Off Topic Part Quatre

[darkchilde794 5]

Tim&Joyce -- wow thats some professional grade art material you have there! That would be awesome if you can figure out how to make a small business out of your artsy hobby!

Rhiann -- some of my friends pursued cake decorating and have now gone on to selling their masterpieces.

Anyway I just ate my easter bunny. He was one dang good chocolate.

[Rhiannercakes 14]

Aw, I never got easter chocolate.

I need to go find some that went on clearance.

Nothing like gnawing off a chocolate bunny's ears.

[Hugglebuggles 60]

Not sure what jobs you are applying to but if it's more related to your degree than to your work experience with your hubby's company, that might pose as a challenge. Also, when my hubby was looking for work right after college, he had a hard time getting his foot in so he worked part time for maybe 6-8 months, and that helped a lot as his work experience. Good luck!

Yeah, that's another challenge. I really can't work in my field. I have a degree in Poli Sci but in the state/region I live, you need to be a USC to work for any branch of government- federal, state, or municipal. Even job openings for a place like the DMV require US citizenship. So, unfortunately until I become a citizen, I'm going to need to find another path. I've been apply for a lot of administrative and customer service positions, and the volunteer experience I do have with the family business is exactly that, unfortunately the jobless rates aren't good, and any job I apply for it seems like there are 50 others who apply for it as well. The competition is pretty fierce, but I have been getting at least some notice, right? It's really only been 2-3 weeks since I've really really started looking, and I've had a couple interviews, and some call backs/e-mails, so I shouldn't be discouraged. I wouldn't be opposed to working part time, I just want to get out of the house and do something.

Don't be down about it, Huggles. If there's one thing I've learned it's that things have a tendency to work themselves out so that you end up with the best situation for that time and place. In other words, there is something better waiting for you. It's also great interview experience to prepare you for the job which really needs you.

Thanks Krikit, that makes me feel better

[ashenflowers 5]

Hang in there Huggles Something will come up! On the plus side, you're still getting calls and interviews. That's great progress. My husband has had very few leads in his nearly 3 months of looking, with only 2 interviews the whole time. California's employment situation is the pits. Can't wait til I start looking too

You never know what sorts of volunteer opportunities are out there, or that you can make for yourself. I volunteered for a local dog shelter here, somewhat on a whim, and now it's evolved into me running their twitter account (@sb_DAWG *cough*... lol), and writing articles for their newsletter. Definitely more resume enhancing than just walking dogs!

[TimandJoyce 1]

You never know what sorts of volunteer opportunities are out there, or that you can make for yourself. I volunteered for a local dog shelter here, somewhat on a whim, and now it's evolved into me running their twitter account (@sb_DAWG *cough*... lol), and writing articles for their newsletter. Definitely more resume enhancing than just walking dogs!

That actually sounds like fun Ashen. Or at the very least, interesting..

We're going away in a week, only for a few days..but I'm thinking that when we get back, I may go to the SPCA and see if I can volunteer there. I think sometimes it's more of just getting out of the house than it is to have a job. Although...the $$$ would be good too!

[Sprailenes 47]

We drove up to Rochester and back yesterday to get my son. I'm so happy he's home. It's hard for me when he has to go to Canada, but I guess that's the downside of moving to a new country, you still have to share your children with family back home. It's very important he still go there though and visit my mom and his great aunties and uncles. We're going to go out today and get him some new hockey skates for spring leagues. He's very excited to be playing this season because he's on the same team as some of the Philadelphia Flyers kids.

[lgg 2]

Hi Sprails! That all sounds awesome! It's kinda cool though that he gets the American AND the Canadian!

Chin up Huggles, I found that the time after graduation was the hardest but things will work out and you'll find yourself somewhere that you want to be.

In other news, I got my licensing stuff done yesterday at the MVA... since my permit had been expired for more than a year, I had to take the test all over again, the theory test and I'll have to take a driving test soon. The good news is.. is that I am NOT considered a rookie driver and once I take the road test, I will have a complete and full Maryland license. Most 'new' drivers have to go through the graduated system. I won't have to. So, that's another thing accomplished.

My husband took me out driving yesterday and it's not too bad but I need time to just get used to the muscle memory of driving and such. and we watched soem kid take his road test, easiest thing I ever saw. No kidding. it's in a parking lot, basically and they just parallel park and a few other things. I probably could have done it yesterday but I wasn't feeling brave enough.

Steps down and it felt good to get my little Maryland crab license.

PS

The thing is, is that I am a new driver -- I have never taken a road test before and I have never had a full license. This will be my first. I'm just glad that once I take that road test, I don't have to worry about any sort of graduated licensing.

We drove up to Rochester and back yesterday to get my son. I'm so happy he's home. It's hard for me when he has to go to Canada, but I guess that's the downside of moving to a new country, you still have to share your children with family back home. It's very important he still go there though and visit my mom and his great aunties and uncles. We're going to go out today and get him some new hockey skates for spring leagues. He's very excited to be playing this season because he's on the same team as some of the Philadelphia Flyers kids.

