Interview One

Well this week was eventful.

My husband started his new job this week and so far it's really good.

I had two interviews this week, which is exciting. This is the story of the first one. It's one of those that wasn't funny then, but I can laugh about now.

I left Wednesday morning at 7:30 giving myself a half hour of flex time to be to the interview by nine. Parking and driving in the area is kind of a nightmare, so I opted for public transit. Boarding the shuttle to the train station I was confident and proud that I was early and going to make it on time.

The shuttle glided on the road to the station and I got to relax and take in the neighborhood. There was a man standing on his porch calling to a dog out in the yard, a father dropping of identically dressed twin boys off at a day care, and then some Tibetan prayer flags strung across someone's porch. As we were passing by this intriguing cookie shop there was a sudden lurch forward and the engine died. Then came the familiar sound of an engine attempting to start. The driver turned the key again and once again the alternator wouldn't turn over. This was followed by a baited silence among the passengers, all hoping the engine would start.

After a few tries the driver got out and passengers got out their cell phones. A few people called someone to let them know they were going to be late, others were typing on their blackberry's or just looking at their phone. Re-entering the bus the driver was asking someone on a radio to send for another shuttle, we all heard the response that it wouldn't be possible for at least an hour. Panic began to set in for me, umm ok I can figure this out right??

Another passenger looked up from his iphone and announced that there was a bus stop about a sixth of a mile away. Mass exodus began. We all filled out the passenger side door and began briskly walking to the bus stop. Since it was my only hope of making it on time I joined them. However, when I got to the bus stop I remembered, 'oh yeah I don't carry cash and don't have any money on my transit card.....' I asked if I could give someone a couple of bucks tomorrow in exchange for using their transit card. The group's reply was an awkward no. Then one girl said, 'I think it's only another half mile that way.' (Seriously you see someone with a forearm crutch and that's your response, but anyway.)

Determined to make it to my interview on time I started walking as fast as I could to get to the train station. Almost a mile and a half later I made it. (Trying to jog in ballet flats is a bad idea by the way.) My legs were weak and the muscles already angry with me, but I was glad to catch the next train. I hoped beyond hope that I could make it on time. I made it my the transfer station looking at the clock and thinking I might just make it. Then I waited for the D line, and waited and waited. When I knew there was no chance of me arriving on time I called to let them know I would be late. (I really don't like being late.)

Finally the D line arrived and after what seemed like forever I made it to the stop. I got out and headed in the right direction, by then my legs were so weak. I made it to the interview late, though I think it went well.

Making my way back home I had no problem catching my trains or buses, go figure huh.

5K Training and Shin Splints Cure

So far my 5K training is going really well! I like the interval training cause it pushes me more, and I think I'll be to complete the 5K.

I was looking at average 5K times and I don't think I'm going to make a 20 to 25 minute time!! I'm not worried though, I'm just wanting to complete it and do my best.

Also my husband taught me a great trick for relieving shin splints. Use a disposable plastic cup. Fill it partially with water and freeze it. Once it's frozen you can turn it upside down and ice your shins, rubbing the ice up and sown your shin. It works soo well!!! It's perfect and targeted. If you get shin splints give it a try! (Though I suspect it would work well on other sore areas.)

At that point again

My work search is at that point again. That point where I wonder why I keep applying for jobs if I'm not getting any interviews, I wonder what I am doing wrong, and wonder what I will be doing with my life...

It's a rough point. I'm pushing past it and just trying to do my best.

Weekend Update

Friday

In the morning, I went with the sister missionaries to teach a gentleman. It was really good. He is making some difficult changes and they aren't easy. (Though his wife is happy he's giving up smoking!) The sister we have in our ward right now are bright, strong and compassionate women. It is so fun to go out with them.

During the day I had a phone interview and applied for even more jobs! In preparing for the interview I was looking at the company's research methods, when I suddenly got a little worried. I read discrete choice modeling and thought, "I've never even heard of that!" After googling it, I learned it is logistic and probit modeling by another name, and my anxiety level went back down. The jobs that I applied for sounded interesting and I'll let you know if anything comes of them.

Friday night, I watched part of Funny Girl with Barbara Streisand, while my husband was at work. Now I have to tell you, I have never seen a Streisand movie. I know shocker!!! Don't really know why, I just haven't. I was curious and gave it a try. So far I am enjoying it! I love her spunk!

I signed up for a virtual 5K! It is through sparkpeople and I think it will be a good thing to work towards. They had some simple and basic training programs I can do. This gives me something to work towards.

Saturday

We slept in, worked in the temple and then relaxed with a funny movie. It was our ward's day to do service in the temple, and my hubby and I signed up for the 12 to 4 shift. We worked in the laundry room which was nice and peaceful. Spending time in the temple can be uplifting and I had a lot of time to meditate.

Sunday

Pretty typical Sunday. (Which is nice cause I get to spend loads of time with my husband.) I got a new calling. I am now the Relief Society Committee Meeting Leader, though I still get to teach next week. basically a member of the presidency and I will be working on the activities that used to be enrichment. It's a little daunting and I wasn't expecting a change.

As some of you know It's been a little tough making friends out here and I prayed for some help to find and make new friends, well I guess I got what I prayed for!

On the friend note I am super excited that one of my good friends will be here in June and another one could be out here soon too!! Yay!

That's all for now! Drop me a line!

Quick updates

We are still job hunting.

Some of the snow has melted, though I think we will still get more.

Found a great new doctor.

February flew by so fast!

I’m reading the Chronicles of Narnia in Italian.

Job search takes up most of my time.

I’ve been working out and eating well!

Castle is an amazing TV show, you should check it out!

I made it three days without using my crutch

My husband is teaching me to crochet.

I miss being in school.

What's been happening

DNA

So we’ve done some fun activities as date night or for FHE. The most recent being DNA extraction! (Don’t worry it was from beans.) Trevor found the idea online, we tried it and had fun! It was a really simple process that required household items.

Gym

I’ve been hitting the gym pretty regularly. I’ve been holding steady with my work outs. I think that is pretty great news.

Knitting

I have once again restarted my hat attempt. My husband has almost finished his third pair of socks! I’m so proud of him!

Thomas Kinkade puzzle

For date night we got a 1000 piece puzzle of a Thomas Kinkade. It took us a few days to get it all together. We really like it. It’s fun to have something that we put together and looks really nice.

Cooking

We’re focusing on cooking healthy and still finding great recipes on sparkrecipes.com. The newest recipe that we tried was white beans, pasta and chicken. I say give it a try!!!

Overall it was pretty good, just a little bland. That’s easy enough to fix though. This is a good dish with lots of protein and fiber. It is also very good reheated. Warning though a serving size is larger than expected.

http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=294364

New lamp

We got a new lamp that is so nice! It helps light up the apartment so it’s not so much of a cave!

Sister missionaries

I’ve been able to go out teaching with the sisters in our ward and it has been so wonderful. These sisters are both strong, bright and kind women. It’s been a real boost to be able to watch them teach and get to know the amazing people they are teaching.

Work, Work, Work

The hubby is still working two jobs! I’m still working days as a cashier. When I’m not working, I’m applying for jobs! I have learned interesting things from being a cashier, such as it’s is most polite to have change ready or handy, teeth must be brushed often, students have to do some elaborate projects for school, and there are a lot of nice people out there.

In the past week I’ve been ranging from 4 to 13 applications a day, depending on work schedule and cover letters. Haven’t been getting much of a response, so I had my resume reviewed and it got good reviews. I’ve made the recommended changes, which hopefully get more of a response. I'll keep you updated.