Oh dear, my blog seems to have missed the entire month of October. I feel I've kind of missed it too, so perhaps that is appropriate.
But here we are, another month beginning and a day closer to 2010 (terrifying thought!) and almost 2 months since I've moved to DC. It feels like ages ago that I set out on my drive, excited for another adventure and hopeful at the prospect of finding a job relatively quickly.
Well, still no job. Some days that's harder than others simply because when you hear nothing back from anyone you, naturally start to get a bit discouraged. In total, I have applied to 86 jobs so far in the time I have been here and have been called for one interview (which I heard nothing back from). So it's frustrating to sit here and feel very unwanted and very underqualified for anything I would think to apply to. What irks me the most is that I feel like I could do these jobs, but I can't find a way in. Grrrrrr.
But I'm not going to sit here and whine; there are plenty of others out there in the same boat and some of those have more worries than me. So in addition to continuing my applications, I'll be looking for a part time job so I can keep myself out there in the working world, have some type of income, and prevent myself from going crazy sitting in the house all day. Plus, now Dan will be starting his job and I'll be alone? No, too boring. I need activities to do.
So working on some good old goal setting here, things to do, both work related and fun related, hobbies, books to read, maybe some classes to look for, new recipes to try ( I absolutely love to cook!), etc.
New month, new goals, hopefully a new job. Man I'm turning into a boring person.
Happy November to all of you and and interesting Sunday night :-)
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
An Ode to National Parks
The past two nights I have been watching the lovely new documentary by Ken Burns, "The National Parks: America's Best Idea" and I've fallen in love. Not that I didn't love nature or parks or national things before, but I'm just enamored with the history of how they were founded. What's so crazy is that at the time they were no big deal, just another day a the office for law makers when they passed the bills handing over thousands of acres to the federal government for protection.
What has also been facinating in these first two episodes is the part John Muir and Teddy Roosevelt played in creating these parks. John Muir is the man. Let's just get that out there. He was an American transplant from his native Scotland who had so much love and respect for the natural world it's almost impossibe to put into words. Nature was to him a cathedral of sorts, a celebration of God, and thus something inherently sacred that was to be protected. It was upon seeing the Sierra Nevada that he experienced the power of nature on the human soul and was transformed into it's most vocal and eloquent protector.
And it is perhaps thanks to Muir that we have Teddy Roosevelt to thank for creating so many parks during his time in office. They spent 3 nights camping together in Yosemite where they talked, argued, and created a lasting bond that we can celebrate with abandon. Roosevelt even saved the Grand Canyon from most certain overuse and destruction due to mining and building, something that locals were not too happy about at the time, but I'd say ended up working out okay.
So here's a toast to two great men and all the others who were instrumental in the creation of these parks to preserve the beauty we all need and perhaps don't give enough thought to in our daily lives.
What has also been facinating in these first two episodes is the part John Muir and Teddy Roosevelt played in creating these parks. John Muir is the man. Let's just get that out there. He was an American transplant from his native Scotland who had so much love and respect for the natural world it's almost impossibe to put into words. Nature was to him a cathedral of sorts, a celebration of God, and thus something inherently sacred that was to be protected. It was upon seeing the Sierra Nevada that he experienced the power of nature on the human soul and was transformed into it's most vocal and eloquent protector.
And it is perhaps thanks to Muir that we have Teddy Roosevelt to thank for creating so many parks during his time in office. They spent 3 nights camping together in Yosemite where they talked, argued, and created a lasting bond that we can celebrate with abandon. Roosevelt even saved the Grand Canyon from most certain overuse and destruction due to mining and building, something that locals were not too happy about at the time, but I'd say ended up working out okay.
So here's a toast to two great men and all the others who were instrumental in the creation of these parks to preserve the beauty we all need and perhaps don't give enough thought to in our daily lives.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Picking Apples in Virginia
Apples are one of my favorite fruits- actually definitly top two. They are juicy, beautifully round, a variety of colors, and give the most satisfying crunch when you bite into them. But I've never been to an orchard or picked a ripe apple from a tree. This just seemed all wrong. Dan and I rectified this problem today when we drove to a small farm in Virginia to go apple picking. And it was wonderful!
