A Somewhat Awkward Interview

Last Thursday, I had a job interview for a Marketing Assistant job. Mind you, I don't have a Marketing background, but I've been around long enough to know that I possess the necessary skills and experience to get the job done.

As I sat down for the interview, I was greeted by a young woman and young man, who both looked around my age or a few years younger than me. The woman saw my address and asked if I lived right behind this one specific landmark and I told her 'yes.' She continued to say that she knew a few people who lived on my same street. I just smiled at her and almost asked her which neighbor of mine she knew, but I just let it go. The interview was scheduled for 10:30 a..m., but I arrived about 10 minutes early. Needless to say, my interview was very quick because as I walked out of the interview, it was already 10:30! As I walked to my car, I thought to myself, "What are the chances that this woman or owner of the company could be my neighbor's girlfriend?"

So this morning as I looked out my window, I notice the neighbor getting ready to leave in his car and he's accompanied by his lady friend, a.k.a. his girlfriend, who just happens to be the SAME young woman who interviewed me last Thursday! Talk about an awkward moment!

I think the fact that I didn't get hired by the marketing company was a blessing in disguise. Anyway, I have a meeting scheduled for next Wednesday with the editor of the newspaper I freelance for. She's going to give me more information about the job she has available. If everything works out well and she's able to offer me some flexibility so that I can finish my education, then I think I might be offered a position with the newspaper!

I'm keeping positive thoughts that everything works out the way it's intended to.  :)

Airing Out My Frustrations

I try not to let too many things bother me these days. I've been trying to stay positive in hoping that things around me will get better. It's just a matter of being patient and letting things run their course, which are beyond my control. Well, today everything happened all at once.

Today was my last day meeting one-on-one with my (Advanced) Algebra tutor. This was my second semester having him as my tutor and he's been the most patient person I know. Well, today I just could not understand one problem he was trying to help me solve. It seemed like a very easy problem, but there were some steps I had missed, so part of the problem was wrong. At one point I told him that I just couldn't do it anymore. I felt like I was wasting his time. Needless to say, I didn't finish or solve the rest of the problem and worked on a few other problems after that, which I was able to understand.

No matter how hard I try to comprehend every lesson and/or every section in my math class, I feel like I have this block in my brain and that I'm always behind in trying to figure out how to understand what's being taught to me. :(

After feeling so frustrated, I also started thinking about my employment situation. :( I've struggled for the last two years in trying to find work. I recently started a freelance writing job, but freelancing isn't stable or long-term. So when I thought that things couldn't get any better, I come home to find an email from the editor at the freelancing job. She said she's going to have a writer's position available beginning June 1st and wanted to know if I'd be interested in speaking with her about it. I emailed her back and told her 'yes,' I'm interested.

One of my journalism classmates, who currently works as a writer for the same company, recently told me that his job is full-time and leaves him with little time for anything else. I plan on meeting with the editor to discuss the position SOON and when I do, I plan on finding out all the details about the job because finishing my education is very important to me, as is finding stable employment in what I enjoy doing.

This is going to be a difficult decision for me to make. Why can't I just win the lottery and not have to worry about any of this? ;-)

Positive thoughts...please!

I'm inundated with trying to work on two new stories, as well as on some other tedious (ugh...Math!) homework, but I'm in dire need of editing my resume right now after having to put it off for about a week or so. Well now I just noticed a new job posting for a position I'd be perfect for! Plus it looks like it may be flexible and the location is ideal. Speaking of flexibility, I need it desperately in my schedule since I'm still working on finishing up my college degrees.

I'm going to put all my intentions out there for manifesting and receiving positive thoughts because I really want and need this job! :-)

Good Things Come to Those Who Wait

Last week, a co-worker of mine--who happens to be the bosses assistant--asked for my personal e-mail address, so I gave it to her. My first thought was, "Ok, what did I do wrong?" A couple of minutes later, I opened the "confidential" e-mail, which stated that the boss told her that she could hire a part-time employee to take over some of the specific duties she shouldn't be doing. She told me that she was happy with my work and asked if I'd be interested in this position. The pay is actually a LOT better than what I'm currently making, which is music to my ears! In addition, I can still have the flexibility of taking classes, plus I could work a few extra hours. I told her that I was going to think about it and I'm actually supposed to meet with her this week to further discuss the job.

