tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-103500572024-03-13T06:58:16.024-05:00On My WayOnce a blog about teaching English in Korea, On My Way has moved on with me to the next big adventure. After a comfortable 5 years back at home in Toronto, my new husband and I are now on our way to Salt Lake City where we will start a new life playing in the mountains.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08337228403799749600noreply@blogger.comBlogger766125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10350057.post-22898327822806873052011-08-04T10:39:00.000-05:002011-08-04T10:40:10.683-05:00Arrived Alive in Salt Lake City!Okay, I'm finally back from my epic journey across America and beyond. I didn't have internet or interest in blogging but I had so many blog worthy moments that I kind of regret it.<div><br /></div><div>In short, we crossed the border on June 30th where I managed to get my TN work visa. Yay! That means I'm legal to work now at my new job here in Salt Lake City. Yay!?</div><div><br /></div><div>We then drove West to Chicago, then down across route 66 until we headed north into Utah and up to Salt Lake City. The whole road trip took us about 10 days with tourist stops in Santa Fe, New Mexico, at the Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon in Page, Arizona, and Bryce Canyon in Southern Utah.</div><div><br /></div><div>We arrived in Salt Lake at our rented apartment with no furniture as our truck was delayed, so we spent our very limited time having a drink at Steve's colleague's house, dealing with our REI wedding registry, and buying new bathing suits for our honeymoon.</div><div><br /></div><div>We went on our honeymoon and spent two super fun weeks checking out three different islands. We got back to Salt Lake on Friday the 29th and since then have been busy unpacking, setting up our new lives, and exploring our new city.</div><div><br /></div><div>This is a very brief overview of the news, but I figured I'll make new posts with actual content and some of the stories of the move.</div><div><br /></div><div>For example, yesterday we went to the driver's license office to get Utah drivers' licenses. Why bother? We need them in order to get car insurance, not to mention that having state ID seems to be key to doing or registering for things around these parts. We had left our little piece of paper with the address at home but could remember it was at 1000 West 200 North. We drove there and looked around for an office. Mostly there were dilapidated old buildings, but there was also a big fair ground. It took asking a lady waiting at a bus stop to learn that the drivers' license office is located inside the fair grounds. Obviously?!</div><div><br /></div><div>We spent over two hours in that office waiting, waiting, waiting, and then SURPRISE, writing an (open book) driving test. Great. I was pretty nervous and it was difficult to find some of the answers in the book. It's been quite a while since I've had to take any sort of driving test. Luckily we both passed. Then we had to register for our road test. ROAD TEST!!!! I hope I don't fail.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's been nearly impossible getting internet and cell phones because our Canadian credit is insufficient for the credit checks that all these companies do. We had to get my American aunt to order our cell phones on our behalf, which was another headache. We can't get credit cards either, but then how are we supposed to build up credit?</div><div><br /></div><div>I guess we'll chalk it all up to the exciting adventure of moving to a new country right? I'm just glad we can speak the language, we have enough money to do the things we need to do, and we've got enough American family and friends that I'm sure everything will work out just fine. In the meantime, cell phones come today!</div><div><br /></div><div>Aside from the headaches, we've also been experiencing our new city's arts, culture and food. We've eaten at a few good restaurants, many of which are right around the corner from our downtown apartment. We checked out the Pioneer Park Saturday farmer's market and bought fresh tomatoes, goat cheese and beats for a super fresh and delicious salad which we ate on the rooftop of our 28 story building. We went for a walk at the City Creek Canyon and laughed aloud at the reality of the beauty in such close proximity. This is something we do whenever we catch sight of the Wasatch mountains looming over Walmart or Best Buy. It's a pretty hilarious juxtaposition that makes this kind of shopping experience feel somehow bearable. We took in K.D. Lang from the hilltop beside the outdoor stage. And tonight we're heading back to Pioneer Park for another free outdoor concert.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, at the moment I can't really complain. Though there have been some tricky issues to deal with, they're kind of funny once they're behind us - can't wait till my road test is behind me - and the fun stuff has made it worth it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Be back soon!</div>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08337228403799749600noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10350057.post-31106082781809674112011-06-26T08:50:00.006-05:002011-06-26T09:02:31.312-05:00Moving to the U.S.A!<div style="text-align: left;">Well, hello blog world!</div><div><br /></div><div>It's been a loooong time since I've been an active blogger, but I'm sensing the pull to return. Things are happening, and they can't go undocumented!