Changing It Up

I know I've been MIA lately, but I have some good reasons: I got a new job! I'm so excited! I have returned to higher education as an Education and Employment Advisor! I have really liked getting to know my new team and learning more about everything that I get to do. And on my 1st day I walked in to my new office to find these:

I love flowers, especially tulips! It was such a great welcome!

The only sad thing about my new job: it's temporary :( It is grant funded and has an "expiration date" of Feb 2013. Although that sounds far away, I know it's not. It'll come quicker than I know it will. And unless the grant money is renewed (which is never a guarantee) I will again be job hunting. But until then, I'm going to try to learn as much as I can from this new adventure and be that much more desirable on my next job search path.

When it rains, it pours :)

I've always thought that the phrase "when it rains, it pours" doesn't necessarily apply to negative happenings. This past week my schedule went from relatively slow to very busy, so busy that I completely neglected anything computer related (Facebook, here, Pinterest, pictures, and school...eek).The difference between my previous 8 weeks and last week made me feel like I was running from one thing to another and came home exhausted after each excursion out. 

So what was I up to???

Starting in early December (shortly after I was laid off) I started volunteering on Monday and Tuesday afternoons at a local animal shelter walking dogs. Some may say (and some have said to me) that doesn't sound like fun, but I LOVE IT! I love walking in and seeing puppies/dogs who are all so happy to see me.  It is actually kind of selfish...because all the puppies/dogs are so happy to see me it's an instant self-esteem boost! Its really become a part of my week that I truly look forward to. So that took up my Monday and Tuesday afternoons.

Recently the salon my friend works at was looking for a new part-time receptionist and because she is an amazingly thoughtful person, she thought of me. We had worked together as salon receptionists way back in high school (so it wasn't going to be completely knew) and the salon owner was actually a stylist at that salon way back when, so we've known each for oooh about 12 years! Well anyway, they needed the position filled asap so on Monday after volunteering (in my snowpants, winter boots, etc) I ran across the street to hub's work (it's so convenient that he's practically across the road from the shelter) and changed into cute-salon clothes. I was able to get in some time with the current receptionists to learn some stuff and not be a complete idiot when I'm on my own. Well my training shifts ended up being Monday and Wednesday evening and then all day Friday. I'm so excited to have a reason to get dressed up and wear make-up!

And also on the job-front, I had an interview at a local college on Thursday! I had already had 2 phone interviews and was asked to come in to meet with the supervisor, get a tour, meet his team, and then meet the director. I was able to do the first 3 things, but the director had a last minute meeting in town for something so he apologized and asked if I was open to scheduling it for next week. Sure! 

Wednesday was also my dad's 60th birthday and my mom had decided to plan a surprise party for him to take place Saturday evening. Well because it was a surprise and held at their home...she asked for a lot of help. I was put in charge of creating the invites, picture boards, some more decor and set-up, and then co-hosting with my aunt when guests arrived. (I plan to write a whole thing up about his party because it turned out good!)

Then on Sunday was the Superbowl! Matt & I had invited his parents over to enjoy the game and of course food. Speaking of food, Matt had decided to make his "famous" crockpot turkey and I was sooo happy he did because it was sooo good. He actually got the crockpot going at 2am...when we got home from my dad's party!

So yes, this past week was busier than it has been over the past 2 months, but it felt good to have things to do and a schedule to keep. I'm looking forward to working 3 days/week, volunteering 2 days/week, and still getting together with people I love at least 1 day a week. 

And so I don't forget (and if anyone wants to try it) here is the turkey recipe. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

6-10 lbs turkey breast (really use however much you want to have, I purchased 7lbs and it made more than enough for 4 adults and leftovers for us and his parents to take with them)

16oz sour cream

2 bay leaves

1 tsp thyme

2c shredded white cheddar cheese

buns/rolls

1) Remove skin from turkey. Discard skin and place meat in crockpot with sour cream. 

2) Place bay leaves on top of turkey breast. Cover and cook on low for 8-12 hours (or on high for 4-5 hours).

3) Remove turkey and bay leaves set aside. Remove bones and throw away along with leaves. Shred turkey.

4) Add cheese & thyme to all juices in crockpot and stir well. 

5) Return meat to crockpot, stir gently. Add 1-2 cups water, salt & pepper (to taste) and stir.

6) Cook on low 1 more hour then enjoy!

Am I Even Trying???

Recently someone I know (who shall remain nameless) asked if I was "even trying to find another job?" Before I got all huffy and defensive (which is another "growing up" goal) I asked for clarification, "what do you mean?" They said they were just surprised that I didn't have another job already, because it has been like over a month now. Me: ummmm ok....

