Last night was my first financial aid event! I organized it with the YMCA in Evanston, and much to my dismay, no one showed up. I blame myself mostly for not publicizing the event well enough; however, my contact at the Y invited an exclusive group of students for this event in particular.

On the same day, I got an email from my colleague working in the Joliet area. She was inviting the rest of the Corps members working outside of Chicago to attend her event that she is expecting will have a turn out around 500 students and their parents.

I remember the day that I found out I was working in one of the most affluent areas in the state. I almost started crying on the spot. Not that I didn't want to do the work anymore, it was just that I knew my region would not need very much help.

Just have to keep trying I suppose...

No joke, working for a government agency is exactly what I thought it would be: paperwork. Ever read Kafka's The Trial? He knows bureaucracy in and out thats for sure.

But it is also not what I expected. I really like the people I am working with, and it is way more flexible than I thought it would be. So flexible in fact that at times I am at a loss for what I should be doing. I appreciate the ability to be creative and try new things. No lie, its challenging.

My region is challenging in a different way, because the help they need is not obvious. Most of the students come from affluent backgrounds, and have private tutoring sessions with paid professionals. Especially when compared to other regions around the state where they are in desperate need for resources. The counselors I am talking to get things done, and are skeptical of a newbie straight-out-of high school wannabie Financial Aid officer. And to be honest, so am I.

Luckily I have been a pro at the strategy "Fake it Till you Make it" and I have to confidence to at least make them think twice about their initial judgements. It will take time for them to trust me enough to actually get access to their students.

Until then, I am limited to community areas to find students. Next task: where do today's high school students spend their time outside of school?

Woke up this morning at 4:30am after a dream about sleeping in my car with my family in South Daktoa on I-90. A stranger pulled up, hopped in the car and we started having a conversation about blogging and how it will change my life.

I have been up ever since, thinking about my life, my new career, blogging, and how I haven't posted on my website for months.

So here I am. Posting.