The True meaning of the Sun Stone.

This year has been busy for all of us. Though I have to say we are all here.

That being said a little history for those that were interested in the "Mayan Calendar of Doom". Believe it or not it was something to do with potters and artisans of all sorts. And is of interest for many art historians in how something that was once made as Art has effected so many lives a few thousand years later.

First one must Understand that the culture that created this object was called Mexica (Ma-Shee_ka) a name that has lasted through to Mexico today. A branch of the Aztec's as they all migrated from an Island Nation Historically called Aztlán. The Migration was all of the Aztec Culture, many Settling first in a location known as Tenochtitlan (Modern Day Mexico City Area), while others Continued on to found the Mayan culture.

Later many people from a nearby dieing nation if artisans moved into the City of Tenochtitlan bringing with it much art, Pottery, and Skill. All this Brought an art revolution that included carvings of gods and and goddesses and the Sun Stone (Called Mayan Calendar). 

This Calender decided time into 18 month 365 day years, and 52 year centuries. There were ceremonies of rebirth and rejuvenation at the end of each cycle, accumulating with the end of Century (end of Calendar) with a ritualistic sacrifice of all of their earthly goods to the gods in a 12 day New Fire Ritual. They would put out ritual fires for 12 days, break of their pottery, furniture and more and morn the loss of the century, praying for a new one to begin. These 12 days were the 12 extra days now accounted for in the modern calender with leap year.

Once this ceremony was over they the fires would be re-lit, and the artisans would begin creating a new Era of beautiful art and goods for the people to have and use. This was a time of rebirth, rejuvenation and Creation. This being said we will be coming out of that day of re-lighting on Jan 1st. I for one will be making it my goal to be like those potters and artisans all those years ago. I will not think of the century that has passed with more then fondness. I will instead use the new calendar mark to create, build and make new all that has been distressed in the past.

The public may have been wrong about the the culture that made the "Prophecy", the name of the item in question, and even it's meaning. However they did express the importance that it had on the lives of people so long ago. It pointed out that true craftsmanship can last and effect people long after then hands of the craftier are gone. After-all is that not what we all want out of our art? For it to affect others and leave a stamp in time?

The Great Exhalation

After a change in Venue, Goals and Plans, I have my studio. Though one thing comes to mind. Be careful what you wish for. My goal was to clean out the basement and make my pottery studio there. It has drainage, and power for a wheel and kiln. Though as I was working this out an opportunity came along and offered me another way to go, and i jumped at it.

My uncle, a fellow potter, wanted to start a pottery studio and school. We are renting from family a small house that we have moved in wheels, kilns and much much more. This week was our Grand Opening and I can not say that I am in any way disappointed.

As a wonderful way to round out our week of festivities I was placed in charge of a local pottery event when the former hosts moved out of the area and passed the torch. This Saturday we will be holding a show and sale with all of our studio potters and a number of other local ceramic artists.

All of this said I feel like a new person, I get the thrown nearly every day. I will be teaching again soon, and to make things even better I will be showing my pieces. There has been a shift in my being. I have found my center (pottery pun) and feel like I can breath again, as though I had been holding my breath. While I may be covered in clay, I have a big smile on my face.

What my heart wants.

Ahh time. There is never enough, and it goes so fast.

It struck me today that I have been in a state of withdrawal again. Many that now me are aware of this, and have seen it before. I am in need of getting my hands dirty. In the last 2.5 years I have picked up one hobby after another to try and help with the need for a fix. I even would drive an hour once a week for a while I could afford it to get a hit.

That is right, I man clay. Ever sense I moved from Charlotte I have not REALLY worked in clay. I did pay for some studio time in Salt Lake for a few months just before we had to move again. Though it was so far to drive I could only go for a few hours a week. Just enough to make me feel more guilt to be honest. I have been sketching, and stocking up on new clay and gaze recipes though I have not really gotten back to what my heart desires. We now have a house with a basement that will be converted to a studio soon (I hope).

We have to do some work on the walls before I can do anything, but I do hope to have it up an running by the end of the year. However until then I am really having a hard time with the feeling of lack of accomplishment. I feel my skills slipping away from me, and I wish with all of my heart that I could just get my hands on a good ball of clay.

