Update...

I have planned a post for weeks.  Something always came up.  Allow me to give you an update of what came up...

• I met someone!  Yep the person who has not dated since 2007 met someone who they actually wanted to spend time.
• The above person and I spent a lot of time together.  I even told other people about him.  (I NEVER do that.)
• My workplace became seriously crazy...unemployment checks are stopping...I have to tell them there is nothing else.  Do you get how hard that becomes?  Between feeling deeply empathic of their circumstances and trying offer other assistance that the DOL does not offer?!  I either receive full blown out tears or a dressing down.  No matter it presses down hard.
• The love of my life next to Platinum has been in PICU since July 3, 2010.  My Buddha.  Cameron, if you look at page.  He has a TBI.  It is July 18, 2010.  He is doing so much better than the 1st week.  And I honestly believe he will make a full recovery.  I have had dreams of him later in life.  (I have these dreams whenever a traumatic event happens and my angels show me the path.  Not the trials but assure me we will make it through.)  Whether he has to rebuild the 1st 2 years of his life...then so be it.  I will be there.  Outside of his Mommy and Grandma I have been there are almost everyday.  He hears our voices, he feels our touch.  He fighting to come back to us and we will fight to have him back.  We love him and need him. He bonds the family.
• The above mentioned guy turned out to flake out during my family crisis.  Wasn't spending enough time.  Could not understand why the phone calls changed or ability to call back in a timely matter changed.  Many discussions.  He did not get it.  My uncle said he would not make the cut.
• Throughout the valleys and peaks my life has taken me in the last 4 months...I am happy.  I realize and recognize friends and family.  I do not like them or understand every day.  They are my rock.  Check me when I need and wrap me in their arms when I need.  Could not ask for more.

Jobless benefits expire for thousands

This is the drama I will deal with for weeks.  No one can understand how they (the Senate) will go on a two week break when they need unemployment insurance and hiring new employees is at a standstill.  

Jobless benefits expire for thousands: "Extended unemployment benefits will temporarily expire for thousands of Americans on Monday because the Senate went on its spring recess without approving a one-month deadline extension.

"

TMI Tuesday

TMI Tuesday #167 - Happy New Year!

1. Last week was "The Most Wonderful time of the Year", but what are your favorite 2008 memories?

Hawaii****Chase

Finally getting a job!

2. What is the best thing you learned in 2008?

I learned that family is the best. You might not like them all the time...but when you are down...they are up for you.

3. On a scale of 1-10, how good was your 2008?

'08 has definitely been better than '07. I would give it a 5+++...almost a 6.

4. What is your wish for 2009? What is your wish for someone else for 2009?

For me I want to continue my journey into being who I was placed on Earth to be. I know it will be a long journey. And it is a journey I have loved taking.

For the people in my life whether it is casual or very significant I want their dreams to come true. I want them to have the life they are destined...and to find joy in everything.

5. Where was the first place you ever passionately kissed?

Clarke Central High School, Athens, GA!

Bonus (as in optional):Do you make New Year's resolutions? What is/are your's for 2009?

I don't make resolutions once a year...they can be daily, weekly or monthly. When I see myself getting off kilter, I rein myself in.

This is MY HEADACHE TODAY

Unemployment Extended

Update on the Moody....

Ok...So I need to update my life for you...

Of course I have been to Hawaii which was on my list to complete in 1001 days. Everyone keeps asking me how was Hawaii? And to be honest it was great. But it really wasn't about Hawaii. It was about Chase Taylor. My baby cousin (10 yrs. younger). It was about seeing him before his 4th tour overseas...Iraq for the 3rd time. Afghanistan once. It was about loving him and bringing him closer to our family. (For whatever reason his Mom is crazy is not as welcoming to our family.) It was awesome to see him & experience his maturity. He is a good man. And I don't say that because he has my blood. He just is.

****Alert****
I have a job! Yes Lawd!! I didn't want to write about it until I actually walked in and worked a couple of days. Being unemployed for a year brings about a fear of you are not employable. Something is wrong with you. It's never going to happen. But it happened. & while it is not my dream job, it is a paycheck. And I am grateful & proud to have a job. I am back with a company I worked for a couple years back. Ironic that it is in unemployment. I enjoy it because I like telling the clients you are not alone. I have gone through it. One thing I remember from my past experience with this company is how co-workers were mean & uncaring with the clients. I could never understand it. Everyone is one day away from unemployment. & if you don't believe that then you are a fool. Being kind not only allows sunshine to come into your life, you brighten someone else's life. And there is nothing greater than that.

