...it's back to work I go - Part 2 - the interview

So two interviews down and a couple more to go until I hope to get some offers for my “back to work” options.

It has been almost 4 years since I have had the task of getting up & ready for work. Hard to believe that it has been 4 years. :~) What have I been doing for the last 4 years is the first question that I have been asked. I answer proudly that I have had 2 more kids. Then the next question is “how will you handle a full-time position and your family”? Interesting question (posed by one woman and by one man). I wonder if that would have been asked if I had of been a man with a newborn applying for the position? You are right, it would have never been a consideration.

We still live in a world where Moms are assumed that their family takes precedent and that the men “go to the mine” day in and day out. My husband owns his own company and has a very flexible schedule. We have enlisted the help of a family friend to do our babysitting at our house when I do return to the workforce. Although leaving my 2 babies will be a huge adjustment for me, I did it before with my older 2. My 2nd baby was only 6 weeks old when I accepted a position that I had to train 3 hours aways for 2 months from my breastfed newborn, with my oldest child only being 1 1/2 and my husband working 40 hours a week. I think I am quite capable of handling a full-time job with a 2 1/2 yo and an 11 month old with the support  system I have and as I have done it before, I am quite sure that this will be a little easier just because of their age.

I do not blame the industry for this question as it still is a “boys club” but I still have to wonder why this is a question that I am expected to be able to answer. A double income generating family is much more prepared financially for more challenges and with 4 kids, that I hope to go to College or University, my income is going to be a valued addition to our welfare for the future. 

The amount of work that I will do now will be equivalent to 2 full time jobs, yes. But one of those jobs I am paid financially and the other emotionally. What a fulfilling life. Busy, but fulfilling. Going back to work will make me have to count on my family to fill voids that they have not had to do for the last 4 years, but it will make them more responsible too. The challenge of going back to work is not the work, but the balance that is needed to keep your sanity. The time around family becomes much more cherished and love filled to make up for the time that I am not around to help them with homework, read them a book, make them their favourite snack or simply hug them when they fall and hurt themselves. It is a challenge that I am up for to ensure that they all have the financial resources to ensure they can ”be whatever they want to be”!

Time for myself will be lost in the shuffle, but isn’t that what retirement is for? If I do not return to work, then retirement may not be what I hope it to be…spoiling my grandchildren

[Via http://fourisenough.wordpress.com]

I wish to be Darna

in times like this.

It all started with a feeling that I have a lot of things to do
…. with my life.

I am so busy that I cannot decide which to prioritize. I just hope I have two bodies which can do the work simultaneously.

I am heading the recruitment & training, doing OD at the same time in our company. It eats 12 hours of my day.

I am acting this Feb 2 in DLSU-CSB. I lack time for rehearsals and I don’t know how to ask permission from my boss to file leave on that day.

I will go to Taipei the next weekend. I don’t have VISA yet. Argh.

I got an invitation to attend in a meeting with the center for women’s group sometime this week.

I have a Job Fair this Saturday.

I still have things to settle in school before March 8. I don’t have free time.

I have gimmick tomorrow night with Judy and the gang.

My friends are inviting me to join them in Dumaguete Trip and I don’t know what to answer.

Tell me, how would I do all of these? Kill me NOW.

“Ding, ang bato! Kailangan ko ng maging si Darna”

For the meantime, I’ll just watch BOF to forget.

[Via http://carlajill.wordpress.com]

Grind, level, repeat

I got Dragoon to 59 today. *Cheer!* 1 more level and I can wear my epic hat. I probably won’t get to 60 this week, though, because the end of the week is pretty darn packed. For starters, I start my job this Monday, and have some pre-employment stuffs I need to get done; like a physical and getting my ID badge picture taken.

Also, I have to take my dog to the boarder’s for a screening. See, everyone’s going to be out of town-ish this weekend, so no one’s going to be able to take care of the dogs. The big dog, Midnight, will be staying at the vet’s. He’s old and I guess he’s due for some vaccinations, so my parents are killing 2 birds with one stone. My little dog, however, is young, doesn’t need any shots for several months, and has more energy than a nuclear power plant, so he’s staying at Alfie’s Poochie Playlot. I’m betting he’ll never want to leave.

On Friday I have my physical for my job at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, plus some other stuffs. But before that, if we can swing it, my mom’s trying to get a family photo taken. Joy. After the trip to Chicago for my pre-employment health screening/drug test/quality assessment, I’m going to head down to Champaign-Urbana for a weekend of gaming and friend-seeing. (It’s like sight-seeing, but the sights are all friends.) I’ll be busy pretty much every waking minute on Saturday and Sunday. Sunday evening I have to truck back home so I can go to bed early and get up for my first day at work. Badge photo taken bright and early at 7:30!

[Via http://anobi.wordpress.com]

Looking for a Job??