</div><div><br /></div><div>It's been one full week since Steve and I tied the knot. Our wedding was so beautiful and perfect; I still can't get over it. Here, check this out.</div><div><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8oSVLmpUgzQ/Tgc55ToIXlI/AAAAAAAAIKw/VzPgJB7wEpY/s320/jessica-steven-palais-royale-jewish-wedding-photography-toronto-26.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622526316479274578" /><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a8y9D8tKI2Y/Tgc558jEFAI/AAAAAAAAIK4/3IJ7jBZMUa4/s320/steve%2Band%2Bjess%2Bduring%2Ba%2Bspeech.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622526327463875586" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div>Not bad, eh?</div><div><br /></div><div>Instead of having post-wedding blues because we have a void in our lives where wedding planning and anticipation once laid, we've been focusing our energy on the next big thing. We're moving. To Utah!</div><div><br /></div><div>That's right. This Thursday we're jumping in the car and heading on a 9 day route-66 road trip with Salt Lake City as our final destination. It's a pretty big deal to be leaving our family and friends here in Toronto, but we're quite excited for the adventure ahead. </div><div><br /></div><div>I hope I can get back into the blogging habit, so I can document this exciting time in our lives. I'll fill you in on some other details over the next few days before we head out. Wish us luck!</div>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08337228403799749600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10350057.post-83522189082971196482008-05-09T13:32:00.001-05:002008-05-09T13:33:48.745-05:00New blog wow!!I haven't been writing in this blog so I figured hey, why not start a new blog.<br /><br />I miss you, old blog.<br /><br />New blog: neumanjm2.blogspot.comJessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08337228403799749600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10350057.post-5930888744778848942008-01-03T19:53:00.000-05:002008-01-03T20:03:29.146-05:00Setting the sceneIt was winter 2002. Scratch that. It was the beginning of spring 2002. And I was at Talisman Resort with Matt who was competing in a series of ski competitions. This was the last one which involved I THINK the half pipe but who can really be sure.<br /><br />I was skiing down a smooth and creamy run when suddenly my right ski caught something, pulling my leg out and back. I crumpled. I heard a pop but didn't know what that meant. Fuck. A snowboarder cruising by stopped and asked me if I was okay. "I don't think so," I said shakily. Unsure of what to do, I sat for a moment riding out the pain, then carefully stood up. I could see Matt at the bottom of the hill walking as quickly as he could in those cumbersome ski boots up to meet me. Together I hobbled to the bottom of the pipe, my knee slipping left and right on the way, where I sat for the rest of the afternoon. <br /><br />I forget whether he came first or second in the series.<br /><br />Returning home, I endured a hospital visit, months of limping and discomfort, a few doctors visits and finally an MRI, with diagnoses ranging from nothing serious to fully torn Anterior Cruiate Ligament to partially torn Anterior Cruciate Ligament. The latter is what seemed to stick, and for the last six years I've been pretty much unawares of my knee or any injury I had sustained.<br /><br />This spring I stared playing ultimate frisbee. I love it! It's great. In June I sprained my ankle. I hate it. It's bad. I now wear a brace. Two weeks ago my knee went one way when I went another and I suddenly remembered my ACL injury of yesteryear.<br /><br />It hurt far less and the limping ceased after only days, but clearly somethig is askew.<br /><br />A trip to the sport's medicine doctor today has left me with a likely fully torn ACL diagnosis and an MRI appointment. Plus physio for which I have no coverage. Plus my having to back out of two ultimate league teams I was due to start up next week.<br /><br />It also leaves me something to blog about. Finally.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08337228403799749600noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10350057.post-26033538134346684862007-09-26T18:37:00.000-05:002007-09-26T19:04:41.904-05:00Observation exerciseShe sat beside me on a bench, the traffic of University Ave. buzzing by on either side of the outer flowerbeds. Maybe she made a call on her cell phone - I was deeply engaged in my book and didn't notice her really until she stood up from the bench and spread a picnic blanket on the small strip of grass directly in front of me. <br /><br />The ever so familiar Dominion plastic bag in hand, she kicked off her cheap flip flops and sat down cross-legged, smoothing out the puffs of air resting beneath the blanket.<br /><br />Looking self-conscious but not minding my direct view, she began unpacking the grocery bag. First, twin fruit, yogurt, and granola containers - the pre-made kind you buy from the pre-made salad shelf. The shelf I frequented almost daily during my time at The Department this past year. Those must have set her back a whopping $3.99 each. She laid them on the blanket side by side, out of the way. Next she pulled out two Mandarin Chicken Salads. Yes, I know these things by name. And because a picnic isn't a picnic without it, she also had a container of grocery store sushi rolls. California, I bet, but can't confirm. She emptied the bag, with two fancy bottled smoothies, one pink and one yellow. I could literally trace her steps through the store.