But by the end of last May, nearly every single one of my friends moved. I would go to places where a mere few weeks earlier knew or recognized 90 percent of the people there, and not know a soul. I felt like I was back to the first day of third grade starting at a new school after moving over the summer. That day, I walked into the classroom attached to my Mom’s arm with the strength of a Vulcan death grip seeing all of the unfamiliar eyes on unfamiliar faces stare at me. I didn’t even know where the nearest bathroom was. Scarring childhood memory aside, I eventually made plenty of friends and loved my school.

So, if as a third grader I could start the year barely able to let my Mom leave the room and end up with friends, what is stopping me as an adult? Upon reflection, it becomes obvious what the largest obstacle is to making new friends as a working professional. From kindergarten to senior year of college, we are constantly surrounded by people our own age. It’s pretty safe to say, most first-job offices are not full of 22-25 year olds eager to be your BFF.

Meeting other YPs (center with black skirt) at a Grand River Connection event

An initial thought to finding people in their mid-twenties is at a bar. However, I would advise against going to a bar alone (for many reasons, but mostly because that would make you a creeper), and going with friends requires making friends first. A different way to find young professionals is to join a young professionals group. It seems like a no-brainer, but I have found that a lot of people don’t realize these exist. Literally Google “young professionals [your city]” and it’s highly likely you will find one, if not more, groups. Look at their calendar and figure out when the next event is, then actually go. I started attending events for the local Grand River Connection group and have made some great (no pun intended) connections and actually met other cool YPs in Lansing.

Another way I have met new people is by turning my interests into opportunities.

Tennis

• I found a class at the local indoor facility, and now play once a week.

Dogs

• I recently started volunteering at the local Humane Society where it’s always easy to strike up a conversation with a cute puppy in hand.

With another local YP volunteering at the Alzheimer’s Association eventEvent planning

• I volunteered to help the Alzheimer’s Association plan an event and joined a committee with other local YPs.

Guilty pleasure TV shows

• I invited an acquaintance over to watch the latest episodes, and we now get together frequently.

Current friends and network

• It’s also always a good idea to keep your network in mind. Who do you know that may know other people in your city they can connect you with? One of my friends introduced me to her roommate she went in blind with. Her roommate happens to be a fun person to hang out with and will be in Lansing for another year finishing grad school.

I don’t think I will ever replace some of the friendships I have built over the years even though many of them are now long-distance. But having friends to hang out with is an important part of work-life balance and overall happiness. By putting myself out in the community, I have had the chance to meet other people my age. When I meet someone I think I can get along with, I am sure to get their card or number. Then, I try to initiate a time to get together whether it’s to go to the next YP group event, watch some mindless TV or play with puppies. I also keep in mind that at some point, everyone feels the same third-grade anxiety of meeting new people and most are not maxed-out on friends.

How do you make new friends? Any tips on meeting new people?

Happy to have my “I voted” sticker and pizza

I drove past my polling location on my way to work this morning and noticed a line out the door, planning to go back later. I didn’t have a chance to get away from my desk to vote during the day, but was hearing about long lines and expectations of record voter turnout. Waiting in line seemed inevitable and likely to take at least an hour. But I was determined to vote even if it meant camping out. Being prepared and planning ahead is second nature to me so of course the first thing I thought of was…food. I had to bring something to eat; it would be prime dinner time. For those who know me well, skipping or delaying a meal makes me less than favorable to be around. I decided to order a small pizza from a place by work to bring along.

Feeling ready to brave the wait with my hot pizza in hand, I pull up to the location only to find no line out the door and few cars in the parking lot. Pleasantly surprised, I leave my pizza in the car, fill out my ballot and am back home all within 20 minutes. But I swear if I didn’t bring food, my polling spot would have had a grueling three hour wait with only one open booth. Alas, I voted and came home to enjoy my lukewarm pizza while watching the election drama play out.

Similarly to millions of other Americans, I am sitting with my TV on but more notably with my laptop nearby working in overtime. Experts are calling 2008 “truly a historic election” for many reasons. One of these is the advent of using the Internet and social media throughout the entire process. Tonight I am following a few online resources that are fluid and ever-changing as the evening progresses. Twitter has an election page streaming hundreds of comments per minute from across the twitterverse (twitter universe) relating to the election.

Twitter election page

On facebook, users can declare that they voted and are added to the running tally. This page even makes it simple to find your polling location by entering your address.

YouTube and PBS are broadcasting voting experiences from across the country organized on an interactive map for the Video Your Vote campaign. One of the coolest things about this page is the “notable voters.” Watch video of John McCain, Sarah Palin, Barack Obama, Joe Biden, rapper T.I., Craig Newmark (founder of craigslist), and even a 99-year-old woman as they put in their votes.

There are countless other resources, blogs, wikis, social networks and beyond that are buzzing about the election tonight. After I post this, I will likely find others. This is definitely what can be called information overload. But it’s a great opportunity to engage in the conversation and more importantly engage youth in the conversation. I’m proud to say that I am a 20-something woman and today, I voted!

What was your experience like at the polls? How are you keeping up with the action tonight?

With some of my coworkers at the start line

It was my second race experience, having done the same 5K in 2007. This year I was less than prepared for the run. On the days leading up to the race I had moments of panic when I realized I committed to running more than three miles and the last time I ran that far was exactly one year prior.

As I stood at the start line Sunday morning I could feel the nervousness and adrenaline surging through my body. I was surrounded by hundreds of people in my lane and hundreds of (crazy) people in the half marathon lane. There was so much electricity and excitement in the air I felt like I could reach up and grab a piece of it. I even made a nervous joke about my heart rate already being high just standing waiting for the countdown. (My heart rate monitor/watch read 138 so it was one of those times when you act like you’re kidding, but really you are completely serious.)

5…4…3…2…1 and the mass begins to move, forcing me along. I turned up my mix of techno, rap and dance music and tried to get into a rhythm. But, right before the one mile mark I started to cramp and had to walk. After walking for about a minute and watching others pass me, I realized it would be more of a mental than physical challenge. At that moment I decided I was going to run the rest of the way not to get a good time, or beat anyone but for my own sense of accomplishment.

So I picked it up again and then I hit the zone. I got into a pace, albeit a slow one, and had tunnel vision with my focus on finishing. With runners all around and spectators cheering I pushed myself to keep running. Then I came around a corner along the River Trail for a glorious sight of the finish. I could hear some of my coworkers cheering me on as I looked down at my feet crossing the finish line. I was greeted with music, food, friends and the satisfaction of completing my goal.

Here I am (left) giving a thumbs-up to my coworker’s husband seconds before finishing.

Despite the challenge, nerves and sweat I experienced, I would encourage anyone to try a 5K race. Not only is it a great way to be active, but most runs are also supporting a cause. Running is an activity that simply requires shoes and stepping out the front door. For those intimidated by running (as I was at first) I would recommend one of my favorite training plans I found called the Couch-to-5K. Then take the step to actually sign up for a race to try to stay motivated and committed.

It does not need to be about finishing first or last. As one of my coworkers pointed out, we all finished before the person sitting at home.