I had another interview today, my second for the Penn job. The interview was at 9:30, so I left at 7:45 so I could go to the bank and get some cash for parking. Plus, I had no idea how long it would take to get down there, and I wanted to leave plenty of time so that I didn't feel rushed.
I was still 20 minutes late! Basically, I was having issues at the bank, and had to drive all the way to Fort Washington (about 8 miles away) so that wonderful Eric could give me some cash, then I had to take the turnpike, pay a toll, and get on the interstate. The turnpike-to-interstate area was a freaking disaster. I called my recruiter at the contract company to have them call Penn and let them know I was running late. The recruiter didn't sound happy that I was running late, which didn't do anything to help calm me down, as I hate being late. I finally arrived at the parking garage, drove up six floors to the closest parking spot, and climbed the stairs back down (the elevator was across the garage, and I didn't want to take the time to walk all the way over there).
I arrived at what I thought was my destination, but was directed to a different building. Oh, and did I mention it was raining? And I didn't have an umbrella because I didn't have time to stop and buy one? All I had was a crappy pullover. So, off I went in the rain again to my new destination. I arrived, told the front desk whom I was looking for, and looked at my phone's time. 9:50AM. Crap. The interviewer came up, and I apologized for being so late. He didn't seem concerned, and was a pretty laid-back guy.
The interview went very well. He said I'm a strong candidate, but that they have to interview a couple more people. I should know in a couple weeks.
In other news... I sold my car! Since I'm laid off and have no income, it made sense to get rid of mine. We're planning on selling Eric's Mazda3, and keeping the Pathfinder that has no payments. When we sell the Mazda, if we run into situations where it seems like we need more than one car (I really think we would, but we'll see), then we'll probably just get a $3k Toyota or Honda or something.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Friday, July 17, 2009
Had an interview...
Smack dab in the middle of downtown Philly. Interviews make me a bit apprehensive as it is, but having to drive in downtown Philly alone was worse, I think. It was pretty uneventful, though I did have to muscle my way around traffic a little, lol. The closest parking to the building my interview was in had a sign that at first I thought said $4.75 per hour, which would have been a decent price, but when I got closer, I realized it said $4.75 per HALF hour. Crap. Good thing I had gone to the ATM for cash, but that also meant I couldn't stay for more than two hours, otherwise I wouldn't have enough.
So, I parked (three floors underground, kinda creepy), got out of the car, and looked around, trying to figure out what direction 15th & JFK was, but not wanting to look like I didn't know where I was going, heh. I saw what looked like might be the building I needed (didn't write down the name, silly me), and started walking towards it. There was a fountain right in the middle of the big intersections that I walked around, avoiding the shady characters, acting like I knew what I was doing.
Anyway, I found the building, went up to the 8th floor, and had my interview. It went really well, and they're going to submit my resume to the client (it's a recruiting agency). Get this--the client is University of Pennsylvania, one of the best schools in the country. I'd love to be able to attend college there, but at $34k/year, tuition is more than three times that of Temple's. Yikes. Regardless, I could probably make some pretty good contacts.
I left the interview feeling pretty good about it, but Penn is quite a ways away--30 miles. I told them the pay would have to be high enough to justify me going all the way downtown several times a week, not to mention the cost of taking the train. I should have just taken the train to the interview--there were steps into the tunnel for the train literally right in front of the building I interviewed in. Parking ended up costing me $15. GAH.
So, I parked (three floors underground, kinda creepy), got out of the car, and looked around, trying to figure out what direction 15th & JFK was, but not wanting to look like I didn't know where I was going, heh. I saw what looked like might be the building I needed (didn't write down the name, silly me), and started walking towards it. There was a fountain right in the middle of the big intersections that I walked around, avoiding the shady characters, acting like I knew what I was doing.
Anyway, I found the building, went up to the 8th floor, and had my interview. It went really well, and they're going to submit my resume to the client (it's a recruiting agency). Get this--the client is University of Pennsylvania, one of the best schools in the country. I'd love to be able to attend college there, but at $34k/year, tuition is more than three times that of Temple's. Yikes. Regardless, I could probably make some pretty good contacts.
