I am still searching to believe....

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The year of 2010 brought a lot of unexpected, disheartening, uplifting and gratifying events. I know that I have learned from the year. But I am still processing. I am at odds of accepting the new horizons by professional life has taken. I hear from others that it is deserved, but I am my worst critic so I mix my personal life with professional and it does not add up. But I am working on the merger. I can not accept my personal failures as my professional. However I am not wanting to allow my professional life to take over my personal life.

What I want is for the stars shine on my life...every part of me....I hope the stars are aligning with you....

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.

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Pat on the Back!!!

Y'all I got a PROMOTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yep, on March 16, 2010 I moved from Specialist to Advanced Specialist.  Not much in pay raise.  I am sure Uncle Sam will receive most of it.  Trust me.  But the hierarchy means I am more apt to have a supervisor or managerial position in the near future and that's the goal.  Plus having the years in to receive retirement from this place.  Less than a year away.

So I celebrate my good fortune and happiness.  I do enjoy the new look.  I work more with clients and speak with them.  There are challenges but I welcome them.  Much better than looking a papers all day.


****clapping for myself****

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.

My Randon Thoughts...

^Being nice & courteous to people does not take away from your paycheck. Try it sometimes. It makes the world better.

^I now have a bootleg laptop. Platinum decided to lay her fat, overweight, lazy behind on it and broke a key. Only b/c the Doggy police would come after me did I not beat her like I wanted to.

^Since I have removed myself from certain friends & family that disrupted my spirit I am really loving, enjoying, & relishing my friends that came forward. Their light shines so much brighter.

^I have a job! Did I mention that? I still need a part-time gig b/c the state don't pay. Does anyone know of any?

^What is up with these college athletes being charged with rape? Honestly, my crew use to consist of mainly jocks & former jocks and they were a mess. Is it b/c a lot are finally getting caught or these girls are wising up & saying you know what...this shit is not right?

^I refrained from commenting on the Supreme Courts ruling on guns b/c I did not understand a lot of the outrage. I am a gun owner. Licensed. Been shooting @ a range since I was 4. I am not afraid of the licensed people carrying guns around. The average gun owner who has that natural fear & understanding of gun usage will not be crazy with it. The person I worry about is the one who picks one up on the street with no knowledge of guns besides how to pull the trigger, a hot temper, nothing to live for, a beef w/ someone or just those crazy mf's out there. That's who you should fear. News report after news report had licensed people saying - no I will not take it on the train, bus or in a restaurant, but I will shoot you if you step into my house. That's me. Sorry if you don't agree with me.

^I am helping you file for unemployment. No when I finish you cannot take me to lunch. Remember you were laid off?

^One day I am going to stop my past hurts from manifesting in my today.

^Am I really ready for a relationship? I think I am scared to death!

^I told 1 of my guy friends about a semi-cry I had over a movie & his response---"Damn girl you are showing your soft side I might have to date you!" What the hell? Am I too hard for a guy to date?

^Is it wrong to remain friends w/ all of your ex's? Even the ones that completely destroyed your heart?

^I still have Parent issues.

^Being unemployed for 1 yr. has taught me a lot. I will share one day.

^I loved it when my Buddha (Cameron) crawled off his Mommie & came crawling to me mad & crying because I was leaving the room. And then sighed when I picked him up. That's love. It feels great.

Quote of the Day

"Brains, like hearts, go where they are appreciated." ~ Robert S. McNamara, former U.S. Secretary of DefenseUS businessman (1916 - )

Quote of the Day

Never react emotionally to criticism. Analyze yourself to determine whether it is justified. If it is, correct yourself. Otherwise, go on about your business. ~ Norman Vincent Peale

10 Things Never to Say to a...

From Diveristyinc.com, 10 Things Never to say to a...

Black Co-Worker

LGBT Co-Worker

Latino Executive

Asian-American Executive

We need to think before we speak...

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!

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

I Did IT!!!!

I am SO happy!!!

Turned in that resignation letter baby!!! Starting '07 off right and working basically for myself doing contract work for friends. Sounds gravy right? Wrong...well, somewhat wrong. I loose health coverage, but I have a plan for that. I am working for friends and family...that could go either way. One of the guys I had classes with throughout high school. A lot of trouble is what we got out of those classes, but we are older wiser and acknowledge that play comes later. If you work hard, you can play harder. Not the other way around as most believe. Along with my longtime friend I will have a cousin. The concept is awesome and since we have mutal respect for each other things will go smoothly.

Hopefully.