****Alert II****
I believe I am ready to start dating again. It has been a year or more since I dated. Really dated. I have had a couple of outings over the year but I knew in my heart I was not open to the possibility. But over the last couple of days I have had a want to have someone in my life. Not a sex thing. A companion. A man in my life who looks forward to my phone calls. To my laughter. To my sarcastic humor. To my off the wall music & comments. To my loving spirit that is welcoming another spirit in my life. I am ready. Wish me luck.

There is a lot more I would like to say but I spent the weekend vomiting after catching a bug from my niece & nephews. Yeah the whole crew had the bug...

I need sleep....

Later people

Stolen...

I took this from Confessions of a Professional Woman

1. Where is your cell phone? Charging

2. Boyfriend/girlfriend? NO

3. Your hair? A mess...needs deep conditioning

4. Your mother? Rare woman

6. Your favorite thing? Reading

7. Your dream last night? Married with a wonderful older man.

8. Your favorite drink? Vodka & tonic

9. Your dream car? Corvette

10. The room you're in? Controlled chaos

11. Your ex? Albany

12. Your fear? Disappointment

13. Your favorite number? 28

14. Where were you last night? At home

15. What you're not doing right now? Writing cover letters

16. Muffins? I stay away from bread products...my hips don't like them

17. One of your wish list items? Contentment and happiness

18. Grew up at? GA Peach

19. The last thing you did? Walked my dog

20. What are you wearing? Jeans and Sports bra

21. Your TV? 32 inch

22. Your pet or pets? Dog

23. Your computer/laptop? Have both

24. Your life? Incomplete

25.Your mood? Tired, anxious, worried

26. Missing someone? Always

27. Neighbors? Who knows?

28. Your best friend? Ms. Bashir

29. Your work? Wish I had a job

30. Like someone? Not really

31. Your favorite color? Green

32. When is the last time you laughed? Goodness...

Quote of the Day

All of us, at certain moments of our lives, need to take advice and to receive help from other people. ~ Alexis Carrel

Ok...sooo

I have posted a lot today...

Surfed a lot more today. But let me tell you about my day...

So on Thursday while I was at home cleaning my parents house, I received a phone call from one of those placement agencies. I am thinking "GREAT" they have seen my resume spoke with the references I provided and they have something for me! NOT AT ALL.

Once again it was let me place you on my roster. I spent f*ing $8 on parking (that I do not have) to sit there for an 1 1/2. BS. "I only have 10% of the employment market" what does that mean? It could be next week, next month or 6 months from now. WTF?

This ish sucks. But I will keep going.

The good points I took...offered resume recommendations...nice personality...

But I want my $8 dollars back!

Rent is due

Unemployed. Rent due. Love my folks because they help a sister out all the dang time. But dayum....do I have to come home and clean the house to get the check? Ugh...Off to Athens I go.

Another Opportunity

I have another opportunity to make a good impression. Tomorrow I will take 3 test for a position here in ATL. 2 written, one typing. This will hopefully end a whoooolllleeee better than the meltdown of last week. Anything will be better than that.

So....
I received good/news bad news. Back in the beginning of my unemployment stint I interviewed with a local university as one of the 2 finalist. I knew I had the job. Enjoyed the 4 different personalities that interviewed me, had no doubt that I could handle and succeed at the position. Never heard from them. Never heard from that. Ain't that some _____. So today I decided to email my main contact for position because this process (being a finalist and not receiving a phone call back) continues to happen. (Don't get me started on the lack of courtesy when it comes to human resources in companies.) Really I need an ego boost so I was crossing my fingers that she would say it was not me as my inner demon keeps trying to tell. SHE did! :) Like most companies they hire from within and the other applicant worked in the school in a different department and that was her advantage. She said that I was a strong candidate and should continue to apply.

My ego needed that.

The bad news. I reached out to another position which I interviewed for and once again they hired someone else. My beef? Can you call a sista and let her know? The contact I spoke with was shocked that the hiring managers did not send out a letter or make a phone call. I wanted to tell I wasn't, but didn't think that was good business. It would have came out so sarcastic I would have offended her.

So my ego is doing better. And I will once again keep up the grind of finding employment.

Job Interview

I was so excited about having another job interview. I really need a job and do not want to move back in with my parents...ugh I am just too old for that. Of course this has been one long ass journey and I am pretty much tired of whatever lesson I am suppose to be learning through this time period. I get it. But now this is really starting to effect me. As it did today.