Until then i keep my hands busy with fiber art, (always been my fallback media) though I never feel the same joy of bringing something to life. While I can clean and spin what was just a bunch of dirty fiber into a fine thread or yarn. Then dye it to be vibrant and lovely, and even knit it into a final product it never seems alive.

Clay has a mind of it's own. Each ball tells me as I center it what it wishes to become. I am only the tool to make it into it's fated form. It has a memory, it remembers when you make a mistake, it learns your strengths and weaknesses. It starts as the most humble of elements, and becomes a piece of art that can service centuries. We use shards of it to learn about people that died away thousands of years ago. Yet we use it to go into space and look for ways to make mankind travel into the future.

While all of the things I do now keep me busy I miss with all of my heart my one true love, that magical clay body.

Fear of Commitment?

No this is not a relationship problem I am speaking of.

Has anyone else noted that these days there seems to be an overall fear of commitment in the business world? In our home it is seen everyday. My husband is looking for a career not just a job, though is not coming up with either. This is something new for him, and has been getting him down.

However it has opened out eyes to what is really going on in the business economy. It is not that companies are not looking for workers, they are. Though they are going about it in a way that in the past was little used for non entry level positions. In our area at least and that we moved from earlier in the year we saw a dramatic increase in jobs that can only be contacted through Temp Agencies.

The shift from the tradition hiring has been long in coming. Recruiters are used to pre-screen potential candidate and streamline the system. This is an Hiring market with hundreds of applicants for even the most entry level jobs. However there seems to be a shift in many parts of the country sidestepping the recruiter, and going to the Temp Agent.

When in an interview recently my husband was asked by the HR person Why it was that he had gone through a Temp Agency if he was looking for a career, he polity pointed out that it was due to the fact that the job had only been posted through a Temp Agency. He did later return to the question by asking why it was they Used a Temp Agency, and the answer is one that has become all to common in the business economy today. They are not ready to make a commitment on any one person for positions, they want to hire someone to do the job for a while before they make a choice.

Now note this does sound like a logical plan for a low to mid range position, however please keep in mind my husband was in an interview for Head of Operations for an International distributor. He was so astonished that they would state that they were going to take on a Temp for such a key role in a large company it got me looking.

Many companies are doing this even for the most senior positions, refusing to make a commitment on anyone, not because they have the luxury of time. Rather they are afraid in this economy to take on anyone for a permanent position. Now I am far from an economist, but this frame of thinking while understandable makes me worried. If companies continue to hold out on hiring and job creation in hopes of a guarantee we are assured that things will not get better.

It has even gotten to the point that some of these positions he has applied for are being closed rather then take the risk of bringing someone else on, the destruction of a job in this day and age is not easy to hear, and it is out of a simple fear of commitment.

But do not let this get you down, seeing this can be used to your advantage by showing you are a safer risk. Use the Temp Agencies, and see if you can build your name up, you already offer your quality, offer also your stability.

Who’s interview is this?

We are all happy to get called in for an interview in hopes for that next great career move. However if you are really looking for a Career rather than a job there is something that you have to remember, you are not the only one being interviewed.

No I am not referring to the stream of other candidates also looking for a job. I am referring to what an interview is really for. Not only are you trying to get the other person to choose you for their position you are interviewing them to be your next employer.

While you should not let this idea get to your head you have to understand that they do not hold all of the power in the interview. While they are looking for something in a future employer you are also looking for something in a future career and the environment. Do not give in to wanting just any job, show that you know what you want, and ask if they have it. Are you looking for a job that feeds your creativity, your wish for a challenge? State this in your answers.

Though one thing I find most people do in an interview is do not take advantage of asking their own questions. Ask what it is they are looking for you to achieve in the position. One I have seen surprise but interest interviewers for a managment position is What are your 5 year goals for this department/position.  Also take some of the questions they ask of you and turn them around. Ask what the companies feels it’s greatest and weakest strengths are, how they wish to see improvements.

