99 Problems and a Job Ain't One...

So... a week ago, exactly, I accepted a job offer at a high fashion corporation as a Sales Representative.  I was pretty excited and optimistic about the position, and I've always had good luck with my jobs in the past.  This one turned out to be quite different from the jobs I've held in the past (or possibly, it's my situation that's deviated)... either way, it's a week later and I've already quit.

Here's the scoop:
My job duties were pretty simple: answer the phones and emails regarding sales orders, place the orders, and be friendly.  That was it.  It was really easy, and I picked it up in no time.  So it wasn't my job duties that bothered me, rather, the particularities that accompanied this job.  [I should also note that the pay was decent, but not overly generous, and I shouldn't have trouble finding a job that pays just as good or better.]
1. My boss, Jen, was a first class bitch.  Picture an overweight Meryl Streep character from the Devil Wears Prada, who uses the f-word a lot and takes a $1,000 dog with her wherever she goes (including the office), but never personally takes care of the dog.  She also yelled and cursed at customers over the phone, and she even got snippy with me on my first day!  This is completely unprofessional (although I have had my share of horrible bosses in the past... queue 7 month pregnant manager who physically assaulted a customer).  In addition, my boss was treating another sales rep. as her personal assistant, but she wasn't getting paid any extra to perform these duties, which included: getting Jen Starbucks every morning, getting Jen lunch every afternoon (when she didn't even have her own lunch break), and taking the $1,000 mut out to pee intermittently.  If she would have asked me to do any of these things, I probably would have said yes I would have told her it wasn't in my job description and to fire me if she wanted.
2. This particular company is extremely busy this time of year because it's prom and wedding season, so the phones are constantly ringing off the hook.  Accordingly (and unlawfully), this means that Sales Representatives (like my former self) do not get a lunch break.  We could either eat at our desk, while on the phone with customers, or we could eat very quickly in the breakroom (in 15 minutes or less).  This part was awful to me - I never thought breaks mattered so much, but when you want to kill your boss's dog (and vice versa), even a 30 minute lunch break would be greatly appreciated, especially when working a full 8hr day.
3. When I was interviewed, I was told the position was 9-5, Monday - Friday, which sounded perfect!  After I already accepted the job, I found out I would also be required to work "some" Saturdays for 6 hours.  "Some" was unspecified because there was no existing schedule in place.  And even though I'd be working over 40 hours, I would not receive over time or any kind of compensation at all.  (Another unlawful act)
4. My grad school interviews are approaching more quickly than I thought, and I had a fairly strong feeling Jen was not going to let me off for them.  Of course, my plan was to lie and tell her I had a prior obligation, like a family wedding or a doctor's appointment.  But I know I'm going to be stressing out to the max about these interviews, and getting home at 5:30pm and then waking up before 5am the next day does not sound like a plan to me, Stan.  And since all of my interviews (that I know of so far) are grouped really close together, it makes more sense for me to be off work right now (and looking for a job) anyway.  And if I do happen to find a job this week or the next, I will inform them when I'll be available, and I won't have to lie!

So all in all, I think it was a good decision to quit this job, and I really hope I do not regret it in the future.  Besides, I've already got 2 job interviews lined up for this week, plus a few more job prospects and a grad school interview.  "One door closes and another opens..."

The Dreaded Job Search Continues...

Seemingly, a lot of things have happened in regards to my job search, so I'm going to start with the most recent events and back track a bit.

First of all, my parents, mainly my Stepdad, are driving me crazy!  Here's what just happened: It's 4pm on a Thursday and I was laying down to take a nap (I didn't sleep much last night and had an interview this morning - more about this later...), and I get a call - it's Bill.  [Sidenote: Bill banks at the bank I used to work at in high school.]  He says that he just talked to the bank VP and asked if they had any job openings (after I had asked him NOT to do this).  The VP says they have a several new job listings that should be posted online, and Bill wants me to check RIGHT NOW (Welp, no nap for me I guess).  So I check, and they aren't posted.  I tell Bill.  He calls HR and supposedly they are faxing an application to Bill for me, and Bill wants me to immediately come over (within the next 30 minutes) and pick up the application.  Luckily, my strength arose and I gave him a firm "Not right now" answer.  Ugh, there are so many things wrong with this scenario:
1. I want to get a job because of my own efforts, not because someone else got it for me.
2. I'm not going to go out of my way for a job I think I'm over-qualified for, particularly if it is going to be a long drive from my apartment.
3. I am trying my best to find a job!  I've applied for around 20 jobs so far, been on 2 interviews, and am in the process of scheduling more.  Yes, it has been a little more difficult than I anticipated, but at the same time I am trying and not slacking around.

