Just when you think Lego couldn't come up with more building techniques, this comes around... and i'm sitting here like, whoa. No way. This is possible. hahaha. Okay, not that I've built every set Lego has ever released, but yah, this build was awesome possum. 

I was so impressed by this set...! Hahaha! 

I was that pseudo-millenial-thinker when it came to the work force. I didn't want to go corporate. I didn't want stressful office hours. I didn't want to be a "slave". I also didn't want to drive all the way to work and go through traffic after a long day. I spent many years doing freelance work (which wasn't bad at all) plus doing 'work-from-home' jobs here and there. The most recent job though... it was the worst experience so far. I won't get into detail, but it did push me to wake up and prove a point. Okay, more of prove a point to myself. I went ahead and told myself, let's give the advertising industry a shot. Thing is, the ad world has always been my angel and demon. I feared it so much, but at the same time, I was curious. All the horrors stories of people dying or having breakdowns got me scared because I KNOW myself... if i'm super stressed out, I don't cry or rant, I get VERY ANGRY. I've been working sooooo hard to control (and even eliminate!) my anger issues, so deliberately placing myself in a place that could bring all those anger issues back??? Am I crazy?! 

I went ahead and tried. With help and a whole lotta pushing, I was able to grab a freelancing gig at BBDO. If I do well, then there's a chance of absorption. Cool! Well... guess what, it's been a week and EVERYTHING THAT I FEARED WOULD HAPPEN, HAPPENED. HAHA! 

• Over-time almost every night. I get in at 9:30am and I leave at 9-10pm. That's 12 hours... everyday. Come on... like that's a little insane. I know I work longer hours at home, but the fridge it right there and I'm wearing comfortable clothes. 
• I had to go to work on a Saturday to help with a Pitch and stayed waaaay past my 'bedtime'. 
• I dealt with a toxic workmate. I swear this one shocked the hell out of me! They're real! They exist! They're a whole diff kinda person! 
• Received a Job Order late within the day and had to bring it home cos it was already 11:30pm and I was still at the office. Worked til 4am and had to get up at 6am cos you know... work the next day. 
• HAD A PANIC ATTACK. Holy crapola. Yup, I panicked and I legit went hella negative for like 30 mins? I think? All the things I hated about myself came out, but my best friend grabbed me by the collar like a boss and told me to calm the fuck down. That helped. A LOT. hahaha. 

The most interesting part in all of this is.... I'm fine and I'm ready to do more work. I thought this would make me doubt everything, but nah, let's work harder and get back in there!!! 

After my first week, there are lots of things I realized. When I say "lots", I mean A WHOLE LONG LIST OF THINGS. I won't go through that list because I want to know which ones to work on first, but I'm convinced I need to up my game by a lot. I never thought I was THEE BEST SHIZZ FIZZLE DAMN RIGHT AWESOME DESIGNER, but I know I have skills and there's still a whole lot of space for growth. For the past 12 years, I worked really hard on Conceptualization, Illustration, and Art Direction, but I didn't work hard on the more technical side of design. I can create things inside my head like a boss. Branding became my passion and I can create a whole identity and execute it. Layouting is SO MUCH FUN. I didn't know I also needed to work on my photoshop / editing skills. This is where I'm struggling. In my many years of design, I never had to do this kind of editing. So, I have to work double time and really go back to everything i've studied in the past. 

BRING IT. I'm ready. I'm not sure if I'll stay in this company. I don't know where I'll end up, but I'm enjoying this ride so far. It's only been a week and I already learned many many things. A lot of life lessons if you ask me. Most importantly, I'm finally answering questions I've been thinking about for a long time now: I have the passion and drive, I just needed a place to show it. My life is moving forward and I'm happy about that. I don't feel so stuck anymore, so it's time to keep moving and grow even more. There's so much more to learn and I'm so excited about it.