These questions do many things. First they show you are interested, and let you know if you will remain interested if you were to take the job. Second they make you stand out, most people only answer questions when being interviewed, you will be different, and portray more confidence.

However please keep in mind this is not a good idea to ask why the position is open, or intrusive questions that may seem like you are too forward. Note these questions are also best asked if you are going for management positions. For entry level jobs leadership and straightforwardness is not as high a skill requirement, so these questions may be more disruptive than positive in nature.

The Mental Toil

For many people change is good, for me as well. However there are some things that are taking more time to get used to then other. For one thing I feel like I am not working, though I am caring for my grandmother and working on my shop. I have had a job since I was 14 and legal to work (my choice) before that I worked at local stables and cared for children. Now in my late twenties I am doing something I never thought I would, being a house wife, caring for and elderly family member.

Also hard to get used to in this is that while I am working at home I am the bread winner at this time as my husband has been out of work for a number of months now, being laid off from his company we moved across the country for. While I have always worked I have not been the only one in the family with an income, it makes a bit of stress on a relationship when the roles are reversed.

In some ways it makes my husband obsessed with finding a job. While I am happy that he has not fallen into a state of stagnation it makes it odd when the relationship has placed him as a head of the family, now it feels like he has had a chunk of his pride removed.

This is a common problem with people that have been out or work for some time. While many people get discouraged it is important to make sure that they feel important in the relationship. If your spouse has taken a emotional stress take time to point out all the things that they do to keep the family in order. Even if it is not money it is the labor around the home, or something else that will make them feel like they are playing their Role.

While I am not one for the conventional family roles, however I acknowledged that we are all programmed already to have the set structure. It also dose not help that for all of our relationship, even though I am the one with the collage degree and more the one full time position often in management my husband has always made the majority of our income. Now he has taken the blow as one against him rather then an effect of the economy.

These are things that I will strive to overcome each day, after all, as always life is in flux.

Small Blue Dot

As described by Carl Sagan in Pale Blue Dot our entire world (everyone and everything we have or will ever know) is merely a small pale dot. When you think of this many people are sad or feel lost in a mass of things that now seem to mean nothing.

I, on the other hand, have seen of late that there are important things to use this knowledge to accept.

I have seen families and even countries ripped apart by what we think of as all important. Yet these arguments, while affecting us, are of so little consequence in the grander scheme of things that the rest of the world may not care at all, let alone the rest of the universe. In 10 years will you care about an argument with your loved one? Will you remember? Will the discomfort of sitting down and talking about it be important to you when you think of the small dot that a probe on the outermost part of our solar system would see of us as?

For the ones that have hatred for others lifestyles and partnerships, think of how tiny those people are in the scheme of things, how little their choice is effecting your universal dot. Their life and choices are not sending our Blue orb spinning out of the Galaxy, or winking it out of existence.

For those that have been hurt by those they loved and but not been able to end the cycle, think of those billions of people on that insignificant dot. You are one of them, precious as every one of them, fragile and small. But think of the millions of other people on the planet that can care for you as you deserve, they are there to love you without the use of pain, fear, or control. They are there to treat you as you should be treated. The one that is causing your pain is not even a blip on the small dot that is your world when seen from above.

These things being acknowledged are not to make people feel as though their personal problems are not important, but to give you a perspective when you are at a point of reasoning out what to do about them. If it is a petty argument it changes nothing in the long term plan if you no longer talk with someone, but would your personal life be richer if you still had the option? If you disagree with a lifestyle why bother with arguing about it? Your words, impassioned as they may be, will be lost in the sands of time making no difference in the movement of the cosmos. So relax and ignore those things you do not wish to be involved in. For those in what seems like a hopeless painful relationship, remember that the one that causes the pain is no more than speck of dust in the galaxy and will burn out in so short a time that they are insignificant to the outside onlooker. However there are millions of others out there that will or do love you in a way that you deserve whether you know it or not.

So personally I am going to stretch out only tiny section of this Pale Blue Dot, and revel in all it has to offer. I am going to try to remember when others make me mad that this moment too will pass and be forgotten, and instead try to enjoy my time here.

