What Have I Been Doing This Year?

So you now know that I resigned from my job and my last day was January 3, 2019.
You also know I am looking for a job.

What else do I do?

Well let me make a quick list to give you a summary of what I have been doing. 

1.  I set a goal to do at least 30 minutes of exercise every day.  I modified that during the first week to five days a week.  I also found myself doing an hour or so.  Half hour just doesn't seem enough on some days and other days, like today it seems like too much.  It is cold and rainy and I freeze.  Don't worry after I post I will do something - I promise.

2.  In my church we are a lay ministry and I was called/assigned to be Relief Society Compassionate Service Assistant Coordinator.  Relief Society is the women’s organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  So I did a lot of service one week and things seem to be ok (knock on wood).  But seriously - I had a lot of joy helping people out with some things. 

3.  I set out to read some books I have been listening to or reading.  I have quite a list and so far I am into these three boss.  
The Four Agreements - it is a quick easy read but I am not going so quick.  I hope to finish it this week.  

Girl Wash Your Face - I have been wanting to buy this book but just wouldn't let myself do it.  I thought I wash my face I don't need this book.  However, after sharing with my friend Cindy how I was reading books she recommended I pick this up.  I am listening to it in audio and I am loving it.  Rachel is so real and I feel like we would be good friends or at least have fun talking.  She is the reader in the audio book and I can really relate to some of the things she points out in her book.  I am probably 1/3 in and I am enjoying it. 

The Big Leap - I am enjoying this book as well.  I am learning so much about myself with this book and how I limit myself or keep myself from truly enjoying the things I have.  I am 3/4 in with this book and I am enjoying it. 

The Big Book of 30-Day Challenges - This book was easy read of all.  A lot of the lists are/were things I am trying to do so that makes me feel like I am on the right path of being in control of my life.  I am currently working on making my bed every day for 30 days.  I do it about 3/4 of the time so doing it for 30 days is going to be huge.  The other challenge that I was going to start this week was to get up at 5 AM every day.  I know that one is kind of doable if I was working but why do it now?  I think it will make it easy to get back to the work routine when I find the job I really want. 

4.  I help my friends with their kids.  I am able to help those people who have helped my life in Keller absolutely awesome.  I pick them up from the bus stop, or I pick them up from school and have them spend some time in my apartment and we color or play games, or most recently I pick them up from their extra curricular activities.  

5.  I am able to have lunch with ladies I would never have the opportunity to spend time with as I would be at work and I really enjoy getting to know them better and establish new friendships.

All in all, I am making the most of my time in trying to improve myself physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.  So when I am not looking for a job, applying, interviewing this is what I do.

Looking for a Job

I began looking for a job in early November and it is hard to find a job while you have a job in my opinion.  Doing phone interviews is easy but scheduling a face to face in person interview is hard.  I had at least two where things were being setup and I would have to reschedule because my work had to come first.  This is what led to my decision in resigning.  

The first few days I was off I was surprised I had done such a gutsy move to move on without a job and that I had planned a trip to Arizona to attend a health and wellness conference for the wellness company that I am a part of.  I made a commitment to myself that I would have to apply to ten jobs each day, work out every day and just keep busy.  I can honestly say I think I did apply to ten jobs the first day; working out I am trying to do that and modified my goal a couple of times - that's another opportunity to blog. 

I do look for opportunities every day.  I apply to the ones that I think I am the best fit for and I wait.  I have done phone, Skype, WhatsApp, video, and in person interviews.  I was offered a job on the spot but it was rescinded by the time I was home because the manager reflected on my hesitation to accept and decided I was not a team player.  I have been completely ghosted by headhunters after they have reassured me I was the top candidate. 

While I have not applied to ten jobs every day I am sure I have applied to at least 100 since January 4.  