Edited April 11, 2010 by lgg

[darkchilde794 5]

Lgg, where did your hubby take you? Frederick is my most favorite MVA as most of the folks there are pretty decent. And the road test in MD is not really a road test, but a little obstacle course You won't be leaving the premises. I failed the test thrice because of a stop sign!!!! It was a super duper uber sharp turn and if you are even an inch over the white line, they fail you! But the rest of the test is easy

Huggles I hear you about leaving the house, it sucks being at home all the time especially if your hubby works long hours! Just keep at the job search. Its a tough economy, lots of people are having a tough time, but hopefully the economy will start picking up *cross fingers*

[lgg 2]

Hi there, we went to Westminster and the people were pretty cool --oh, except for the guy in charge of giving the theory test -- he was an amazing d-bag. I was SHOCKED at the driving test. I am pretty sure that in Toronto they take you out into the street and even a highway?

I will do this, juts need to get myself all learned up!

3 times, eh? This makes me feel a little better --- I will keep an eye on that sharp turn.

Lgg, where did your hubby take you? Frederick is my most favorite MVA as most of the folks there are pretty decent. And the road test in MD is not really a road test, but a little obstacle course You won't be leaving the premises. I failed the test thrice because of a stop sign!!!! It was a super duper uber sharp turn and if you are even an inch over the white line, they fail you! But the rest of the test is easy

Huggles I hear you about leaving the house, it sucks being at home all the time especially if your hubby works long hours! Just keep at the job search. Its a tough economy, lots of people are having a tough time, but hopefully the economy will start picking up *cross fingers*

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Good luck with the driving test. I had to do all of the tests in Georgia as they don't accept licenses from out of the country. I thought it was interesting that they start you in the parking lot here as well. You do the obstacle course, the back up and turn, the pylons, the parallel parking (which also used pylons which is ridiculous - you have no visual references except memory because you can't see those darn things!). Anyway, if you didn't screw up in the parking lot, then they took you out into a quiet local neighbourhood and let you drive back on the highway. The girl taking the test before me failed before she even got to the parking lot! She was obviously a new immigrant and her boyfriend/fiancee/husband was trying to teach her to drive at the same time as the examiner was there! The examiner asked the girl to turn on the lights and the windshield washer. The girl looked at the boy like "where are these things?" - and then the examiner told him that he should enroll her in professional driving classes and get her some experience before even considering doing the test again.

[darkchilde794 5]

The driving test is more aggravating than difficult. I had no problems driving until I got in the car with the super duper mean examiner, who basically barked orders. Anyway glad it's over and done with for me!

So today is my last day of spring break/reading week. Of all the years I've been in school, I've never had a much more relaxing week of vacation from school than now. I think I've gained at least 5 pounds eating nonstop all day and not working out at all! And I've slept more in the last week than in the past few months! Im ready to go back in class and get my booty back in the gym for sure

[Hugglebuggles 60]

Thanks for the support everyone I'm trying not to get discouraged. I guess I just don't take rejection very well and I need to get over it. I think that's part of maturing and what not...

Good luck with the driving lgg! I got my license a little later in life, so I know how it goes. I was pretty scared of driving for the longest time, but when I turned 20 I made a commitment to myself that I would get over it and get behind the wheel. It was a long process, my mom wouldn't drive with me without screaming, my dad would freak out a little and try to mash invisible pedals on the passenger side of the car... and then I went to driving school and scared away my first instructor and had to be reassigned. But, I made it through!

Oh Darkchilde, you're tiny, 5 pounds is nothing

[TimandJoyce 1]

Good luck with the driving lgg! I got my license a little later in life, so I know how it goes. I was pretty scared of driving for the longest time, but when I turned 20 I made a commitment to myself that I would get over it and get behind the wheel. It was a long process, my mom wouldn't drive with me without screaming, my dad would freak out a little and try to mash invisible pedals on the passenger side of the car... and then I went to driving school and scared away my first instructor and had to be reassigned. But, I made it through!

Wish I could have somehow knew you..

I taught my late husband how to drive...and he was 38 at the time!! Plus, it was on a standard! I tried to talk him into letting someone else teach him, but he said "no" he wanted me. I actually found it one of the easiest things to do. I love teaching people how to drive!! I should have pursued that as a career..lol

[lgg 2]

god Joyce, I so wish you lived near me! I would totally take you up on this! I would like to learn to drive really soon but my husband works all day and stuff. I suppose I could hire someone but I hate that, I enjoyed my husband's approach better and such.

I have to get this done and soon so... i may just have to hire someone. I wish it were you! I bet we'd get along great and accomplish that goal sooner.

Wish I could have somehow knew you..

I taught my late husband how to drive...and he was 38 at the time!! Plus, it was on a standard! I tried to talk him into letting someone else teach him, but he said "no" he wanted me. I actually found it one of the easiest things to do. I love teaching people how to drive!! I should have pursued that as a career..lol

[TimandJoyce 1]

god Joyce, I so wish you lived near me! I would totally take you up on this! I would like to learn to drive really soon but my husband works all day and stuff. I suppose I could hire someone but I hate that, I enjoyed my husband's approach better and such.

I have to get this done and soon so... i may just have to hire someone. I wish it were you! I bet we'd get along great and accomplish that goal sooner.

awww wish I could!! Be so much fun. I must have even taught him how to parallel park 'cause he would have had to do it for the test. I hate parallel parking!

I'm sure you'll be able to get it done. If you look into professional driving, they're trained well, and probably won't teach the "bad" habits.

I just realized too. I drive the CANADIAN way....you know.. I actually SLOW DOWN for a yellow light...not SPEED UP... Might just have to change my ways...