The cloudy fall day turned sunny by the time we arrived at the farm, which was hopping with others eager to pick out some apples. Seeing the farm so busy was wonderful- people supporting a local farm, getting some fresh produce, and enjoying the outdoors. When we walked up to the check in site there was the most amazing smell I have ever smelled. We figured out it was fresh baked apple pie. I can't describe to you how good this smelled; I could have happily sat there all day simply sniffing the air and have been content. But there were apples to be picked.
We checked in, got a map of the orchard and tips on which varieties were in season, and picked up our apple picking tool- basically a clawed basket on the end of a long pole. And we were off. It was so much fun walking amongst the trees, picking apples with my bare hands or using our long clawed basket to pick some from high up in the tops of the trees. We spent a good hour and a half walking up the rows trying to find the best apples and trying not to fall on all the ones that had already fallen to the ground.
Storm clouds were moving into the Shenendoa Valley by that point so we paid for our apples and then explored the little store, looking at pumpkins, preserves, jams, jellys, salsas, butters and salad dressing made with the fruit they grow on their farm throughout the year. They all looked amazing and I was salivating over pumpkin butter, apple butter, blackberry preserves, raspberry jelly, and the like. Then we stumbled upon the pies- oh the smell! The crumbly goodness! We didn't get a pie ( I have my own apples to use after all) but we did indulge in cinnamon and sugar doughnuts that were divine.
So now I have about 8lbs of apples to eat, bake, and cook up. Dan doesn't eat fruit so I'll be eating all of this on my own (though I think if I bake a pie he'd probably eat some:-). Now I can't wait to go pumpkin picking in October.
The cloudy fall day turned sunny by the time we arrived at the farm, which was hopping with others eager to pick out some apples. Seeing the farm so busy was wonderful- people supporting a local farm, getting some fresh produce, and enjoying the outdoors. When we walked up to the check in site there was the most amazing smell I have ever smelled. We figured out it was fresh baked apple pie. I can't describe to you how good this smelled; I could have happily sat there all day simply sniffing the air and have been content. But there were apples to be picked.
We checked in, got a map of the orchard and tips on which varieties were in season, and picked up our apple picking tool- basically a clawed basket on the end of a long pole. And we were off. It was so much fun walking amongst the trees, picking apples with my bare hands or using our long clawed basket to pick some from high up in the tops of the trees. We spent a good hour and a half walking up the rows trying to find the best apples and trying not to fall on all the ones that had already fallen to the ground.
Storm clouds were moving into the Shenendoa Valley by that point so we paid for our apples and then explored the little store, looking at pumpkins, preserves, jams, jellys, salsas, butters and salad dressing made with the fruit they grow on their farm throughout the year. They all looked amazing and I was salivating over pumpkin butter, apple butter, blackberry preserves, raspberry jelly, and the like. Then we stumbled upon the pies- oh the smell! The crumbly goodness! We didn't get a pie ( I have my own apples to use after all) but we did indulge in cinnamon and sugar doughnuts that were divine.
So now I have about 8lbs of apples to eat, bake, and cook up. Dan doesn't eat fruit so I'll be eating all of this on my own (though I think if I bake a pie he'd probably eat some:-). Now I can't wait to go pumpkin picking in October.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Librarians
I had no idea you had to go to school to be a librarian. I thought they were simply people, like me, with a love of the printed word who actually understood the Dewey decimal system. After coming across several librarian positions in my job searches that I was excited to apply for (Getting paid to play with books all day! How marvelous!) I found I was underqualified as no amount of resume editing or cover letter wording can get me past the mandate that I must have a Masters of Library Sciences in order to apply for said jobs.
Bummer.
I had no idea a Masters of Library Science even existed. I don't think I'll be pursuing that line of advanced study, but I think I'm a little bit better person knowing that it's out there.
So alas I think I will not be helping some student gather research books or shelving 18th century English Literature. For now I'll have to stick with being the reader...if only I could figure out how to get paid for that life would be perfect.
Bummer.
I had no idea a Masters of Library Science even existed. I don't think I'll be pursuing that line of advanced study, but I think I'm a little bit better person knowing that it's out there.
