Time

Never in my life did I ever think I would say this, but some days I actually miss subbing. Not that I loved having different kids every day and having to think of new strategies to keep them from walking all over me and tricking them into behaving, but man I miss getting out of work at 2! Somedays it was earlier, somedays it was later, but for the most part, I had a huge chunk of time every afternoon to get things done.

I love my current job, seriously, but I work 9 hour days so that I get every other Friday off. By the time I get home at 5:30 or 6, or sometimes 7 if I go to the gym, there's only time to make dinner, do dishes and maybe watch some tv. All of my crafty hobbies require some sort of materials to do, and usually by the time I have time to do them, it's already late in the evening and I don't want to make a mess. I love to scrapbook but I have a whole closet of stuff and assorted tools that need to come out, then I need to find my pictures and set up a table....too much effort for most evenings. I also like to paint but that takes time to get out my canvas and easel and figure out what I want to paint.  So I don't do that much either.

Workdays should go from 8-3 and everyone should get to go home. I know that would never work but I miss having all the extra daylight to have fun. Maybe next weekend I will find some fun scrapbooking time....

A Busy Life

Lately I've discovered that I've become very busy. I have been applying for jobs like crazy and finally have been hearing back from some of them. First I'd applied to be an editor of special publications for The Bakersfield Californian, but I apparently didn't have enough professional experience. They did like my writing so I am now a freelance writer/photographer for the Bakersfield Life Magazine and Kern Business magazine, my first two articles come out next month. I'll be sure to post links to them.

Then I applied to do part time graphics for Saba Ad Agency in Bakersfield, but that one I didn't get either. They said I was in the top three but they went with someone else. I also applied to be an admin assistant for another agency here in town, Heise Media Group, and have basically been offered the job. I would be the admin. asst. but also learn a ton about the advertising business, with opportunity for advancement. The only catch is that it is part time to start. I don't know the pay or how part time, 3 hrs a week or 20. It will probably be full time eventually, but that's up in the air too.

I'm also waiting to hear back from Bolthouse Farms. where I applied to be a product design person (graphics) for their food products which are mainly carrots and juices, but it would be cool to have my design featured on national products and they offer great benefits. Finally, the Californian wants a full time graphic designer for a project that will end in June and I'm waiting to hear back from them as well.

In the meantime, this week I've been subbing for 7th grade math and working on my two articles, due Friday. As soon as I finish subbing today and tomorrow I have to hurry back to Bakersfield (I sub in Wasco) to visit some art museums and artists and take some pictures. I have all my notes and info for the most part, I just have to actually do the writing.

To add to my busy schedule, I am a bridesmaid/co-maid of honor in the wedding of one of my best friends. I am really excited because the only other wedding I've really been involved in was my own. But that means a few busy weeks coming up, I helped plan one shower, attended a second and I am planning the third, which is also this weekend. Then I'm helping plan and coordinate the bachelorette party for the following weekend. The wedding is two weeks after that, in Templeton, CA.

Whew. So there's all the stuff I'm doing in the next few weeks. For someone who is unemployed at the moment, I sure have a lot to keep me busy.

A Penny for God's Thoughts....

Every time I move somewhere I obviously need to start looking for a job. Sometimes it has been pretty easy and others it has taken FOREVER. When Lee and I moved to Texas, I didn't get a full time job until almost a year after we moved there. American Eagle Outfitters doesn't count - it was fun but didn't exactly pay the bills. 

Now that we've moved back to California, it is deja vu. While I do have more connections here, so far they haven't seemed to help me a bit. I know it says in Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future," but sometimes I would love to be able to see this future and understand his plan when job hunting is so frustrating. I come across jobs I would love to do, that would be perfect for me, and I am told otherwise. Most of them want more experience in a particular area, but how do I gain experience if no one will ever give me a chance to do that? 

What is even more annoying than not getting a job, is when the employer leaves me hanging. The first job I applied for here was a producer for a local tv/news station. The interview went well, I had a ton of writing experience, which the job required, and she said she'd call me. Well a week went by, no phone call. I emailed her again to see if maybe she never got the samples I sent after the interview. No response. I called her, no response. What is wrong with people today? I know businesses are probably too busy to call all the people back who they don't want to hire, but seriously! If you say you are going to do something, at least follow through! I don't care if you don't want to hire me, just have the decency to call me back and let me know either way if that's what you say you are going to do!

For the past month I have been subbing while I wait for something else to come along. I thought it would be fun since I usually like working with kids but so far I have only had one bad class after another.  Supposedly it is good money but I'll let you know when I finally get my first check. I started in the end of Jan. and still haven't gotten a paycheck! Does anyone know why teachers only get paid once a month? That's so weird to me.

 I didn't mean to rant, I just wish I could better understand God's timing and thinking. I know he has some job out there for me but why does it have to take so long for him to show what it is?