Social Living

My calendar next week has more friend activities than work. I want to live this way. Feeling a little lost however. I have been searching for part time work and perfecting my focus for freelancing. I love to do so many different things and it is affecting my focus. If only I could be, "Jack, provider of many trades, master juggler" :)  I will keep my head up and my dimples in check.  

I attended my first singles meet up event. It was in downtown San Diego.  The outside of the building reminded me of some pubs in Dublin. The exterior was sunshine yellow with white trim and a cool sign. The Tipsy Crow...There was a main floor bar, upstairs lounge, and basement dance floor. The interior was decorated dark with reds, browns, leather and velvet, very cool venue. I will go back there. I arrived just after the start of mingle time. There was a fairly even mixture of men and women, all over 30 and all professionals. 

I made a quick scan of the room. It was strange to know that each person in the room was single, over 30, and looking to meet people. Typically going out you don't always know what you are in for. This helped with the guess work. There was one obviously aesthetically appealing man (to me anyway) and he turned out to be the least interesting person to talk to...go figure:)  We split up into teams and played some games. Then after a raffle, I won a prize, I was approached by a man who had been eyeing me for a while. He was average height, average looks, not creepy. He asked me what I liked to do. I told him I like to hike..."so, your an outdoorsy gal...I camp, but I have a trailer, and toys, and a boat, and...." All nice, but trying too hard to impress me with mere objects.  Then after that didn't work, he calmed down and told me all about what he did for work and less about his stuff. I found him to be less annoying and more attractive. 

I was no better. When I first got there I was asked after my period of silence, "Wow, you are so talkative."  To which I said, "I'm hung over from last night." Really, did I really just admit that to a group of strangers, haha! Yes, my friends birthday was last night and I had a little too much. Anyone that knows me knows this is not a common experience, but that I cannot have more than two cocktails without feeling sick for 48 hours after. The awkwardness disappeared and the group played games and enjoyed conversations about work, travel, and life. No love connections, but I met some cool people and I will totally do it again...in fact this week I'll be playing volley ball with a group of single strangers. 

Trying not to stress about work.  I am looking for something at least part time so I can keep up this venture. I have some great family and friends that believe in me. Time to go play in the sun and forget my woes for a little.  

The Search Continues

The job market is very different than ever before. I used to search the want ads in the newspaper. A phone call to the hiring company, bring in a paper version of your resume and setting up an interview was the process.  Today everything is electronic and networking. Tanner asked about job opportunities at a local supermarket and was told to go on line, fill out the application, print it and then bring it in, that was her tip:). I get emails from various sites I belong to regarding, "how to make your resume stick out", "how to get the interview", etc. I have applied for many and turned down for a few, but that means I have been seen. 


I have some amazing talents, and I know the right fit will become my reality. My mom said, "have faith in yourself!!!"  What a sweet thing to say. We all get down, but we have to have faith in ourselves. Thanks Mom! I will keep my chin up and find the right thing for me. I will rock at whatever I do. In the meantime, I will be supportive of my friends and family that are searching for the right thing. I won't forget my passions!

Manifesto

In my second interview with the placement agency the very nice gentleman I spoke with asked if he could be frank.  I said, "yes please", and was fairly certain he was going to tell me something I already knew.  He said, " you are a bright, well spoken woman. For someone of your age with no college degree until now, you must have some amazing skills.  However, you lack confidence, not in your presentation, but in yourself."  


Today I plan to write up my life's work...a portfolio. I found a super cool website that will help me organize my stuff and help me market myself.  I think the exercise will also remind me that I'm a pretty cool chick and have worked hard to get where I am in life. I also plan to submit a speech for graduation. These two things should get me up the mountain of accomplishment above the smog and clouds.  