I left the interview feeling pretty good about it, but Penn is quite a ways away--30 miles. I told them the pay would have to be high enough to justify me going all the way downtown several times a week, not to mention the cost of taking the train. I should have just taken the train to the interview--there were steps into the tunnel for the train literally right in front of the building I interviewed in. Parking ended up costing me $15. GAH.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Officially unemployed.
Today was my last day. I sent an e-mail to one of my clients (technically, the only client I had left) that it was my last day, and she said that it was "terrible news" and to please give her my personal contact info. So I did. ;)
Turns out I was wrong about the precalculus/calculus thing. I sent an e-mail to Temple asking if they would accept the "accelerated" version of calculus, and you know what they said? "We don't release information on transfer credits until you've been accepted." What a bunch of crap. So I went into MontCo (where I'm taking the classes) and asked if they have information on transfer courses, and they do--so why can't Temple just tell me? Unfortunately, Temple won't accept the accelerated version, so I have to take the whole series of precalculus/calculus. Sigh. Oh well. Maybe that means I'll be more prepared for Calculus I.
I have a bunch of humanities/social science credits taken at Metro in Omaha that may or may not transfer to Temple (since, of course, they won't tell me what will or will not transfer), so I've decided not to take anymore until I actually enroll at Temple and know what I need to take. I did sign up to take Microeconomics at Metro though, lol. It's weird to be "going back" to that school as an out-of-state student--though I'm taking it online. I hate online classes, but I know for certain that I need this class.
So now, I'm taking organic chemistry, precalculus, biology, and microeconomics. Weeee...
Turns out I was wrong about the precalculus/calculus thing. I sent an e-mail to Temple asking if they would accept the "accelerated" version of calculus, and you know what they said? "We don't release information on transfer credits until you've been accepted." What a bunch of crap. So I went into MontCo (where I'm taking the classes) and asked if they have information on transfer courses, and they do--so why can't Temple just tell me? Unfortunately, Temple won't accept the accelerated version, so I have to take the whole series of precalculus/calculus. Sigh. Oh well. Maybe that means I'll be more prepared for Calculus I.
I have a bunch of humanities/social science credits taken at Metro in Omaha that may or may not transfer to Temple (since, of course, they won't tell me what will or will not transfer), so I've decided not to take anymore until I actually enroll at Temple and know what I need to take. I did sign up to take Microeconomics at Metro though, lol. It's weird to be "going back" to that school as an out-of-state student--though I'm taking it online. I hate online classes, but I know for certain that I need this class.
So now, I'm taking organic chemistry, precalculus, biology, and microeconomics. Weeee...
Sunday, July 12, 2009
I know, I know... late post again. :)
For some reason, even though lots of things are happening in my life right now, and I used to be able to come up with all kinds of stuff to write about, it's just not coming to me now!
Eric and I went to Dover Saddlery, a chain of tack shops whose closest shop is about 50 miles away in Delaware. It wasn't really anything special, but I've always wanted to go there. I did, however, sit on some reeeeally comfortable saddles called Vega by Amerigo (I'm only writing that out so that I can remember what it was years from now, lol)... that were around $3,000. When I make the big bucks (haha...), I'm getting me one of those! On the way back, upon entering Pennsylvania, south of Philadelphia, we see this sign:
Lol... I found that a bit funny.
So, my last day at work is this Wednesday. The crazy thing is, I'll need to apply for unemployment in Texas, not Pennsylvania. I've considered just applying for simple jobs, like data entry or something, but then I thought, why should I? I have all these skills that will pay me twice what a data entry-type job would, so I might as well hold out as long as I can until an opportunity comes along. I mean, I might as well use my computer degree to my benefit for as long as I can... in order to pay for my new degree(s). ;)
Speaking of school, even though classes don't start until September, I've already begun studying some chemistry and math. I'm taking Organic Chemistry, Biology, and Calculus (along with another history or english class--haven't decided which), but it's been about four years since I've had any math or science, so I'm reviewing the information before the classes start. Good thing, too, as it became apparent from the start that I had forgotten a LOT of information. I ended up buying the text book we used for General Chemistry I & II (I remember it being relatively easy to learn from and study with), and I've been finding it really helpful.
