Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Job Hunting

First - yeah me! I went to Curves this morning to find out I'd lost 2.5 inches. I know one down one hundred more to go, but I'm trying for steady gradual progress. Not something where I go all out for a week then realize it's for the birds and quit. And it's movement in the right direction.
This afternoon I have a meeting with a recruiter. Or a head hunter or whatever you want to call them. Everyone tells me that they are essential to finding a job. Honestly, I have yet to appreciate it. They help the companies by gathering a large number of resumes. Helping individuals? I'm not sure how they help me besides being another layer of gatekeeper to pass by to get to the company. They meet with you and then you never hear from them again. And let me not forget to add: all the information they collect. Really you need my Social Security number that I'm told to not give out? I filled out all your paper work a year ago when you called me last since I didn't move and sent you an updated resume - why do I need to fill it out again? I know. You want me to spend a lot of time waiting around so that I think you are really important.
I hope this doesn't sound whiny. It's more frustrated because I feel like I'm spinning my wheels and in the end the new job is going to come a different way so that I've wasted all this time. Wasted the time playing a game. Why can't job hunting be more honest?

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Thoughts

Take time to think - it is the greatest source of power.

Take time to laugh - it is the music of the soul.

Take time to read - it is the fountain of wisdom.

Take time to be friendly - it is the road to happiness.

Take time to love and be loved - it is a God-given privilege.

Take time to give - it is too short a day to be selfish.

Take time to play - it is the secret to perpetual youth.

Take time to work - it is the price of success.

Take time to Pray - it is the greatest Power on Earth.

-Don Krumme's Daily Goals
(October 1, 1931 - July 2, 2006)


I'm supposed to have time to do these things right now. And I feel like I'm busy from the time I get up to the time I go to sleep. And yet, I can't fit it all in. I hope maybe that if I tackle some piles that they will go away or get quicker and then I will have time. At least I should have a change this week. Is there ever anyone who has a to-do list that they can actually get through every day?

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Accomplishments

I thought I'd share what I've accomplished since being unemployed.

1. The grout in my bathroom is white! EEWW I know, but it was something that I needed to do. I'm hoping everyone has one of these: the stack of things that need to be gone through. It's not gone, but it is much, much smaller. I'm hoping that if I can get rid of it, that it will be easier to stay on top of it going forward. Shut Up! I know, I know, but at least I can hope.

2. Walking. I have a pedometer that I wear, and I keep trying to push myself to more steps every day. I've been dividing it up into six month periods. Before my battery died last summer, I was averaging 4,906 steps and 269 aerobic steps a day. At the end of the winter which included a month of bronchialspasms, I was averaging 148 aerobic steps and 3,709 steps a day. Today, my average is now 321 aerobic steps and 4,601 steps. I may not be quite where I was for total steps but my aerobic steps are getting better.

3. Speaking of exercising, my last Tennis in No Time is on Thursday. I think I'm improving even if I still have zero ability when it comes to running. Friday night, they are having a party to celebrate. Can you guess what I did? I bought a new outfit! I've always thought tennis skirts were expensive. <http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=2806334> Right now, my budget doesn't permit $60 skirts. Okay, except for formal events and coats I've never spent $60 on a piece of clothing. I was talking to one of my classmates who now is wearing a tennis skirt. According to her, Kohl's has them on sale for $15. This fits into my budget quite easily. Mine is a solid navy. Then of course I got one of these shirts for $4.99 in gray with a navy print - I can't find which one it is
My Mom is thrilled. I mentioned to her that the instructor graduated 2 years after me from a different high school. She keeps telling me to go early and flirt. Flirt with the tennis instructor - would it be more cliche?

4. I like to craft. I like to start projects. Maybe one day I'll be able to say I've finished as many projects as I've started. In fall 2008, we went to New Jersey for a week. One day we went to the Point Pleasant. It has a much nicer boardwalk than Atlantic City. We drove down to another outlet to the beach. I found a bunch of shells. I decided to make some shadow boxes with sand and the shells. Right after we got home, I bought the sand at Michael's - and they sat in my closet all this time. I finally put them together last night. Word to the wise - put the hot glue on the box and stick the shell to it. If you line the shell with glue, the heat goes straight through to your hand. I, also, at one point stuck my finger into fresh hot glue. Wow, does that hurt!!! I'm fine now. I am trying to insert a picture here. Let's hope it will be by the description.




