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Rejection #1

14 Aug

From the person I interviewed with for the University of Georgia Press Publicity Manager position:

"This was a really tough decision, but I've narrowed it down to a small group and will not need you to come back in. You have some really great experience and I think you could definitely land yourself a job here at UGA. It's a tough environment right now though with these budget cuts, and I think that drove an unusually high number of qualified applicants to this job, including a couple from within the Press.

I am keeping your resume on hand in case no one in this group works out, but I didn't want to hold you up if you have other leads. I really appreciate you coming down here for the interview.

Best of luck with things."

Pretty much the nicest rejection email I could get.  I'm ok with it.  This was the job that kind of intimidated me – you know – since I have zero experience in book publishing.

At least I know the status of one of them.  Three to go!

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Ready or Not

13 Aug

The “Hello Kitty” backpack now sits filled with crayons, glue sticks, safety scissors, antibacterial lotion and notebooks.  Her matching “Hello Kitty” lunch box will soon be stuffed with her favorites.  She placed the order herself – peanut butter and jelly, applesauce and cheese crackers.  Oh and don’t forget the juice box, Momma.

Soon that backpack will weigh on her shoulders.  Now crisp and clean, on Friday it will begin its days of being dragged, kicked, dropped, tossed, used, abused and loved to pieces. The lunch box will soon start its important job of carrying the lunches I make with care – the one connection I’ll have with Nia during her long day away.  It will carry more than food, it will carry my love all zipped up with her PB&J – Momma hopes you like your lunch Sweets.  I’m thinking about you and hoping you have a great day at school.

I hope you learn a lot, laugh a lot, live a lot.  I hope your school days are happy days.  I’ll miss you while you’re there.  I’ll worry that you’re ok on your own.  You’re so small.  You’re so sweet.  Will they take care of you like they should?  Will they love your little ways like they should?  Will you make friends that you’ll have forever?  Will you want to invite them over to play?  Will kids be mean to you?  Momma can’t protect you there.  Be strong little girl.  Be brave.  Be nice.  Be helpful.  Be polite.  Behave.  Be fun.  Be you.

I love you Sweets.  Friday is your first of many days growing up but I will always remember you as my little girl with the “Hello Kitty” backpack that was adorably too big and that bounced when you walked.

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Extreme Tricycling

11 Aug

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Nia Sings and Nate Counts

3 Aug

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One down, One to Go

25 Jul

It’s over and I’m still alive!  I don’t have any mental scarring either!  I actually think the job interview I had today was kind of fun.  Is that demented or what?

It’s hard to explain but I was pumped at the idea of getting ready for a job, even if it might not be mine.  It felt good to trade in my shorts and tank tops for a suit and heels.  It made me feel like I could do this.  I could be a working mom again.  I felt empowered.  I think that might have carried over to my interview because I was as cool, confident and conversational as it’s possible for me to be.

Today’s interview was for the position of Publicity Manager at The University of Georgia Press. The Press publishes about 80 titles a year, ranging from educational books to subjects with broader appeal like fiction or as I noticed in the lobby, a book all about my favorite friends – Georgia bugs.  As the Publicity Manager, I would be the main point of contact between the author and The Press.  I would set up events like readings, signings and lectures and then work to promote them through the media.  I would have to convince newspaper book reviewers to read a UGA Press book and publish a review.  (I would even get to travel to New York City to meet with reviewers there!)

Overall, I think the only thing that will keep me from getting this job is the fact that I don’t have the book publishing experience.  The head of the department was very nice and seemed interested in what I had to offer but he also told me he put the posting on a publishing industry website.  I do think I would really like this job.  Besides the fact that the hours are typically 8 – 5 and it’s only 25 minutes away from our house, it just sounds like a fun job.

No matter what the outcome may be, I’m really glad I got one interview under my belt.  It was good practice and I learned a valuable lesson.  Take Pepto before I leave the house.  Luckily, I was early this time and was saved by a Kroger with a clean restroom.

