Everything I say and do is within earshot these days. My cube is located in the middle of the place (kitty corner to the Presidents office) and my apartment is snuggled in the middle of our condo complex. It's fine, these close quarters, but it sure makes it hard to enjoy free conversations (or I should say, interviews), loud television (my hearing sucks) and the like.
I didn't realize how much I adapted to this style of living until a visit back to the "Paririe" land. At the lake my parents are close to all of their neighbors. Little is left for privacy. When you sit on the porch everyone and their mother sees you and hears your conversations. I, being use to it, found it fine. But others were throughly annoyed seeing it was a fullhouse at the campsite one night.
It's just one of the things I have adapted to/ and changed. A few other things that I'm no longer use to include:
1) Figuring out personal transportation (I soley rely on cabs and metro these days)
2) Free parking
3) Not having a dry cleaner/shoe repair place on the corner
4) Nice flow of traffic
5) Clean and tidy grocery stores
6) English speaking people wherever I go
7) Friendly waves when traveling down a gravel road
8) People who don't know what is happening with global markets (it's my life...sorry!)
9) Worrying about the lawn
10)A great mix of radio stations
These things no longer are a part of my life. I miss some of them (e.g. nice grocery stores and service) but have found that there are other things that I would miss if I left. Not ready for that.
It was a good time home. I saw a billion relatives, the MSF, Picasso, Hjemkost, a wedding of two friends and played with my nieces at the lake....not too shabby, not too shabby at all.
8.28.2007
8.15.2007
Twinkies finally awaken.
Oh yay! The Twins actually decided that winning would be a good idea!
I had placed a bet not to long ago that the Twins would take the Wild Card and beat the Mariners in games won.
Glad we stopped talking - or else I'd be on the owing end - and I'm not a good loser.
I had placed a bet not to long ago that the Twins would take the Wild Card and beat the Mariners in games won.
Glad we stopped talking - or else I'd be on the owing end - and I'm not a good loser.
8.14.2007
I don't
"I don't cuddle. Unless he's big and buff. Then I'll think about it."
- Me
This has already been a long week and we're only sitting at Tuesday. A thought to be relaxing weekend turned busy and then a non-stop Monday only added on to the hectic lifestyle.
So this is the funny thing in my life right now....on average I send off my resume once a week to a job opening. Those weeks go by and I hear nothing. All of a sudden I get a phone call at work from a certain company I met (and who are members of my current place) offering me a job - in international sales. We're talking a nice promotion from where I'm at right now and room to grow. Now the kicker - I didnt' apply for a job, they've never seen my resume - all they did was met me and had dinner with me and 30 other people from around the world (there's more to it, but it's highly unnecessary to write about). From a 10 minute intense conversation about my background and industry to ONE drink with a small group where one person decided it would be great to mock me, I was offered an opportunity that should not be passed.
I was stunned. I didn't know what to say and what I did want to say I was unable to due to the fact I was in ear-shot of the President (current employer). So I mumbled that I could come and visit their facilities and discuss the job in further detail.
It's odd. My resume with detailed background and name-dropping references got me nothing. A 10 minute conversation about what I'm passionate about got me a potential job. Now, they made find that I'm not qualified for it or I may not desire the move or the package, but the fact is...I'm not that dumb. Well, at least as dumb as I was feeling at the time. Job searching is a real strain on one's ego and I was feeling it.
The best part of this is the main reason why I'm looking to move basically is due to me never leaving the office and meeting with people. So, the first time I leave the office for meetings/seminars I go and do this. Just goes to show that the best and only way to market oneself is by actually being there. Resumes can wow for only a moment - a good meeting can leave a statement.
As for what I'm going to do....we'll see. I will definately check it out and put all issues out on the table (moving, location, pay, future, etc....). I just pray they like me and want to extend the full offer. Then I pray that I make the right decision!
- Me
This has already been a long week and we're only sitting at Tuesday. A thought to be relaxing weekend turned busy and then a non-stop Monday only added on to the hectic lifestyle.
