New Opportunities

As I was looking towards my spring semester, I suddenly felt this anxiety. Yes, I have been blessed to get this job at the Maxwell Institute, but why haven't I been trying to take advantage of all of the other opportunities offered in college? So I made the decision to not take my upper level grammar class I was scheduled to take and I started to look for an internship. I talked to my editing superviser, and he gave me a list of people to contact about internships. I've never made cold calls (or emails, really) before, and I found that most people were looking for someone to stay on for the next school year.

But finally, mercifully, I got a bite.

BYU Religious Studies brought me in for an interview and editing test, and I received an official offer about an hour later! I'll be working on journals, magazines, and books with a group of editors. It's a paid position and I'll be working about 10 hours a week to receive my internship credit. I am so excited to start this additional phase of editing!

Now when I graduate, all I have to do is find a group of religious writers who might be looking for an editor. That should be a large population of people, right?

Street Cred

I love my job. I really do. I'm not sure how I was so blessed to have this job, but I'm so happy I do! I've gone from a minimum wage custodial job to working as an editor for the Ancient Text department with an increase in pay. I get to work from home most days and blast all of the ABBA songs I want on my iPod as I go through transcripts. There is something so empowering about learning something in one of my editing classes and being able to apply it immediately to my job.

I'm working on refining a transcription of a journal by a woman named Helen Harris who traveled around the Middle East and Europe during the late 1800s. She went to see the tombs in Egypt, talked to the shieks in India, and drank tea and gossiped with some priests near the Mediterranean Sea. It's simply fascinating! The importance of oral and written histories is continually impressed upon me in my life as I see how invaluable they can be to future generations.

I also have finished editing and proofing my 2nd book! First was the Book of Steps, which analyzed an ancient religious document from the Middle East, and this last one was Foundations for Syriac Lexicography. Here's one of the coolest parts:

Look at that! One day, someone who is eager enough and enjoys the book enough will look through the introduction and see that I helped change a few commas around and showed the publishers the proper way to write ellipses in Chicago style! It's really quite brilliant. One day, I aspire to have my name as the official editor of the book, right under the author's name. Edited by Rachel Taylor. Yeah, that sounds nice. Perhaps there will even be a note of me in the acknowledgements: "I couldn't have made this book without the constant support and wise advice of my editor. Rachel, this book wouldn't have been possible without you." Okay, maybe I'm dreaming a little. It could happen! One day. One. Day.

Now Run Around Like a Crazy Person!

It has been far too long since I have posted on here. My dear mother was kind enough to remind me of this fact yesterday:

 To my credit, I have a few excuses. Working 20 hours a week, attending 2 classes, planning a wedding, attempting to remain social with my friends, and lots of family time. It has been one crazy spring semester! I have had so many blessings these past few weeks, it's seriously a miracle.

1) I have managed to survive these classes. I'm currently taking my upper level grammar class and I am finishing up my last French class EVER! Hold on. Is this real life? I ask myself that often. It's not that I hate French, I just hate how much time I spend on a class that isn't directly linked to my major. But in just 3 days, I shall be done forever! Ah blissful day! Considering that it's summer, beautiful weather and no one else seems to be taking classes around me except for one of my roommates, my motivation to study has not been significantly high the past few weeks. In spite of that. I have managed to do well on my tests and assignments and I with a bit of hard work this week, I should finish this semester in good graces. I am fully aware of the Lord's hand in my life as He has helped me with these tests.

2) I just got the job of my college career. The best part is I didn't even know I was applying for it! My boss at my custodial job, Renea, told us a week ago that she leaving to go to Seattle to pursue her career goals. We are all really excited for her but to be honest, she was one of the last things tying me to that job. My job has been wonderful this past year because it has given me so much flexibility with school and health problems. However, I have aspired to graduate with some more relevant job experience to put on my resumé. Then I found the job. I applied for an Administrative Assistant position but while I was explaining my experience with editing, he offered me a different position! I am currently the editor for the Ancient Text department through the Maxwell Center and I'll be spending the summer editing a book that is up for publication and I will be spending the rest of the year working with the publications department on their various publications. It all hit me when I asked how long the job would last and he said in his charming British accent, "Ideally, forever. Or at least until you graduate."

Stars began to flash before my eyes and it really hit me: I'm going to help publish books. This is my dream! It was impossible to keep a smile off my face as I accepted the job and floated all the way home. Did I mention that it is a 30 second walk from my apartment right now?

3) My biggest blessing in my life is my wonderful fiancé. He's my best friend and he helps me through everything. He's helping me reestablish my study habits by going to the library with me 2 hours a day while he studies for the GMAT, eats dinner with me almost every night, listens to all of my stories, laughing at my jokes (even the ones that aren't funny), and letting me cry on his shoulder when the pressures get too big. It has been a difficult semester in some respects, simply due to the pressures of planning and studying and trying to maintain work hours. I have heard it said before, but once you start making incredible decisions like preparing for a mission or getting engaged, the world seems to fight against you and tries to stop you. Despite the pressures and stress, I know that nothing can stop me in my pursuit of happiness. With my family, loved ones and my Savior on my side, I know that I cannot fail.

61 days until I become Rachel Taylor. The goal is in sight!