thePassage

Did I forget

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To introduce myself...

Finding An Agent That’s Right For You

There was an article published not long ago. It started out with how “glorious” your 20’s are “supposed” to be. The emphasis on “supposed” was a sure indication that the rest of the column would go on to tarnish that expectation. It wasn’t until the column’s conclusion that the standard, “You’re not alone. I’m here to defend you, but only after I completely discourage you,” remedy offered. All together, “Gee. Thanks.” Personally, as a reader, I might’ve enjoyed a more historic to present reflection with mention or suggestion of a middle ground in place of the writer’s theory on seeking validation via internet selfies and sex. To readers of this issue, I hope you enjoyed Young Adulthood 101 (pg. 3)- an attempt at a more evolved look into young adulthood. Honestly, experience has proven that life can be dreary, but after attending the Americorp/Volunteer Florida 20th Anniversary massive service project this year, I’d say, tons of adults are choosing to be alive together. We’re volunteering in communities, working with our hands (pg. 4) and telling our stories (pg. 2) with the help of some who’ve defended

And that is just a part of what fuels 20Something Media LLC- being handed, taking, and sharing the reigns. So, to the past, thank you for the memories. To Tampa Bay, thank you for re-welcoming me. And to the future, see you soon. By the way, I’m Terrika, a 20something former journalism student, current life student. I am founder of 20Something Media LLC. You can connect with me via www.terrika.me or on Twitter @ErrikawithaT.

Sign Language Interpreting

The Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf‘s website acknowledges sign language interpreting as a rapidly growing field within schools, private agencies, court systems and more. Demand for mobile sign linguists is high in medium to large sized cities. “Interpreters typically fall in one of three categories: Agency interpreter, meaning that you thePassage, 20Something Media

us all along and in spite of those who have not. We’re learning to defend ourselves.

Handy work >>>

REAL ESTATE Very few probably would argueCOMPANY with the idea that nothing says “handy work” like sign language speakers and interpreters.

Issue

are employed by an agency that provides you job assignments; Freelance interpreter, meaning that you are responsible for finding and maintaining your own client base; Contracted interpreter, meaning that you take on aspects of both the agency interpreter and the freelance interpreter. You provide services to an interpreter services agency or to other agencies in accordance with the terms and conditions of a particular contract or contracts. You are not an employee of the interpreter services agency or any other agencies for which they provide services.”

coming soon >>>

the Passage

- More Handy Work - Young Adult Horror Stories - Resolving the NY resolution issue - Entertainment Year in Review

The site goes on to say that factors determining interpreter salaries include: “geographical area (rural areas tend to pay less than urban areas); education; amount of experience; credentials; and type of interpreter, such as freelance, contracted or agency,” just to name a few.

“The reason the language of money is secret for most of us is that we keep it a secret from ourselves.” - David Krueger, M.D. The Secret Language of Money

in this issue >>> - Introduction

The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders’ website estimates the American version of the language arising more than 200 years ago. ASL and other forms of sign language, like British Sign Language, are used differently in different countries. They are not universal. “American Sign Language (ASL) is a complete, complex language that employs signs made by moving the hands combined with facial expressions and postures of the body,” according to the institute’s website. “It is the primary language of many North Americans who are deaf and is one of several communication options used by people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing.”

- Handy Work Series: Sign Language Interpreter - Young Adulthood 101

Getting your money right The First Steps to Budgeting

You may have been advised to budget once before. Maybe you listened or perhaps you didn’t. If you’re reading this, there is likely a need to emphasize the practice once again. Before the number crunching begins, there are some steps that could make the process less of a chore. • Identify your needs versus your wants. Be honest. – Although she was writing about retirement in the September 2014 issue of Essence magazine, Jasmine Parker wrote that, “The only way to know how much money you’ll need in your lifetime is to track what you’re spending today.” With that said, be honest with yourself about what you have to spend your money on today and what you can wait and save for. Consider thrift shopping where acceptable. “Buying something used might mean settling for a product of lower quality than you can get new. That’s fine for many purchases. Nobody can reasonably expect to buy the best of everything,” wrote Gregory Karp in The 1-2-3 Money Plan. •