<br /><br />The store, which sits on Bloor and is teeming with students buying pre-made salads and frozen pizzas. <br /><br />But we're on Hospital Row, which is instead teeming with healthcare workers and suits. And researchers trying to get away with fancy pants and sneakers, but I digress.<br /><br />My lunch is more or less over, but I want to stay to see who her lunch guest will be. I'm almost certain it's a boy - like she'd go to so much effort for anyone else, but then again it's all store bought and demonstrates very little creativity. Plus, despite the healthy eating hoorah happening these days, I don't know how happy many men would be about lettuce, rice, and granola. I'm also willing to bet she doesn't know him all that well. She chooses two of the same of everything, except for the smoothies where she guesses with two popular colours/flavours - she can't go wrong, but clearly she doesn't know that his favourite drink is Blue Powerade and he much prefers Greek to Mandarin, for example.<br /><br />She's wearing the typical student uniform; the flip flops I've already mentioned, along with too-tight jeans that emphasize her slight stomach rolls showing from beneath her simple tank top. I forget to notice her face or hair. She's not memorable.<br /><br />I go back to my book. She waits. I glance up. She's putting a thick, hard-cover book without its jacket away into her satchel, looking up into the distance. She stands, smiles, and meets him. They hug for longer than a greeting between friends, but it definitely doesn't feel like a comfortable, long-time couple. I like being right. They don't kiss, but sit down on the blanket together. I try not to stare so I don't notice his reaction to the things she's laid out. Does he look impressed? Does he even look? <br /><br />They sit for a moment before she suddenly pulls him by the arm towards her and they share a quick peck. She deserves that much after all this effort, damn it. I'd be willing to bet this is something like date number 3, and the transition from goodnight-in-the-dark kissing to out-in-the-open-guess-what-I-like-you kissing takes some guts.<br /><br />His legs bend out awkwardly, his dress-shoes just off the blanket on the grass, until he abandoms them and sits cross-legged. He looks sharp in his dress-shirt and dress-pants and dress-frames. He's cute. Good for her. Good for them.<br /><br />Lunch is over and my curiosity is satisfied. I leave these two to their granola on the grass.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08337228403799749600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10350057.post-54429522709570714352007-09-20T08:23:00.001-05:002007-09-20T08:26:05.937-05:00That feelingYou know that feeling when you just wake up from sleeping so soundly and for just a moment all is well until a wave of the memory of all the shit on your mind hits you like a brick?<br /><br />Oh yeah, I'm heartbroken.<br /><br />Oh right, I'm stressed.<br /><br />Oh shit, I'm nervous.<br /><br />Things like that. <br /><br />I don't like that feeling.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08337228403799749600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10350057.post-24712047776467030342007-09-18T10:53:00.000-05:002007-09-18T10:54:35.303-05:00Hey, MSGCome on, you can't stay mad at me.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08337228403799749600noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10350057.post-50150715397203179082007-09-09T09:55:00.000-05:002007-09-09T09:57:12.708-05:00Rainy SundayI cut off the rest of the straight bits yesterday. In the kitchen with kitchen scissors and a plastic bag full of hair. What do I have against hairdressers, anyway?<br /><br />What to do on this rainy Sunday morning?Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08337228403799749600noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10350057.post-12195975987855987932007-08-24T17:28:00.000-05:002008-12-11T20:56:44.593-05:00The amazing and incredible evolution of a Magic Straight permOnce upon a time I taught English to little tiny creatures who called themselves children in a far-off fantasty land. Sara wondered if I could lie on my deathbed without giving one of its many specialities a try. So I went for it and had the tedious full-day process done. Magic straight-uh!<br /><br />I said goodbye to my curls in November 2005, opting to give the straight life a try, and I kept it up, refreshing the process just as I left the ROK at the end of Jun 2006. That was one year (and two months if you want to get specific) ago. Let's see how my hair has fared over the year....<br /><br />Here I am in Vietnam, not a few weeks after the chemical transformation. I look sufficiently carefree with my roll-out-of-bed straight hair that required no effort whatsoever. What a novelty it was.<br /><br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5102400091688658338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6nCa-Czk1KM/Rs9d2YcF5aI/AAAAAAAAABM/kXsh6FTqXvg/s320/1.jpg" border="0" /><br />Here I am in November 2006, four or five months in. Look at that sleek and shiny mane! Not only that but the grueling stress of graduate school was taking its (welcomed, in this way) toll and I was dropping in poundage with little to no effort. Plus, I had a new friend called Romeo! At this point it would have taken blowing and hair straightening effort to handle the growing in roots.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6nCa-Czk1KM/Rs9d1ocF5ZI/AAAAAAAAABE/T1z8at2qWJo/s1600-h/2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5102400078803756434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6nCa-Czk1KM/Rs9d1ocF5ZI/AAAAAAAAABE/T1z8at2qWJo/s320/2.