Also, speaking of school, this is one of the many reasons I really dislike advisors, and don't take much faith in their "advice": I have to take two semesters of calculus, but in order to get into calculus, I need to take two semesters precalculus (or so I was told). So, I signed up for Precalculus I, knowing that I would have to take Precalc II in the spring, and only then would I be able to take Calc I. Wrong. I found out on my own that I can take an accelerated version of Precalc I & II and Calc I, which would then enable me to enroll in Calc II. Why wasn't I made aware of this before? GAH.
Once the college released information on the books we need, I about died when I looked at the cost. My chem, bio and calc books all cost nearly $200 each new--eek. I didn't think I'd be able to find any of them cheaper than $100 used, but I was able to find two for $50 and another for $100. Yay. :) I still have two chemistry books (yes, apparently Org Chem requires THREE books!) to buy that will probably cost $150, another for bio, and another for my history/english class. My credit card hurts.
Eric and I went to Dover Saddlery, a chain of tack shops whose closest shop is about 50 miles away in Delaware. It wasn't really anything special, but I've always wanted to go there. I did, however, sit on some reeeeally comfortable saddles called Vega by Amerigo (I'm only writing that out so that I can remember what it was years from now, lol)... that were around $3,000. When I make the big bucks (haha...), I'm getting me one of those! On the way back, upon entering Pennsylvania, south of Philadelphia, we see this sign:
Lol... I found that a bit funny.
So, my last day at work is this Wednesday. The crazy thing is, I'll need to apply for unemployment in Texas, not Pennsylvania. I've considered just applying for simple jobs, like data entry or something, but then I thought, why should I? I have all these skills that will pay me twice what a data entry-type job would, so I might as well hold out as long as I can until an opportunity comes along. I mean, I might as well use my computer degree to my benefit for as long as I can... in order to pay for my new degree(s). ;)
Speaking of school, even though classes don't start until September, I've already begun studying some chemistry and math. I'm taking Organic Chemistry, Biology, and Calculus (along with another history or english class--haven't decided which), but it's been about four years since I've had any math or science, so I'm reviewing the information before the classes start. Good thing, too, as it became apparent from the start that I had forgotten a LOT of information. I ended up buying the text book we used for General Chemistry I & II (I remember it being relatively easy to learn from and study with), and I've been finding it really helpful.
Also, speaking of school, this is one of the many reasons I really dislike advisors, and don't take much faith in their "advice": I have to take two semesters of calculus, but in order to get into calculus, I need to take two semesters precalculus (or so I was told). So, I signed up for Precalculus I, knowing that I would have to take Precalc II in the spring, and only then would I be able to take Calc I. Wrong. I found out on my own that I can take an accelerated version of Precalc I & II and Calc I, which would then enable me to enroll in Calc II. Why wasn't I made aware of this before? GAH.
Once the college released information on the books we need, I about died when I looked at the cost. My chem, bio and calc books all cost nearly $200 each new--eek. I didn't think I'd be able to find any of them cheaper than $100 used, but I was able to find two for $50 and another for $100. Yay. :) I still have two chemistry books (yes, apparently Org Chem requires THREE books!) to buy that will probably cost $150, another for bio, and another for my history/english class. My credit card hurts.
Monday, June 29, 2009
So, I was basically laid off a couple of weeks ago. Our biggest (really, our only) client decided to take their business elsewhere, which leaves me without a whole lot to do. I still have another two weeks, though, as their contract requires 30 days notice.
But, anyway, it isn't a huge deal, because I'm going back to school! I start in September, and I'm really excited. I'm planning on going into environmental science, and once I get my degree, our plan is to get the heck out of here and go somewhere south. I didn't think I'd be able to start school until next year due to residency status, but apparently the community college (which happens to be about two miles away) grants in-state status as long as you live in the same county. Yay! :) I'll probably go to this community college for a year, and then transfer to Temple University.