Talk about it- “The reason the language of money is secret for most of us is that we keep it a secret from ourselves,” David Krueger, M.D. concluded in his book with John David Mann, The Secret Language of Money. The subject of money can be touchy. If you’re serious about spending responsibly, find at least one person you can have a “where’s-our-money-going and why” conversation with. Share budget successes and failures and together you may embark on a plan that will work. (For any Young Adult making more money than the law should allow, see a professional financial advisor immediately, please.)

•

Set up an organized system- Consider how you’ll track your spending. Sure, you could scribble expenses and do the math on a sheet of paper. Or you can create an organized all-purpose method, like creating a spreadsheet. This puts you in a clearer space when dealing in an area that can easily become frustrating. Volume 1 Issue 1 September 2014 1

- Handling Landlord/Tenant Issues

Sept. 2014

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Written by Terrika Mitchell

Young Adulthood 101

Young Adult Stories >>> “Why don’t you just go to NYC?” people ask. Well, for one, between the two-hour train ride to the city (at $15 each way), then the 15 to 20-minute train ride to the festivities, it will be the last dance by the time I arrive. So going out is now a special occasion where it must be planned weeks in advance and requires me using my coveted paid vacation days. That will not happen. Marcus Scott (pictured above) takes time to enjoy the fruits of his corporate labor. (photo courtesy of Facebook)

(Corporate) Assimilation

Writtenby Marcus Scott

My collegiate journey consisted of a few stints in the workforce. Despite detours, I returned to finish my studies, but not without sleepless nights searching job postings during undergrad. After a few dedicated months of hunting I landed a position in New Jersey. I thought I knew what to expect. The first day was typically uneventful. The other newbies and I took a semi-tour, met management and took photos for identification badges. Fast-forward three years later and not much has changed; Same job, same city, same circumstances. I hate my life. Do not get me wrong I thank God that I am gainfully employed but this is not what I signed up for. My entire life changed overnight. I traded one devil for another, naïvely thinking it was an upgrade. In actuality, it is freshman year all over again. I am low man on the totem pole, constantly fighting to prove my value while simultaneously battling culture shock. I knew that came with the deal. What I did not expect was assimilating into a workforce where I’d lose pieces of my personality and originality. Transitioning from college to career was supposed to be an upgrade to my undergrad shenanigans with an extra 60k a year. It is nothing close. My eight-hour evening schedule, five out of seven days has ensured that my social life is non-existent. No one, and I mean not a single solitary soul, is around when I get off. Everyone is headed to the function, at the function or leaving the function. Furthermore, once I get home and change clothes it is 1 a.m. and everyone is drunk, boo’ed up or charging foolish prices to party for an hour. thePassage, 20Something Media

The second unexpected variable about life after college and most important to myself, is making friends. College was a melting pot where various people from all over came together with the common goal to learn. In that environment it was easy to make connections with like-minded individuals and bond over a shared love for cinnamon Pop Tarts. This does not happen in real life. The average professional is at work 40 hours a week and guess who those people form bonds with? Co-workers. Unfortunately for me, the majority of my coworkers are older than my parents and not nearly as entertaining. They look at me like I’m a puzzle. “Oh you look so nice today. How did you put that combination together?” or “Wow, you write too? I thought you were just a designer,” they say.

Needless to say after years of trying to establish meaningful relationships with the dinosaurs I have given up. I am polite and professional, but also make haste toward the exit at the end of my shift. I have met a few interesting characters closer to my age in my community. One guy stole my cell phone, another person stole $20 from me, and one kept showing up at my domicile unannounced. I took this as a direct sign from God. Message received. No new friends. Of all the things I reminisce about, I repeatedly pine over the lack of spontaneity. Now, I can write my next month out in hourly increments and it would not deviate much. That feeling I get in my gut- that fiery urge to not think, just do- it is still present. It’s just neglected- flightless like a peacock, one of the most brilliantly-colored birds but unable to take to the skies and experience true freedom. And like that bird, my mojo has been grounded, I’ve had to put my career first and myself second. I never thought I would make such concessions. But when in Rome, right?