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p>I got a terrible haircut in December that nobody bothered to tell me about! Blunt cut?!?!?! Blasphemous! It looks okay here compared to how it really looked. I guess it was the smooth San Fran dinner jazz that made me smile.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5102399219810297218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6nCa-Czk1KM/Rs9dDocF5YI/AAAAAAAAAA8/y9sPaSRsQQg/s320/3.jpg" border="0" /> </p><br />By the end of January, seven months in, I grew sick and tired of the awful blunt and went for something that changed my life: bangs!!! What a wondrous invention, those bangs. I dug 'em, though I had to wield a round brush to get them to behave. It wasn't so bad, really. By now it was becoming a real effort to get this long, exceedingly curly rooted 'do under control. I'm not one for time consuming grooming.<br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6nCa-Czk1KM/Rs9dDYcF5XI/AAAAAAAAAA0/LPvLoWgwzJI/s1600-h/4.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5102399215515329906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6nCa-Czk1KM/Rs9dDYcF5XI/AAAAAAAAAA0/LPvLoWgwzJI/s320/4.JPG" border="0" /></a> So I cut a lot of it right off! My continued laziness left me with a mullet-esque cross between straight, wavy, and curly. I didn't particularly mind. People were starting to wonder, though, no doubt. Because they, like you, took great interest in the state of my cheveux. I also got this awesome wallet. It's yellow. It still makes me happy whenever I see it. This picture is taken in Fort Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia where I ate ribs and looked out at the gazebo behind the hilarious motel. I watched Bring it On on TV that night, and laughed hard over a game of pool. FYI.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5102399202630428002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6nCa-Czk1KM/Rs9dCocF5WI/AAAAAAAAAAs/mHHevDzkXuo/s320/5.JPG" border="0" /><br />Let's jump through most of the awkward hair growth period to the middle of July, just about one year after this story began. I'm at Mel's wedding. My reader's will recognize the lovely lady on the left, but probably not to the right. That's okay. Here you can see that despite being mostly curly there are still mucho-strange straight pieces at the ends that stick out and make me look much less polished than the two bridesmaids. It drove me crazy.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5102399194040493394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6nCa-Czk1KM/Rs9dCIcF5VI/AAAAAAAAAAk/qQ0suq1cgRo/s320/6.JPG" border="0" /></p><p>This brings us to the present. As you're well aware, t's the end of August and a year and two months have passed by. I haven't gotten a haircut since the wedding above, but I have been driven to the breaking point such that I took to some of those straight ends with a small but effective pair of nail scissors. Straight ends begone! I'm <em>almost</em> completely back to my curly self and it feels good! Plus I still have my friend Romeo. He's just a friend, people, just a friend.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5102399185450558786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6nCa-Czk1KM/Rs9dBocF5UI/AAAAAAAAAAc/Rq26OTpQE9Q/s320/7.jpg" border="0" /></p><p>The question remains: do blondes have more fun?</p><p>I'd say that straight hair definitely has its benefits. You don't have to do anything to it and, if you're lucky enough to have the thickness and sheen of a naturally curly haired person, it looks pretty awesome. Men on a whole definitely find long, straight hair sexy - that I can attest to.</p><p>Awkward growth hair I wouldn't particularly recommend. It takes lots of effort to straighten it and leaving it half and half just looks crazy. CRAZY!</p><p>Curly hair is pretty good. Girls compliment it a lot, mostly because those with limp straight hair are full of burning jealousy. Smiling guys say things like, "wow, you have crazy hair". I don't know quite what to make of that but... I'll choose to like it.</p><p>So that's that. At the end of the summer I'll get the rest of these damn straight bits cut off and that'll be the end of an era. I can now lay on my death bed without any regrets. Thanks Sara.</p>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08337228403799749600noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10350057.post-72350005234171806852007-07-08T22:23:00.000-05:002007-07-08T22:35:57.538-05:00I start my first real job tomorrow and I have very little idea of what to expect. Here's why:<br /><br />I got a great job. I have autonomy, responsibility, and variety to look forward to. I'll be working as a researcher on a project led by the woman who interviewed me. There is another researcher much like myself only more experienced and at a higher level. <br /><br />The project is based on a theory of how alzheimer's patients maintain their self-concept despite a lack in cognitive ability. My boss has developed a 12-week training program for health care workers to undergo that is supposed to improve the overall environment of long-term healthcare facilities.<br /><br />This project is a year and a half long exploratory study meant to determine whether this theory and training program is actually effective. We are using two Toronto long-term care facilities for the study.<br /><br />My job is to do all the research at one of the two facilities. I have to solicit and secure participants in the study including both health care workers and patients. I have to look at archival data, run focus groups, conduct interviews, orchestrate surveys and survey collection, manage data, analyze incident reports, and other things like that. I do that for a period of time, we run the training program, and then I do it again.