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The Key to Conquering the Commode?

23 Jul

Right now, Thomas the Tank Engine underpants are taking a tumble in our washing machine.  After that, they’ll be dried and given to a 2 and a half year old boy who has yet to master the whole peeing and pooing in the potty business.  I’m hoping that Nate will be so in love with the drawers that he won’t want to defile them.  I already know he loves them because the very moment he saw them he wanted to rip them out of the package and put them on.  I told him, “No, Mommy has to wash them first.”  He took them to the bathroom sink, tossed them in and said, “Mommy wash.”

Here’s to Thomas!
 

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Getting My Foot in the Door

22 Jul

Not 12 hours after I boo-hooed about not getting any love with my job applications, I got an email for an interview!  I will be interviewing for the position of Communication Specialist with the Broadcast and Distance Learning Department of Gwinnett County Public Schools on Thursday, July 31.

Based off the description on the job posting, it seems like something I would be good at and would like.  It’s basically producing programs for the school system’s 24/7 educational television channel and supervising video-conferencing for distance learning.

I’m just so excited to have a chance and I did it without having an “in” to help me get my foot in the door.  Every job I ever had I got because I knew someone who knew someone.  Not this time.  I just can’t even believe it!

Now, I just have to prepare!  I have a new suit and heels all ready to be worn but my brain needs a re-boot.  Luckily, Andrew has a bunch of professional advice on interviewing from his recruiters so I’m going to be reviewing all of that but when it really comes down to it, they either like you or they don’t.  We’ll see if it’s a match or not!

 

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How Things Change

22 Jul

It used to be I would wish and pray and promise I’d give things up or do something different if I could only just have that really pretty Barbie – front row seats to a New Kids on the Block Concert – my crush of the month to like me back – a bigger CD collection – to make the volleyball team…

Now, I’m about to go there for a job.  All I’m hoping for right now is a call about a job. Or an email about a job.  Any job.  Well, any job that doesn’t involve sneaky telemarketing companies disguising themselves as a real marketing firm or unwanted attention from insurance companies.

So far, I’ve applied for 9 jobs that I think I would really like. I’ve only heard back from one and it obviously wasn’t a positive response.  Here’s what I’ve got out there –

  • WXIA Mom Website Manager
  • University of Georgia Publicity Manager (I just got finished applying for this one at 3 am.)
  • Emory University Communications Specialist
  • Northeast Regional Health System Public Relations Specialist – (The first to let me know it was no.)
  • Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Website Content Manager (I just checked the website and it says my application is “under consideration.” We’ll see…)
  • Georgia Public Broadcasting Creative Services Producer
  • Gwinnett County Schools Communications Specialist/Broadcast & Distance Learning
  • Gwinnett County Public Library – Library Associate
  • Publix Grocery Stores (Andrew says they just aren’t calling because there are no openings.  I just can’t help but feel a little unhirable since they won’t even call!)

There they are.  All the ones that I can remember off the top of my head.  I’m actually really rooting for the Library Associate one.  It has great pay and benefits and I’ve always had a love for the library. Hopefully, they’ll show me a little love!
 

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The Chronicles of the Unemployed

17 Jul

Week One:

  • Worry about money but then buy bread, milk and $5 in lottery tickets during an emergency grocery store run. (I just needed beer and diapers to round out the unemployed stereotype.  Oh yeah, and I just won another losing ticket.)
  • Take the kids swimming at the YMCA since we’ve already paid up for the month.
  • Canceled all unnecessary monthly expenses.
  • Play tennis and talk about taking lessons because what else do we have to do while we wait for people to call us back about jobs and maybe we should really be treating this like a nice paid vacation since we know we’ll be fine and get some sort of job anyway.

Week Two:

  • Get frustrated because the only people calling us for jobs are insurance companies and fishy marketing companies.
  • Play more tennis.
  • Check email by the half hour for possible job opportunities.
  • Tell ourselves people probably won’t contact us this week because it’s the week of July 4th and most of them are on vacation.
  • Begin a great time with our friends Julie and Chris.  They provide plenty of laughs and confidence boosting!
  • Prepared for our garage sale that was planned prior to the job loss.  Now though, it’s for more than just spending money.

