fontburger.comthe blog of christina olivas //

My last blog post was a result of missing out on some fun 4th of July events last weekend. I was upset that I could not enjoy going out for the day like those around me did.

Looking back on that post I starting thinking about my job applications and the fact that potential employers may be reading these posts and think poorly of me. With social media I share so much of my life, but I understand that the negativity should be kept to a minimum. Nobody will hire someone with a negative attitude. Still it’s not about being negative, it’s about being human. Having good days and having bad days. I have a motto of sorts, “Stay optimistic.” Positive thinking is good for anyone, but it’s especially good for me. You see I don’t wish to publish those type of posts to be negative, but rather to slowly gain the courage to say out loud that I have a condition that I’m tired of hiding. It effects my life immensely, but it’s mortifying for me to share with those around me. I’m thinking maybe if I write about my life online, it will help my life offline; help me figure myself out. The problem lies in the idea of creating a quality online identity for work.

As a designer you create an identity online. An image that integrates your design talent and your personal identity. While following a lot of designers on different sites I have seen a transformation in some, which begins with them sharing who they really are and expressing that self-discovery through their work. In my opinion, I’m not sure if it’s true for design but in art, self expression brings out the most honorable and respectable work in an artist. It’s deep and honest.

In my case it is difficult when your identity has nothing to do with being a ninja or a rockstar. I follow many designers and developers and that’s what they say they are. A super ninja, an awesome rockstar, a unceasingly loving spouse, a super happy parent, an always super motivated, never say anything that might make me sound defective, happy person!

I guess I’m much more interested in knowing who people really are and how I can relate to them just being human.

So in this world of sharing just about everything about yourself online, when is “just trying to figure myself out,” just too much information?

It’s 4th of July weekend! A three day weekend full of BBQ’s, friends at the beach, adventure, baseball games and enjoying time with others. Sounds like an awesome time to be young and reckless just like me! Oh right except that I’m young and reckless with a chronic condition that completely strips me of my youth and dignity. Right.

When I was a kid I never thought about what adulthood would be like. Of course I had to think about it for the countless number of school presentations on, “What I want to be when I grow up.” I never really took them seriously, because I was too busy being a kid! Getting dirty and getting in trouble. I had the time of my life! At this point, I think it will always be the time of my life. The time when I was truly happy. A kid.

Then comes adulthood along with a chronic condition that changes everything.

You can only hope that happy kid still lives inside you somewhere. But now, you are your condition. It’s now, and will always be, your identity. It changes everything and for me it changed the way I live my entire life. I can’t, or mainly won’t, do what I once could do without any fear or apprehension. And let me tell you when you are not able to do what you used to do, it makes people who have known you a long time really frustrated.

You wouldn’t know just by looking at me, which I’m not really even sure if that’s a good or bad thing. People do not understand what they can’t see.

So if your reading this, my perfectly healthy friend, I guess the lesson is you are healthy and your identity is built around what you are able to do and how your body helps you do it. So take care of yourself and go have an amazing time this weekend. For the both of us.

HBO’s True Blood is almost here! Season four will premiere Sunday, June 26th. If you are a fan of the show I’m sure you are as excited as I am. Before last season I read the novel that the season is loosely based on. Dead To The World, is the fourth book in the series and so far Season 4 looks like it will include witches taking over and Eric’s memory erased, just like the book. Witches, were-panthers and fairies, this season is going to have some serious action! I’m not sure how I’m going to like this sweet and romantic Eric, he’s a confident, tough, broad shouldered, bad ass viking and that’s how I like him. As always I’m sure the ending of each episode will leave me excited to see the next.

#waitingsucks no more starting June 26th! I have put my Photoshop skills to good use by replacing my face with Sookie’s on the season 4 poster on the right. Hey a girl can dream. :)

Check out this sneak peak.

True Blood: Season 4 – Six Minute Sneak Peek (HBO)

Watch Sunday Truebies.

Last month I started applying for jobs and I updated my portfolio and resume to share with potential employers. In the job-seeking process it’s essential that you have a good portfolio website. I am hoping to make a good impression with the site, but unfortunately I haven’t hear back from any of the companies that I applied to. For this reason, I would like to ask you all for some feedback on my portfolio and resume.

I wish I could speak with potential employers directly and ask what they thought of my site, but most companies just have forms you fill out and you never really know who is looking over your work. I think this is unfortunate because I really want the job and I want to know how I can make it to an interview. What did those, who got an interview, have that I didn’t and how can I improve?

Everyone, designer or not, can give some valuable feedback. I’m just looking for people who can look at it seriously and give me some honest advice.

http://christinaolivas.com

Thanks in advance.

Also, let me know if you come across any graphic design positions in the South Bay. :)

This is one for all the university goers out there.

Take advantage of your school’s free resources. For me this meant volleyball with strangers who quickly became friends, therapy sessions with grad students, meditation class, computer labs, writing centers and lots of free food at events.

You can find at least one event, between classes, where you can stop by and get some free grub. This might not be true for all schools, buy at NMSU I belonged to so many email lists that I could find free food at least twice a week. It was great for a broke kid like me. So add yourself to email lists and programs to find out which campus events are going on near by.

I went to free therapy sessions my last semester, but I wish I would have taken advantage of the free service sooner. It was a good experience for me and it really helped to talk about my life and stress. Find out if your school provides this service and try a few sessions.

I’m sure there are many more free services and resources you can take advantage of, so go find them! You’re only a broke student for so long… and then you’re just broke.

Stay thirsty my friends.