<br /><br />My boss doesn't care where I work, whether it is at home or at the office or at the health care facility, as long as I get the job done. If I have an appointment I have to make I don't need to ask permission. This is what I want in life. I also get to interact with people. I also get to do a lot of different things. Who knew I'd be excited about work? I cross my fingers that that excitement doesn't diminish.<br /><br />In preparation for this first week I needed to go shopping. There's certainly no way my jeans and t-shirt student uniform would suffice. So I spent a hell of a lot of money and now I have woman-clothes. Wow. They're nice. I need hangers. I need an iron and an ironing board. I need a closet to hang things. I need an air conditioner. I need to pay off my credit card bill in a few installments.<br /><br />So, I don't know what I can expect tomorrow at my 9:30am meeting. We're signing contracts and then what? How does one start this kind of work?<br /><br />I feel so very lucky.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08337228403799749600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10350057.post-5548629801965571932007-07-04T08:45:00.000-05:002007-07-04T08:53:39.415-05:00I got the job!!!I haven't written since last week when I'd been asked to come in for a second interview. I went in for that second interview yesterday.<br /><br />There were three people sitting around a table; the original interviewer (the head of the study/my new boss), a friendly man and a friendly woman. The man started with questions that were much easier than the first ones I'd had. He just asked me to talk about the plastic surgery project I'd done, and some of the other work experience I'd had. These kinds of questions allowed me to speak with animation about a project that I'd truly enjoyed. Bonus. At one point he said, "you will be asking very busy people for their time. Are you a persistent person? How will you handle that?" I said, "Well, I have a very endearing smile... " and everyone laughed. I had them laughing up a storm. They loved it.<br /><br />The second woman asked a few questions too. <br /><br />Then I had a chance to ask some questions. I had asked most of the questions I'd had during the first interview so didn't have as many good ones this time around. But what I did end off with was, "Is there any skill or experience that I am lacking or that concerns you that I can address?" They all shrugged and said no.<br /><br />I walked out of there after only 25 minutes and felt good about the atmosphere in the room but still uncertain.<br /><br />Until I got a call from an unfamiliar number at 9am this morning. "I have some good news for you," she said. "That is fantastic news," I responded.<br /><br />I have a horshoe up my bum. That's the only explanation. Oh, except for my Peace Boat failure. Whatever, man.<br /><br />Great success!Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08337228403799749600noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10350057.post-28140151176406948902007-06-25T10:54:00.000-05:002007-06-25T10:58:34.154-05:00Short-listed!Still in the game!<br /><br />This morning I got an email from the woman who interviewed me telling me I was a pleasure to meet and that I've been shortlisted for the position! She wants me to meet with two of her co-investigators, probably the week after next.<br /><br />Hooray!<br /><br />So I wonder if being shortlisted means there are multiple people still up for the job. Or maybe it means she's already chosen me in her mind but just wants to have me meet the others before offering the position. Who knows.<br /><br />Any second interview tips out there that differ from first?Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08337228403799749600noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10350057.post-43988664889515656072007-06-19T05:42:00.000-05:002007-06-19T05:43:05.493-05:00When I get a job I'm buying myself a <a href="http://www.canadiantire.ca/browse/product_detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1408474396672695&bmUID=1182249579294&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524443296591&assortment=primary&fromSearch=true">present</a>.<br /><br />Talk about incentive...Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08337228403799749600noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10350057.post-64023207473368605732007-06-18T17:52:00.000-05:002007-06-18T18:28:49.949-05:00So, how'd it go?Well!<br /><br />I practiced what I might say to the "tell me about yourself question" as I walked along andI arrived with time to spare (it takes only 25 minutes to walk from my house to this job!) Then I sat on a park bench outside watching people milling around. <br /><br />When it was time I went in, up the wrong elevators where I was greeted by an awkward man and a locked door. Luckily the awkward man was waiting to be let through the locked door so I was just on time.<br /><br />I didn't get the "tell me about yourself question" but let's see if I can remember what questions I did get. This job is a research job that I'll tell more about if I get it.<br /><br />Why did you apply for this job? <br /><br />What are three skills you think are necessary for a job like this one?<br /><br />How have you utelized those skills in the past?<br /><br />What do you think would be a challenge for you in this job?<br /><br />Tell me about your quantitative and qualitative research experience.