But, anyway, it isn't a huge deal, because I'm going back to school! I start in September, and I'm really excited. I'm planning on going into environmental science, and once I get my degree, our plan is to get the heck out of here and go somewhere south. I didn't think I'd be able to start school until next year due to residency status, but apparently the community college (which happens to be about two miles away) grants in-state status as long as you live in the same county. Yay! :) I'll probably go to this community college for a year, and then transfer to Temple University.
Monday, June 15, 2009
I know, I'm a slacker.
Guess I got bored updating my blog.
Hm, so, what's been going on... I'm coming back to Omaha tomorrow for a week! Eric and the doggy are staying behind. I'm bringing my laptop so that I can continue to work (boring, but I need cash!), though I'll be done at 1:00 every afternoon. My dad and I are also planning on doing a little bit of maintenance work to my house while I'm there. Saturday, my sister and her husband are coming over to my parents' house for a sleepover, lol. Yes, we're twenty-something pre-teens.
Eric and I went to his friend's birthday party on Friday and got toasted. Well, I did. I'll never learn when it comes to drinking scotch/whiskey. I didn't get sick, though, so that's good at least. Yesterday, we drove to D.C. to see his parents. We all went to a park for a picnic, which was located right at the end of a busy airport runway. It was kinda crazy, actually. Some of those things looked like they were having issues getting their asses off the ground, and flew somewhat close. We took Jaiden, and the first plane that flew overhead made him glance up, but that was it.
I filled out an application to be a foster home for dogs (or rather, a dog). They did a home visit last weekend, but I haven't heard anything since. Eric wants a greyhound, but we first want to make sure Jaiden will be okay with another dog. I'm sure he will, but ever since the stupid dog fight, I get all uptight whenever Jaiden is around another dog off-leash.
Speaking of Jaiden... I had the WEIRDEST experience the other day. Last Sunday morning, Eric woke me up early and said he was going on a bike ride to go watch a bike race. I went back to sleep because I was hungover, deciding that I would catch up with him later. A couple hours later, Jaiden decided it was time to get up, and shook his head really hard (on the occasions when a few whines won't wake me up, he just flaps his ears around). I sat up, completely out of it, and looked at Jaiden. For about three seconds, I was totally confused, and thought Jaiden was Eric. I came very close to asking him, "Why haven't you left for the race yet?"
Work is going okay. It's nice to be able to work at home, but it sucks not having a social life. Plus, the work that I do is pretty monotonous. I haven't been motivated at all in this job for a long time. But, I have plans to fix that... ;) (More on that in my next post!)
I had to have a new deck put on my house in Omaha, which my dad helped out with. The renter said the roof was rotting out, so I just had the whole thing redone, as it wasn't in great shape to begin with. She's been a really good renter so far, so I'm hoping she'll be a long-term tenant. I'm just going to keep my rental rate the same in hopes that she'll continue to stay there for a while. I'm losing a little bit of money each month, but compared to what I'd be losing if it were vacant (or if I had a bad tenant), I'm not complaining.
Hm, so, what's been going on... I'm coming back to Omaha tomorrow for a week! Eric and the doggy are staying behind. I'm bringing my laptop so that I can continue to work (boring, but I need cash!), though I'll be done at 1:00 every afternoon. My dad and I are also planning on doing a little bit of maintenance work to my house while I'm there. Saturday, my sister and her husband are coming over to my parents' house for a sleepover, lol. Yes, we're twenty-something pre-teens.
Eric and I went to his friend's birthday party on Friday and got toasted. Well, I did. I'll never learn when it comes to drinking scotch/whiskey. I didn't get sick, though, so that's good at least. Yesterday, we drove to D.C. to see his parents. We all went to a park for a picnic, which was located right at the end of a busy airport runway. It was kinda crazy, actually. Some of those things looked like they were having issues getting their asses off the ground, and flew somewhat close. We took Jaiden, and the first plane that flew overhead made him glance up, but that was it.
I filled out an application to be a foster home for dogs (or rather, a dog). They did a home visit last weekend, but I haven't heard anything since. Eric wants a greyhound, but we first want to make sure Jaiden will be okay with another dog. I'm sure he will, but ever since the stupid dog fight, I get all uptight whenever Jaiden is around another dog off-leash.