• Am I discouraged ?  Not yet.  
• Am I disappointed ? Not really, OK maybe a little.  
• Have I learned anything?  Yes, or at least I have reinforced what I already knew from the recruiting I have done.  If someone takes the time to complete your application, spend time with you on the phone, drive to your office for an interview.  Be transparent, let them know when you have chosen to go with another candidate.  Why?  Because that individual took time from their schedule to see if there was a good match.  Maybe they were not this time and maybe down the line your paths will cross and they may not consider you because of how you treated them during the interview process and it is no wonder candidates ghost recruiters as recruiters ghost candidates. 

Today was a holiday and I appreciated the headhunter who called me today that the company I interviewed with last week has opted to pursue another candidate.  The phone interview I thought I had an interview with today did not happen and I even called the recruiter to follow up.  I applied to a couple of positions and I have done three loads of laundry that I must now go fold.  BTW right after I posted this I received the call for my phone interview 5 minutes before the call.  😅  I think it went well.

Oh and if you have a job that you think I would be good at - call me, maybe!?

Hello 2019

I know it seems a little odd in what is the second half of February to be writing a post welcoming the new year.  That just goes to show that I have not been blogging as much and kept my family and friends updated.  Well actually my family and some of my friends always know what mischief or crazy idea I come up with.  However, I also realized this past week that a lot of people do not know what has been going on - even though my sister in law would say I put my life out there - I do keep a lot to myself.

On Thursday, January 3 I closed the short chapter of working for the City as the Human Resources Manager.  I learned a lot about what goes on to keep a city running and I also learned that in some ways government work is no different than the private sector and in my opinion it is probably more political and less transparent.  

I became disillusioned and knew I couldn't continue working there and my decision was reaffirmed when my direct managers response to my turning in my resignation was "Awesome" and didn't talk to me until a week and a half later.  At first I said I wasn't sure if it was sarcasm or joy but I did know it was not professional.  

Some people told me I should have stayed there until I found a job and maybe they were right in some way.  However, I didn't think I could  actively look for a job while I had a job.  I also needed to really decided what was important to me and how would I achieve getting to that point with an employer.  I do know one thing, I have realized and that is, while I never saw myself working at LISI for almost eleven years I had a great run there and I would like to find that kind of opportunity again. 

So in short there you have it, I resigned from a job where I was not being provided with opportunities to use my knowledge or skills.  I was being limited and isolated and it made me very unhappy.  So rather than let one individual tear me down and put me down - I opted to break free, I chose to go find a happier environment.   So thank you for saying "Awesome" it helped me realize that I am a stronger and happier person.  

I have a good life!!!

I turned on my TV so I could listen to some music and the PGA tour was on the screen. I was about to switch it to stream Pandora but I saw a familiar beautiful sight - Torrey Pines. So while I am not a PGA follower I have it on while my Hilary Weeks Pandora station plays on my laptop.

I am fortunate that I grew up and lived in Cypress, California most of my life. I always thought I would live in Orange County so when I moved to San Diego that was super huge to me. It was not a city or two away, it was another county. However, I was able to take the Amtrak train and be in OC quickly and see surfers along the coast or drive up there for the day or dinner. I was also just a drive over the mountains to see my family in Palm Desert. So it was not that bad.

San Diego is truly a beautiful place and it holds a special place in my heart.

I eventually moved back to Orange County and thought I would stay but it still didn't feel right. Looking back, I think that county move was to prepare me to move to Texas.

I have been in Texas 33,696,000 seconds; 561,600 minutes; 9,360 hours; 390 days; which is basically 55 weeks and 5 days.

Recently people have asked me if I am moving back to California and I think I surprise them when I tell them no. I am not sure why I am in Texas but I am here for a reason. Things fell into place super quick for me to move here. To this day I don't know what that reason is and I would like to know. Sometimes I think it was to prove to myself that I could do it and I am glad I did. I have met so many fabulous individuals because of this move. Texas is home for now and I am doing my best to make it an unforgettable experience.

With that said don't get me wrong I do miss many things from TJ all the way up to the Golden Gate Bridge and east to Las Vegas and Spring Training at Diablo Stadium. I miss Enrique's, Cypress Stake, the Angels, Disneyland, the smell of the ocean breeze and a sunset overlooking to the Pacific Ocean, my friends and family. Apparently I can get glimpses of my beautiful state and places I have lived by turning on my TV and watching the PGA tour or looking at my pictures.