Family of 3+

No I am not expecting, though I wish I could say otherwise. My Grandmother has now been with us for over a week, and our life is starting to settle back into a routine. It is a change from our former life, but for the better. 

Things that I have taken for granted in the past are now coming to light, and I find myself in a new role in life. 

My husband is not sure yet how to take the new Domestic me, as I am not one for enjoying house work, however find myself rushing to every dropped item (like a new mother) to keep ahead of my grandmother trying to clean, against the doctors orders.

However I find that I also enjoy having the conversations, as my husband and I seem to always be in sync and need little conversation to get through the day together. 

The idea of 3+ is funny as well as it is the part that I enjoy the most. While house cleaning is always something I think of as a for of torture, I love having people over and gatherings. With our situation as it is I find that we get the chance to have people over a lot more, to visit Granny, and see family. I suppose it is a aspect of living away from family for 10 years, and in small apartments with no place to have people over often. 

I find that these aspects are things that I would like to see continue in my Future. My companies true relaunch will be in a month, and I am exited to see the outcome of every one's reaction for products.

Take Time for You

In this day and age we all know that the clock has in many ways replaced everyone personal religion, at least for most of the week. We rush and do for others. We stress and are always on the run. Many people have multiple phones one other devices just to help manage all of these demands on our time. But what dose that do for us? True we may land that client or contract we have been working for, but that is for your career, not you.

I say we each take a few moments a day and find time for our selves. Granted the idea of the Power Nap is passe, but we can not forget that our bodies are machines. If we do not take the time to care for them they will not be able to maintain optimum efficiency for long.

This said I know all of us would love to say that they have time, or self control enough to go to the gym and work out for an hour or two a day. We also would like to say that we eat nothing but healthy low fat foods. But lets face it, that is most likely not the case all the time. However there are ways you can at least take care of your Mind.

I find that there many ways that I find myself taking care of ME. For each person they are different. Some people enjoy a long Bubble Bath, or a rest in a rope hammock. I find that starting each morning before my husband wakes up doing a little crochet, or spinning is a good way to start my day. These activities are a form of meditation for me. Other mornings I wake just a few moments early and rather then having my hot chocolate (coffee is not for me) in a rush, I sit out on my porch swing. I find the act of sitting with my eyes closed and listening to the world wake up to be as good as any relaxation tape.

These are small things that I do for myself each day. They take no more then 10 mins, and start my day wonderfully. I challenge you to thing of something you can do, that makes you relax and not look at the clock or think of the problems of the day. Just think of the sounds of the area around you, the feel of the air, and smells. Each day find something new in your Observations that has no bearing on your schedule for the day, be it smells, sounds, feel, taste. Take that time for you and no one else.

Well I must say that it has been almost a month of working to get our house in shape. While this does not sound  like it is something that will help my career, hear me out. My husband has been looking and is in contact with a few companies. I am hopeful. We are working so hard though because we are moving my Grandmother in this weekend.
This move is allowing me to stay home as I have said recently and build a company as I wish.
At this time I am not pushing the contracts with the companies for community management as I have been working 10-12 hours a day getting things ready. Now we are in the last week of the stage one renovations. I have my art Company going well, as it does not take as much push for others. I am hoping to launch my online efforts the middle of next week.
At this time I am still building my office space upstairs and from there I will have complete ability to work with little interruptions.

Return to the chosen path.

Upcoming plans. I have all of my products and will be starting marketing of them on Monday. I am happy to say that the contacts I have here are as wonderful as they always have been. I will be getting the chance to pick back up where I was two years ago with my art career, along with other business skills i have been working to build. By the end of the month I hope to have a start on getting my studio back up and running at full capacity. I have already made arrangements for a few shows and hope to be having dinner with some art connections in Charlotte again.

This move has offered me to return to a path that thought had been closed to me for good. I am happy to say that with time many things that we think are not possible can be offered to us.

News from the Carolinas

We arrived at the Family Home on Thursday of last week. After arriving and being walked through the plans for renovation by my family we settled in for what we know will be a very busy month.