So this is the funny thing in my life right now....on average I send off my resume once a week to a job opening. Those weeks go by and I hear nothing. All of a sudden I get a phone call at work from a certain company I met (and who are members of my current place) offering me a job - in international sales. We're talking a nice promotion from where I'm at right now and room to grow. Now the kicker - I didnt' apply for a job, they've never seen my resume - all they did was met me and had dinner with me and 30 other people from around the world (there's more to it, but it's highly unnecessary to write about). From a 10 minute intense conversation about my background and industry to ONE drink with a small group where one person decided it would be great to mock me, I was offered an opportunity that should not be passed.
I was stunned. I didn't know what to say and what I did want to say I was unable to due to the fact I was in ear-shot of the President (current employer). So I mumbled that I could come and visit their facilities and discuss the job in further detail.
It's odd. My resume with detailed background and name-dropping references got me nothing. A 10 minute conversation about what I'm passionate about got me a potential job. Now, they made find that I'm not qualified for it or I may not desire the move or the package, but the fact is...I'm not that dumb. Well, at least as dumb as I was feeling at the time. Job searching is a real strain on one's ego and I was feeling it.
The best part of this is the main reason why I'm looking to move basically is due to me never leaving the office and meeting with people. So, the first time I leave the office for meetings/seminars I go and do this. Just goes to show that the best and only way to market oneself is by actually being there. Resumes can wow for only a moment - a good meeting can leave a statement.
As for what I'm going to do....we'll see. I will definately check it out and put all issues out on the table (moving, location, pay, future, etc....). I just pray they like me and want to extend the full offer. Then I pray that I make the right decision!
8.10.2007
Jitters 89.3
For the longest time I hated 89.3, even though I donated money to MPR. I know, that makes no sense, but I felt they needed help and I support all things MN. Now I'm addicted and I'm making other people addicted. I forgot about the nice variation of old classics, new artists and local ones. One problem, it keeps me out of my circle of friends loop out east. If there are local [band] fans out here, we don't go for the same artists. Other than that group (which is literally 4 people) everyone else is mainstream America for music. That's fine.....just means no concert buddies.
But I shouldn't say bad things about mainstream. I respect that they can tap the consumer market so easily. Also, some are actually good. For example (old example) Fleetwood Mac. I never realized how many songs I love of theirs. I just downloaded a billion of them onto my Ipod and have been rockin' with them during my walks to work.
I even got a bar in Chicago groovin to them the other week. Go me.
But I shouldn't say bad things about mainstream. I respect that they can tap the consumer market so easily. Also, some are actually good. For example (old example) Fleetwood Mac. I never realized how many songs I love of theirs. I just downloaded a billion of them onto my Ipod and have been rockin' with them during my walks to work.
I even got a bar in Chicago groovin to them the other week. Go me.
8.02.2007
Can't Sleep
There are only a few moments that I'll never forget in my life where I can say, "I was there when I heard/found out about this....." You know what I mean? One of those very surreal moments. The kind that even years later will still send a chill up your spine or give you goose bumps.
I had that today. I was sitting in a cab heading down Michigan Ave in Chicago with two Chinese and two Middle Eastern businessmen half-heartedly listening to the Chicago Public Radio Int'l News segment. As I'm tuning it out between thoughts of my 2006 trip to Chicago and hearing about the war I managed to hear in a very British tone: "A bridge in Minneapolis, MN collapsed today during rush hour."
My heart stopped. I strained to hear details but none were given. I turn around and noticed that I was the only one paying attention. Of course, seeing we're in a cab and the radio is barely audible....only would my fine tuned ears would pick-up the word, Minneapolis.
After two more blocks, which felt like hours, I threw money at the cabbie and ushered my guests into the steakhouse claiming that I needed to make a call outside. I frantically pick at my mothers cell number only to recieve disconnected dial tones. Finally I call home and reach my mother who says, "Hi honey, a bridge collapsed I'm on the phone with your grandma, Kelly is okay and so is Bryan. I'll talk to you later." LATER. LATER?! How could she?! I didn't know anything. The nerve! So here I am, at a fancy restaurant and needing to be professional when all I could do was sit there numb...nodding and smiling at lord knows what.