Things I saw while writing this: Torrey Pines, the San Diego ocean, Miramar Base, Scripps Green Hospital, The Goodyear Blimp. Who knew the PGA Tour would make me smile and feel so much gratitude. Thank you PGA tour for making me smile as I recalled being a patient after tearing my ACL at Green Hospital, hiking at Torrey Pines, seeing the air show at Miramar, seeing the Blue Angels do a fly over the San Diego temple, being invited to ride on the Goodyear Blimp, having amazing friends and the best family ever.

I have a pretty amazing life!!!!

Cooking on FB Live

I forgot to take a picture of all the ingredients before
I cooked them but here is what I was able to create.

My friend Melissa suggested I show some of my food prep cooking on a FB live video.  So I did.  I purchased a little tripod that can be used with my camera, and my phone.  I then realized I should at least do something with my hair.  I set the tripod, my phone and then realized it would be beter if I had everything ready.

I peeled and cut four small potatoes, some garlic, onion, bell peppers, and off I went.  I felt incredibly awkward but I also thought it was different and fun.  

The one thing I forgot was that I was wearing a very comfy but very form fitting LuLaRoe Julia dress that I only wear at home to be comfy and lounge around in.  So when I realized I needed more of one item and didn't think twice I showed the world my vulgarity LOL
I say that because I always say one size does not fit all and if you put something on that shows every bump it is vulgar.  So there you have it - I lounge in my home in vulgarity and that's ok because nobody knew it until today.

So what will I do better next time.  Not wear my lounging clothes.  I never realized how much work goes into those videos.  Or maybe there isn't and I just make it harder than it is.

So here is a picture of the final product.  I was able to put 1/2 cup of picadillo in four containers and will add asparagus or broccoli in the square containers.  The round one has one cup and is being frozen for a day when I want some and I don't have time to cook a batch or don't want a batch.  The red bowl was for my dinner tonight.

I want to make some vegetable soup tomorrow as we will be having some cold weather this coming week in Texas.   

#ocgirlintx #ocgirlfoodprep  

Why I Blog

Why do I blog?

I do instead of journaling

I blog to keep my friends in the loop

I blog because it helps me mentally 

Basically I blog because I can, it is a way for me to share my thoughts, feelings, and experiences.

Why Have I Not Blogged Regularly?

I have been trying to not drop dishes

I have not felt inspired

I have not felt that my posts would be inspiring/helpful

Why I am Going To Start Blogging

I have some funny things happen sometimes that I want to share

I have some experiences I think others could learn from

I have time to do this

Sometimes It Is OK To Let One, Two, Three Or ALL The Plates Fall To The Ground....Eventually You have to Pick Them Up

We have so many things going on in our lives as we juggle all the responsibilities between our personal lives, work, school, volunteering etc.  I know I do.  People think that because I am single life is easy and you know I wont lie at some times it is and others it is not.  It just depends on what is happening and where you are mentally and spiritually.

The past few months I have been juggling things and I have been doing my best to keep the plates up in the air.  I can't lie I dropped a plate and I tried to cover it as I didn't think anyone would notice and you know what?  Nobody did.  The plate I dropped was probably more of a serving dish.  I was disappointed and sad that out off all the plates I dropped it was the one that mattered to me the most because of what it represents in my life. 

Dropping this dish had a ripple effect in my ability to juggling the other dishes.  Before I knew it you could see all the broken dishes in my home.  I cared and I tried to pick them up but no matter how hard I tried I just felt like I was getting nowhere.  

Only a couple of people knew I was struggling juggling my dishes but I don't think they knew I had let the dishes fall and break all over my home.  Then there was the weekend when some dear friends came over for the first time and boy was I embarrassed.  That week I vowed I would pick up all the dishes but it was so hard to do and it fell so impossible.

This weekend I felt the weight of the dishes as I was worn out and battling with my allergies.  Yet, today I did my best to put the serving dish back together and I felt good about this.