While I was writing this entry, I received another call from my parents.  They will not stop!  I am about to ask them to cut me off, completely.  Ugh... this stress is unnecessary.

Backtracking, my job interview this morning went seemingly well.  I looked sharp in my new skirt suit, complete with nude (granny) pantyhose, black patent heels, pearl-esque earrings, and A. Roy's pearl necklaces she graciously let me borrow.  It turned out to be a group interview, with around 10 applicants. But they interviewed us individually first.  After that, we gathered in a conference room where the boss presented to us a presentation over what the company actually does.  It's an insurance company, but they don't go door-to-door or anything.  They only work with Union and Credit Union employees who seek them out or who give them referrals.  There is a base salary, plus commission and bonuses on top of that.  It pays extremely well.  And no, I haven't been offered the position yet - I am still waiting for a call back, so I don't want to get my hopes up just yet.  But it sounds like a good opportunity.  On the video we watched, a woman was speaking about how she had initially planned to go to med school, but then landed this job.  Now she is a CEO making $3 million/year.  I could go for that... :)


My job interview last week went okay, but it may have gone worse than I thought, seeing as how they haven't called me back yet... Oh well, not a huge loss.  It was for a Case Manager position, doing social work, basically.  That's related to my field, but it's not exactly what I set out to do.  Plus, it is in a bad part of town, a far drive from my apartment, and doesn't pay too well.  I don't know that I was a right fit for the job, and I probably didn't answer some of the interview questions as well as they would have liked.  Que sera!

In addition, I received a phone call today from a local high fashion corporation who is looking for a Sales Representative.  Don't think Victoria's Secret (it's not that kind of job).  I can't stop thinking about Christina Applegate's character, Sue Ellen Crandell, in Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead.  If you haven't seen this movie, DROP EVERYTHING and watch it now.  "I'm right on top of that, Rose!"  Here's a nice CLIP for your enjoyment.

Dumps in the Down and Vice Versa...

WARNING: This is going to be somewhat of a depressing entry, so if you're feeling upbeat, it may be best to read this later.

So I don't know if it's the dreary weather, my cold and ear infections I can't seem to shake, or the fact that I've been alone 75% of the time, but lately, I've felt really futile here.  And I don't think it helps living in this somewhat small town, not so far from where I graduated high school.

I feel like I've recently lost touch with a lot of people I use to feel really close to - some of my best friends, even.  I don't know why these things happen.  Maybe it's because we've drifted apart.  Maybe it's because I'm tired of them constantly ditching me for their significant others or their other friends and not inviting me (which is a huge pet peeve of mine, and it also really hurts my feelings).  Or maybe I'm just over-exaggerating and letting small things get to my head... But still, it's the way I feel, and I think that should count for something.

If you've read my last post, you know that I graduated and am currently unemployed.  I've been job searching diligently for the past week and a half, and I finally have some prospects (2 interviews coming up, with some more jobs in mind to apply for).  This is all well and good, but I'm still just not super excited.  It's probably because Mom and Bill have been holding this job search thing over my head nonstop.  I swear, every single time I speak to that woman (which is quite often), the first thing she asks is "Have you found a job, yet?"  Even on my vacation with my brother, she called several times and mentioned the subject.  I just feel like it's my god damn vacation!  I just graduated with a degree - now give me a little break!

So with my dissolving relationships, and lack of school or a job, I just feel like I need a change.  

Christmas Vacation

So post-graduation - queue winter break, all of my friends (and roommies) dispersed!  But who could blame them?  Being the Normanite I am, I did.... a little.  It got a little lonely at the apartment, so naturally I migrated to Mom & Bill's and stayed with them for a few days.  We had our little Christmas celebration a few days early since my Mom had to work on Christmas Day this year.  Mom and I made a small, but delicious, dinner for 3, which of course included 3 bottles of wine.  Afterwards, we drunkenly opened gifts.  Surprisingly, Mom loved the camera that Bill got her - I told him it would be a great gift (Side note: my mother is extremely difficult to buy gifts for - one day she's telling you she loves something and then the next day, she's exchanging it. You also cannot spend too much money on her because she thinks she's "unworthy" or something, even though she spends plenty of money on herself).  Mom and Bill also loved (or pretended to love) the picture frame I got them with my graduation picture inside.  And on Christmas Eve, I drove down to my brother Jason's house in Dallas.

