| |
|
IVYLASS's Recent Blog Entries
|
Friday, April 26, 2013
I had a lovely interview with the SparkRadio gals, Lily and Karen, last week. The podcast is available if you search "SparkRadio" on the site. I had a lot of fun and they are a wonderful couple of ladies.
Sunday, March 17, 2013
I am afraid I was rather blue there for a while. As in, my life is pointless and I have a large life insurance policy blue. My adult son has gotten himself into some legal trouble and although he is dealing with it as well as can be expected, it's not what I expected for him. My husband has health issues which cannot be resolved, just managed (although managed poorly right now) and my daughter is also not where she should be, as far as education goes. She has a new job now, left her boyfriend, and with the help of friends (she lives in another state) she's getting back on her feet. I'm frustrated with my job search and my dead-end job and I will be coming up on a year after graduation with my MBA and nothing to show for it.
To top it off, I feel like to complain about such things is whining. Oh, boo, you hate your job. Be grateful you have a job. Oh, boo, your children aren't in school. Be grateful they're not on drugs. Oh, boo, your husband can't work. Be grateful he doesn't beat you. Whiny whiny, first world problems.
The funny thing is, back in February I took a week off work and I got out of the habit of taking my vitamins, so I hadn't taken them for nearly a month. This past week I remembered them and started taking them again. Nothing bizarre, just vitamins my doctor recommended, like calcium and vitamin D and evening primrose oil.
So today, while I'm still somewhat discouraged at where I am (or to be precise, that I'm not where I want to be) I'm not feeling hopeless, which is rather a scary, bleak feeling. I met with my fellow Toastmasters officers today to go over club business and it was quite fun. I'm working on Speech #9, I'll be Toastmaster at tomorrow's meeting so I will work on that as well, and I suppose I'll take another whack at a job search, although I don't know what I'm doing wrong. It seems this networking thing isn't the magic bullet that I thought it would be. I've reached out to friends who work at companies that interest me, but nothing. I even had a gentleman write an absolutely lovely recommendation letter for me, and nothing. I'm not sure what more to do. I think I'll have to go back to reading What Color is Your Parachute and redoing the exercises in there.
On the fitness and food side, I've been doing Zumba and Body Pump at the gym. At first I was a bit intimidated at my lack of co-ordination and the low weights in the classes, until I realized that everyone is focused on the instructor and making sure THEY are following along to pay attention to whatever flailing I may be doing. It's a lot of fun and I enjoy it. I gave up peanut M&Ms for Lent (I'm not Catholic, but it's just a fun thing we're doing at work, tracking what each of us is doing for Lent) and so far, so good.
I have therefore learned that vitamins can help with moods and having something to work on for personal growth and development can be very empowering.
Saturday, February 09, 2013
I took a week off work and two of those days were spent overnight in a hotel near my university. I attended an information session for Siemens, then attended a career expo the following day. (Walking around in heels on a concrete floor for 2.5 hours will definitely wake your calves up!)
The Expo was more for internships and sales positions, but I followed the advice of my career counselor, who suggested I research the companies that would be there and see if they had any openings I would be qualified for. I found several, and talked to the recruiters about those specific positions. I got some pretty good feedback. I had a phone interview on Friday and I just took an assessment test. I'm supposed to hear back on Wednesday to see if they will be pursuing my candidacy. The job fits my skills and the salary range is what I'm looking for. Please keep your fingers crossed...the assessment test was rather difficult, and I'm getting the post-test willies.
I'm really liking my Zumba classes. I still don't know sometimes what the instructor is shaking to move like she does, but I get my butt kicked in a good way and I've already noticed an improvement. Hubby gave me a Kinect for Christmas and I've been doing some country line dancing and Zumba to that, which is fun.
Late last month I went to a Power Interviewing Boot Camp. The seminar was split into two, with image and professional dress in the first half, and interviewing tips in the second half. I dressed in what I thought was a Job Interview Outfit, but I learned I was missing a jacket. The instructor also told me I had hair like hers, thin and fine, and I needed to get it cut. Sparkpeople won't let me upload the picture, but I got it cut WAY shorter and I think it looks very nice. I'm also slowly rebuilding my wardrobe and refining my makeup. There were some things I wasn't doing, mainly out of ignorance, but now I'm slowly getting the make up and moisturizers needed. It's expensive getting the good stuff! I spent $75 at Clinique, and all I got was a makeup brush (apparently you're not supposed to use a sponge to apply makeup), foundation (color matched, so naturally, ka-ching) and a lip pencil to go with my newly applied lipstick.
I'm continuing to forge ahead!
Tuesday, January 01, 2013
I'm starting out 2013 rather bummed and discouraged. I'm having some issues with my adult children that are upsetting me. I didn't get the job I was interviewing for last month. I'm kind of okay with it, since it was a 100% commission job and I didn't think I'd be up for that. But I'm somewhat depressed that I haven't left my current job by the end of 2012, which is what I wanted. I'm starting to fear my MBA was a huge waste of time and money.
I'm tired of striving and trying and not getting anywhere. I'm still enjoying Toastmasters, and I suppose in this economy I should be grateful I have a job. I really don't want to talk to anyone because I feel like I'd just be whining. My husband doesn't even know how down I feel.
I just don't have the energy.
Saturday, December 01, 2012
I had my second interview yesterday with a nationally known financial services firm. At first I was rather nervous, as it's a 100% commission job. But in talking with the folks at the firm, as well as a friend of mine (shout out, TIA) who works in the industry, this may be something I can do and do well. The past four years, ever since I joined Sparkpeople and was diagnosed with breast cancer, I have been stepping outside my comfort zone, and so far it's been wonderful. This would be a big leap for me, if they decide to pursue my candidacy.
We cannot reach for things beyond our grasp if we are not willing to stretch.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
Last Page
|
|
Get An Email Alert Each Time IVYLASS Posts
|
|
Something 
is on the horizon! 
Sometimes it is difficult to share our feelings with our mates, tell hubby when you are ready, or who knows those feelings may pass. May 2013 be a beautiful year for you! 
Inga
Member Comments About This Blog Post:
on moving forward and earning your Masters degree!!!! 
