Hi all, I came from a four year long hiatus and am finding myself in need of new friends to chat with, I'm currently enjoying rediscovering the site. A few things about me: -I go by parachuting though my name is Irina -I'm a 2nd year graduate student -I love books and writing Oh and I'm a martial artist

Welcome back!!! ^^

Welcome back! I too took a break for a while and came back! Hope you stick around!

Thanks! I'm happy to be back, I'm adjusting to the new changes but am loving it.

Returning after a college hiatus? Me too haha. Welcome back and if you need anything just ask :)

Oh yes! During my hiatus I got my bachelors and am about to begin my second year as a Master's program, I'm honestly getting a little lost. I appreciate the offer, I will be taking you up on it :)

Hello and welcome back! :D How is grad school? x.o'' and what are you going for? I just graduated in May with a BS in Creative Writing, and am finding it nearly impossible to find work that doesn't involve grant writing or editing. -.- professional writing kills my soul. </3

Grad school has been incredible, extremely difficult and academically challenging. I'm currently studying Transformative Leadership, I love it.

That's awesome, I took a creative writing class, I'm not the type. I think it's great that it's your niche, I agree that it's difficult to find jobs. Branching out from your degree takes time and plenty of patience.

:O transformative leadership? interesting. XD I have no idea what kinds of jobs that leads to, but i'm sure it will be incredibly fulfilling. :)

What jobs in creative writing are you looking into? I heard there were some great jobs with media and video games.

My degree allows me to pursue anything at this point, my focus has been race and gender issues, it's hopefully going to lead to a city or state job soon. I'm also going to get a PhD in Psychology after I get my Masters to tie everything together.

I was hoping to do something along the lines of advocacy work. I have a minor in Gender Studies, but I know that doesn't really amount to much. ^-^'' I would LOVE to write children's books which deal with pretty much the same thing you've said your focus is.. Children feeling insecure about their assigned gender, skin color, growing up in a single parent household, whether through divorce, death, or parental choice... it's hard for a kid growing up with the same societal pressures we face, but they're treated either as if they are invisible, or as if they magically aren't seeing all of this stuff.

I adore that you got a minor in Gender studies, that's amazing. I love it! Focusing on advocacy and writing children's books is a great path, it's also extremely creative and good for the soul. Praises for your passion, I think that volunteering and finding nonprofit organizations are a good starting point to create connections and gain experience. Honestly, kudos for your dedication, I can very much relate to everything you're speaking of. If you wrote books like that I'd buy them for my cousins and future kids.

^-^ yay! I tried doing something along those lines for my senior writing project, but some personal issues came up and i didn't think i'd be able to dedicate the time/energy to it that it deserved. I really regret not doing it, though. I would have had help from a few of my creative writing professors and my gender studies advisor. :<

The opportunity will come up again, or you can make it happen. It's about timing, I'm attempting to write a book at this point. I have the first page and nothing else, but again it's a starting point.

Yeah, definitely. Even two words is better than nothing. ^-^ at least you have the start of it down on the paper.. sometimes starting is the hardest part. x.o' I have a few stories i'd like to expand on or revise that i did as assignments for class.. :P have to focus on getting a job for now, though. xD gotta worry about rent. -.-'' i hate being a grown up. ;-;

I figure I'll get inspired and write parts of it at some point, and It's all on my computer...digital paper it is I suppose... I feel ya with the job, my position was terminated two (almost three) months ago, I've been going to interviews and applying nonstop. I'm lucky because I have my partner to help, but yeah getting a job it's my top priority too. Adulting is messy.

I lost my job when I graduated. XP it was a cozy little desk job with awesome people that let me work whatever hours I wanted. I miss them so much. ;-; </3 they had me so spoiled. I got slapped hard in the face with reality when I worked at McDonald's because i couldn't find anything else and rent was still a thing.. lol. I don't think i'll ever eat there again. -.-'' I worked my butt off, and still got disrespected on an hourly basis. I'm not one to whine, or give into physical pain very easily, but that place had me crying almost every night when I would come home. XP I have mad respect for those who can last even a year there.

You are a trouper my friend, I refuse to work at fast food places. McDonalds goes against everything I believe in so I avoid it, I respect your lessons though. I can relate about the cozy desk job, I had that and it was amazing (for the most part). I don't miss it though, the leadership was horrid and I my health was a mess when I was there. You know what they say, when one door closes another opens.

Thank you! I'm excited for my academic endeavor. I do have a question, the daily goal, what is that and how do I meet it?