Looking for an internship in event planning? I have loved working for Conference Services for the past 3 summers. I have worked with groups such as Teach for America, RoboCup, Yellow Jacket Football Camps, and numerous other programs.  I have grown as a person and as a professional. I have loved learning about the in’s and out’s in conference planning at a collegiate level. I know you would enjoy working for them too.  Here is a picture from this past summer. Our team motto is “Work hard, play harder” and therefore we always take a break during the summer to play Volleyball and Kickball. Needless to say we have a ton of fun.

Check out the internship job description and information for application. Let me know if you have any questions or want to know more about my experience. Here is the Job posting:

Program Profile:
The Georgia Institute of Technology Office of Conference Services looks to add up to two interns to their staff of 4 full-time professional, 1 Graduate Assistant and 20-30 seasonal student staff.

Georgia Tech offers the finest collegiate facilities and services in the country to our clients and guests. Georgia Tech’s location in trendy midtown Atlanta makes it convenient to Atlanta’s finest cultural, recreational, and entertainment amenities. During the 2009 conference season, we played host to over 50 summer programs, including Teach For America, a 600-person training institute on campus from early June until late July; the National Puppetry Festival, and Diakonia World Assembly, both bringing in over 300 guests from all around the world.

The 2010 summer is expected to be our biggest ever, highlighted by the return of the 3,500 attendee National Law Enforcement Explorers Conference. Although we will be hosting many returning programs such as Teach for America, we look forward to a summer full of many new, challenging and exciting programs.

Internship Summary:
Intern will be exposed to all aspects of conference, seminar and camp coordination in a collegiate housing environment. Intern will receive a comprehensive overview of the Department of Housing’s conference services operation and how it interfaces with numerous other departments on campus. Applicants with a sincere motivation to learn about collegiate conference services and desire to make an impact need only apply.

Criteria for Student to Meet:
• Student with a 2.3 GPA or higher and good academic standing;
• Undergrad sophomore or higher need only apply;
• A major in Hospitality, Communications, Marketing, or Business Management preferred, but not required;
• Flexible summer schedule free of classes, vacations, and other commitments.

Primary Experiences:
1. Transition of building inventory between Residence Life and Conference Services
2. Daily operation and development of the summer conference program
3. Public relations with conference clientele and guests
4. Logistical planning and implementation of select summer camps/conferences/ and lines of business.
5. Utilization of conference management software
6. Housing building preparation
7. Key control and inventory
8. Conference group registration and check-in/check-out procedures
9. Monitor and trouble-shoot conference events
10. Shadowing and collaboration with professional staff

Specific Project Samples:
1. Participate in the student staff training and evaluation process
2. Evaluate, revise and implement student staff training and development program
3. Meet needs of conference clients through facilitating check-ins and outs, event management, acting as a liaison between campus and non-affiliated service providers, etc…
4. Contact and meet with clients, departmental schedulers and decision- makers, and housing custodial and maintenance staff
5. Planning and implementation of housing related arrangements for various conference groups
6. Implementation and monitoring of long-term lodging programs
7. Coordination with Freshman Orientation program
8. Personal preference project(s) expressed by Intern

Learning Outcomes:
1. Value of a conference operation within the Housing Department and Auxiliary Services
2. Value of establishing and maintaining partnerships with the numerous campus departments and personnel
3. The importance of clear and accurate communication
4. The extent of pre-planning required and effective use of timelines
5. The importance of exceeding expectations of conference clients and guests
6. Uncut, real-life, hands-on exposure behind-the-scenes of a summer conference operation
7. Training and in-depth use of Kinetics Solutions conference software program

Application Requirements and Timeline:
Please submit cover letter, resume’ and at least two references by February 1, 2010 to conference@housing.gatech.edu. Successful candidates will be notified regarding an interview no later than February 8.

Opportunity Range:
Immediate thru Summer:
March 1 – August 13, 2010
Will consider slightly altered start dates

Compensation:
Stipend-Amount dependant on date range and experience;
Single-occupancy room in a Georgia Tech lodging facility (summer only)

Internship Site:
The Georgia Institute of Technology
871 McMillan Street
Atlanta, GA 30332-0550

Department/Division:
Department of Housing/Conference Services

Internship Supervisor:
Dan Dykstra, Director of Conference Services

Web Site:
Georgia Tech Conference Services

Questions:
Please call Conference Services at 404.894.2469

[Via http://msbuzzworthy.wordpress.com]

Job interview

I have a job interview today with Kenmore Ray  White real estate. It isn’t my dream job, by any stretch of the imagination, but it is a job, and that’s all that counts at the moment. It’s an admin and reception job, but if the office at Moorooka is anything to go by, it will involve a lot more, and may have a possibility for advancement if I stay there that long.

I will still look to getting my teacher registration, however.

***

I am feeling kind of crap today, which may be the diet, or it may be the PMS. Either way, I hope I don’t screw up the interview by passing out.

[Via http://ziraphen.wordpress.com]

3. Heather [3]

“How are you, girl?” Jake said as he walked over to Heather’s usual booth. It was a small booth that only sat two. Sometimes Heather’s mother, Bella, would meet her at Lila’s and then the two would share the booth and a meal or sometimes just a dessert. Tonight, though, Heather was alone as she slid gratefully into her regular spot.

