Job Title: Professional Job Applier

While in college I was hell-bent on graduating in 4 years. I'm the type of person who gets something in their mind and it HAS to get done a certain way. Looking back, I would have been a professional student since I graduated in 2008 in the awful economy decline. Postponing adulthood would have been a much better choice- living the college life and maybe getting another degree. But, no, I HAD to graduate in the "normal" 4-year plan. And, let's face it, I am a kick-ass person with a lot to give an employer! Well, so does every other person who graduated at the same time and I and individuals before me. Ugh. So, I ended up going to graduate school but it was a mainly online program and so not as fun as on campus.

I love being in an education setting and I loved psychology so I got into School Counseling which is a lot of fun and I love it! All the love! I got an opportunity to get paid for my internship hours in Grand Junction, CO so I moved out on my own for the first time 4 hours from home. The interview was a breeze! Very relaxed and the other Counselors seemed really cool! I left to make he drive back to Denver and got the call and was offered the job! Great start to my School Counseling career! How great is this! What bad economy?? Ha! Stupid me!

A year later I moved back home eager to find a job! I mean, I have experience now, my internship advisor was known in the CO School Counseling world, and I easily got my internship position so this will be a breeze... Oh, Delaine, you fool! I struggled and cried and threw things (yes, I need a better outlet). Anyway, I graduated in 2011 and it took me a few times to get licensed (I truly am a horrible test taker!) but I was on my way. I had a few interviews but afterwards they would always say I wasn't experienced enough for he position. "But, wait, you saw my resume and experience before the interview. Why even interview me when you already know my experience?" The worst was when I was offered an interview at a school I previous worked at and where I did my practicum. I was on vacation in San Francisco at the time I received the offer so I asked to meet a day after the interview but that wasn't an option but I was positive I was going to get this job so Dave and I spent money to change our flight so I could make that interview. Needless to say, I didn't get that job. I was crushed! I made sacrifices and was a previous employee of the school. Moving on... (I'm getting interview experience, right? Silver lining!). Beginning of 2012 (mid school year) I interviewed for a position for a high school about 45 min from me. I rarely feel confident leaving an interview and this was no exception. However, the next day I was offered the job!! Yay!! It was a great job but budget cuts in CO education and seniority in the district screwed me out of my job. I did get a semester of experience though. (Silver lining, again. Trying to stay positive).

And, on the search again...

I kept track of every job I applied to after this. Holy depressing!! I wasn't even picky either. I applied to any and all jobs. Nothing. I was not in a good place. Knowing my personality you would know why. I NEED to be doing something I got my degree in. I'm too hard on myself and I'm working on it.

Fine! I'll do a fun job. New brewery opening in Denver? I like beer. It's a German brewery? I' German! Lovely. Needless to say I got that job. It was fun! And, the best part is that I didn't have to apply day-after-day for jobs!

Fast-forward...

My husband's company wanted to move him to D.C. and I thought "what a great new adventure" so we moved! It was only a year long position with the possibility of staying longer but have you lived in D.C. after living in CO?? It's rough for me. So. Many. People! So, we decided to move back to CO because it's awesome! (I didn't even mention the jobs I applied for out here but there were a lot and a few interviews but no job offer and not even rejection phone calls or emails. Bad form!) On the search again... I frantically applied for these School Counselor positions around April and May and started getting phone calls for interviews! Six interviews in fact! I haven't figured out why because I was a Nanny in D.C.- no school experience but a D.C. address so maybe that's why??

First job interview was for a College and Career Advisor for a Charter School In Colorado Springs and hour commute from home. Well, since I'm not in CO I had to ask for Skype or phone interviews but being in the technology age that didn't seem to be an issue. Great! During the interview my cat jumped into the screen (the drawbacks of Skype interviews from your home) but they loved it! Thanks, Cat! I didn't really feel confident about the interview so I at least had the weekend to enjoy before the rejection call. I got a call the next day though and  I was offered the job! And I quote "We had more qualified applicants for the position but we loved your enthusiasm." I'll take it! YAYAYAYAYAYAY!!!

But, I kept getting calls for other interviews! I'm an in demand girl! Annnnddd... reality kicked back in and I was rejected and rejected and rejected. But, it was ok because I already have an awesome job! However, I interviewed for a position with my old school district with my Alma Mater working under the same grant as the first job in Grand Junction so I thought I was a shoe-in! Right? Right?? Nope :( What?! Why?! How?! Well, I asked and the huge panel said I gave one statement that they deemed didn't show the maturity they were looking for. Still a little bitter but students and parents really do like what I do.