I've been to several holidays at Jason and Jean's house, but I don't remember those holidays very well.  Regardless, this one seemed particularly different.  This year, my Faja and Bobo Bear's Christmas invitation got lost in the mail... probably because we all openly hate Bobo Bear.  And instead, my brothers' mom (mi Faja's ex wife) was invited.  Her name is Judy.  And from stories my dad has told me (and the pictures I've peeked at over the years), I expected an older, hippie version of Natalie Wood.  This was not the case at all.  There's not really a nice way of putting this, but compared to my dad's other wives (he's currently on wifey #3, btw), she is masculine and low-maintenance.  And apparently, she HATES my faja.  Now I had heard their divorce had gone pretty smoothly back in the day: They had been highschool sweethearts who married young, had children, and then grew up, which happens to a lot of people.  However, from my brothers' standpoint, their divorce had not gone so smoothly.  Regardless, many years after the fact, this butch-like woman HATES my dad... fair enough.  With all that being said, Judy was actually nice to me, pretty quiet, and highly sarcastic - all of which are qualities I enjoy.  The one time my dad was brought up in conversation, the first thing Judy said was "You're father's a LIAR!"  Eeek!  But Judy only stayed a few days, and so the peace was kept.

My brother Corey also came, but he didn't stay very long.  Jason made him a photo album for Christmas, and it was really cool to see young pictures of my brothers I had never seen.  (Side note: my brother Jason is super artistic and crafty. I'm totes jelly I didn't get those genes... but it's probably because he's my brotha from anotha motha.)  My niece Julia made out like a BANDIT! She's 11, and for Christmas, she got: an iPhone 4, an iPad, a Wii, 10 Wii games, decorations for her room (including: an awesome Eiffel Tower lamp my bro made, a full-length mirror Judy bedazzled, and some framed Paris photos), clothes, 2 new coats, boots, a sewing machine, a cupcake maker, and a perfume maker.  Shit, this kid got more for Christmas than I've gotten the last 5 years combined, plus I don't even know what some of the stuff she got is!  Julia is definitely spoiled.  I cannot say I won't spoil my future spawns, but I hope to teach them some responsibility and appreciation along the way, too.  

What did I get for Christmas?  Well, turns out, I didn't do too bad either.  From Mom and Bill, I got: a very nice jewelry box, some perfume, cute pjs, and a couple sweat shirts.  My brother Corey got me money, and Jason and Jean got me a pretty necklace from Macy's and a fuzzy bathrobe, which I've been needing for years!  

All in all, it was a great Christmas, and I was grateful I got to spend time with a lot of my family members.  I ended up staying with Jason and Jean for a week, and I don't know when I'll get the chance to do that again.  I also got to meet up with my roommie A. Roy and one of my best friends, Jackie.  I bought a skirt suit at Express on sale for under $100!  I am so excited about that.  I really wanted to find a pant suit, but the one I bought is basic black, so I could always find some black pants to pair with it.  I'll definitely be getting a lot of wear out of it at my upcoming gradschool interviews (cross your fingers for me that I get accepted!).  

My next great venture will be finding a J.O.B.  I'll let you know how that goes...

     

Let Freedom Ring!

WARNING: Long entry, but worth your time...?  Or read bits and pieces, like I would.

Today, I am graduating from college.  I have impatiently awaited this day for as long as I can remember.  Once I started college, I always knew I would graduate - but that's not to say that it was always easy or that I didn't work hard.  There was a time in my life when I wasn't sure if I would go to college.  I attribute a lot of my success (applying: for college, scholarships, internships) to my best friend, Jen.  She's one of those rare individuals who never tried to hard in school and honestly has more social skills than book smarts, but she is also very determined and self-motivated, and furthermore she has the ability to do whatever the hell she sets her mind to - these rare individuals like Jen are a force to be reckoned with, so you watch out for them! haha  But Jen did push me, and she believed in me.  I remember us both applying for tons of scholarships and sitting in front of her computer in her livingroom for literally hours upon hours.  I'd also like to take the time to thank Jen's dad, Jerry, for never kicking me out.  Jen is definitely someone who pushed me and encouraged me, but I do think I am somewhat self-motivated.

