Ten on Tuesday: 10 Countries you'd like to visit

1. Viet Nam (esp. China Beach)
2. Tanzania
3. New Zealand
4. Dubai
5. Tahiti
6. Japan
7. Russia
8. Sweden
9. Argentina (Iguassu Falls, to be exact)
10. my mind --Kidding -- I'd like to tour the United States. All of them.

What are your ten?

2 More!

This morning, I received two calls to make appointments for interviews!

Both jobs are part time; one is for a photographer position taking preschool kids' portraits for school. That sounds to me like a terrific job. I'll see if there are any bennies tomorrow at that interview. The 2^nd job is an admin. ass't job at Cal State Long Beach—where I've been attempting to get employment off and on for 5-6 years. It's a little better pay, and I thin I'd be able to turn it into a full-time w/tuition waver position.

We'll see. That interview is Wednesday afternoon, and they will accept my typing certificate in place of the skills assessment.

I'm hoping I interview well; employers usually don't like making concessions for job candidates.

 

My Surgery

Hi there,

A short note--

Yesterday's surgery went very well; I don't even remember getting into the OR--W got to the hospital @ 7:30 am, and were home before noon.

I have some pain today--in both hands, so am trying to not do too much--makes dressing very interesting!--and typing tires me. I figure the pain in my left hand may be from the anesthesia--so I'll wait it out a few more days before I start complaining too loudly about it.

All things considered, I'm doing great!

Thanks for your prayers and good wishes.

The Second Surgery

Well, now that the interview is over, tomorrow morning bright and early I'll head over to the hospital for my second carpal tunnel surgery. This time it will be on my right hand, so I don't know if I'll be posting or corresponding by email for awhile. I know I'll be in a cast for a week, then a big bandage for another two weeks, and then a brace. My left hand didn't get the grand treatment, but for the right hand, the professionals appear to be communicating with me a little more about the details.

If the surgery is on time, and this doc seems to do his surgeries on time if not early, I'll be home by noon. I'll have Scott email you all to let you know that everything is fine.

Thank you for the good wishes, prayers, lit candles and everything while I get to live another chapter or two.

 

 

THE INTERVIEW

Well, from all of your lips to God's ears!

I got there on time!!

I looked GREAT!! I think it was the first time since my new haircut and color that I styled it the way it's supposed to look!

My makeup didn't get on my clothing

My shirt absorbed all the perspiration and my jacket hid it being a dark color.

The panel was very gracious and pleasant, which helped me calm down a little.

They had a prepared list of 10 questions, of which I can only remember these:

Give us a situation of where you managed a project...
As project coordinator for the move of computer hardware for two departments into one and into a different new building, after planning our strategy, we staged the project on Friday afternoon, sent everyone home, worked most of the weekend, and by Monday the department was (at least electronically) ready to work. For the most part, our moving computers and accessories was seamless to the department staff of about 100 people.

Tell us about your past work experience....
Blah blah blah Caltrans, GasCo, teaching, computers, support,

Tell us about working in teams
I've often worked in teams; the groups I've been involved with have covered a variety of issues, yet we all have come to a consensus together with minimum of conflict. I have found myself to be a mediator of sorts when there was conflict, being able most times to understand both sides of an issue, and facilitated the resolution of the issues.

If your manager told you she wanted you to re-organize the filing system the way it has been for years, and you know a better and more efficient way to organize the files, how would you handle it?
I would diplomatically approach the manager and learn the reasons for the organization the way it is...perhaps it's easier for her. Then I'd suggest and explain my idea, showing the efficiency of it. If she still wanted the files the old way, then I would organize them the old way.

Give us an example of assisting your manager in a project or issue, anticipating his/her needs...
blah blah blah---in one department where I supported a Gas Supply manager, he nicknamed me Radar O'Reilly because I was able to obtain the documents he needed for a meeting or a phone call before he asked for them. He also assigned me the responsibility of writing his correspondence, and I did. As a result his overall evaluation from his superior was raised two levels ( this actually happened--he showed me the evaluation citing the improved written correspondence as reason for his improved evaluation).

How do you perceive the job of an Executive Secretary; what duties do you perceive that an Exec Sec performs?
As a shield, a filter, a buffer between her and the public, as a supporter who can act independently and do tasks or projects (with her approval) that she either doesn't want to do or doesn't have time to do, as a person on her team who makes her job easier.

Why do you want to work for Cypress, and specifically for Parks and Rec?
This answer was so good (evil grin)
I've lived in the city for 15 years, and have taken advantage of the Parks and Rec department many times over, including tennis, dance, swimming, cooking, and music classes. I've often wondered how the department does so much with such little resources. I know that the staff is what makes it so successful, and I've often been in the office asking if they have job openings. I'd like to be a part of such a successful and dynamic team of people. (I think that's what I said)

The other three questions were just as riveting, but I've entertained you enough (hee hee hee hah hah)

so, I think it went well, but now I have to wait 2 weeks for their decision.