Speaking of Jaiden... I had the WEIRDEST experience the other day. Last Sunday morning, Eric woke me up early and said he was going on a bike ride to go watch a bike race. I went back to sleep because I was hungover, deciding that I would catch up with him later. A couple hours later, Jaiden decided it was time to get up, and shook his head really hard (on the occasions when a few whines won't wake me up, he just flaps his ears around). I sat up, completely out of it, and looked at Jaiden. For about three seconds, I was totally confused, and thought Jaiden was Eric. I came very close to asking him, "Why haven't you left for the race yet?"
Work is going okay. It's nice to be able to work at home, but it sucks not having a social life. Plus, the work that I do is pretty monotonous. I haven't been motivated at all in this job for a long time. But, I have plans to fix that... ;) (More on that in my next post!)
I had to have a new deck put on my house in Omaha, which my dad helped out with. The renter said the roof was rotting out, so I just had the whole thing redone, as it wasn't in great shape to begin with. She's been a really good renter so far, so I'm hoping she'll be a long-term tenant. I'm just going to keep my rental rate the same in hopes that she'll continue to stay there for a while. I'm losing a little bit of money each month, but compared to what I'd be losing if it were vacant (or if I had a bad tenant), I'm not complaining.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Rode a little horsie
One of Eric's clients has a couple of horses, and I guess she can't ride them due to an injury. So, Eric asked her if she needed someone to ride her horses *hint hint*, and we went out to the barn yesterday to take a look. I wore my breeches and brought my boots and helmet in case she wanted me to ride. The barn is about 10 minutes from Eric's place, making it very convenient to get to. However, it's right next to a busy road, which is something I'm not too fond of.
We got to the barn at about 3:00. It's an old building--one of those two- or three-story barns. The horses are kept on the lowest level. The ceilings are six feet tall in some areas, and only maybe seven feet tall where the stalls are. It was cramped and that "old barn" smell hits you immediately. The one bad thing about the place is that there's no arena--just pastures. I wasn't sure where the riding took place, or if anybody rode at all here.
We met June, and she led us to where her horses were kept. We were greeted by Max, a stocky Quarter Horse looking thing, with his ears back and a glare in his eyes, haha. He's a dominant, pushy, in-your-face kind of horse, and I loved him immediately--I love those dominant Quarter Horses. They always seem to be the safest ones to ride. Unfortunately, he wasn't the horse I'd be riding. June pointed out a little bay mare to me named Yetta. My initial thought was, "Whoa, she's tiny." She couldn't have been much more than 14.3 (which basically means I can very easily see over her back). She just turned five years old, and she's a cross between a Thoroughbred and a Quarter Horse. Oh, and she hasn't been ridden since June. Last year. And this is the horse she wanted me to ride.
EEK. A five-year-old that was green to begin with, and hasn't been ridden in a year?! I must be crazy. The last time I rode a horse as a "favor" was in 2005. A woman had fallen off her seven-year-old horse, and hadn't ridden him in two months out of fear. I said I could give it a shot, and went out there to take a look. I lunged him for about twenty minutes to get any "kinks" out. He was perfectly fine. Got on and rode him around for twenty minues. He was a total angel. I went out a few days later, lunged him for maybe ten minutes--totally fine. I hopped on, and 15 seconds into the ride, I knew something was up. His back was stiff as a board, which is almost ALWAYS a precursor to a big blowup. About 15 seconds after that, he met my expectations and bucked, reared, threw me side to side, and I came off. I ended up having to go to the emergency room because I was totally knocked out.
So, on that good note, onto my ride yesterday. We brought the mare in and groomed her up. I put the saddle on her, and she grinded her teeth when I tightened her girth up, haha. We walked her out to the little pasture in front of the property, and I walked her around to get a feel for her reaction to everything--the saddle, the people, and especially the traffic, since the road was six feet or so from the pasture. She listened, but she didn't seem worried.
Now to climb on. Climb on a green horse that hadn't been ridden in a year. I need to get my head examined.