<br /><br />What kind of work environment do you like?<br /><br />What would your previous employer say about you?<br /><br />What would you do if the research subjects who had agreed to participate later said they were too busy to sit down with you?<br /><br />How would you approach prospective participants and get them to agree to be part of the study?<br /><br />You would be doing a lot of data collection: interviews, focus groups, observation, archival data collection, etc. How would you keep it all organized? <br /><br />***<br /><br />That's all I can remember. All throughout her questions I felt okay; like I was doing a decent job and she was moderately impressed. I didn't feel like we were connecting in a particularly impressive way, however. When I had a chance to ask questions I felt like she really came alive and I was able to demonstrate my interest in the project and how I know a thing or two about this and that. Maybe it was just her own excitement about the job, or maybe she liked me a lot. I don't know. I liked her a lot, though. She was friendly and warm but professional and didn't give too much away. I can respect that.<br /><br />So she's interviewing all day today, tomorrow, and Friday and will get back to us next week sometime. That's a lot of candidates. I wonder whether I've got something the others don't, considering I'm a new new graduate. I sent a follow up thank you email today and included a list of references which I'd forgotten to give her (she hadn't asked) and she replied right away thanking me, telling me it was a pleasure to meet me, and saying she would definitely be calling my references.<br /><br />I want this job. But if I don't get it I'll find something else that's even better......Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08337228403799749600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10350057.post-54277293580405661372007-06-18T08:39:00.000-05:002007-06-18T08:51:49.748-05:00Interview time!I will be leaving for my first 'real-job' interview in about half an hour. I feel jittery in the excited first-date kind of way, as opposed to the scared about-to-have-your-wisdom-teeth-out kind of way. That's good news, I think.<br /><br />I've had only a few interviews in my time. My first was when I was applying to work as a lifeguard and swim instructor at Thornlea pool. I was sixteen, it was my first job, and I was ridiculous. I remember acting pathetically lame-o. But I knew my stuff, they needed people, and I got the job.<br /><br />After that I had a few camp counselor interviews which I can't remember but I got those jobs. I had two interviews to work at some second-rate sporting goods store at the Promenade Mall. The first one went great. The second one not so great. I failed to get that mall job. Ouch. <br /><br />Then I had a couple of interviews to work in insurance offices. I remember this one friendly State Farm agent asking me a question of when I had had experience selling something. I thought back on my swim instructor and camp counselor (and tour guide experience) and told him I had none. He kind of smiled at me and told me to think more carefully. I had been selling the campus I was giving tours to. What a good guy he was, teaching me about the art of embellishment during an interview.<br /><br />Too bad I'm a pretty shitty embellisher. But I'll try!<br /><br />I haven't had an interview since then, and that was years ago. Korea didn't require one, graduate school didn't require one, and all of the jobs I had while at school didn't require one.<br /><br />The lesson I learned, though, from the interviews I've had in the past and the jobs I've got and haven't got (damn that sports store!) is that if I have the right exerience then I can get the job. I think I have the right experience here so let's see how she goes.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08337228403799749600noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10350057.post-14559833906286016152007-06-15T09:54:00.000-05:002007-06-15T10:02:51.237-05:00Jessica is an open book."You're so hilarious!" she said to me while we milled around the buffet table. It was the last day of Spirituality class yesterday and we did a full-fledged conference complete with name tags, panels, and lots of food. I talk very little in that class - in most classes actually - prefering to listen and try to pay attention to three hour blocks of mostly bullshit.<br /><br />But I had just finished presenting my "paper" on why and how spirituality might be taught in a multicultural classroom like many in the Toronto District School Board.<br /><br />"Really? Why??" I smiled. I like examples. Always have.<br /><br />"You're just so <em>honest. </em>It's awesome."<br /><br />She wants to be my friend, this girl.<br /><br />It's true, I'm honest. Sometimes too honest/borderline rude. I don't think I too often cross the line but I definitely hover around the border. This character trait seems to be becoming one of my most noteworthy. When did that happen? I don't know if I've always been that way or if it's a new development. I don't even really know what I said during that particular presentation that demonstrates it. <br /><br />But I like it.<br /><br />I'm going shopping for an interview outfit today. It's serious business.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08337228403799749600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10350057.post-91897831894561496962007-06-12T11:44:00.001-05:002007-06-12T11:45:29.830-05:00Prospects!I've got an interview! For a job that would be great! I don't want to fail publically again, but hey, might as well bask in little successes like getting an interview. Who's got interviewing tips for me? I need them by Monday.