Have any of you read Time Magazine's newest feature article entitled "The New Greatest Generation?" It presented some fascinating - and troubling - statistics and predictions about our generation of 20-somethings who have been (silver-)spoon-fed a diet of praise and high expectations of super-stardom.
I was struck dumb by the line, just a few paragraphs in, that "All that self-esteem leads them to be disappointed when the world refuses to affirm how great they know they are. 'This generation has the highest likelihood of having unmet expectations with respect to their careers and the lowest levels of satisfaction with their careers at the stage that they're at,' says Sean Lyons, co-editor of "Managing the New Workforce: International Perspectives on the Millennial Generation." 'It is sort of a crisis of unmet expectations.'"
Enter me.
I am 24, well-educated, toting a degree from a prestigious liberal arts college, a Fulbright Fellowship, and the innocent delusion that because of those first two entities, the rest of my career will fall gently and swiftly into my lap.
Reality check.
It is really hard to find a job in this economy, especially when you have very few marketable skills besides "Proficient in Microsoft Office" and "Educated at all the best schools." All of a sudden, that naive bubble that finding a job would be easy because "good things will always happen to me" has popped. I am unhappily underemployed with way too much time on my hands to wallow in self-pity about just how hard it is to find that elusive "perfect" full-time job that offers me the hours and benefits that I want, as well as a sense of challenge, excitement, and satisfaction.
Enter my roommates.
They know just how frustrated I've been and, between you and me, are probably sick and tired of seeing me moping around the apartment day after day. Praising me for my inventiveness at finding reasons to pull myself out of bed each day: finding new (and free) museums to visit on my many days off, meeting friends for coffee in the middle of their work days, or setting new fitness goals to pass the time, they suggested that I embark on a project.
Unknowingly, I've probably been on the path to this project my entire life. I've always liked the idea of writing, beginning in 7th grade when I discovered how to use LiveJournal, and evolving into my travel blogs from my various stints abroad. And, let's be real. When have I ever not enjoyed eating and talking about it at length? I mean, hello! I'm from a big Jewish family! Oftentimes we will be sitting around the dinner table, eating and chatting, and already planning tomorrow's meal.
Thus, my roommates might have been on to something when they suggested I start a food blog. I love to cook, I love to try new places (and old favorites!) to dine in Somerville and Cambridge and, well, I just simply love to eat. I've lived in Somerville for a little under a year and have barely just begun to delve into all that its food scene has to offer.
So here I am, delving in, and finding a fun and satisfying (not to mention delicious!) project to keep me busy during my bountiful days off from my temp job. I'll be posting recipes, reviewing restaurants, and exploring the area with the hope that I find meaning and enjoyment out of this project, all while trying to find that elusive career that I've been yearning for.
Hey, after all, this is the "Me Generation," so I can do whatever the hell I want!
