Ms. Health Educator

It's finally happening. Two years and four months after graduating with my bachelors I landed a health educator job. It feels good knowing I can end the search and be done with all of the interviewing.  At the beginning of March I went to the first interview, but wasn't very hopeful because you have to make it into the top 5 to be considered. I'd interviewed with this county before and was number 8. This time I made it into the top five and got called for a 2nd interview where I had to give a 10 minute presentation. They said they'd decide within two weeks, but called back three hours later offering me the position. I was beyond excited, but skeptical after what happened with the last job offer. 

It's starting to feel real after saying goodbye to my co-workers at TAB. We had a nice going way lunch at Wing Nutz and dessert at Beyond Glaze. I am really going to miss them. My bosses were sad as the sent off another one of their babies, who came to them so innocent, into the world. Somedays were hard, but I am leaving with so much gratitude for what I learned and the chance I had connect with so many people in the past three years. 

I hope I'm not too excited that I can't get a good night's rest. This is what I've work so hard for and it's finally mine, so you better believe I'm going to go in there and exceed their expectations.

Poster Contest

I've always felt like the whole numbers and banking this isn't for me, but this past month I was able to let my creativity and abilities shine through. This year our focus is on compliance so each month we have some dumb activity. I don't like competition, especially at work, it's all such a waste of time. 

This month's campaign was to make a poster depicting what your department does. We brainstormed several ideas and came up with making it a comic that said what we do and who was in our department. I honestly had so much fun making it and may have stayed up past midnight messing around with the photos. 

I thought we had a great poster until I started seeing everyone else's poster and they were just as good, if not better. There were no real rules to the poster so some group did some bizarre poster that involved bringing in a shopping cart. 

Out of sixteen poster our department took first place. I was really proud of us. 

Almost Started a New Job

I applied for a program coordinator position at a non-profit organization that is literally 4 blocks from my house. I submitted my application, then contacted the HR director via LinkedIn to introduce myself and make sure she received my application. I honestly think it was a great move to director her to see what I’m about.

I went to the interview on a Wednesday. I prepped the night before by brushing up on key facts about the organization and going over what I would say about myself. I could tell they were impressed. They even mentioned that they just posted a volunteer coordinator position that they think I would be qualified for, if I was interested. I received a call the next day asking my permission to contact my current supervisor. I really appreciated that they asked me first because she wasn’t aware that I was looking into this new position. I had a quick chat with her about expecting their call and to my surprise was extremely supportive.

I got a call on Friday that I didn't get the program coordinator position, but they wanted me to come in for interview for the volunteer coordinator position the following Tuesday. I went not feeling completely in love with the position, but after hearing more about it I was interested. I received a call Wednesday saying that they wanted to offer me a position, but it wasn't going to be what I was expecting. They wanted to offer me the first position because their original choice declined. I accepted and we set my start date for 2/25/13.

I was excited, but didn't want to tell my employer yet because I wanted to live off of the high and wasn't ready to deal with everyone knowing I was leaving, wrapping up loose ends and answering questions. My plan was to wait until Monday to give my two weeks notice.

I received a little feedback about being second choice, but I didn’t care, I was just happy to have an offer and the chance to move one step closer to my career goals. The organization has a fairly good reputation for being a great non-profit to work for with exceptional benefits and I could walk to work. I was excited!

Friday I received a call from the HR director saying that she hated to tell me, but the position was being placed on hold for a month while the executives reviewed whether they actually needed the position. I was disappointed, but still had hope that they would realize they needed it. I was also really grateful that I hadn't put in my 2 weeks yet and that they told me this lovely info before I was actually in the position.

I followed up this Monday, the day I was supposed to start, and got the final answer. They have decided to shift responsibilities around among the current staff.

I noticed something really odd after I was offered the position. I was feeling really sentimental and attached to my current place of employment. I've spent three years learning about the trucking industry  and realized it was probably something I would never dabble in again. The day after I was offered the position my department had a mini field trip to the new coffee shop across the street and it hit me that I was going to be leaving these people, and that I actually really do like them. I am in no way against change. I love it, so my sights were set on the new experiences. After all of this I’m okay where I’m at. Thankfully I don’t wake up dreading work and my job allows a lot of flexibility. 

I change my mind daily about whether I should keep looking or just take advantage of the comfort and flexibility my job offers as I finish my masters degree and focus on Arriba Latinas, a mentoring program I’m building with two other amazing ladies. 

Valentine’s Day and My 25th Birthday

It’s Valentine’s day and my 25^th birthday and I love it! Twenty-five feels like a good age to me. I enjoy getting older and growing as a person. Maybe I’m not where I thought I’d be, but it’s where I’m supposed to be. 

For the past 14 days I've been receiving sweet gifts from my biggest fan—my mom.  

