Ask Amanda

Dear Amanda,
I've been trying to figure out what to do this summer. My mom thinks I should move home and save money to plan for the future. I could also stay in Harrisonburg, but there are many unknowns. Should I move home and fight it out with my parents, but save lots of money? Or should I move down to VA with my EMU family and save no money? Also, as a graduate, should I try to find a job in my major or just hang low for a while?
-Summer is Coming Soon

Dear Summer (if only it would come soon),
My dear, let's talk about your priorities. What are your true summer goals?

Do your summer goals include family bonding, money banking, and future dreaming? A nice quiet summer at home would allow a final mooching off of the parental checkbook. At a steady food service job you will find ample time to mindlessly daydream of things to come while flipping formerly mooing creatures. Each hour you pass flittering and flipping will amass in your bank account at the very schnell rate of $5.15 an hour, before taxes. Yay minimum wage!

As potentially your final summer at home, you could enjoy the company of your loving family. Mom will cook mac & cheese, Annoying Younger Sibling will hoard the remote, and Dad will coax you to play catch as he fires 90 mile-per-hour fastballs at your old little league glove. Oh the joys of home.

Perhaps your true summer priorities lie with college friends and a final romp in the Burg. O Shenandoah. Due to the lack of competition which is due to the lack of young people, you will have no problem finding employment to the tune of $5.15 an hour (Go Team!). Everyday on your commute to and from work, you will experience l'exquisite l'odeur d'Harrisonburg. Allow me to translate: that funky dog food smell.

Summer in the Burg will give you the opportunity to cling to your college friends. As you sadly commiserate on fast-approaching adulthood, you can enjoy the stars, go cow tipping, or streak through EMU's fountain (it only runs in the summer). Maybe an evening's boredom will inspire you to create great art, install a pink flamingo on a neighbor's lawn, or water-balloon attack guys grilling out. It's good to be a (poor) kid.

As for seeking a job in your field, I think it's a wonderful idea. (Maybe Helen Nafziger in Career Counseling Services could help)

Money is temporary, as is summer and the future will never be here (because then it would be the present). Whatever you decide, I advise you to follow the fun, except when mother knows best.

Good luck,
Amanda