We had no internet or phones and were to wait for those to be set up before we could do any updates to the masses. Thought our time was not wasted, but has been productive and already starting to leave our mark on the home. Walls that were dark Terra Cotta Brown are being replaced with cheerful colors one at a time. We have finished one room and have started the master bedroom. This room will soon house my Grandmother whom will be moving in with us, allowing me to work from home building my own company as I have always wished to do.

We have started landscaping and repairs that have been neglected after my Grandfather (May he rest in Peace) became ill. And are working to modernize the home in small ways that will make it both comfortable for us and safe for my ageing grandmother who has dementia.

By the end of the month (when my Grandmother is moving in) we will be living it what appears to be a completely new home.

The hardest part is going through the house cleaning things that have been boxed or still hung for the many months since his passing. While I have been away from the area I missed a lot of his illness, but he was always in my heart. Finding a small object like the spearmint lifesavers that he always had in his pocket to give to guests and friends brings a tear to my eye. I always think he will walk through the door and give me a big hug.

While the goal of the next few weeks is to change this house, my wish is to save the memories and make my Grandfather proud of the home we are making in the house his family build over 100 years ago.

I am looking forward to getting my office and workspaces remodeled and working so that I can start expanding my interests back out side of this internal world I am currently in. It is good to take time and make the place one that will be productive and creative for my road ahead.

Cross Country Travels

On Sunday morning around 9am we left Salt Lake City, perhaps for the last time. We were sad to see the place we had taken as our home goodbye. Though we are ready for a new stage in our lives.
We plan our trip out into 450-500 miles a day. Our stops this time consist of Cheyenne, Omaha, St Louis, and Knoxville. We have enjoyed seeing things that were lost to us in Utah. Foods and cultural aspects that are what we have known all of our lives.

My husband has made contacts in the Catawba area, though we have yet to make it there as of yet. He already as one interview. I will be starting my position next month, and will still have time to work on my online community management for small local companies and build my portfolio.

We are also moving into my the home that I always dreamed of building my home like. I spent my childhood in my Grandparents house. Climbing the fig tree, Hiding in the barn, and sitting by the fireplace inside. We will be taking over my Grandfather's home. My dream home will be mine for good once papers are signed.

We arrive back in North Carolina tomorrow for the first time in two years. It will be the a return to a life we know, but on a path we had not planned on. I am excited to see what will be around the next turn.

Last Hours in this place.

Today is our last full day in Salt Lake City. Tomorrow morning as the sun rises we will be starting our journey in search of the South East. Leaving behind two years of struggle and good friends that we never would have met had we not taken a chance this time in 2010 and moved to an unknown city.

I am going to guess that today is going to be an emotional one for me. I have come to love this land, the scene from my window each morning of snow capped peak that is so close it looks like you will trip and fall on it any second. I grew up seeing Mountains and missed it for many years when I moved to Charlotte NC. I will once again be able to see my beloved Blue Ridge, but they are a sober companion compared to the majesty of the Peaks here.

I will miss those people that welcomed us with open arms here, becoming a new family when ours were 3000 miles away. We were lucky to have a few contacts here that we had spoken too in passing. When we pulled into the Hotel parking lot, a special person I had yet to meet in person was waiting there to give us big hugs and show us the area. He later became one of my dearest friends. This was just the start of a Community that was caring and open with us as we started our new life.

There were also people here that became confidants, monitors, and “siblings” to me. They have an inner strength that helped me become a better person. I must say one such person will be the person I miss most of all. Though I knew her but a short time, she gave me more in that time then I can ever return. “You, my heart Sister will always be my guiding light.” Thank you Evelyn S.

Though I do not intend to let any of my friends fall to the wayside, in this day and age when a click of the button and you are talking face to face with someone on the other side of the world, I still will miss their spirits. I will miss this place. I know I am going on to a new stage in my life, one that has grand new opportunities, and old friends in the bargain. Though I will not forget the journey that brought me to the place I am today.

Houston we have a “Go”

Finally we have an answer on the outcome of all this waiting. After two years in Utah we will be moving back to North Carolina on the anniversary of our arrival here. We ha loved the area and the wonderful Friends that we have made here. However a number of things have happened that have made it quite clear that we are meant to go back home. Though we are not walking blindly back to place we came from.