Anyway. I got onto the mounting block, put my foot in the stirrup, and gently settled into the saddle. She side stepped a bit and shook her head, but really didn't have much of a reaction. However, she really was not too keen on just standing around, so instead of upsetting her, we walked on. June had a hold of her head just in case she tried anything silly. We walked around once, and as we were passing by the side of the pasture that faced the road, some jackass in a truck stepped on his accelerator, making a lot of noise. I could feel her getting a bit nervous, but no spooking whatsoever. After a few times around, June let her off the lead, and we were on our own. I walked her around a bit, tested her stopping powers, pushed my legs against her sides to see what she knew (not much I don't think). We trotted around a teeny bit, too. I didn't want to do a whole lot with her the first time for several reasons, but mostly because I wanted to end on a good note.
So far, she seems like a pretty level-headed, think-before-I-spook kind of horse. She's very weak behind, doesn't have a lot of "go", and doesn't have much in the way of steering or brakes. ;) But, she seems to have a good mind, and should be fun to work with.
We got to the barn at about 3:00. It's an old building--one of those two- or three-story barns. The horses are kept on the lowest level. The ceilings are six feet tall in some areas, and only maybe seven feet tall where the stalls are. It was cramped and that "old barn" smell hits you immediately. The one bad thing about the place is that there's no arena--just pastures. I wasn't sure where the riding took place, or if anybody rode at all here.
We met June, and she led us to where her horses were kept. We were greeted by Max, a stocky Quarter Horse looking thing, with his ears back and a glare in his eyes, haha. He's a dominant, pushy, in-your-face kind of horse, and I loved him immediately--I love those dominant Quarter Horses. They always seem to be the safest ones to ride. Unfortunately, he wasn't the horse I'd be riding. June pointed out a little bay mare to me named Yetta. My initial thought was, "Whoa, she's tiny." She couldn't have been much more than 14.3 (which basically means I can very easily see over her back). She just turned five years old, and she's a cross between a Thoroughbred and a Quarter Horse. Oh, and she hasn't been ridden since June. Last year. And this is the horse she wanted me to ride.
EEK. A five-year-old that was green to begin with, and hasn't been ridden in a year?! I must be crazy. The last time I rode a horse as a "favor" was in 2005. A woman had fallen off her seven-year-old horse, and hadn't ridden him in two months out of fear. I said I could give it a shot, and went out there to take a look. I lunged him for about twenty minutes to get any "kinks" out. He was perfectly fine. Got on and rode him around for twenty minues. He was a total angel. I went out a few days later, lunged him for maybe ten minutes--totally fine. I hopped on, and 15 seconds into the ride, I knew something was up. His back was stiff as a board, which is almost ALWAYS a precursor to a big blowup. About 15 seconds after that, he met my expectations and bucked, reared, threw me side to side, and I came off. I ended up having to go to the emergency room because I was totally knocked out.
So, on that good note, onto my ride yesterday. We brought the mare in and groomed her up. I put the saddle on her, and she grinded her teeth when I tightened her girth up, haha. We walked her out to the little pasture in front of the property, and I walked her around to get a feel for her reaction to everything--the saddle, the people, and especially the traffic, since the road was six feet or so from the pasture. She listened, but she didn't seem worried.
Now to climb on. Climb on a green horse that hadn't been ridden in a year. I need to get my head examined.
Anyway. I got onto the mounting block, put my foot in the stirrup, and gently settled into the saddle. She side stepped a bit and shook her head, but really didn't have much of a reaction. However, she really was not too keen on just standing around, so instead of upsetting her, we walked on. June had a hold of her head just in case she tried anything silly. We walked around once, and as we were passing by the side of the pasture that faced the road, some jackass in a truck stepped on his accelerator, making a lot of noise. I could feel her getting a bit nervous, but no spooking whatsoever. After a few times around, June let her off the lead, and we were on our own. I walked her around a bit, tested her stopping powers, pushed my legs against her sides to see what she knew (not much I don't think). We trotted around a teeny bit, too. I didn't want to do a whole lot with her the first time for several reasons, but mostly because I wanted to end on a good note.
So far, she seems like a pretty level-headed, think-before-I-spook kind of horse. She's very weak behind, doesn't have a lot of "go", and doesn't have much in the way of steering or brakes. ;) But, she seems to have a good mind, and should be fun to work with.
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