The Job Search

So how's the job search going? Ha...that's a funny question. So far, I've submitted lots and lots of applications, and not heard back from any other them. Well, I take that back, I did get a call today saying that they would be on the look-out for my application.

It all started when I didn't get the position at Western. That was fine, because it was a position that I really didn't feel right about anyway. From the beginning, it was just a filler application; I knew it wasn't what I should be doing. And then I submitted one to the Juvenile Justice department, and I haven't heard anything from them. I'm not sure if they thought I was over-qualified, or if it's because of the hiring freeze for nearly all state positions.

So I submitted an online application to Cracker Barrel. I got a call asking me to come in and fill out a paper application. I did that. They interviewed me on a Tuesday, said they would talk to the scheduling manager, and call me in a couple days. Fast forward two weeks. I call to see why I haven't heard anything, and I'm told that they just aren't hiring right now, but they'll call me if they need me. One, don't tell me you'll call if you won't. Two, don't call and ask me to come in for an interview if you aren't hiring. Three, why post online that you need employees if you don't??

Last night I submitted resumes to 8 places or so, in addition to the others that I've been submitting here and there. Today, I put in four at Pardee Hospital, and three at Mission. Sean's aunt knows people at Mission, so she gave me some numbers to call. One lady called me back and said she was keeping an eye out for my application, and would try to set me up an interview. I also mailed in an application for a probation officer position. It opened on Tuesday and closes next Tuesday. That's actually the position that I'm most qualified for.

All in all, I'll keep searching, and try to keep my head up. It's just easy right now to get discouraged. I keep thinking about the fact that we get married in a month, and if I don't get a job, we can't make it. We literally have no income. It's hard too, because I really don't know what I want to do. I would love to work with juveniles, or at-risk youth. On the other hand, I have research ideas for prison systems and socialization. I'm also interested in studying the public perception of male nurses. I think in the long run, I just have to push through until I can go back to school for my masters. I have so many studies I want to do; I just have to get to that point in life first.

What a run!

I'm at Sean's for a couple days, so I decided to go for a nice run out the road yesterday. It's about a mile and a half to the stoplight right before the campus where he has class, so I timed it so that I could run to campus, and then he could bring me back.

It was a wonderful run. I was in a long sleeve tech shirt and a skirt, and I even got a little warm. The whole time, I had a clear head. For me, that's a big deal. I always have some kind of thought running through my head, but not this time. My feet kept going, but I didn't have to focus on anything except getting over when cars would come by.

All in all, I kept a pretty decent pace. I'm normally a 10:40 pace kind of girl, but I did 1.5 miles in 14 minutes. That comes out to about a 9:40 pace. And I didn't even feel like I was running hard. Granted, the last half mile was a slight downhill, but nothing too crazy. Even for the small uphills, I would be at the top before I even knew what was going on.

It was a "deer" moment for me. I felt fast, and good, and like a real runner. I loved being outside. I loved the motion. I loved that I wasn't thinking about the job search. I was just running. And it was good.

Even more fun stuff!

Check it out! I've learned how to sign my name to my posts! I thought it would add a little bit of personality to it!

Randomness

Wow...it's funny how I seem to post in spurts, isn't it. I think I update my layout design more than I post now. I've developed a bit of an obsession with digital scrapbooking, and I'm loving being able to change up my blog whenever I want to. Normally I'm not a fan of pink, but I just love this paisley look!

Life is pretty crazy right now. The job search continues, and I'm really starting to get frustrated about it. It wouldn't be so bad, but I really want to be in Asheville so that I'm closer to Sean and all of my friends. And I know that the sooner I can get a job, the sooner we can find a place and I can start moving all the stuff we've gotten as wedding presents. Seriously, our formal living room has been overtaken. There's a walkway now.

I can feel muscles in my stomach and back that I've not used in a while tonight. I did one set of core exercises today, because I know it's something I really need to work on. Plus, dad has a new stability ball, and I'm trying to convince Sean that it's what we need to get. I wanted to run through some stuff I could do with it before I brought it up again. One thing I learned is that it's hard to do a sit-up when the ball is rolling under you. And the back extensions were tough.

Running-wise, I'm doing ok. I realized that due to everything that's been going on, there was no way I would hit 40 miles this month. I've dropped my goal down to 30. I have 11.5 more to get in over the next 8 days. I can do it. Now, if I can just figure out a good stretch for my hip. My knee got stiff after some wall squats, and I must have been favoring it, because now my hip on that side hurts.

Now I think I'm going to head to bed. It's nearly 1am, but I'm really not all that tired. Well, I am, but I can't fall asleep. Ugh. Maybe if I get still for long enough, I will. Goodnight. :)

Check this out!

I won an award! Thanks Sonia (www.chooseyethisday.blogspot.com) for thinking my blog is fabulous!

I unfortunately, really only read a couple blogs with any regularity...and one of those is Sonia's. There's just something about blog surfing that makes me happy; I would much rather have one or two regular ones, and then click links to find different ones for a day or two.

Anyway, I'm going to pass this on to one of my online running friends...she posts her meals everyday, as well as pictures of her cute little dog. But just in case she doesn't want me to link her, I'm not going to. I know some people only give out their blog addies to people they know.


Oh, and I have to post 5 addictions, so here they are!
1. I love cake. Pound cake, sheet cake, it really doesn't matter. Preferably with a ton of icing!
2. Digital scrapbooking. I finally found a creative outlet that doesn't really cost me much. Once I get some more pages done, I'll get them printed, and that'll be the only real cost. I use free kits and a free editing program.
3. Chocolate milk. While I was at school, I didn't drink it very often. Now, I can't get enough. I've even tried the chocolate soy milk. It's not bad, but it's not quite the same as making a glass for myself.
4. Pets. I need to get a job so I can get out and start looking for a cat or two. I want an adult, but Sean wants kittens. He'll probably win that one.
5. Learning. Even though I've just finished school, I'm already trying to figure out when I can go back. There's always more to learn!

My last few days...

You can find out all about my last few days here: www.chooseyethisday.blogspot.com

Sonia should be posting some pictures and stuff too when she gets home (hopefully they'll be home tomorrow). And I can post more later...but now, it's bedtime for me!

It's really over...

Today everyone went back to school, except me. I sat at Sean's instead (he didn't have class, for whatever reason). It's funny, the moment that really made it real that I wasn't going back, was being passed by people on the interstate who were heading back to campus. I recognized their parking tags. The same tag that I took down after graduation.

I almost broke down, but I held back. It's going to happen soon though. There are just too many changes going on in my life right now, and I've been holding it together for way too long. I know I'll feel better if I just have a good cry, but I don't want to. I want to wait until I'm alone. I don't want sympathy. I just want to cry out all this stress and change, and then move on.

It's hard though, getting messages from everyone telling me how much they miss me. It's hard being invited to BSU events and knowing that I can't go (this time). It's hard knowing that I'll go home tomorrow and still won't know exactly what I'll be doing. It's just hard being in limbo. Frankly, it sucks.

I just feel lost. I always have a plan. I always have. That's what I do. I plan things. And right now, the next six weeks are super up in the air right now. I know Sean and I can live in this trailer if we need to, but we would rather not. It's not exactly the greatest place in the world. But I can't start looking for a place and move in until I find a job. And that's a scary thought. Sometimes I wish I could just see into the future for a little while. Then at least could stop worrying about when things will start falling into place. I know I just have to trust God and His timing, but it's hard to have faith. Sure, I can stay with my parents, but I still feel homeless. I'm more of a guest there now. I just want to start living my life, on my terms. I just don't know when I'll reach that point, and I hate that feeling.