Week Three:

  • You guessed it.  Play tennis. (We’re actually getting pretty good!)
  • Get excited after two legitimate companies express interest in Andrew.  One sets up a phone interview and a recruiter for the other (CSX!) called him after finding his resume online.
  • Went shopping for job interview attire with Julie and Nia “just in case.”  So far, there’s no need to remove the tags.
  • Hoped garage sale would make a lot of money for us but we only made 10% of what we could have.  Planning to have another in a few months.
  • Took the kids to Chuck E. Cheese and had a blast!  We’re pretty sure the $30 spent there won’t hurt us in the long run.  Besides, it was worth it!
  • Take Andrew’s business suit and shirts to the dry cleaners.  Stress because I told the lady heavy starch but somehow she convinced me I wanted light starch.  Will the lack of starch cost Andrew a job?!

Week Four:

  • Feel a sense of comfort when Andrew’s parents arrive for a week long visit.
  • Become bummed because no one is calling me for a job. I’ve applied for 10 positions but none in TV news. I’m just not going there until I really have to go there.  It seems that may happen pretty soon.
  • Andrew has a great phone interview with a company and they tell him they want him to meet all the big bosses for another interview. The only problem – it’s an hour and a half away from our house.  We’re not writing it off yet but yikes!
  • Another round of tennis for the budding stars.
  • Andrew prepares for an upcoming hiring conference which is how he got his first job out of the military at Best Buy.  Basically, head hunters arrange for a bunch of Fortune 500 companies to interview former military members and you’re pretty much guaranteed a job offer.  Fingers crossed for that!
  • Andrew and I go bowling and had the best time. It doesn’t get any better than two pitchers of beer, 3 games of bowling, my 5 strikes, some skee ball and a dangerous bout of air hockey. A memory I will hold close to my heart forever.
  • Waiting and hoping as we make the most of our time together.

 

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Age-Awakening Experience

13 Jul

One of our nieces is turning 13 in a week and like many youngens these days, she has to have clothes from a store called Hollister.

I had an idea that it was similar to Abercrombie and Fitch but never had the need/desire to check it out for myself.  Now I know why. Man, do I feel old.

I’ve never felt my age before.  I know there are things I’m not supposed to do now that I’m 30 and a mom.

  • I’m not supposed to shop in the junior section at department stores.
  • I’m not supposed to say things like “Miley Cyrus is cool” or “I totally love ‘High School Musical!'”
  • I’m not supposed to want and purchase the hot pink cell phone.
  • I cannot eat 10 piece Chicken McNuggets and the biggest Fry, never workout and still fit into my awesome size 6 GAP jeans.
  • I’m not supposed to push a stroller in any Hollister store.

How the heck was I supposed to know the store barely had enough room for a normal sized girl to walk through let alone try to steer Nia around racks, throw rugs, teens and sofas.  When I finally made it up to the counter, a hip little thing tried to cut in front of me!  I’m so unwanted, I’m invisible!  I totally was all like, “Oh, no you didn’t!” and cut her off at the cash. But then it gets far more stressful for me.  I have to pick out a gift card.

Typically, gift cards are decorated pretty simply.  A solid color, the words, “A Gift for You!” written on it and some cutesy design.

Not at this store.  They were all covered with half-naked hot guys and gals.  Totally fine for anyone who is not the child I’m getting the gift card for.  I even asked the teen behind the counter, “Do you have one that’s ok for a little girl?”  She freakin’ hands me one of a shirtless man and a girl looking all seductive into the camera.  Again, fine for anyone who is not my niece!

My friend Julie was with me and she suggested drawing a shirt on the guy!  Could you even imagine how embarrassed my poor niece would be when she goes to pay with a gift card that her aunt censored?  How uncool is that?!

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