So after replying that "yes, I am trying" we had a (short) discussion as to the reasons I do not YET have another job: 

1) the job market is competitive, it is definitely an employer's market and they have their pick of applicants. I recently saw an interview with Suze Orman ("the internationally acclaimed personal finance expert") where she was discussing the average length someone spends finding another job. The stats have moved from about 6 months to 10-12 months...ON AVERAGE. That means that for some people it is taking even longer than a YEAR to find another job!

2) I have been applying for positions within higher education as that is the field that I have come to love and feel is the most rewarding for me (btw to date I have applied for 14 positions at area colleges/universities, had 1 interview, 3 flat out rejections, and 11 complete ignores), but there are only a finite number of colleges and they only have a finite number of openings that I qualify for...I mean I am pretty awesome but I don't think I qualify, just yet, to be the President of a University.

3) I refuse to settle for something that is not worth my time, money, or energy...just yet. I know I don't have "forever" to look for that perfect job but for now we are fortunate in that I have unemployment money coming in and can afford (no pun intended) to look for a job that I WANT rather than settling on a job that I can't stand and feel lousy going to. But yes, when push comes to shove, I will take "a job"...wherever that may be.

So could I go out and get any old job right now??? Probably. But do I want to just work just anywhere (that frankly will have restrictions on the times that I can schedule an interview elsewhere)??? No, I do not. I would rather be a full-time, stay-at-home wife, puppy mom, house cleaner, laundry folder, errand runner, dinner maker earning waaay less than half of what I was previously earning than getting paid minimum wage at a job that makes me want to "off myself". 

(And yes, that is a pretty good description of how the brief conversation went).

Bump in the Road

So on Wednesday (when it would be a usual "wordless wednesday" post) I was laid off from work. Yep you read that correctly. The company had been saying that they weren't doing so great financially, but about a month ago they laid off over 30 people in the corporate office and that was supposed to take care of the budget cuts/issues. After those layoffs we were assured that the campus-level was fine and especially the campus location I worked at...which was why my layoff came as a complete surprise...but then again, not really.

My former boss (who is now the boss-boss) has wanted me out since at least April. She is a very independent leader (yes, that could be an oxy-moron) who does NOT appreciate others' ideas (which she takes credit for) let alone their opinions. And me, having the opinionated, strong personality that I have, I started rubbing her wrong shortly after I started. So I'm not surprised that when people were picked to be laid off, I was chosen. 

But enough about her. In reflection of the day, I am actually very proud of the way I handled everything. I may have gotten teary-eyed when she was telling me, but I refused to cry (I remember saying that to myself "do NOT cry!!!") because I had shed ENOUGH tears at that job and over that job. So I just said "alright", asked my wonderful co-worker to help me quickly pack up my office, and get the hell out of there. My boss (who is actually a great manager and truly does care about people and his team) was so genuine when he said he was sorry. Shortly after I left, apparently 2 more people were laid off. And although it wasn't just me, it still sucks.

Matt was WONDERFUL and reminded me just how amazing and perfect (for me) he is. His response (to me calling him at work while driving home crying) was a perfect combo of sympathy and honesty. Yes, he acknowledged that it sucks (that not only I got laid off but that we really had no warning and hadn't really prepared...which I get that that comes with a surprise layoff) but he also reminded me that I wasn't 100% happy there. He pointed out that since starting that position at that branch 14 months ago, I have been treated horribly by management, ignored by HR, have left work crying, have hid in an empty room at work to cry, and have been looking for a new job for almost as long as I worked there. 

In the few days that have followed I have found a handful of openings in local higher education settings and have applied for ALL. I have my fingers, toes, and eyes crossed for a position that closes next Wednesday and they want the person to start 2 weeks after that. I try really hard not to get my hopes too high when I apply (because obviously I haven't been offered another job since I've been applying otherwise I would've taken that) but I'm really really really hoping this one pans out. It sounds like a perfect combo of my past experiences and would be a great new experience to have. 

So in addition to applying for positions, I have thoroughly cleaned our house and washed ALL our laundry. It's getting to the point where I can't clean anymore because nothing is getting a chance to get dirty lol. I am also now very open to social invitations and am soooo excited for tomorrow's get together with some very dear friends (we all met at the first campus branch I worked at) and my mom is coming over to spend the earlier part of the day with me. 

So yes, I am unemployed and my super-planner personality is freaking out a little (ok maybe a lot), but I am trying to keep perspective and remember something Matt told me about a year ago when my position was 1st in jeopardy: "it's just a job, it's not like you have cancer". Yes, I know it sounds morbid, but if I honestly think of this situation in this way, there are worse things in life than losing a job that, frankly, you really didn't like, so this is just a "bump in the road".