Good use of time.

I have enrolled in the Project Management certificate program at Loyola University Chicago.  Time to do more than just applying, networking and volunteering.  Adding education is the logical next step... and since I cannot start another degree program until after LP completes her Masters, I can at least do a certificate program.

It's been a while since I finished my degree.  I have plenty of work experience as a PM, but instead of getting rusty, I can put my brain to work and learn about some current concepts in the field.  I will get to share my ideas and receive feedback from other professionals in my class.  I will get to see how others function in their industries - maybe even make a few contacts.

It's a good feeling to look forward to something... something that might involve a lot of work, but will have a satisfaction payoff well worth it.

Get over it.

I am trying to learn a life lesson... Get over it.  We all know that hindsight is 20/20 (if you did not know that - well, it is), but reflecting on bad decisions is so easy to do.  Being unemployed, I have too much time to ponder.  And we all know unemployed pondering never leads to good things (if you did not know that - well, it doesn't).  

The past few days I have seen some updates by Facebook friends that let people know what they are doing in their careers.  Exciting things.  Creative things.  Things that probably make them a ton of money (which is not everything, but it helps with financial security).  It's hard to not think that I made some poor choices when it came to my career.  I have this great resume that no one seems to care about because the companies I have worked for were small, and the college I attended was a State school.

I need to get over it.  I need to focus on the positive.  I need to not reflect on other people's gains, and instead focus on the bright spots in my life.  I need to remember this.  But, it's so hard to do some days.

Stuck in the middle.

Yesterday I found out officially I did not get a job I was really hoping to land.  "Official" since waiting to hear something for two weeks after and interview you pretty much know they past on you.   Both interviews went well, and I knew I did my best - but that does not make things any easier.  With all of the experience I have as a project manager I do not seem to land many interviews... which I believe speaks to the horrible economy.  I've had many go over my resume and told me it is sharp.  I know it is all about networking, but I seem to have run cold on my network.

I am stuck in the middle.  I am not getting interviews for jobs that fit me, and I am not getting interviews for retail jobs since I am over-qualified.  I just want to work and the ball just does not seem to bounce my way.  I am running out of ideas on how to find a job.  All I am sure of is when you don't have a job it is harder to find a job.  There are job listings that clearly state not to apply if you are currently unemployed.  Ug.

I wish people would let you know you did not get the job and follow it with some reasons as to why... like: you are a terrible interviewee, your background really did not fit, we really wanted to hire a woman, you are too tall, you should of worn a suit, a suit was way too much for us...

Miss Eloise.

Last night I lost my best little furry friend.  She died in my arms on the way to the Vet Emergency and there was nothing I could do to help her.  Her vet thought she might have congestive heart failure, but that was just an educated guess since we could not afford the tests to figure it out. She laid on the vet's table with all of her life gone, and I knew apart of me was gone too. 

We adopted her in 2005 so our other cat could have a friend. She was the fat four year old cat named Cora that no one wanted. All of the other cats in the shelter were kittens or less than two years old. She was just so pathetic I had to take her home to meet our other cat.  The two never got along.  Cora, who we renamed Eloise, did not like to be held, and seemed to get freaked out so easily.  After time (years) she mellowed out, became a lap cat, liked to be held, and loved it when we added a baby to our family. 

Eloise snored - loudly.  She always ate. She ate everything. She begged for cereal milk and ice cream. She made a mess out of the litter box. She was always dirty, especially her eyes and claws. She clawed up most of our shoes. She was always needing to go to the vet for something. She was so picky. She loved thunderstorms. She always banged the front door. She stretched her front claws in a way that looked like she was waving.  She often got dreadlocks in her fur because she was too fat to clean her whole body. She was perfect.

Either you are an animal person or not, but if you are you understand the loss. Our furry friends are part of our every day. They give us love, and they drive us crazy.

She was my best furry friend, and I will miss her very much. Rest in peace Miss Eloise.

Not on the dole.

I've been thinking about writing a lot lately... but not doing it.  I've been thinking about doing a lot of things lately... but not really doing any of them well - a half-ass-ness approach.  The other night I could not sleep so I got on the world wide web and stumbled across and old friend's blog, and it sparked me to want to start posting again. 

Being unemployed again has surely played with my mind and my spirit.  Not being on the dole makes it that much worse... since my last employer never made me a W-2, I do not get unemployment payments/insurance.  I get to spend my savings.  I feel like I have applied for a million jobs - and almost all of them I am over-qualified for.  I have applied at Whole Foods, Jewel, Target - not to mention all of the jobs at marketing and ad agencies, design firms, non-profits, for-profits, and on and on and on.  I have networked.  I have had meetings with people who know people.  I have signed up with temp agencies and headhunters.  I have sold my CD and LP collection... which is a bit depressing, but at least I have something to sell.  And finally, I cashed in my 401k.

Maybe I'll get out of this funk and unemployment stretch by writing once again. My mind is constantly thinking of things to write about - it's just getting me to do it. Just like get exercise... my mind tells me to do it, but I have a hard time getting out the door.

Goal: be positive, think positive, write, run, bike, skateboard, find a job, smile, enjoy the things in life that are good... find happiness once again.