A JOB!

VERY exciting news! I had started with Big Brothers Big Sisters on a part-time basis when I was offered a full time position with an excellent company, Child Serve. They have an amazing reputation here in central Iowa and I can't WAIT to get started and become a part of their incredible team. I was very disappointed about leaving BBBS, as they are a great agency as well. I was very disappointed that they weren't able to have me full-time but I still find the agency amazing and they are doing some amazing things for children and their volunteers. For ChildServe, we are just waiting on the background check and I will get started as a case manager for families with children that have disabilities, both physical and mental. I am very excited to get started and looking forward to the experience that will hopefully strengthen my abilities as a counselor in the future.

I know Ben is feeling better about the acquisition of full time employment and he was recently promoted at WellsFargo. He is really enjoying the company and should be finished with his AA this coming May, 2010. He will be looking into Grandview for a Bachelor's degree and we are excited for the future!

Three Year Anniversary

On June 3rd, we celebrated our three-year wedding anniversary.  While I am amazed that it has been three years already, I am also surprised that it hasn't been more.  We've accomplished a lot in three years.  Ben is working full time with Wells Fargo in a technology support position, moving his way up from a loan document specialist where he started as a temp.  He has won a service award and we went to Cancun for FREE and he is getting ever closer to finishing his Business Information Systems AA at DMACC!  I've had a lot of changes as well, going from working for an Optometrist, to working with kids, families then getting laid off.  I've spent a lot of time figuring out "what I want to be when I grow up" as well.  This January I started graduate school at Drake University, where I never thought I would get in and have passed my first semester with a 4.0!  

A year and a half ago, we purchased our first home and have been enjoying making home improvements to help us better sell it in the future.  The cats love the stairs and are racing up and down them as I type.  

So, looking back at the past three years of marriage and five and half of being together, I can honestly say I am happy.  Despite being laid off and pinching pennies and having to deal with a leaky toilet and ruined floors.  I am happy.  Ben, you make me happy and I'm so thankful we are together.  

Disappointment

After two second round interviews with two different companies, I learned that I did not get either position, despite being qualified and an "excellent candidate" according to both.  Frustrating, yes but that's life, I guess.  I lost out to internal employees in both cases.  My resume did get passed on to another department at one company and I have been contacted for an interview.  This week I have sent in more resumes and have a couple of interviews set up for next week and the following week.  

I am really starting to get down about this.  I know it is not that I am not qualified, but rather there are twice as many people competing for the same position.  It is still frustrating and I'm starting to wonder if I shouldn't pick up respite families for the Summer and then Sub in the Middle and High School during the school year.  Problem is, nothing is guaranteed in the way of hours.  If only there was some way to know that it would work out.  

Today is my birthday

Today I turn 26 years old.  While this is not a momentus birthday, I'm glad for it.  Your late twenties is the time that people finally start to take you seriously.  The time I've had free has led to me think more about what has happened since striking out on my own.  I have officially been out of high school for 8 years!  Hard to believe but I'm glad that I had the experience and glad that it is past me.  I have also been out of college for nearly 4 years!  Ben and I will have been together for 5 1/2 years and married for 3 this June.  Time has gone so quickly and I look forward to seeing what is to come.  We plan on having children in the future as well as buy a bigger home, but until we are financially stable again, plans have been on hold.  I am so excited for what's next.  My sister is getting married this Summer.  I still think, gosh, she is so young, forgetting that I was 23 when I was married as well.  I am very excited to celebrate that day with her and my new brother!!!  

I have been interviewing several places this week and am actually on a second round for one company in the hopes of gaining employment.  While I'm trying not to get my hopes up, I would really like the position and it works well with my schooling, so I am keeping my fingers crossed.  

Job Hunting

Still on the hunt.  Had an interview today that went well.  Hope to get a call back for a 3rd round.  I am trying not to get my hopes up, as there are so many jobs with sooo many applicants.  

This week was a challenge for me, at least part of it.  I found out that my respite family is changing providers and made no effort to inform me in a timely manner, let alone seem interested in working with me any longer.  The family knew for two weeks prior to telling me, which explains the distance and tension I was sensing.  So now, not only have I lost my full time position, I also lost my part-time job, which was helping us scrape by.  Great.  

I am now trying to stay positive, with this most recent interview.  I also have great friends who are vouching for me in the schools and am through the first cut to be a secretary at a local school.  Any experience within the schools would be great to help me out with my future School Counselor career.  

Still plugging along and am grateful for all of the support and suggestions given.  

Tolerance is Spreading!

I must admit, when I was watching the news last night I had severe doubts about the Iowa Supreme Court ruling in favor of gay marriage.  As of this morning, I am very surprised and proud to live in a state in which tolerance is spreading like wildfire.  It's about time that people start to recognize that it is a right of all to marry and love whom they choose.  I understand the religious beliefs of many but religion is not practiced by all and other's religion should not restrict everyone's rights.  

I am still in shock but so very excited for all of my LGBT friends and their victory today.  It was a long time coming and I hope to be attending some same sex marriages in support of my friends in the future!

Congratulations!

work??

So this past week has been busy for me, which I am thankful for since I despise sitting around for long.  On Monday I had an interview with Easter Seals, but unfortunately have not heard back regarding a second interview.  That afternoon I hung out with A at the mall and played in the play area.  Afterwards we got a cinnamon sugar pretzel to share and I think he enjoyed it more than I did!  It was delicious.  That night I had class, which is starting to wind down.  I have one paper and a major project to finish.  My other class has a final paper due on the 1st so I've also been busy organizing and researching for that.  I am writing about evidence-based treatments for anxiety disorders in children.  Nothing too exciting but glad to have everything wrapping up.  Tuesday I completely forgot about a job shadow that I had scheduled with K. Mavis out in Waukee.  Thankfully, she is understanding and we rescheduled for Friday.  Wednesday was pretty slow but I have been getting several interview requests.  I had a phone interview with LSI on Thursday, hung out with J at the mall and took C to Cub Scouts.  He made a film canister rocket out of alkaseltzer and water.  It was a big hit with 7 year olds, that's for sure.  Friday I spent the morning at Waukee, shadowing the guidance counselor.  She is a great gal and I hope to get to know her better as I progress through my classes.  That evening we went out with Josh and Elizabeth for some delicious El Rodeo mexican food.  I love that place!  Then hung out at home and played some guitar hero.  

Today was a laid back day.  I had an interview with a local realty agency which went well but I don't feel is a good fit for me right now.  Then Ben and I went to the Natural Living Expo downtown.  Not quite what I thought.  I was hoping for more how to live and do more environmentally friendly things.  They had a lot of food, vitamins, and cloth diapers.  Maybe my expectations were different.  Then we came home and worked on homework for a couple of hours and Ben made dinner.  Quesadillas!  Yup, Mexican food again.  We can't get enough.  Now after catching up on all of our shows, Heros, Grey's Anatomy and Entourage, we will call it a night and snuggle in.  

Sorry this wasn't necessarily an entertaining post.  Just an update of my life since getting laid off.  I've felt quite productive lately and thought I would share.