They smiled a lot, and they seemed genuinely pleased with my responses. Like I said--from your lips to God's ears....light a few candles for me!

And thank you for the wonderful support and great posts of encouragement. Leah you are really funny! (she's seen me in my jammies!!)

Love and Hugs to all,
Charmaine

An Interview!

Hi there, my good, bestest friends!  I thought I'd write what is on my mind and will most likely go into my blog to you first.

Tomorrow the city of Cypress will interview me for an Executive Secretary position in the Parks & Rec department.  I have been sweating over it since they called me last week (not only because of nerves, but hot flashes, too, I think).

So far, the biggest decision has been what to wear, and learning everything I can about the city. With your help, and the help of my family, I saved about $200 and decided to wear my eggplant colored suit jacket with a black skirt and a lighter eggplant colored shirt. That solved, on to the next subject.

Yesterday, the city presented a "Grand Re-Opening" of the Community Center. It has been under re-construction for nearly a school year, and recently finished, the Council wanted to show it to the public. I had read that it started at 6:30, but it actually started at 5:30..

My family went to the county fair yesterday; we took two cars so that I could leave in time to attend this great opportunity to learn a little about my interviewers, namely the Parks & Rec Department head. I left in adequate time to freshen myself and get there at around 6:30-ish...as I started to leave, something made me look it up on the web, and there was the time of the event: 5:30. Oh well.

I got to the "schmoozing opportunity"--it was nearly done, and I regretted not getting there at 5:30 (I had the starting time wrong; thought it was at 6:30)--there had been a ceremony, cocktails and appetizers, lots of opportunity to schmooze. However, even if I had got there early enough, I think I might have felt uncomfortable. I felt as if I was crashing a private club party. The website said it was for the community's residents to attend, so that's why I thought I could go and blend.

The mayor was there tho, and he really made me feel more comfortable. We talked for a few minutes; he pointed out the dept head for Pks & Rec and her staff. The Parks & Rec dept staff all seem so "well put together" Laura has a short dark-red spiky hair cut, is tall and very thin. You know the type? I hope she's kind. I don't know if I'd fit in with them or not. I guess I'll just have to see how the interview goes. They sure know how to throw a great party, tho.

The mayor said I looked familiar, and I mentioned that a friend had introduced me and that I'll be working with his wife in the fall with the hospitality projects for our kids' school. We chatted for a few minutes, and we talked about the city's progress over the last 30 years. We do have a great parks and rec department, that provides many, many activities for kids and adults at reasonable fees.  I've wanted to work for that department for several years. Can you imagine having your office in a park?? That would be so very cool. I'd always be close to nature and not in a cement campus of corporations.

When I returned home, after a healthy dose of Golden Spoon Peanut butter cup w/cookie dough topping (can you say deflated?). I felt as if I have no chance whatsoever to get that job.

However, today is another day; I'm going to do my best, whatever that may be and see what happens. I just hope I'm articulate enough to answer the questions adequately without stumbling over all my words.

By the way, our severance package is all but gone. August will be a very challenging month financially. Scott has feelers out for jobs, but no answers yet. I'm not feeling gloom and doom just yet, but we're on the brink...

On the bright side, my left hand feels wonderful!! no pain except at the incision sight, and no numbness nor weird itchy/nervy feelings either.  I'm nearly looking forward to Friday (the 27th) to have my right hand surgery.  The girls appear to be having fun just hanging out at home with us...it nearly feels like an extended vacation, only we're not doing anything or going anywhere.

I hope I can calm myself enough to not literally sweat the interview. 

Update and Gratitude

First, a long overdue "Things for which I'm grateful:"

 

1. The weather has not been too hot here, it's been a great summer for weather, and time at home for puttering (or 'putering, which is what I seem to do most).
   
2. Our cars are both running, and gas prices have gone down about a nickel, so we may be able to at least take a day trip somewhere before the summer ends.
   
3. We are all fairly healthy. I had minor surgery two weeks ago on my left hand, and will have the right hand operated on this Friday. My left hand feels hugely better than it did before surgery. I can hardly wait until the right one is done. I'm thankful for a great hand specialist, with whom I'd trust my right arm (hee hee).
   
4. I'm very grateful for my family all being together this summer. Scott and the girls have got the opportunity to bond a little closer together, and it's nice to see them playing together, whether or not it's video games.
   
5. Every day I count my blessings for my friends and extended family who have emotionally supported us so much all year.
   

   
    

And now, for the update:

 

Summer is going boringly. Looking for jobs bites. It seems as if every company has the same application to complete, just in different order, so you have to do each one separately.  It would be so grand if the American National Standards Institute would get a generic, all-encompassing application so that we tired job searchers could just change the job title and pertinent details, instead of repeating the same information over and over (and over again). I know, bitch, bitch, bitch.

