It's Amy's Life: Life Begins Again

So to say "it begins again," but really it's been going all along. Some ups some downs.. a lot of grey.. but that's the stuff that gets you by, so no complaints here! Let's see, what has happened in the last year...

Well, my last post accounts for my move back to upstate, which I thought was "dooms day," BUT a lot of good has come since.

I've learned a lot about life and about myself. Life is impermanent.. everything changes and nothing remains the same. Life is about movement and growth... (stole that word from one of my best friends, Theodore-- my thanks.. however, the definition is all my own)

This summer I have stayed in Potsdam, currently living at the Agonian Sorority with a few of my sisters, AGO hollerrrr!! On the weekends we have a good time, either at the house or around town, we've been slip and sliding on the lawn, playing frisbee, dice, and pong games, and had all types of fun in costumes, here are a few pics;

This I entitle; Mid-Summer Dream: Just some of my friends who were all sober. LMAO

The One & Only: Got this onezi for free @ the town fair. LOL

Some of my new favorite friends; the boys of O pi O, a fraternity at Clarkson, a great bunch of guys, who know how to have a good time and have made me laugh more than I know how. LOL (Trying to paint the picture with the over exaggeration.) Here are some of the pictures of our adventures.

ME: Cliff jumping after I crossed these rapids. I live for danger. ha

Then, there's this one boy in that bunch that is a little more important that the others ;-D His name is Crane... or Michael.. or as I refer to him "boy" haha. A solid character with a great sense of humor and my favorite debater. We have a lot of fun together, no matter what we're doing, usually watching movies or hanging out with the guys. Or me speaking en francais and him having not a clue. lol Oh yeaaah and I forgot to mention.. he's a stud! We went to his formal together, here are a couple pics:

((I may be a little intoxicated)) hahhaha

It may seem like life is all fun and games, but in all actuality I spend most my time doing boring things... I just don't take pictures. lol

Most of this summer I have dedicated to my 3 INTERNSHIPS.. yes, I did say 3. I've got a lot on my plate.. but come on now, I'm Amy Rich... when don't I?!! ( haha and yes I just referred to myself in third person!)

1. Northwestern Mutual Financial Representative. I am a NYS certified Life, Health, & Disability Insurance Representative. (one of the hardest tests I've ever studied for and taken-- 23 tests in one week.) This is a FORTUNE 500 company and has been rated one of the TOP 10 Internships in the NATION for the past 12 years!! Woooo hooo, and tons of work!! I spend most of my time in training or on the phone talking or prospecting for new clients, & my perspective on this job is to go in there with the attitude that I know some information that can HELP these people and that is my goal, not to sell sell sell, but to educate and help people create a financial plan for security purposes.

2. Inventory MANAGER for the Business Development Corporation for a Greater Massena. I am working with an economic development organization to improve the economic infrastructure of a community and neighboring communities that have been hit hard by the economic recession. With the closing of the local GM plant and the loss of many jobs, we have a lot of work on our hands. We are also working to get the proposed four lane highway connecting Plattsburgh to Rochester area approved by Congress.

3. Advocate for the Canton Youth Advocate Program. I work with a family that has been hit by one of many types of hardship. I am being trained in general counseling and will act as a 'big sister' to my proposed family of 3 girls, which I have not yet met. There will be a lot of work that goes into this, & it will be straight from the heart. I am soo excited to get started, my work begins next week!

I've been thinking a lot about grad school as well as studying for the GRE'S... YUCK. A lot of work, but what's new. haha... The good thing is I love to read and learn, not so much the way this type of studying is set up... since I have like 3,000 vocab words I've been copying to index cards, but the overall improvement in intelligence is always a PLUS!! My goals are to go into Public Policy or some type of Economic Development. My top choice schools are Carnegie-Mellon, Syracuse, and Brandeis... but keeping impermanence in mind.. we shall see where life brings me... Everything Happens For A Reason.. and I'm ready for the ride!

Also referring back to the GRE books, I have read 3 leisure books this summer and am quite a ways through two others... but I will tell you more about them later. Enough is enough for one blog right?!! :)

In conclusion, I wanted to share my new background with you. As you may or may not know, doves represent PEACE. In many cultures including Ancient Chinese and Egyptian as well as the more well known Christian beliefs, relating back to Noah's Arc. The dove is a symbol of innocence, new beginning, and is the only animal that doesn't kill for food or act in defense when it is attacked, it is completely submissive to violence. Maybe it could be used as inspiration to promote non-violence?! Maybe we could stop talking about PEACE ON EARTH & start acting on it!! One can only HOPE! :)