Written by Terrika Mitchell

We all have preconceived notions of what a young adult should look like, be and/or do. But did you know, beyond the stereotype is a theory- courtesy of Erik Erickson- on psychosocial development. Perhaps Erickson’s analysis of

beProductive in your timealone It is natural to want to be socially active- if not in person, then online. However, a

the “young adult” stage mirrors your current experiences, particularly in the

balance of interaction and quiet time is a

intimacy department.

healthy option. Before turning to a mind numbing activity to relieve yourself of idle

Naturally, you may identify a young adult as someone ranging from 18 to 20-something years old. Many imagine that, by 30 they're fully grown up and coasting.

time, here is a list of things you may enjoy

Well, according to Erik Erikson's stages of psychosocial development, young adulthood lasts from approximately 18 to 39/40. The young adult stage, number 6 in Erikson's theory, is Intimacy vs. Isolation.

Exercise

doing while alone:

Meditation

Simplypsychology.org says, "Occurring in young adulthood (ages 18 to 40), we begin to share ourselves more intimately with others. We explore relationships leading toward longer term commitments with someone other than a family member." The site goes on to say that "Successful completion of this stage can lead to comfortable relationships and a sense of commitment, safety, and care within a relationship. Avoiding intimacy, fearing commitment and relationships can lead to isolation, loneliness, and sometimes depression. Success in this stage will lead to the virtue of love." Women may naturally grow into this phase, but have you ever wondered how men adjust? Why they may resist?

Movie/Documentary-watching Creative Activities (arts& craft, writing, playing an instrument) Traveling Reading Organizing

Licensed clinical psychologist Seth Meyers, Psy.D. wrote for psychologytoday.org saying that previous relationship trauma and secret addictions are a couple of the reasons why men may avoid intimacy.

Cleaning

Tweet Marcus @SilentExtrovert Some women may argue some of the same to account for intimacy issues.

<<< ask the experts

Landlord/Tenant Issues

Hope isn't lost though. Holding hands, exploring experiences that are new to both of you, and even eye gazing are ways to work toward the intimacy this phase refers to.

Occasionally, issues arise between landlords and tenants. As a preventative measure, it is helpful to know your rights as a renter before agreeing to terms. Here are some suggestions for when dealing with disagreements in rental arrangements:

Perhaps you prefer the isolation route for now. With a healthy balance of interaction, it does not have to mean destruction. See this issue’s list of things to stay productive in your alone time (pg. 3).

Written by On Location!Terrika Mitchell

- Review your lease agreement in detail to see if the issue at hand is addressed. Make note of where negotiations can be made.

University of South Florida football coach Ron Dugans had his hands full the opening week of September, as he prepared for the team’s game against Maryland and observed Florida’s Drowsy Driving week, which happens to be in memory of his daughter Ronshay.

- Submit complaints in writing and keep records of contact about the complaint issue. - Report building code issues, such as mold and sanitation to the Department of Health for enforcement.

Ronshay was 8 years old when she passed after the fatigued driver of a cement truck hit the after-school bus she was traveling on with other students.

- Unless your complaint is criminal, don’t bother reporting the landlord to the police or sheriff. Consider recovering funds through small claims court after consulting an attorney or legal aid about the contractual agreement. *Editor’s Note: This is not to be regarded as legal advice. Please see private attorney or legal aid if legal conflict arises.

“Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.” - Maya Angelou

(pictured above) USF Coach Ron Dugans tweeted this photo on September 1, with the caption “Remembering Ronshay! Thank you family, friends and USF coaches wives for your help today!”

Annually, the week is celebrated by passing out coffee at rest stops along the interstate along with other initiatives.

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