    

When I got to work today I found this on my desk from my dad. It’s his thing and it’s really special to me because he’s away working, but remembered. He would always send me flowers at school on my birthday, now that I have to be an adult I loved getting them at work.

I love this día de amor y amistad. It’s not just for lovers, but for friendship. I was able to have my friends Ashley and Kevin over this week for a little Valentine’s dinner, drink and conversation. I wish I would've remembered to snap a picture of the 3 of us.

Jose says he doesn't care about Valentine’s day but one year I gave everyone Valentine cards and not him and he was butt hurt. So this year I decided I was going to be cheesy and love on him. I saw this idea that my cousin, Asa, did for his fiancé and thought I’d steal and tweak it. I placed 52 card throughout the house with things I love about him! 

At work we had lunch from Chik-Fil-A and my favorite, yellow cake with chocolate frosting. It’s fun sitting around bullshitting with my department. 

 

That was a whole lot going on for one post, but I want to end off with this little playlist of songs that remind me of my love for my husband. P.S. I recently started using Spotify and I love it! 

It was such a great birthday with the people I love. There's more to come this weekend at Sunday family dinner. I hope you had a special Valentine's Day! 

Three Years of Service

January 7th marked my three year anniversary with FJM. I was working for the Northern Utah Autism Program when my school schedule became too hard to work around so I had to resign. That was one of my favorite jobs, so I was sad to leave, those kids gave me a sense of love and fulfillment that no other job has. I was only without a job for about a week when my aunt told me that TAB was looking for a graveyard Spanish-speaking representative. I went to the interview and was offered the job the immediately.

I am the type of person who once it gets dark I'm ready for bed so you can imagine how horrible I was at working the graveyard shift. They good thing was that it was a very slow, easy going position. When I got off work in the morning I would nap in my car for a bit before class started. My sleep schedule was so messed up and I was grumpier than usual. I did that for a year until I graduated and immediately applied for a day time position. I started working in the loans department after Martin Luther King Jr Day so I think the 19th. I've been here ever since. I don't want to bash on this place because it's been a really good job with lots of extras and great connections, but I didn't expect to be here this long. I'm still searching for that dream job, but it's just not my time yet. It's also getting harder to leave this place because I don't want to take a cut in salary. I suppose maybe after I finish my masters program I'll choose love over money. 

Two people have mentioned to me how nice it is to be acknowledged and my friend did her research prospectus on organizations showing their gratitude for employees. With my aloof attitude I've never bought into the idea because it doesn't really matter to me, but maybe there are some people that need it. Then again, deep down maybe I do like it because here I am sharing with everyone. I guess I just don't like the recognition, it's embarrasses me, and why should anyone be praised for doing what their expected to do? 

Anyway,

Well today has been…

As Christmas creeps closer I get more and more excited but it seems like little things keep popping up to bring my mood down.

#1 Today my brother booked himself into jail to serve a 60 day sentence. It sucks, but honestly it could be worse. He gets work release so he won’t lose his job, it’s only 60 days, and it’s one step closer to getting his shit taken care of. It’s mostly a downer because my mom is “devastated,” especially because he won’t be around for Christmas. I don’t have kids, so maybe I can’t relate, but I think we should focus on showing him positive support, not making it about us or making him feel shittier than he already does. So there’s that.

#2 The bosses were a little annoyed with me and my co-worker for overlooking a mistake on a Schedule A we sent out. It’s a super easy fix, but the sales man is dramatic so we’re guessing that’s what stressed my boss out the most. Either way, I found it hard to get bitched at, then get together and exchange secret Santa gifts. I got exactly what I asked for, an Amazon gift card to buy Kindle books.

I pampered myself today thanks to an old classmate who posted on Facebook that her spa was in need of pedicure and manicure models. I was able to get a luxury manicure for 70% off. Tomorrow I have an appointment to get my hair trimmed and eyebrows waxed.

I’m glad it’s Friday. I hope everyone has a great weekend! 

My 100th Post

Today was the day for our quarterly bonuses at work. My last one wasn't exceptionally great, so I wasn't expecting anything different this quarter, especially because there was talk that it was going to be even less due to some fraudulent activity that occurred. I really think the rumor was more of a scare tactic, but who knows. Anyway, we all got emails this morning linking us to our online pay statement. I logged on, but quickly exited without checking the statement. I am the type of person who likes to be surprised. I was the child that didn't want to peeked at my Christmas present. 

To make the day special we got to wear jeans and meet in the conference room for donuts, fruit and our checks. My boss was prepared with sincere appreciation and stats for how well our department performed this quarter. Little things like that make me admire the man. 

