Corporate Conundrum

Tomorrow, I have 2 very important job interviews. They represent the next "step up" in my professional life - and I am a bit apprehensive. Although I am very confident in my ability to do either job, the prospect of going through the process to obtain them is a little daunting. The substantial increase in salary and responsibilities is very exciting. Tooting my own horn for a moment, I submitted resumes to three places, and got two interviews within days. At least I know that the work I put into developing my credentials is paying off - at least to get a foot in the door ffor an interview.

It has been eons since I've had to dress to impress and basically play the corporate game. Both of these positions are well worth the challenge, as they are in the industry that I love and want to set myself down in. Since it has been a while, I was somewhat taken aback when I saw the employment forms from both these organizations. My first reaction was - this has the potential to be a personal violation of my private life. Credit reports?!? Oy. I'll live though - it's worth it.

If either one of these comes to fruition it means my eventual move back to the City. This prospect is also a little nervewracking, but in a good way!

Heath Care Is Making Me Sick

I am probably going to have to leave the job this summer.
It literally is breaking my heart. They raised our health
premiums to almost $400/mo with a $35/45 copay and
$20-50 prescrip. It's insane and something needs to be
done. Being single and my own sole means of support,
I simply cannot afford it. We only get a minimal cost of
living raise... no merit ones ever for anyone. I felt so
wimpy... I started getting very teary as I was telling
one of my friends there about it (my yoga instructor -
she is wonderful).

So... when school is officially over next week and I have
all the quiet time I need, I have to start looking. It sucks.
Well... at least until I have something else, I have the security
of the job I have and won't have financial issues for a while.

It's been a tough week and a half, but last Saturday was
definitely THE bright spot. So much fun!

Great friends and much rejoicing :-)

High Tide

The rain Sunday into Monday was of biblical proportions.

I went to work on Sunday for a few hours since there was a major event there that I had to finish coordinating. The weather was not so awful at that point, BUT the fact that I had to go to my office.... not that fun. By the time I got home - it was starting to get rough. Since I was not about to go out again without an ark, I was consumed for the rest of the day with my SIMS and their lives :-)

So yesterday, Monday morning, I got up as usual to start my day but discovered there was no hot water. *sigh*... you deal with it. As I leave the house, the rain was not as bad as it was Sunday night - but it was still a bit ugly. The traffic was very light... that should have been my first clue. I pass 3 schools on my way to work and usually there are buses and backups at the lights - there were none. I make the turn into my parking lot and...... it was empty. At that moment, my phone vibrates telling me I had a new voicemail message. I knew what it was going to say. ... but I listened anyway. The school was closed because of flooding (the call was made at 6:45 but didn't come through until 8:10).

I turn around - go home - made coffee and once again entered the lives of my SIMS - then I saw the horrific news of the massacre at Virgina Tech. I stared at the TV with utter disbelief and a broken heart for the students, their families and the community - and realized that my minor inconveniences over the past two days were positively insignificant in comparison. Most things are. This act was incomprehensible.

Last evening made up for the dreary past two days. I attended Seth Rudetsky's Broadway 101. What a wonderful evening of song, dance and Seth's hilarious deconstructing of Broadway shows. My next entry will be about it. It deserves its own highlight.

Right now, I am home.... sick and it looks like a nap is in the very near future.

Better Late Than Never

So you find yourself with a few extra minutes in the morning before you have to leave for work.... here are a couple of things you can do that will garantee you will be late - believe me - I know.

• "Quickly"checking eBay for a couple of things

• Realizing your shower could use a "quick" cleaning

• Cleaning your computer keyboard/screen - and becoming obsessive about it and using copious amounts of Q-tips
  

• Downloading some songs to a CD - something is bound to go awry, therefore taking triple the normal amount of time to complete the task

• Sponateously polishing the black boots you want to wear that day - then realizing you can't walk around on the carpet until they have dried

• Setting your vcr so you don't miss a show you won't be home for - *see CD burning situation

• Going online to Random Kitty Generator

Stick a Fork In Me... I'm Done

To say the last week and a half was stressful is an understatement. Last Wednesday, my grandmother passed away at the age of 93. In the Jewish religion we bury our dead within 3 days (excluding Shabbat). So... the funeral was on Friday... in the ice storm. It was as dark and gloomy as could be - it was a bit surreal, sort of like a movie funeral. One small moment that happened - my cousin's yarmulke blew off and.... into the grave. It was a much needed split second of lightness.

Thursday through Saturday, I was firmly ensconced at my parent's house... eating anything and everything. There was nothing else to do. Finally on Saturday evening, I was able to get out and go see Grey Gardens with a friend. Not exactly the first show you would think of to see after a death in the family, but it was WONDERFUL and a great escape.

In the midst of this, I have a massive deadline involving the Israeli government. Part of my job is arranging for a group of 67 kids to go to Israel for 2 weeks in April. The paperwork is staggering. I love what I do, but the pressure was definitely on - especially after being out from work for 3 days. Add to that 2 nights of Parent/Teacher conferences, arrangements for the school play and the school dance.... you get the picture. It's been brutal.

But.... Last night - another fantastic evening of theatre ... Talk Radio. I said to a friend today that every man on the planet should look as good as Liev Schreiber does in a pair of black Levis. Naomi is a very lucky woman. Oh yeah... and the play was fabulous. :-)

So that's the roundup - I'd say... that's been enough! I'm really looking forward to bowling tomorrow evening with friends. GREAT stress relief!

I've Got Mine - Now You Get Yours!

You! - I see you eyeing the lunch or snack that is on my desk.... and apparently your need to comment on it is positively overwhelming. Have you never seen a tuna sandwich before? Or a pile of pretzels? Or some fruit?

Enough already - get your own fucking food and stop commenting on mine - every. single. day.

And if you even THINK you are going to get close to my coffee maker, you better hope and pray you have life insurance.

(I need a vacation)