<br /><br />This is a fun game.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08337228403799749600noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10350057.post-38927658432198289382007-06-10T23:51:00.000-05:002007-06-11T00:02:16.483-05:00The search continuesCan't sleep, can't sleep, can't sleep. But why? Could it possibly be due to the three hour nap I took early this evening? Nahh, I say it's excitement from job-application land that's got me up.<br /><br />No, I haven' t found a job nor have I even had an interview, but I have managed to find some jobs that actually seem interesting. Like a research position in a Toronto rehab hospital. I would be working on a project testing how a drama and arts-based treatment program works with dementia patients. It starts July 3rd. I want it! Another opening that caught my eye is a cejep faculty member teaching sociology. In Montreal. Would I be professor or Miss? <br /><br />For both these positions I meet the requirements but I lack some assets. Like a background in health, for example. And post-secondary teaching experience. But I remain hopeful, and awake.<br /><br />I sent my resume and cover letter to some people for editing and my dad called to give his constructive criticism. Man, my immediate response to advice from my dad is to tense up and become defensive. But I forced myself to be open to feedback and now my resume is so much better off. He knows some things, my dad. Why was this particular experience useful? Why am I a good candidate for this job because of that experience? These are things I hadn't thought about.<br /><br />So, this first real job search in the life of Jessica has begun and it's rather exciting. Less scary now than before, and more exciting. Wouldn't it be great if I never reached the discouraging stage. Or the disappointing stage. Or the, "oh shit, I have no more money and need to pay my rent... maybe Subway is hiring" stage.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08337228403799749600noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10350057.post-84774112741337202842007-06-08T01:54:00.000-05:002007-06-08T01:56:35.566-05:00Gimme a break.Someone left a fat kit kat in my room about five months ago. Actually seven months ago. It was in a shoe box dedicated to that person until three months ago when I found that shoebox. Inside was a pencil and a fat kit kat bar. I put the kit kat bar on my book shelf, unsure what to do with it. I found its purpose tonight, at 3:00 am when I returned out from a birthday celebration. Its purpose? To be eaten and loved!!!Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08337228403799749600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10350057.post-60638205410933856932007-06-06T19:36:00.001-05:002007-06-06T19:36:59.081-05:00early evening buzzI always thought the sangria at future bakery was weak. Turns out it's not. A pitcher between two people is just fine.<br /><br />I have a car!<br /><br />I am not driving it right now, fear not.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08337228403799749600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10350057.post-61664757147238200052007-06-05T18:51:00.000-05:002007-06-05T19:06:41.813-05:00Isolating grad schoolI have one month left of my masters. And I still don't actually know whether I'm supposed to use an apostrophe or not for my degree. I'll rephrase - I have one month left of my MA.<br /><br />I've been feeling a little bit down in the dumps the last few days, and am reminded of my first few weeks of grad school before my RA and TA work started up and took over my life. I'm lonely and isolated. During the day I often don't have class until 2am and stay at home, sleeping, reading, lounging around, until it's time to get to school. I walk to school alone, sit through two hours of class, and then head to the gym and home.<br /><br />Now with my still-swollen and mildly throbbing ankle I can't even go to the gym. I'm sad. I can see how a life of academia can be a very isolating career choice unless you make the effort to reach out to the people around you. Luckily I didn't make that career choice. I should still reach out more.<br /><br />Also eating at me is my impending nothing-to-do that will spring upon me in July. It's looming nextness, my friend says. Mixed with incessant laziness (which translates to lazy job searching), I don't know what's to become of me. A job isn't going to just fall into my lap.<br /><br />Things usually fall into my lap. <br /><br />Hey job! My lap is waiting! Hey happy, exciting, fun future life! My lap is waiting!Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08337228403799749600noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10350057.post-38581795826343462852007-06-03T23:08:00.000-05:002007-06-03T23:15:25.703-05:00Almost MondayMy internet was broken all weekend! It was near panic-inducing but I also liked it. Remember the big blackout of '04 or whatever it was when people actually sat outside and talked with their neighbours? It was the first and last time I had any kind of real conversation with one of my then-housemates. People got together and were merry. This weekend I read a book for pleasure! I went outside and hobbled around on my sprained ankle! I played games on my computer that were NOT web-based! I drank a corona on a patio. And I did other things too. Oh, I went to the mall in the suburbs. It'd been a while. All those stores in one easy location! Air-conditioning! Spending!