We will be moving into a wonderful home that my family has owned for years, and taking over the care of it. Along with being close to family for the first time in nearly 8 years. I will be doing personal care and Art Therapy with, while still being able to do my own work with networking and some online marketing for some of the small businesses in the area.

All of this is in addition to the large network of connections and contacts that both my husband and I have in the field there for his Operations Management and Transportation analysis field.

So we will be saying good bye this weekend to the place that has become home. A place full of wonderful people and great opportunities, and returning to a place that has always held a special place in our hearts. So I will be looking longingly at the mountains for a few more days, as I will replacing these peaks with the Application and Blue Ridge.

Holding Pattern

One thing I have to say I am not proud of myself for is my inability to handle being still. I do not like the idea of being in a place my husband refers to as Limbo. It seems we know what our choice is. However we are leaving the final announcement until Monday the 19th.
This has meant for me nights of no sleep, and people getting stressed as I make plans that to them seam to be jumping the gun. However it is my coping mechanism. While other people have to move in their personal space, or have to have  a clean kitchen before going to bed, I have to have a plan. I have to be able to map out the near and possible distant future out in my head.
This change is one that almost feels like returning to my old path. But what bothers me is my inability to set things in motion. We are waiting for one last event before we start the gears moving. So like a plane on the runway, we are fueled and have a flight plan. All we are waiting on is for the tower to relay one final bit of information to the Pilate.
It use my time doing research for future projects, and continuing my study into fields I have wanted to expand. Along with make connections with people that may be useful to know in the near future. Though I am still more then ready to have the outcome of all of this be 100%.

Which Path to Take

There are times that your life is going down a path. Whetherr it is a path we like or not, I have had many situations of late that have taken my path in a new way. However there are also times when yourself confronted with a fork. While normally I am there person to say when there are two paths to try, I take the one less traveled by, that is not always the case. This time the one less traveled by is taking a leap of faith. However when it is more then yourself you must do this for it makes a difference.

Time has come to a head, I have been without a job for months, and my husband is also out of work. My temp position is costing me more then I am making, as the position requires me to drive 40-80 miles a day going location to location. The pay I was quoted is not how it works in truth. The sad part is I was making more when I was on unemployment. We are now at a point were time has run out, this is also the time that the fork presented it’s self.

My husband has a very good chance at a position, here in Salt Lake that will fix the issues that have established themselves.
On the other hand I have been offered a position back in North Carolina that will offer us a place to live and help pay for the move. In the next week we have to make a decision as to what way to go, to Wait and hope for a position that is a good chance but not a guarantee. Or a guarantee position, but a worse economy for my husband to find a position to stabilize our finances, not to mention the move from a place that I had hoped to call Home for now on.

I know this is a choice that will either unravel on it’s own, or we will have to make a choice. Now is the time to see if we are going to once again take a risk with our live, or admit that our last gamble was a bad one.

Use what you have.

Well not that it is any suprise but as of yet job X is being less then helpful. In the week+ I have had this job the number of hours I have worked can be counted on one hand. I find that what I had hoped would be a means of keeping the wolves from the door seems like it will do anything but.

This makes me think of a few things, common truths and points of interest.

• One of these is that my moral code, like many others, required me to remove myself from unemployment as soon as I could. However one should not rush into a situation without some knowlage of what they are getting into.

I have found that evan after all of the research I did on Job X it fell well below even my low expectation bar.

• Knowledge is power, not only should you learn as much about the position that you are looking for but also about the people that work there.

Walking into a position/interview is always the hardest part of the job market for many people. However in this day and age we have tools that can make this easy. When I go to an interview I look at the position title as stated above but also the company (both history and future plans) and the person that I will be doing an interview with.

Recently went to an interview, and was asked what it was I knew about the company. I floored the interviewer when I started with the simple stuff leading up to what % increase they had last year. While I did not over do the information offering I did make sure that they were aware that I had done my homework. I went above and beyond what the average candidate does and this made me stand out. It helped them see that I am willing to do my job to the best of my ability.

• Use what you have.