What have you accomplished recently?

Monday, May 17, 2010

Blogs

Take 2 - I erased after I typed the first three. That so annoys me.

1. http://girlygirl.typepad.com/ - Kristen Billerbeck's blog
She wrote the Ashley Stockingdale novels. She blogs about life in the Silicon Valley and writitng.

2. http://stuffchristianslike.net/ - Jon Acuff's blog
A sarcastic take on Christian subculture by a Christian. You'll laugh until you realize how close the serious Wednesday posts hit to home.

3. http://www.northwapiti.blogspot.com/ - Karen Ramstead's blog
Canadian woman who runs purebred Siberians in the Iditarod

4. http://www.miamihawktalk.com/home/ - Miami Hawk Talk
The sports messageboard for my school.

5. http://community.livejournal.com/1bruce1/ - 1bruce1
Commentary on the Sweet Valley series. Why did we read these?

6. http://www.beyondlittlehouse.com./ - Beyond Little House
Great blog about Laura Ingalls Wilder

Monday, May 3, 2010

I want to win a camping trip


I entered to win camping from KOA. Well, here's the description from the website:

"We’re looking for individuals, families and couples who love to camp at KOA and who are willing to document their adventures with a Flip® video camera and let us post them on koakompass.com, Facebook and YouTube. Those who are selected to participate will get 6 nights of KOA camping, a bag of camping goodies valued at $100 or more AND a Flip® video camera!"

I am willing! Here's my entry. What do you think of it?

Hi,
Who?

My name is Lauri. Joining me would be my parents.

Where?

If we were to win this contest, we would divide the days between Traverse City and Petoskey, Michigan. Both are favorite destinations of ours. And everyone around the country needs to know how wonderful the kampground run by the Rose family is in Petoskey.

Why?

My family began camping in 2000. We have a 32 foot fifth wheel Cougar. My parents are both retired with plenty of time to enjoy RVing. Me? I’m currently unemployed. I need something to look forward to experiencing. Besides, what else do I have to do with my time? We can show the fun of climbing a sand dune or participating in an evening of Bingo and the kampground. We usually have at least one camper malfunction. We can show others how we would fix it. More importantly, we could show the kindness of KOA Kampers as someone usually offers to help.

Thank you for your consideration.


(P.S. Koti, the adorable Siberian in the picture, here. I love my family. I'm cute and it's all about me. I want them to win, so really you have no choice but to name them the winnes, because life is all about what I want.)

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Derby Day

First, I think in my last post I talked about working out. It did work - four pounds and three and a half inches lost in April. Still have a long way to go, but hey it's in the right direction.
Today is the running of the Kentucky Derby. I'm not into horse racing, but I have to watch the Triple Crown. One year in college, my Dad and I spent two hours on the phone together watching the race. This was a toll call. After that, my Mom suggested I come home for the weekend. Twenty dollar phone calls were frowned upon. I think I'm goint to pick Super Saver. Calvin Borel has been doing good at the Derby lately, but I'm hesitant to pick a favorite. The favorite never wins at the Derby - I'm not sure why.
Churchhill Downs is just over two hours from here, as is the Kentucky Horsepark. That leads to an interesting feeling. It's almost "our" event. We've toured both. We could go if we wanted. I know people who are going. One year I will. I bought "1,000 places to go before you die: US and Canada" I'd like to do as many as I could and the Derby is included. The Queen has been there. All sorts of celebrities. The tv show will show famous restauranteur, Jeff Ruby attending. The best restaurants around here are Jeff Ruby's. The weather there? Pretty much the weather here. Raining less here than there at the moment, but we will probably get it in a couple hours.
Tell me who is your favorite horse today?