So alas I think I will not be helping some student gather research books or shelving 18th century English Literature. For now I'll have to stick with being the reader...if only I could figure out how to get paid for that life would be perfect.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Greeting from the Capital
So here we are again, starting out in a new city with new people (though there are some lovely familiar faces around that I am estatic to see) all over again. Just can't seem to stay in once place very long can I? Freshly moved into a rental in the DC area with the boyfriend (shocking, I know) for all of one week and life has already set itself into a routine, though if I have my way it'll be a lot more interesting soon.
The all important job search continues on as it does for so many people and I'm heartened to say that there are a lot of jobs in the metro area, hundreds and hundreds to look through daily trying to find the ones I am qualified for and the ones I'm not but that sounds really cool anyway. Since this is the first true job search on which I've embarked I can't complain too much other than it's more stressful than I thought and I never realized how difficult it would be to try and stand out to employers. Though I do my best with the cover letters and resume's, trying to imbue them with some spark that will catch an employer's eye, I never feel they're good enough. But practice makes perfect and with almost 50 sent out already I'd say I'm getting some excellent practice.
Since all of this work takes place cooped up in our room I've been trying to breathe some fresh air at least once a day, although today looks a little too gloomy for that. I went on my first 20 mile bike ride last week and almost died. Not literally, but there were a few soul sucking hills that I'll admit I had to walk my bike up because it was too late in the ride and my poor thighs were about to fall off my legs. It really was nice though- DC has some fabulous bike trails and they are paved and wonderful and there are no pot holes. A far cry from riding in New Orleans, but that does mean there are some serious riders out there. Plus, we got some great views of the city and of airplanes taking off from Regan National Airport. All in all a successful ride I think.
And that is probably about the most interesting things life has to offer at the moment. I have been exercising some cooking skills since, well, let's be honest, I have a lot of time on my hands and if I looked for jobs for 15 hrs a day I would be mad as a march hare. Plus, Dan likes to cook too so it's one more sickeningly adorable couple thing we can do. I know, it's gross, but you like it :-)
On that note, a lovely evening to you all.
The all important job search continues on as it does for so many people and I'm heartened to say that there are a lot of jobs in the metro area, hundreds and hundreds to look through daily trying to find the ones I am qualified for and the ones I'm not but that sounds really cool anyway. Since this is the first true job search on which I've embarked I can't complain too much other than it's more stressful than I thought and I never realized how difficult it would be to try and stand out to employers. Though I do my best with the cover letters and resume's, trying to imbue them with some spark that will catch an employer's eye, I never feel they're good enough. But practice makes perfect and with almost 50 sent out already I'd say I'm getting some excellent practice.
Since all of this work takes place cooped up in our room I've been trying to breathe some fresh air at least once a day, although today looks a little too gloomy for that. I went on my first 20 mile bike ride last week and almost died. Not literally, but there were a few soul sucking hills that I'll admit I had to walk my bike up because it was too late in the ride and my poor thighs were about to fall off my legs. It really was nice though- DC has some fabulous bike trails and they are paved and wonderful and there are no pot holes. A far cry from riding in New Orleans, but that does mean there are some serious riders out there. Plus, we got some great views of the city and of airplanes taking off from Regan National Airport. All in all a successful ride I think.
And that is probably about the most interesting things life has to offer at the moment. I have been exercising some cooking skills since, well, let's be honest, I have a lot of time on my hands and if I looked for jobs for 15 hrs a day I would be mad as a march hare. Plus, Dan likes to cook too so it's one more sickeningly adorable couple thing we can do. I know, it's gross, but you like it :-)
On that note, a lovely evening to you all.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Do You Know What it Means.....
...To Miss New Orleans?
Well I'll know the feeling all to well in a few days when I leave the city for new adventures elswhere. Tomorrow is my last day of work at OHH and my last day as an LTV, which is so weird. I've gotten so used to being a volunteer here, building houses in the heat, I won't know what to do with myself if I'm not dirty and sweaty.
Everything I can say about my time here is going to sound trite and overused, about how much fun it's been and how much I've learned (both very true by the way). I came here knowing nothing more about building a house than how to paint the walls and hang a few pictures here and there; now I can do pretty much everything except the initial framing- pretty sweet if I do say so myself.