<br /><br />Why are people allowed to smoke on patios? Aren't the no-smoking rules to do with second-hand smoke prevention? I don't get it. Smoking causes cancer, people! Didn't you listen to the cop with the drug suitcase back in grade 6? I did.<br /><br />The ankle is getting better each day but it's still swollen, awkward to walk on, and purpley. Not very hot. Not very good for my workout regimen. Not very good for my frisbee team. Not very good for putting on pants while struggling to balance on one wonky foot.<br /><br />There's not much going on this week. I was supposed to ride rollercoasters and waterslides all day long on Friday but that just may be cancelled. <br /><br />Falling asleep. Good night.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08337228403799749600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10350057.post-66312947247053041702007-06-01T09:58:00.000-05:002007-06-01T10:13:09.521-05:00Failure and future plans<em>Dear Applicant,</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Thank you for applying to be a volunteer teacher with the GET Programme on Peace Boat. Unfortunately, we are not able to offer you an interview for the 59th voyage. </em><br /><em></em><br /><em>The competition for this voyage was particularly high and we had a very difficult time making our decision.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Thank you once again for applying to the GET Programme. We would like to wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors.</em><br /><br />***<br /><br />Man. I've failed to get the first thing I've ever really badly wanted; the first thing I've put my all into applying for. It's disappointing but, surprisingly, not crushing. Maybe because I had a feeling it wouldn't work out. Maybe because I'm tough like overcooked steak. Maybe because I'm an emotionless freak-a-zoid.<br /><br />The scary thing is that now I have to make up a new plan. I finish school in July and without Peace Boat to occupy me from September to January I am stuck finding a real job and getting into real life. But I don't want to... but I know I have to. I have money. I can use it to travel the world. Instead I think I better do the responsible thing and save it. Or find a job that allows me to start sometime in the distant future and travel for a while. <br /><br />So many options. <br /><br />No options at all.<br /><br />I search for jobs on sites like workopolis and monster and I don't even know what to use as my keywords. A master's in sociology isn't so conducive to applicable careers. Durkheim doesn't generate any results. I've been using "journalism", "journalist", "sociology", "sociologist", "research", "qualitative". But few if any interesting jobs come up.<br /><br />It's scary to leave the protective walls of school. Pretty damn scary.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08337228403799749600noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10350057.post-85297297287467648182007-05-31T14:05:00.000-05:002007-05-31T14:11:59.129-05:00Held upI can't walk. I can hop, but I can't walk. This is certainly worse than it was in January.<br /><br />Today I'm skipping class, skipping a party, but not skipping. I'm instead getting reacquainted with TLC. They've got some fantastic shows on these days. Like "Ten Years Younger" where they put run-down looking women in a sound proof glass display case in the middle of a busy sidewalk and have passersby guess their age. Then they give them a make-over, usually involving chemical skin peels, dental work, hair, clothes, and make-up adjustments, and put them back in the case. People guess their age once more and, believe it or not, the average is much younger. Amazing.<br /><br />There's also "Bringing Home Baby" where you get to watch a couple with their new baby, trying to figure out things like breast feeding, dealing with involved family, etc. etc. etc. It looks easy. Babies sleep and eat and that's about it. Piece o' cake. <br /><br />I'm a better person for having sprained my ankle. I'd really like to shower but the trip upstairs to get my stuff and back down hardly seems worth it.<br /><br />Maybe momma and poppa will come and bring dinner. That would be fabulous.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08337228403799749600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10350057.post-64427063778287007472007-05-30T21:50:00.000-05:002007-05-30T21:55:40.019-05:00Noooo!!!!!!Today my ultimate team finally met our match. After a game of losing horribly and two games of winning incredibly, we were playing well and working hard to keep a slight lead. And I was rocking it! Catching and throwing much more reliably than I had previously. Until disaster struck. <br /><br />My ankle connected with a small divet in the field, rolled outward, and was punctuated with a decided crack. Fuck.<br /><br />Now I'm lyin in bed with my Ikea footstool and a bag of ice, hoping magically that it'll all be better in the morning. <br /><br />It's always like this, isn't it. Just when I get back into a regular exercise and eating routine, am feeling energized and good, and then I twist the ol' ank. :(<br /><br />On the bright side... hmm.. what's the bright side? Oh yes, on the bright side it's not too swollen and not too painful, therefore not too badly sprained/strained. I plan to stay off it for a few days and hope that I'll be good to go next Wedesday. I don't want to let my team down! I love playing! Ooh hoo hoo.<br /><br />Still no word from Peace Boat. If they don't want me I need to find a real job. Gahhh!Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08337228403799749600noreply@blogger.com0