What I'm about to say next is a conversation I had recently (drunkenly...?) with another one of my best friends, Lauren.  Here's a short summary of my family life (I believe how you were reared/parented and your environment have a lot of effect on how you turn out, which is very psychoanalytical of me, I know): My mom didn't expect to have children (luckily when she got preggo, she was 29, married, and financially stable, so many characteristics unfamiliar to Teen Mom).  My dad, on the other hand, already had 2 nearly grown sons from a previous marriage.  He had not been around much for their childhood though, because back in those days he was trying to become successful and working 60 hours a week (my brothers did live with him - he just wasn't the most actively participating dad).  And BOOM, one magical day (eek) I was conceived and 9 1/2 months later, I was born.  Psychologists would refer to my parents' parenting style as lax and permissive.  Meaning, they loved me unconditionally, but treated me more as an adult, so they didn't give a damn what I did.  From an adult perspective, I had pretty badass parents.  Instead of supporting me on my rise to stardom, they were always more proud after the fact.  For example, I was in choir for 2 1/2 years in high school, and they never once came to one of my concerts or recitals.  But they were proud!  I'm not trying to make my parents sound like assholes here, but I honestly believe as soon as my mother birthed me, she thought I was a miniature adult, and she always treated me like it, too.  And my father, who had 2 other children but wasn't too involved with raising his children until me, well, all of this was new for him too.  The moral of the story is, I love my parents.  But I make sure to tell them about my accomplishments after they are accomplished.  Hence, graduation.

I have faced struggles too, and I think those should be part of these honorable mentions.  In my senior year of high school, I was concurrently taking college courses.  But I didn't have a computer at the time.   So, I would walk to the library whenever I needed to use a computer (which was pretty often, as you can imagine).  Luckily, my mom was able to help me purchase a laptop for high school graduation - the very same laptop that's currently in my lap!  On the other hand, for my high school graduation, my dad bought his new, 20something years younger wife a set of fake boobies and a new Corvette.  From now on, I will refer to her as "Bobo Bear", thanks Lauren.  [Another side story about Bobo Bear is at family gathers, my brother offers my niece money if she'll hug Bobo Bear - not that BB needs a hug, but to taunt me niece because no one likes BB.]  Again, not trying to make my parents sound like assholes here, but I am a little bitter.  If my dad would have even given me a SLICE of the money he spent on her, I would have applied it to my college education because I am already a D-cup and I hate Corvettes. :)  But, it is the struggles (and mishaps) in life that have made me who I am, and I'm stronger because of it.  I'm not on Mommy and Daddy's dime, and I'm proud!  I have paid or found resources to help me pay (i.e. scholarships, federal aid) for my college education all by myself!  Yes, I am being snobby here and taking a lot of credit, but hey, I deserve it.  I'm graduating!

I've worked very hard in school, and it's something I've always been good at and enjoyed.  However, I have had a blast in college.  I have met some of the most amazing people and made friends with them - they are the kind of people I always wanted to be friends with and waited my whole life to meet.  Another thing I love about the social aspect of college and living in a college town is that you meet people so randomly, and then become best buddies with them (except if you go pot luck in the dorms and are forced to share a room with a STRANGER - this proves to be very dangerous and you should just get out now if you are considering it. Alls I can say for my dorm roommate is that 1. She was a complete bitch to me, 2. She overcame gastro-bypass surgery, and 3. tubs o'food).

I think each one of my close friends (who I've met in college) deserves to be mentioned (eek, I'm scared I'll forget somebody, but hopefully they won't be reading this blog).
Jackie - met in the dorms.  This girl walked right into my room in the dorms and started up a conversation with me.  She complimented me right off the bat (on my shirt?), but compliments are always the way to my heart!  She is sweet and extremely witty, and she was one of the few people I could stand in the dorms.  Although she lives in Texas now, we've managed to stay really close friends and talk daily.
Selina - Lifelong Sorority "sister". Yeah, yeah, I was in a sorority for about a minute, but at least I got some good friends out of the deal!  I like Selina because she is always up for doing something - whether it's going to the movies, dinner, or the bar, she's up for hanging out.  She's been a good friend to me.
Amy M. - Selina's roommate in the dorms.  I met Amy through Selina.  We didn't become good friends til later, though.  I always felt like I bugged Amy when I was in their dorm (I don't know why), and once I slept in her bed when she was out of town and I was drunk (this is my confession).  We always have great conversations and lots to talk about.  Amy can be quiet, but she's a lot of fun!
Lindsay - we met randomly at a scholarship orientation for Native Americans.  We were 2 of the only people there without our parents (again, my permissive parents).  I asked if I could sit next to her, and she said "Sure dude".  After that, we kept running into each other and became friends and eventually roommates.
Melissa - former and current roommie.  We met in a randomly assigned living condition (this one worked out!), and we later decided to be roommates again.  I remember the first time I met her (skeptical, of course, because of my last roommate disaster), and we talked for over 2 hours about ourselves.  I knew right away we were compatible as friends.  She is one of the nicest, most awesome people I know.
Maureen "Mojo" - another randomly assigned roommate, who also turned out to be cool (and normal).  She is one of the hardest-working people I know.  And though I don't get to see her too often, I know she's going to go far in life, and I'm crossing my fingers she gets into medschool!
Lauren - another best friend.  We met randomly, at a party at Melissa's.  Melissa's roommate at the time kept calling me lauren, and calling Lauren Ashley - so we reversed roles!  I've had so much fun with this lady, and we're notorious for getting into trouble - just ask the C. Lodge pool staff or go look in our Green Books.
Ashley "A. Roy" - another hallmate I didn't hate and a current roomie.  Ashley and I didn't really start hanging out til Sophomore year, but when we did, we made an awesome duo.  A Roy is witty and smart and also a good time!  I love her bluntness.  I think her, Melissa, and I make a great trio of roommates because we're all similar in a lot of ways.
Jerard "J/herardo" - even though we've had our rough patches (and dated), he remains to be one of my good friends.  He drives me up the wall with his sarcasm, but sometimes his sense of humor is very refreshing because it's different from all my other friends'.
Miki "Miki Bobbi" - I met her through her brother.  She is another one of my sweet, nice, "innocent" friends.  She's very studious and works hard, but she is also a lot of fun.  I love her, even though she said she "didn't want to meet me," when we first met, haha.
Amy T. - she's one of my Psychology friends, and she's helped me out a lot.  I remember taking Stats with her, and she would always eat things that were difficult to consume in a college classroom (i.e. salad).  She makes me laugh though, and we share our passion of Psychology!