I'd say that within the last few months, I've been fortunate to have had some things happen to me, which I had hoped would lead me into fulfilling more of my goals this year. I have tried putting all my positive energy into finding a new job and, well, with the help of my vision board, I think things are starting to fall into place! Staying positive is something I will continue doing because I still have a few other goals I'd like to accomplish this year. :)

My winter break is over and I started classes again this week. I'm slowly getting into my two Anthropology classes because I've never been one to like anything associated with science (or math)! I haven't taken a science class in YEARS, so that's why I'm a little scared! What's funny is that one of my instructors is five years younger than me, so at least I can relate to her in that sense.

And what would my blog be without some NKOTB news! Recently, fans were e-mailed a message stating to "save the dates" for a very special event. Well, as many Blockheads had speculated, the event turned out to be a cruise!! The Block's ship will set sail from Florida to the Bahamas from May 15 - 18. When word got out that this event could be a cruise, I said, "There's definitely NO way I'm going!" Twenty years ago, the Kids did a "Magic Summer" cruise, which I didn't take part in because I couldn't afford it. Well, fast forward to the present and I still can't afford a cruise! I've never been on one before and yes, a trip to Florida (where I've always wanted to go) and the Bahamas (really, any island will do for me) would've been great, but I don't have the means nor the time to go. Actually, I have finals around those dates, so it was poor planning on their part! ;) No worries because I'm still holding out and saving my money for the upcoming tours in the spring and summer! 

I'm the best candidate for the job!

About a week ago, I e-mailed a query to a local publication, which I've enjoyed reading over the years. In fact, a former employer of mine used to subscribe to this publication, so when I picked up the mail, I couldn't help but read it. So the Editor of this publication replied to my query e-mail & stated that the story I submitted could be a possibility for the May '08 issue. Boy, was I shocked! Finally, a possible "Yes"! She then proceeded to ask me for clips of stories I've written. I told her that I didn't have any clips because the only writing I've ever done is for my college English class. I went ahead and sent her a copy of two stories I had written, which I considered some of my best work. I went on to explain to her that I am a new writer [my instructor didn't want myself or my classmates to come off as 'students' in our queries] and that I didn't have any clips I could send her.

A day later, I received another response from the Editor. She told me to send her a rough draft of my story and that we'd go from there. She also added that the company is looking to hire an Assistant Editor & that I should take a look at the job description she had sent me and see if this would be something I'd be interested in. Is this a sign from God or what?! About two months ago, I had every intention of applying for an internship with this publication when I saw an ad in one of their issues, but I never had time to send off my résumé. Well, the opportunity finally arose last Friday when I e-mailed her my cover letter & résumé.

Well, it's been four days now and I still haven't heard from her. I hope she didn't think I was overqualified for the position. Also, I seem to read a lot into things and think that because I don't have certain qualifications--the job is requiring a degree in a related field--that maybe she's taking into account all of this. :( I've never been formally trained; however, at a very young age, I found that the English language and anything related to Journalism were my strong points. Even the career tests I took in college pointed me in the direction of Journalism! In fact, whenever I found myself in a work or school setting, my colleagues or classmates would often come to me for help because they knew I excelled in writing, proofreading, and editing. I know that everything can be learned while on-the-job, but does she [the Editor] want to hire someone who has a degree--which I'm working towards now--or has YEARS of experience?

I've relentlessly been working on the story I'm writing so I can have my instructor/adviser look at. Then the next step is to send it off as a rough draft to the Editor. In the meantime, I've got like 4 other school projects that I'm working on--with due dates looming--and an exam I'm not ready for--again--on Tuesday. :(

I'm going to let one more day pass and if I don't hear back from the Editor, I am going to e-mail her again because I am VERY interested in this job and I definitely think I'm the best candidate! :)