On the good side, though, I have an interview at the City of Cypress (exec. secretary for Parks & Rec) this Thursday, and I'm using my friend Jan as a good luck charm, since she got in with La Palma the next town over. These are both small cities—La Palma is 1.8 sq miles. Cypress is only a little bigger.

Scott, otoh, has not found anything--yet. He's resorted to attempting a return to the Aviation industry.  He's waiting for responses from about four companies, including Boeing.  He's getting somewhat stressed, as the severance pay we've been surviving on is just about gone.  August may be a financially tough month. However, he seems to be having a good enough time playing video games (a lot).

I HATE being broke in the summer!!! Good thing for Knott's annual passes, or we'd be doing nothing at all!

The girls are having a great time doing pretty much nothing.  If Amanda wants a playmate, have her call us--we're nearly always home, and Emily's friends live on our street, whereas Sarah's friends are spread all over town, and most are at camp all summer.

Tomorrow afternoon, we're going to the fair--kids get in free on Tuesdays, and also on Tuesdays, people can purchase a wrist band for $20 to have unlimited ride access from 5-8pm.  I'm going to have to leave the fair early, because I want to go to the Parks & Rec (schmooze schmooze) Grand Re-0pening at 6:00 and maybe perhaps maybe meet the director of Parks & Rec. I don't know if that's a good idea or not, but I really do want this job. If the office is located at Oak Knoll, I could walk to work!

This is my first real interview after about 60 or so applications, including United Healthcare, CSULB, Boeing, and other smaller companies. It's getting very discouraging, but I'm going to have to return to some kind of work, so I have to keep applying.

 

I think that's enough for now. Perhaps I'll write some more tonight or tomorrow.

10 on Tuesdays

10 Favorite Childhood Movies—not necessarily in order of preference. More like in order of stream of consciousness.

1. The Bible
   
2. The Russians are Coming, The Russians are Coming!!
   
3. Around the World in 80 Days
   
4. Dr. Zhivago (Omar Sharif)
   
5. Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (the original)
   
6. Bambi
   
7. Cat Ballou
   
8. To Kill a Mockingbird
   
9. The Great Escape (Well, anything with Steve McQueen)
   
10. How the West was Won

A Quick Update

My hand is recouping...it hurts sometimes like a you-know-what, but Vicodin works well enough to take the edge off the pain. 

Job Prospects? What are those again? I'm now up to 55 rejections, & Scott just got another one from his last choice employer. Now he's considering going back to aerospace..Raytheon, Boeing, etc.  We're in the final stretch of the severance & our savings (retirement/college nest egg) is real small--want some winter "guests"? What's really bad is that for some reason Scott's last 2 unemployment checks haven't come. I hope the next one he gets makes up for that; otherwise, a couple of bills may not get paid.

A month or so ago I saw a nice looking 40-ish couple panhandling at a freeway offramp, & it kind of scared me. I'm hoping that all the prayers of friends & family work soon!

Life, besides the hand & jobs has been rather nice. Scott & the girls have been taking great care of me--cooking, cleaning, etc. He's even learned to cook about five new dishes and they are great, too!  My 1-handed typing is also improving; I may be up to about 30 wpm now. If I can get that up to about 45, I'll qualify for a state job! Up to 60, & I'd qualify for a city or county job.  I guess I'd better continue looking...it isn't looking good for Scott right now.

Thanks for keeping us in your prayers. I sure hope they get a "yes" answer.

Surgery

It's here. Time to cut my hand open and fix it.

Tomorrow at approximately noon, I'll get carpal tunnel release surgery. A cut at my wrist, releasing the nerve from the choking happening there, and voila! My left hand will be good as new! Well, after a couple of months of therapy, pain meds, and exercise.

Wish me luck!

This means I may not be posting here for awhile...not too long, I hope.

Ten on Tuesday: 10 Things to Do Before You Die

so-- another week has passed. The Ten on Tuesday person has come up with a good list once again.

1. go on safari
2. sky dive (on my 80th birthday--so that if I die, it's after I've lived for awhile)
3. see the Iguassu Falls
4. Drive around the country (US) -- visit all our friends & family and see all the great landscapes/seascapes and monuments this great place has.

(Hmm, I see a theme here!)

5. Be really thin--that will have to happen sooner than later, if it's to be beneficial to my mind state.
6. Make a real, permanently lasting contribution to my community.
7. Attain grace--live my five "G's"--grace, gratitude, goodness, gentle, & Generosity
8. live in an organized, tidy home with simple abundance
9. teach
10. Help my daughters become successful, thriving, happy adults.

(This was harder than I thought it would be)