Ugh, sorry, didn't mean to write another thesis here.  I honestly couldn't sleep because I'm so excited for graduation.  I'll be sad, too, to leave college behind me.  I've had so many amazing experiences.  But hopefully, the future has something awesome in store for me!  And I wish the best for all my friends on my stickam friend's list.  I truly hope all their dreams come true and that we manage to stay in touch.

I've already received some good news: I have an interview in February at one of the programs I applied to!  :D


       
  

So, this is my first blog post.  Well, actually, it's my first blog post in a while.  I used to have a blog a long, long time ago, but I decided to start a new one.
My hope is that I have something interesting to say, some unique perspective to get across to those of you who decide to waste spend your time reading this.  But the truth is, maybe I will, maybe I won't.  All I know is that I really do miss writing, and it is one of my greater passions in life.
So what's new with me?  Well, I've had a lot going on as of late.  I'm applying for clinical/counseling psychology PhD graduate programs.  That's about as thrilling as it sounds, and yes, it's kept me extremely busy.  But I am actually really excited about the possibilities the future has to offer!  The world is my oyster, right?  I've also been finishing up my last undergraduate semester, and I must say, I'm going to miss this.  Even the hard work, cramming for tests, all-nighters, I'll miss those too (sadly).  Oh well, I'm sure grad school will have plenty of fun activities like that to offer me! :)
Tomorrow I am finally sending out my graduation announcements to friends and family.  It's kind of funny because the company who makes the announcements (and shall remain nameless - unless you ask me) printed both the December and the May dates of graduation right next to each other, which is going to be really confusing for my out-of-town relatives... "When the hell is she graduating, anyway?"  But I'm hoping to creatively fix this minuscule detail and not let it get me down, because, let's face it, I don't have the time to order new announcements - might as well make the best of them.
Another unfortunate aspect of my life is that I am about to lose my job as a student billing assistant at the library (obviously I'm losing my classification as a student, so I have to lose my awesome job too).  I've worked there for 2 1/2 years now, and it has treated me well.  But it is time to move on (and make more money).  I just wish I already had a job lined up.
Hm... what else?  I don't want to get too personal here, but lately among all this chaos, I've felt super lonely.  It may have something to do with "letting go" of one of my best friends.  And no, he didn't die, I just don't know another way to put our situation.  It's kind of like a break up, but it's not even quite that.  I recently purchased Judy Ford's book entitled "Single: The Art of Being Satisfied, Fulfilled, and Independent", if that tells you anything.  But I'll let you know how it goes!  Alas, I have missed someone's company.  I'm around people pretty much all day, but I like to have company late at night too (as I don't seem to sleep much anymore).  And I can't really just call up any old friend at midnight and say "let's hang".  Well, I could, but that would be weird.  It's odd too because when I was growing up, I was essentially an only child, and I found ways to entertain myself all the time.  Sure, I was bored a lot.  But, I also liked being independent and finding my own things to do.  I miss that eagerness, and I need to find a way to get it back.