I had enough and whipped out my phone and started to text away. I knew I was being rude but I didn't care. I have friends and family to worry about. They are my life and even though they were at most 8 hours away from me (closer than normal) I felt like it was across the world. Finally my mother calls me back with more details only to leave me yearning to see a television. But I knew better than to leave my guests; really, what could I do?! Nothing. Except to pray...which I did.
I am happy to say that all I know are safe; though that leaves much room for sorrow towards many others. I pray for those families who are mourning and for those who have yet to mourn seeing not everything has been recovered.
So hours later, after a meal with my new friends (who did share their sorrow for the State of Minnesota),a brief conversation with my folks and a drink and shared stories with some DC and MN business people I am alone in my hotel room. A room that has now become my home (the maids know me by my first name and all of my drawers are filled with clothes) and I find myself staring at the images on CNN and feeling homesick. What I would give to be there with my fellow MN friends and family. Instead I am sitting quietly and watcing the same story and images over and over. I could very well turn it off but I can only do that with the TV....I can't in my head.
This is a tragedy for MN. A state thta is very tight and everyone is your neighbor. It's a state that believes in helping people, standing strong and has much pride in its roots. Even though it was "natural" (i.e. not terrorists) it still is a loss and stings. This very bridge I have driven on a million times over, a structure we felt safe to cross everyday no longer exists...leaving a main artery closed. It hurts.
With that, I bid you a good night MN.....I hope daylight brings a better picture.
I had that today. I was sitting in a cab heading down Michigan Ave in Chicago with two Chinese and two Middle Eastern businessmen half-heartedly listening to the Chicago Public Radio Int'l News segment. As I'm tuning it out between thoughts of my 2006 trip to Chicago and hearing about the war I managed to hear in a very British tone: "A bridge in Minneapolis, MN collapsed today during rush hour."
My heart stopped. I strained to hear details but none were given. I turn around and noticed that I was the only one paying attention. Of course, seeing we're in a cab and the radio is barely audible....only would my fine tuned ears would pick-up the word, Minneapolis.
After two more blocks, which felt like hours, I threw money at the cabbie and ushered my guests into the steakhouse claiming that I needed to make a call outside. I frantically pick at my mothers cell number only to recieve disconnected dial tones. Finally I call home and reach my mother who says, "Hi honey, a bridge collapsed I'm on the phone with your grandma, Kelly is okay and so is Bryan. I'll talk to you later." LATER. LATER?! How could she?! I didn't know anything. The nerve! So here I am, at a fancy restaurant and needing to be professional when all I could do was sit there numb...nodding and smiling at lord knows what.
I had enough and whipped out my phone and started to text away. I knew I was being rude but I didn't care. I have friends and family to worry about. They are my life and even though they were at most 8 hours away from me (closer than normal) I felt like it was across the world. Finally my mother calls me back with more details only to leave me yearning to see a television. But I knew better than to leave my guests; really, what could I do?! Nothing. Except to pray...which I did.
I am happy to say that all I know are safe; though that leaves much room for sorrow towards many others. I pray for those families who are mourning and for those who have yet to mourn seeing not everything has been recovered.
So hours later, after a meal with my new friends (who did share their sorrow for the State of Minnesota),a brief conversation with my folks and a drink and shared stories with some DC and MN business people I am alone in my hotel room. A room that has now become my home (the maids know me by my first name and all of my drawers are filled with clothes) and I find myself staring at the images on CNN and feeling homesick. What I would give to be there with my fellow MN friends and family. Instead I am sitting quietly and watcing the same story and images over and over. I could very well turn it off but I can only do that with the TV....I can't in my head.
This is a tragedy for MN. A state thta is very tight and everyone is your neighbor. It's a state that believes in helping people, standing strong and has much pride in its roots. Even though it was "natural" (i.e. not terrorists) it still is a loss and stings. This very bridge I have driven on a million times over, a structure we felt safe to cross everyday no longer exists...leaving a main artery closed. It hurts.
With that, I bid you a good night MN.....I hope daylight brings a better picture.
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