The point of this post is that I have learned that it's pretty much just luck when getting a job. I showed my personality in all of my interviews and some people liked it and some people didn't. I did learn how to word my answers differently to show the more serious side of me (they'll get my awesome, fun side later. Ha!). I'm entering the professional world a little later than I planned but I learned lessons from all the steps and adventures I've had to get here.

Back to CO I go...  

Job title: Assistant Director for College and Career :)

Worst Blogger EVER!

I literally have to be the worst blogger in history! I'm so sporadic, there's no method to my madness, I'm not very funny in writing. But, I guess my life is a lot like my blogging skills: sporadic, fucking crazy, and yes, a lot of cruel humor (that sometimes turns out good but I hate it!).

I want to inspire people or teach them things through my blogs but ya know what? I don't have freaking time or energy to do that. I'm tired and there aren't enough hours in the day. However, I do feel that I have touched peoples lives in a positive way out here in DC. I've met some pretty great people and in a few month when I move back to the God's land (Colorado) I will be sad because they have touched my life too. DC has changed me and I can't tell if it's for the good. I know it's made me more resilient and determined but also less patient and maybe made me meaner. Despite that I think it's good to move away from your home. It does give you a new outlook on your life.

So, I'm moving back to Colorado a little early because I got a job! An actual job that I could have for more than a year! Let me just tell you how excited I am to live in a home for more than a year! Poor Emmy (my cat) has lived in a different home for every year of her life which is 6 places! That's a lot of moving! I want to paint and build a garden.

Here's to a new chapter in my (oops... I'm married now so 'our life') life and returning to loved ones! 

Here's Emmy. She's tired too!

 Meow.

Life in D.C.

My last post was about how excited I was to be traveling to the nation's capitol and starting new. Well, life always seems to keep me on my toes and throw curve balls. I not only didn't get my job with the C.I.A. or F.B.I. but I could barely even get interviews for jobs that I was over qualified for. But, hey I've been there before. I struggled for a few months until I just let go of all of these ridiculous high expectations for myself and just find a job that would get me though the year. I finally got a nanny position with an amazing family and adorable little girl. It's just so great how it all worked out. But of course there was choices that I had to make. Around the same time I got the nanny position I was offered a position at a high school which actually paid well and would build my resume. I thought a while about the two positions but I decided that an hour drive each way and letting down this great family wasn't worth it. I actually got to turn down a job. It came at a time when I needed an ego boost and feel like I was worth while while Dave was making great steps in his career.

I don't want to be the person who bases their happiness in life from their career status but I have to consciously talk myself through it. So, since we're out here for a short while and I didn't want to be miserable the whole time I relaxed and started to just immerse myself in the city.

Here are a few things that greatly helped in the first 6 months of the new D.C. lifestyle:

1. Joined Old City Crossfit

• We joined this gym before we even moved to DC. It was brand new and we got in as "Founding Fathers" which also locked us in on a great deal! 
• This gave Dave and I something we could do together.
• Duh, I've lost weight, built muscle and feel so much better.
• Probably the most important is that the gym offers more than a place to workout but it's a great community where we built friendships that I'm hoping we'll keep even when we move.
• I'm learning a little bit of sign language and learning a whole new culture since we have deaf and hard of hearing members who attend/attended Gallaudet University.

2. Take advantage of the proximity to many states

• We've traveled to places I never thought of traveling to:
• Asheville, N.C.- Go there, it's a neat laid back city. Go to Wicked Weed and try their Serenity beer if you like pickles :)
• Deleware- We went to Dogfish Head Brewery and got to see what Deleware is all about. Not much there but still get to mark it off the list.
• Baltimore- Only drove up there for a beer but def going back for Orioles games.
•  Planning on visiting Vermont so any recommendations are welcome.

3. Be a "Yes man"

• Dave and I rarely turn down an invitation to go out to new places and meet new people.
• We got to experience a Marine bar that's part of Barracks Row which seems to be pretty exclusive. Making small talk with people opens you up to new experiences and gets you out of your comfort zone.
• At the Great American Beer Fest in Denver I met a Brewer who works at 3 Stars Brewing in DC who offered for Dave and I to come help out in the brewery. Again, meeting new people and I get to stay in the brewery culture that I love.
• Dave and I participated in medical testing which was a unique experience where Dave and I got to support each other in a completely different way.
• Everyone wants to come visit and even though the monuments can get redundant I always experience something new with each visitor we get. Plus, it brings CO to DC which I love!

What I need to work on (still and probably forever) is to let go of these high expectations of myself and life and just live it! I enjoy it so much more and experience more positive things that way. I would kick myself if I moved out to D.C. and came back with nothing more than a job. I have stories and experiences, and friends, and smiles.