“I’m great, Jake, just exhausted,” Heather smiled at him. “Yourself?”

“Fine, fine, all fine,” Jake’s eyes twinkled. “Love is in the air, and all that. You know.”

Heather knew. Vicariously, at least. She’d watched the romance, or dalliance or whatever it was, flourish between Jake and Bo over the last three weeks of beautiful summer evenings. She’d been friendly with Jake even before, but he had seemed so droopy, so sad and sort of lost. But then Bo joined Lila’s staff, and Heather couldn’t be happier for the change that had come over Jake.

“My sister’s going to come over some evening this week,” Jake went on. “Well, I haven’t exactly asked her to yet, but I’m going to. I think she’ll like this place – and you’ll like her, too. I’ll ask her to come in the evening so you can maybe meet her.”

“Sounds great, Jake! I didn’t know you had a sister.”

“Yeah, a twin. Her name’s Amanda. She goes to Valley U. So, the usual?”

Heather nodded, and Jake bustled towards the diner’s kitchen to get her hot-chocolate for her. She stretched back and looked around the small space. At this hour, it was usually still empty, but Heather knew that if she stayed for another half hour, the place would fill up. Downtown Hartscreek was a hopping scene, and there wasn’t a night of the week when an eclectic crowd wouldn’t appear, as if by magic, at Lila’s: there were young professionals, coming for a dessert after a dinner somewhere else, or maybe just meeting up for a meal after putting their children to bed; there were club-goers, dressed in bright colors and skin-tight materials, catching some protein before a long night of dancing and drinking; there were the punkers, stocking up on fries and milkshakes before heading to the latest underground show. Heather loved to take them all in as she sat there, savoring the taste of her hot drink as she sipped it down almost agonizingly slowly.

Tonight would be no different, she hoped, as she lay her chin in her hands and stared across the room to where she knew Jake would be coming out in a moment with that delicious hot chocolate in his hands.

[Via http://slightlyignorant.wordpress.com]

ALERT...11 Clear Signs That The U.S. Economy Is Headed Into The Toilet...

The vast majority of the talking heads on television are still speaking of the current economic collapse as if it is a temporary “recession” that will soon be over. So far, the vast majority of the American people seem to believe this as well, although for many Americans there is a very deep gnawing in the pit of their stomachs that is telling them that there is something very, very wrong this time around. The truth is that the foundations of the U.S. economy have been destroyed by an orgy of government, corporate and individual debt that has gone on for decades. It was the greatest party in the history of the world, but now the party is over. The following are 11 signs from just this past month that show that the U.S. economy is headed into the toilet and will not be recovering….

#1) When even Wal-Mart is closing stores you know things are bad. Wal-Mart announced on Monday that it will close 10 money-losing Sam’s Club stores and will cut 1,500 jobs in order to reduce costs. So if even Wal-Mart has to shut down stores, what chance do other retailers have?

#2) Americans are going broke at a staggering pace. 1.41 million Americans filed for personal bankruptcy in 2009 – a 32 percent increase over 2008.

#3) American workers are working harder than ever and yet making less. After adjusting for inflation, pay for production and non-supervisory workers (80 percent of the private workforce) is 9% lower than it was in 1973. But those Americans who do still have jobs are the fortunate ones.

#4) Unemployment is absolutely exploding all over the United States. Minority groups have been hit particularly hard. For example, unemployment on many U.S. Indian reservations is over 80 percent.

#5) Unfortunately the employment situation is showing no signs of turning around. December was actually the worst month for U.S. unemployment since the so-called “Great Recession” began.

#6) So just how bad are things when compared to past recessions? During the 2001 recession, the U.S. economy lost 2% of its jobs and it took four years to get them back. This time the U.S. economy has lost more than 5% of its jobs and there is no sign that the bleeding of jobs will stop any time soon.

#7) Can you imagine trying to get your first job in this economic climate? Our young men and women either can’t get work or have given up on work altogether. The percentage of Americans 16 to 24 who have jobs is 13 percent lower than ten years ago.

#8) So where did all the jobs go? Over the past few decades we have allowed the corporate giants to ship mountains of American jobs overseas, and there are signs that this trend is only going to get worse. In fact, Princeton University economist Alan S. Blinder estimates that 22% to 29% of all current U.S. jobs will be offshorable within two decades. So get ready for even more of our jobs to be shipped off to Mexico, China and India.

#9) All of these job losses are leading to defaults on mortgages. Over the past couple of years we have seen the American Dream in reverse. According to a report that was just released, delinquent home loans at government-controlled mortgage finance giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac surged 20 percent from July through September.

#10) But that is nothing compared to what is coming. A massive “second wave” of mortgage defaults is getting ready to hit the U.S. economy starting in 2010. In fact, this “second wave” is so frightening that even 60 Minutes is reporting on it.

#11) Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve has announced that it made a record profit of $46.1 billion in 2009. Apparently during this economic crisis it is a very good time to be a bankster.

[Via http://ctpatriot1970.wordpress.com]