Interviews

Interviews. Love them or hate them, they are the no-way-to-avoid it step between you and a job. So here I am facing another round of interviews. I don't practice for interviews. I don't know about you, but I have not been asked the "typical" interview questions. What is your greatest weakness? Where do you see yourself in five years? No, I don't get those questions.

I remember when I was in college and interviewing for a part time job at The Picture People. It was a mix of experience questions and personality type questions, but my favorite was when they gave me some thematic words and told me to make up a story off the top of my head. Yup, a story. They needed to see that I could think quick on my feet so as to keep the kids' attention on me and make them smile. So, I made up a story. In like two seconds, I created a story about knights and dragons - my very own fairy tale. I must have done well since the manager interviewing me said she'd never seen anyone able to do that so quickly.

But this past week I think takes the take. I interviewed for a membership coordinator position at a scientific association. It started at 12:30 p.m. and ended at 3:00 p.m. It included an Excel test, an hour and a half conversation about my role in the organization and actual duties (no typical interview questions) and ended with an essay on what I thought the position was and how I could perform it. It was one of the most intense interviews I've ever had and I left feeling drained and kind of brain dead. (Thankfully, Hello Cupcake was on my way back to the metro!)

So what kind of interview stories do you have? Any tips for the unemployed girl? I could use all of the help I can get!

Lousy Weeks

I'm not going to lie. This week has SUCKED! On Tuesday I wore my new favorite black dress. Did my hair and makeup - wore jewelry. I was feeling very pretty and smart. I was at my desk and working away on the weekly newsletter when my boss asked me if I had a minute. I walked with him into the CFO/COO's office - when I made the off-the-cuff remark of "Oh my god, you're firing me!". Sure enough, the CFO/COO looks at me with a very grave expression and says, "This has not been an easy decision, but we no longer have a need for your services." My position was no longer necessary. Yup, I was laid off.

Silver lining. I was given a six week severance package as well as my health benefits through the end of November. The severance pay will allow me to look for a job that I really WANT rather than just one that I NEED. Although, this rational will likely change the closer I get to the end of the six weeks and I haven't landed a job. But I'm not going to stay on that thought for very long. I'm going to be positive and believe that I'll find one in plenty of time.

There is one small problem though. The computer that I use is the one my office issued me for telecommuting. I now have to give this back, which means that I won't have ready access to a computer. Most unfortunate, but I'll figure something out. In the mean time, if you're in the DC metro area and no of anyone looking for a very bright and organized individual to help them with their project management, let me know. Thanks! :)

Strange Dreams Indeed

I don't nap. As a general that is. I've never been very good at it. I never wake up feeling refreshed and I ALWAYS have the strangest dreams. Like my stepbrother plays a video game in a cave and is all of a sudden turned into a warewolf (I've had that one twice!). So, after my carb-a-holic lunch, I shouldn't have been surprised when about an hour later I felt pretty tired (damn you blood sugar spike!). So I caved and took the nap. But this time - no strange dreams, no waking up more tired than when I fell asleep. That's right folks... I successfully napped!

In other news, I'm still trying to finish my sister's baby blanket. I'm so close, but just have no interest in it. Instead, I've started on a little baby sweater for a coworker. I'm also working on putting together some swap packages. I always have such a great time trying to figure out what a person would like. Picking out just the right gift is one of my favorite challenges.

Not much else to report. Hope you've had a great week!

Week 3 Blog Assignment

Time for a little word association. Write down the first word that comes to mind when I say....

1. Pumpkin - juice
   
2. Owl - knowledge
   
3. Leaf - crunch
   
4. Weasley - Ron
   
5. Quaffle - Quidditch
   
6. Hallow - deathly
   
7. Mad - rage
   
8. Dragon - skin
   
9. Crystal - doyle
   
10. Trees - climb
    
11. Hermione - smart
    
12. Hogwarts - school
    
13. Burrow - hide
    
14. Dobby - ears
    
15. Horcrux - pieces
    
16. Ministry - magic
    
17. Magic - wands
    
18. Sirius - dog
    
19. Apple - pie
    
20. Juice - power
    
21. Candle - flame
    
22. Ghost - haunted
    
23. Snake - slither
    
24. Wand - cast
    
25. Invisibility - cloak
    
26. Tent - camping
    
27. Spell - bind
    
28. Umbridge - witch (with a b!)
    
29. Dursely - muggles
    
30. Prophet - futurist
    

Top 10 Things from Vegas Trip

I spent the past week in Las Vegas working at the 2010 ERA D2C Convention. I worked 12-14 hour days and at the end of them all my feet were KILLING me. BUT, there were some good things about being there.

1. The Wynn - OMG was this hotel FABULOUS!
2. My bed - SERIOUSLY wanted to take it home with me!
3. Criss Angel - this guy was amazing - still don't know how he does it!
4. Our members - lots of really fun and kind people
5. Food - I only ate at places at The Wynn, but it was really good eats!
6. My bed - REALLY never wanted to leave it!
7. My co-workers - we make such a good team!
8. The cha-cha slide - thanks for reminding me of it guys!
9. My bed - so good I have to mention it three times
10. Coming home - ALWAYS the best part!
    

Getting to Know... Many

I love HSKS. I love getting to know so many new people and getting to know friends even better. This round, I've seen beautiful knitted projects by those who've only just started knitting. Found MANY more mmmalabrigo lovers, those with a fan for the blues and greens as well as other December babies. Everyone in this swap is great source of inspiration and I'm so excited to be a part of this group again!

New Leaf

I'm turning over a new leaf - kind of like the design/layout of blog. Get it? It's fall... new leaf... yeah, it's a reach, but I had to stretch just a bit!

But seriously things are feeling much better! I'm not going to lie, I've been in a bit of funk all summer and now that fall is coming I'm starting to perk way up. The temps are going down, the foliage is going all red, gold and orange and I soon will be able to pull out my fave blue sweater! Pumpkins and Halloween will soon be here (and Leigh Anne's wedding is only two weeks away!), my baby sister's baby will be here before I know it (which reminds me, MUST get that blanket done!) AND I'm back in the HSKS fold. So many things to be happy about.

And, with the return of HSKS, is the return of the "getting to know you" list. See below for what I've learned of my new family members.

1. Someone with the same craft as you (either those listed above or another one). Clara Clovenhoof - knitter
   
2. Someone who was born in the same month as you. Perenelle Tejedora - December
   
3. Someone from a different country. Emma Wigworthy - England
   
4. A new HSKS Family member. Schmutzerella Oglethorpe
5. Someone who has been in 3 or more HSKS swaps. Fleur Sweeting
   
6. Someone who has a bigger stash than you! Bella Shacklebolt - 110 to my 55
   
7. Someone who both knits and crochets. Hermione Bagnold
   
8. Someone who has the same favorite color as you. Vevina McFey - Blues
   
9. Someone who has the same favorite season/holiday as you. Lexi Lovegood - Christmas
   
10. Someone who has the same favorite fiber as you. Delantrophy Grey - wool - even better is our shared love for Mmmmalabrigo! :)

P.S. A few more great things going on - made my last payment to my former land lady, have a GREAT coffee table (which I look forward to carving my pumpkin and then putting my little Christmas tree on), have a good line on a GREAT loveseat! Oh and of course, the first part of the last HP movie comes out in exactly two months!