school, so much of my identity was tied to the fact that I was a student pursuing a particular degree, but now that I am out of school, I am trying to figure out how exactly to identify myself now. I can't cling onto my intended major or even my student status in my post-graduate heydey. Instead, between my newfound busy schedule, I'm constantly re-evaluating what it is I want, like and am. Generally, that is a bit overwhelming, and even more so when doing all of that heavy thinking in the midst of an ever-changing schedule. I have so many things happening at once -- a new job, interview for another job, maintaining somewhat of a social life -- that even putting it into my new planner doesn't necessarily mitigate the stress.

One of said busy weeks filled with lots to do... Ask me if I did everything I had set out to do...

For now, I'm trying to take things one day at a time. My job search is certainly not at its end. I have big plans ahead -- grad school and, improving my blog (for all of my lovely readers, of course) to name a few -- and I want to make sure I'm in an advantageous position to get where I want to be. Being busy is great, but only when keeping my eye on the prize... which is still yet to be entirely determined.

You can tell when I actually started getting busy/got the planner...

Back with a Vengeance

I'll admit, this whole "unemployment" thing definitely takes a toll on your self-esteem. This past week has been particularly difficult, probably because all of my stress just keeps accumulating and I have been repeatedly rejected from different potential positions. For someone who is used to working hard and seeing that hardwork yield results, this job hunt has certainly been a learning experience as my hard work has not necessarily been "paying off" yet.

However, after a slight mental breakdown in the middle of the week, I rallied and decided to pursue my job hunt with a renewed optimism. Since my midweek bout of anxiety, I have done a few things to keep my spirits up and my determination steady.

I recently registered for a local blogging conference called "Blog Better Boston," which will be taking place on Saturday, March 24th and includes various panels and workshops and the chance to network with fellow bloggers. I'm really excited about it actually because, as a new start-up blog, I'm constantly trying to think of ways to make my blog more interesting and engaging for you, my lovely readers, and this conference is the perfect opportunity to find out what makes a successful blog from people with successful blogs.

I also ordered myself some business cards. I know, I know -- but I don't have a job, so why do I need business cards? Well, I figured that when I actually do attend the blogging conference, it would be nice to have business cards with some of my contact information on them so that when I have the chance to network, I'm not leaving my phone number on a napkin as if I'm picking up a date at a bar. Instead, I want to look professional and put-together, so I included my name, my career goals, contact info and blog info on my business card, ready to hand-out and network.

Oh, and of course, no "rally" of optimism and determination is complete without a dose of encouragement and retail therapy. My parents have been trying to keep my spirits up with a few pep talks and reaffirmations about how I will get a job eventually, which does help, but I think most of the reaffirmations have to come from myself because I have always been self-motivated, and this time should be no different. I need to make this happen for myself...and it doesn't hurt that I will be doing it with a new pair of shoes and maxi dress :)