Then there are the people I've worked with, the other LTV's and the staff. We've lived together and worked together for a year, had our ups and downs, laughed together, cried together, and had way more fun than should even be legal. It was like an intensified version of the 4 years of college and I can't imagine my life without any of these people. They are what's making this goodbye the hardest, just as it was hard to say goodbye to the friends I'd been with for 4 years at Elon.
Then there are the homeowners I've helped, the many I never knew very well and the ones I got to know. I worked on 2 houses from start to finish, one the homeowner is moved into already and one that is probably going to close in the next week. I didn't think it was going to be a big deal for me to leave before my homeowner had moved in, but I'm really bummed. I want to see him and his stuff in the house I worked on; i guess pictures will have to do.
I think my supervisor said it best when he called us all a family, a "band of brothers" if you will and that's true. We're not at war here, but everything we've been through has bonded us in ways you can't really understand unless you've been through it all. It's the blood, sweat, tears, laughs, hurricanes, and summer heat that we've worked through; the list could go on fo ages. Suffice to say it's been one hell of a ride and the stories will only get better with time.
Au Revoir New Orleans
Well I'll know the feeling all to well in a few days when I leave the city for new adventures elswhere. Tomorrow is my last day of work at OHH and my last day as an LTV, which is so weird. I've gotten so used to being a volunteer here, building houses in the heat, I won't know what to do with myself if I'm not dirty and sweaty.
Everything I can say about my time here is going to sound trite and overused, about how much fun it's been and how much I've learned (both very true by the way). I came here knowing nothing more about building a house than how to paint the walls and hang a few pictures here and there; now I can do pretty much everything except the initial framing- pretty sweet if I do say so myself.
Then there are the people I've worked with, the other LTV's and the staff. We've lived together and worked together for a year, had our ups and downs, laughed together, cried together, and had way more fun than should even be legal. It was like an intensified version of the 4 years of college and I can't imagine my life without any of these people. They are what's making this goodbye the hardest, just as it was hard to say goodbye to the friends I'd been with for 4 years at Elon.
Then there are the homeowners I've helped, the many I never knew very well and the ones I got to know. I worked on 2 houses from start to finish, one the homeowner is moved into already and one that is probably going to close in the next week. I didn't think it was going to be a big deal for me to leave before my homeowner had moved in, but I'm really bummed. I want to see him and his stuff in the house I worked on; i guess pictures will have to do.
I think my supervisor said it best when he called us all a family, a "band of brothers" if you will and that's true. We're not at war here, but everything we've been through has bonded us in ways you can't really understand unless you've been through it all. It's the blood, sweat, tears, laughs, hurricanes, and summer heat that we've worked through; the list could go on fo ages. Suffice to say it's been one hell of a ride and the stories will only get better with time.
Au Revoir New Orleans
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Summer is here
I have realized I am a terrible blogger since it's been over 2 months since I've posted anything at all and I have no iea where that time has gone! My time here in New Orleans is starting to wind down ( I leave in about 2 months) and I feel as if I've just scratched the surface of this crazy city and the work I'm doing. Days are pretty much the same as always...except much too hot and humid these June days. It wipes you out and I've definitly been doing a lot of nothing these evenings trying to recover from the day. This week I'm working on putting down laminate flooring in my house. Each of us here has been assigned a house that we'll work on from start to finish and we are on to flooring in mine! I'm so excited. It's totally dorky to tell you I'm excited about flooring (just wait until I start putting down tile) but it's one step closer to finishing the house and getting my homeowner back in, which is what we're here for.
No crew this week, just myself and 3 other LTV's working away on the floors. Laminate is not as easy as I thought it was going to be, but we all just learned is yesterday and are doing pretty darn well. This morning was kinda rough, but by the afternoon we were flying and finished 1 huge room and almost a 2nd. Only a 1/2 day tomorrow so we probably won't finish, but I'm there next week so maybe by then it'll be finished.
The rest of life is quiet for the most part.
No crew this week, just myself and 3 other LTV's working away on the floors. Laminate is not as easy as I thought it was going to be, but we all just learned is yesterday and are doing pretty darn well. This morning was kinda rough, but by the afternoon we were flying and finished 1 huge room and almost a 2nd. Only a 1/2 day tomorrow so we probably won't finish, but I'm there next week so maybe by then it'll be finished.
The rest of life is quiet for the most part.
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