I am sitting in the room with 6 people staring at me and had a panic attack. These bad boys have started to rear the ugly head a lot more lately. Mini'imah says it is because all I have been through this past year. And I can agree with that, but it feels like such a cope out. I am so much better than that.

Dizzy, nauseated, fear, the need to breath (I was but it felt like I wasn't), out of control, outer body experience...I could not complete the interview. I have never been so embarrassed or ashamed in my life. And I have pulled some stunts in my life that my butt should have been embarrassed. All I could think is I can't do this...I have to get out of here. Such shame.

Mini'imah suggested I seek out a counselor to help me with the issues I am having now. And I really would like that. But you need money to talk to a shrink. I have used them often and I know I need one now. Don't want to drop my basket again.

My Hair-Nappy and PROUD

Let me tell you about my hair. I have not applied chemicals to my hair since 2005. I am African-American...so my hair is considered kinky, nappy or whatever you want to call it. I call it curly and me. But tomorrow...I have a job interview. I have to put up the front of that corporate woman willing to compromise to have a job. And since I have been unemployed since July 2007...I will do this. I need to support myself and add a notch to my self-esteem.

But what I do not want to do...what I am dreading here at 7:30 pm is straightening this beehive of curls. I wish I could go there tomorrow and show myself as that dedicated and exceptional woman that I am not have the people with the authority look at me as if I just revisited caveman days. So I will suffer tonight through 2 hours of pressing...please pray for me because I do not want to do this.

Interview

UPDATE....

Well I had my interview and I believe it went well. The interviewers actually seemed interested in what I had to say and from what the position calls for I believe I have what it takes to do the job. Hopefully, I will receive a positive callback. Downside to the interview...I got a $10 ticket. Broke...not enough $ to put in the meter since pennies mean nothing now! UGH!!!

I have an interview tomorrow morning. I am so excited. I have had 2 interviews so far this year. That means a lot since I have been out of work since July 2007. WOW. Who would have thunk that it would be this long? My emotions have ran the gamut. From excitement that I did not have to get up at the crack of dawn to fight Atlanta traffic to complete depression and misery. More misery than excitement since money is gone and I am depending on the kindness of my family. And their kindness is running out of steam. Probably ran out a long time ago.

I am hopeful and prayerful that this interview goes well and I receive a call back for a second or at least a job offer. What I have experienced in this search is the lack of common sense or decency might be the better word, in the business world. I have had 2 previous interviews were I was a finalist and was told that I would receive a phone call either way. Never got that phone call. One would not reply to email or voicemail messages. What does that say about the company and more importantly what does that say about how we treat individuals? We treat each other poorly and I am not speaking of the job market specifically, but in the whole scheme of our world. I was so tempted to call my interviewers and ask them how they would feel if after searching and being out of work for 5 months they would feel if they never received a phone call after being told they would? How would they feel if after taking the time to re-work their resume and cover letter they never received a response that at the least say you are not what we are looking for? Most businesses do not take the time for that courtesy. And it is a simple courtesy. There is software available in the recruiter world that allows for a generic response --a yea or nay. I have found that the smaller and non-profit organizations are more courteous and send out letter...yes snail mail letter. What a treat to receive that letter! Yes I am disappointed that it was a reject letter but pleased that someone took the time to understand that the applicant likes to know and more importantly deserves to know that they did not meet the qualifications. Gracious people.

ABC News: Why Your Internet Job Search Isn't Working

Unemployed and looking for a job on the internet? Yeah...me too! This article tells you what you are doing wrong...I think.

read more digg story

Resume work!

I got this from www.dumblittleman.com. I read the blog daily and just uncovered this entry. About to read it now to see if it can help me get a job!


Here is the link...http://www.dumblittleman.com/2007/04/lets-fine-tune-your-resume.html

Wish me luck!

Unemployment

I have been out of work since July 2007. It is now November 2007. Never did it cross my mind that i would be out of work this long. Trust that I understand that the market is tight. According to the US Dept. of Labor the unemployment rate in October 2007 was 4.7%. I am in that group.

Everyday I am on the Internet searching. I look at businesses when I am out. More often than not it seems as if you really have to know someone to receive a phone call once you submit a resume.

Outside of the stress that unemployment generates, family and friends contribute more than they realize. Continuous questions regarding how you spend your time, how you spend money and what is wrong with your resume that you cannot get a job.

I have to admit that my decisions over the past year in reference to my employment choices have been somewhat suspect. And that alone adds to issues regarding rehire.

Regardless of how things go I will not give up.