Things have been different with our finances since Jose got laid off for the winter. We expected an unemployment check, but come to find out he isn't eligible until January. We'll make it on my income and rental income, but this time of year we tend to spend more durning the holidays. I've continued to set aside tuition money, travel money for Thanksgiving in Cali, money for tires, and money for Jose's birthday so that doesn't leave much for our first world luxuries which mostly include lunch and theater popcorn + movie tickets. 

I opened that check and felt blessed and relieved. I know I shouldn't worry about money so much, I'm glad Jose helps me understand that. Now I'm ready for a little Christmas shopping. Both sides of my family decided to draw names this year. I can't wait to see who I get and of course I don't want to know who gets me because I look forward to the surprise. 

Thanks for reading my 100th post.

Kitty's Halloween

Hello! What a fun Halloween it's been so far. After Saturday's festivities I was sooo over Halloween, but I woke up this morning, put my costume on and made a treat. Once I got to work and saw all of the fun costumes I was back in my happy Halloween mood. Here are a ton of pictures from my day.

Stairs at my mom's house

Halloween Treat

Crime scene in the loans department

Skeleton on vacation

Big Ang & Kitty

Untangling Denise's spiders

Denise, Cole, Ashliegh, & Eric

My desk

Red Solo Cup & Toby Keith

Watching scary movies and passing out candy

Mooch wanted to be in the picture

And now she's annoyed

Spook! Boo! Who Cares!

This Halloween our activity planning committee sent an email out regarding desk decorating, which we do to make it fun for the employees' little ghouls that stop by to trick-or-treat. This was described under the theme spook.

The spook is traveling

No one knows for sure

Who it will be nabbing

This month for sure

Be on the lookout

For decorations galore

Or just a bag of goodies

No one knows for sure

Everyone is invited

So come join the fun

The spook is a travelin

This month for sure

Well Mrs. King didn't like that idea because she says it's a tradition to do BOO! Honestly if I knew she was going to be so dramatic about it I wouldn't have participated at all. I don't give a shit what we call it and the planning committee was first to get the message out so too bad for you Mrs. Control Freak.  Anyway I got sucked into BOO.  I wanted to do something different from all of the spider webs that were going up so I chose a devil theme for Tyler. 

Drink

I made the mirror with Tiffany V.'s help.

Cupcakes, skull cups, candles

  

 Here's what was on my desk! They've definitely kept me entertained.

Such An Adult

I feel like the adult I’d imagined I’d be. When I was younger I dreamed of having a career that involved traveling. Last week my husband and I were both on business trips. Jose goes out more often than I do and sometimes I don’t know when he’ll be back. A co-worker of mine thought that was so strange, but we are a very independent couple so it works for us. I mentioned my thoughts to Jose that I like my free time and that I can handle being away from him, he just laughed, because sometimes I’m an emotional, needy wife.  

I went to Las Vegas with five other co-workers for a seminar about updates to our banking platform. Not the most exciting sessions, but Vegas is always entertaining.

                                            Sleepy man                                     Waiting for everyone else to get to the hotel 

                           Working it on the strip, flip flops and all               So freakin' disgusting, the streets of Vegas

                                                            Catered breakfast & lunch                  My baby wearing obsession

            Row all to myself                                    KC & Eric 

                                               Getting ready                                                Me, KC & David

                             Dinner at Dick's Last Resort                                                      The hat says it all! 

     Not cool!!!

                                                        Sushi Night                                                    Absinthe

Eric won a video camera

This seminar happened to be the week before a three day weekend so I postponed my flight home until Monday. I caught a cheap flight from Vegas to Long Beach to spend time with my husband’s sister and family. I felt so happy there. I’m so grateful to call them my family. 

                                              Playing games                                                         She's so sexy 

                   Cali Sunset                                                        I started doing homework so Leah pulled hers out

                                                                 Hiking                                           Getting a massage from Jimmy

                                                     Bailey

                                                           3 footed kitty                                  Leilannie cleaning her room

                                                 Leah loves her puppy                                      

                                                  Hot from hiking                              Seeing how many grapes fit in his mouth

Monday morning I had breakfast with Jose’s best friend’s wife. I forgot to get a picture so this is all I have. She is 36 weeks pregnant and it’s a mystery as to what they’re having.

On the drive home from the airport I was telling my mom how interesting it is to be around teen girls. Not that they’re annoying, but it’s funny to remember that I was like that at one time. I told her how the whole car ride Lani and Jazmin were giggling non-stop, then she slapped me with, like you and Stela. Man I miss that girl.

Jimmy, Susie, Leah, Me, Lani, Jasmine, & Jaime at Famous Daves

I was happy to get home and see everyone, not so happy to catch up on homework. My way of unpacking is as I need something I get it out of my suitcase. My goal is to unpack by the end of the weekend. Hold me to it people.