There are lots of people looking at every job you apply for. All claim to have the same or better skills then you. The trick is to find a way to build up and offer those traits that only you can offer. Your expirience is more then just information on paper, it is what makes you one of a kind and of use to your future empoyer.

How do you do this? You first need to learn about yourself and what it is that makes you special. Inner self is a personal revelution that we each must come to in time. However striving for this is often enough to make you see what it is that you have to offer others.

Road Closed Ahead, Please Take Detour.

An interesting thing has happened, and changed my road map yet again. While I was out looking for the perfect job the operation my husband was working for closed down. So rather then both of us being without work I had to make a decision. I was offered a position (let us say job X). It is an honest pay for an honest day's work, however one that I am not happy to gloat about. Job X is menial labor for menial pay, no mental challenge and no real room for advancement.

We know these jobs. They are the jobs that keep our society running smoothly, cooking, cleaning, fixing things. I have done them before and had hoped to never have to do them again. We all pay our dues in the field of low end menial jobs, so we all know the feeling of being in them.

Now for a new challenge. I have to be able to do my job well, 5 days a week and still find time to go to networking events, interviews and push myself. Ahh the struggle most people have when they are working and still looking else were. When taking this job I was told that it was Monday-Sat with a day off in the week, this does not seem to be the case now, rather Monday-Friday 8-6:30. Which makes those interviews a little harder to accomplish.

But I will not be denied. My pay is connected with my attendance if I take time off my % goes down, but this only makes me want to find someplace better even more. I refuse to let this setback break me down. I am a highly educated, gregarious, and creative person, and will still find a career to make “Home.”

Building Your Skills, Online Classes

In a time when everything is changing at fast pace I find that there are always things you must keep learning. I have said before that I am looking to build my skills, here is how I am going about it. The internet is a marvelous thing. Many of us have heard of online classes, but most people brush them off as something you must be enrolled in a school to take advantage of. Others feel that the classes are of less worth as they do not always provide a certificate or diploma.

However a number of years ago a few schools such as MIT and Harvard offered the chance for people anywhere in the world to sit in on some of their classes. Online virtual classrooms were made for the students to attend and people that were not enrolled in the college were allowed to join for no charge or pre-req. This was something as a college student myself I thought to be very interesting. Now that I am not in school any longer I still find that it is my job to brush up on skills that I may not use as often as I should and become informed about new programs that are coming out.

I have found that online there are still a number of free workshops, and even online education sites that are free for anyone’s use. These schools may not be accredited or offer you a degree in the field, but if you are like me you already have that diploma. You just want to brush up or expand your knowledge. Programs such as free.edu.net offer classes for homeschooling all the way to college level classes perfect for the Post Grad refresher. Even picking up a few new skills that I was not able to take in school and are now available for me to take and build on. I will not be able to offer a sheet of paper saying the University of Wherever provided this training along with all of my others though that does not make the information less usable.

This is a chance to build my knowledge base and provide a more well rounded education.

Any Job will do?

I have come to a bit of a crossroads. When without a current job it makes it hard to think that there is reason to turn down a job. However there are some circumstances that make this concept hard. While finances may be in need of a boost I have to think of the future. Many have said to think of a part time position that will be temporary.

This may help so long as it is more then the funds I receive at the moment from unemployment, but also I have to think of the possibility of me not being a good long term fit. If the position is one that I would not like to have seen on my resume the question is should I take it to help me until I find another job? Though if I do this there is the chance of this becoming a long term position due to the lack of job opportunities. Is this something that I can do for months, or even years?

If I were to take a domestic position would that make it harder to find something more professional in the future?

These are all questions that I try to take into account when looking for a job. We do not want our fear of unemployment to place us in a situation that can make things worse.

Out of work Blues?

Out of work Blues?

Pride in your work, it is a simple enough concept, but one that is often enough not seen in the work place on a day to day basis. Though it is highly sought after by the employer and when you have it a seemingly meaning job can become far more bearable. But does it have a dark side?