Here's a link on how to put together a portfolio. I found it very helpful, great outline, easy to follow.  It could be for any kind of work. http://www.manifestyourpotential.com/index.html

The Interview Process

Yesterday I met with an job agency that helps you find THE JOB for a fee.  It was interesting.  I researched them a little before going in and found very limited information.  They are in a high rise, third floor, validated parking.  I entered the office and starting observing.  The reading choices were Wall Street Journal, Forbes, TIME, a Travel book, and Fortune magazines. On the table was a bowl of hard candies and an adjacent table had a number of business cards for the representatives. A list of countries was on the glass wall between the lobby and the empty conference room.  The relevance of countries was blocked by a well groomed plant.  A water feature and Buddha were in the corner.  Nice purple couches and the orchestra version soundtrack of Disney movies played.  The reception desk was a window, that was kept closed.  I was greeted and waited.  The man I met with was kind, funny and complimenting.  I found it interesting that I went right into observation mode.  Are there cameras watching to see if I pick up the Wall Street Journal or the travel book?  Would I be judged on my ability to work if I ate a candy?  So funny, I decided on a cinnamon sucker.

I have two prospects through networking that could be quite valid and both very interesting, fun, in ophthalmology. Both have different perks that would satisfy my personal needs.  I am enjoying my time at home, my sweet son is driving, it only took a week and he got his permit. I truly enjoy being able to be home with him to take care of this stuff we have been putting off.  Hoping for a work from home, part time gig, but after a few weeks of being off beggars cannot be choosers.  Networking, networking, networking:)

The Goal Challenge

Last night I spoke with my old job coach, he's not old, but we've known each other for many years now.  He knows what I can do and is a believer.  He also knows my personality and is good at asking me the questions I avoid asking myself.  I shared with him that I was seriously considering working for myself, consulting.  Since this is what he does, I figured he would be a good person to start with in my interview phase of, "what should I do with my life".  He affirmed that I should be writing my goals, which I started earlier that day and finished this morning.  
     I was supposed to take the week off to relax and all I could do was worry about this or that.  I kept applying for jobs, I couldn't put the computer down.  It's been 80 degrees and beautiful in San Diego...what the heck is wrong with me!!! I started to get a rash, I was short of breath, I was angry for no reason.  I kept thinking about my goals, what I should be doing, what do I want, how am I going to get it, etc.  
     So, today I wrote 5 goals for myself, a physical goal so I can love myself.  I made sure not to put down I would lose 10 pounds and go on a diet or anything crazy, I simply put that I would make time for me to do yoga, mediate, and sweat doing something.  It's only an hour, I could spend an hour in front of the boob tube easy, why not spend it on me.  I created a financial goal to help with my budgeting, a career goal to get this business idea started, a personal goal to volunteer more and a relationship goal to avoid me from continuing the behavior I have had since I was a teenage girl. 

     It's time to grow up, grow a pair, and love myself a little more.  I am back to feeling excited.  If I think of something else that needs to be done, I'll just add it to the list.  Next week is time to really vacation and work on the goals rather than stress about fifty million things that need to happen.  When I am stressed out I am a crazy person. When I am relaxed, I am a pretty cool chick and that's what I'd rather be.

Mental Vacation

For my first week I decided to take a mental vacation.  I have been hiking with my dog, sleeping in, and trying my best not to look for work.  Instead, every morning I am on the computer in bed with a cup of coffee improving my resume and sending it off to different companies.  I just don't know how to not work.  Next week I hope to meet with some connections.  I really want to start my own gig, but need some input on how to start that.  I am excited at the possibilities.  When I start to worry, I just go for a walk or take my little dog for a hike.  It has been a good week so far.  I am thankful to have a supporting family and great friends. Looking forward to the next chapter in my life.  

Yesterday I took my lil Daphne on a hike.  She was so dog tired and smelled awful....she and I both had a nice bath when we got home.  Today it's me and Tanner with some errands.  Off to walk the doggies first, then we will get on with our day.

Celebration

Today is the last day....I will miss my dear team that I work with, even though many of them are very new, they have been great to work with. I will miss my customers, even the cranky ones.  I got a full lunch every day this week...this is the most I have gone to lunch in two years.  Last night, some of my team took me out for drinks which was quite nice.  They are a kind and bright group of people.  When I got home I read my separation agreement.  It looked like divorce papers, so strange.  At least this time I'm the one getting paid:)  I will enjoy this day and the days to follow.  Until the, so long, farewell, aufwiedersehen, goodbye.....or the more fitting adios, shalom, later!!