I personally have always tried to take pride in everything I do. I may not always be the best, but I do my best for myself and my employer. However this same work ethic is also the one that can make you have a hard time when you are on the market. Often this sense of pride in your work can become part of your daily positive affirmations, with means that it is much harder to keep the smile on your face without it.

Many people find themselves in a case of the “Out of work blues” when they have lost their job. A career is part of our identity and we feel as though we have lost part of ourselves in the loss of a job title. A path that we built for our selves has changed. We hope to get back up on the horse, though the job market is a hard one and it takes much longer than planned to get back to work. Many people are out of work for months and sometimes years. However this does not mean we have to fall into a funk.

The trick is to find ways to keep your self esteem up and moving in the right direction.

One trick is to keep a plan, daily/weekly/monthly goals. Set goals like making a set number of contacts in a week. Update your resume or online profile. Take the pride you have had in your work and put it into your networking.

Another chance is to take this time to build on your skills. In your extra time take a class locally for a certificate that can help build your skills for the future. Take time to read up on new techniques that you may have missed out on while you were in the office all the time. Now is the time to not just look for a new job but the next step in your career.

While these things in and of themselves will not remove the blues, they will keep you going in the right direction. We all have days when it would be much simpler to watch TV rather then take steps to build our network and find our next career.

A little inner peace.

Well another day is winding down and a lot has happened. This morning was one of those that involves me waking very early as I have a lot of things running through my head that will not let me sleep. Often I am up in these cases a good hour before the morning call of my alarm. This was one of those days, not a bad way to start the morning really, I get to check emails, and get an early start.

I readied myself for another interview, that is the second this week. This one seems interesting and a position I am exited about based on the information I have found online about this company. They are one of the top in their field though like to keep as small office feel with less then 2 dozen employees.

I really like that concept, a small workforce gives you a closer relationship with your coworkers, and able to better understand what is needed to meet a goal.

I follow my morning routine for the interview, lay out my clothes, get ready, have all my documents, and the sit and relax. This is not out of laziness, but a need to center myself, and be ready for the day to come. As I recently heard from a local expert at a seminar recently if you do not center your self into this moment your mind can get stuck on problems that are out of your control. I try to relax into the moment.

OK, this does not involve colored crystals or burning of herbs. I just like to sit for a moment and let my mind stop its inner monolog for a few moments. It is nice to just let your mind float there, only hearing the sounds around you, and not that nagging voice telling you that there are a million things that have to be done.

I attended the interview, and will not bore anyone else with all the ins and outs. Personally I think it went well, I am even more interested in the company now that I have spoken with someone that works there, when normally I am less interested.

I went then to assist my husband with his job, I know more then required for most people. However he has only a small crew to rely on and the folks at corporate asked him pull off another miracle, so here I am. I help him pack boxes of equipment that has been back ordered for months. Working until there is no room left to for those boxes to be set.

So the day winds down, lots done, but little change today. Overall it was not a bad day. Let's see what will happen in the next few days.

The Beginning of another day.

Yet again I find myself in a state of flux. Changes are constant, always happening, though it seems only when the change is one that is not what you expected that we see them. I once offered for a professor who asked me for the definition of life this statement:

Life is change; growing, learning, moving, dieing, falling, getting back up. It is be new each day, as you can never be the same two seconds in a row. It is being in as single moment, even if you do not realize it, and never being able to return to that moment. Anything else without those things, is merely existence.

Well I am here to say this is still the case. In the last two years my life has flipped around and started walking a whole new path, I was an art instructor and working part time jobs. Then due to family shift was moved from my home in Charlotte NC to Salt Lake City Utah. 


Now do not get me wrong, I love the location, it has the benefits of the city with the openness of country and outdoors activities to enjoy. Though when I first arrived I had a very hard time finding work, once I did it was not a location I found unsustainable. After a shift I found a position I liked and hoped to stay with, though management changes also changed my standings with that company. 


So here we are again. I am on week 6 of a job hunt, hoping each day to get that magic call. Do not get me wrong, it is great getting calls each week for interviews, though the waiting for a callback that dose not come is not the most optimistic task.


Well today is a new day, I will get back out there yet again and offer my self and skills to the world. In the mean time I will go about my daily life of changing, building, and growing.