GAB Update

You'd think that by me being unemployed for almost a month now that I'd devote more time to my blog, and keep you guys in the loop with my everyday living...

I won't lie, it has been devastatingly hard to wake up before 8am on only 2 days out of the week to attend class... it is weird wearing jeans and t-shirts pretty much everyday, having more than enough time to study, over cleaning the house and doing yardwork when most people are out making a living... it is hard to watch my business casual attire collect dust in my closet, and wash a bunch of socks, leggings and tank tops... to wake up late and go to bed even later, to not nap in fear of missing a call from a prospective employer... texting non-stop all throughout the day to my jobless friend in Laredo, TX.

I had to face it; I took having a job for granted. I felt like I deserved it more than others, that I would never be at the bottom trying to find my way to the top again. I spent money on material items that I should have saved for a rainy day, or a rainy few months in my case. Yet, a mere 3 weeks ago I inquired about unemployment compensation. But I didn't settle, I couldn't settle. Since then, I've been on the hunt for a job like no other. What people don't realize is that you have to actively look for a job as if it was already your full-time job. That means for at least 7 hours a day, you should be flooding companies with your cover letter and resume.

During this daunting process, I've had a few successes. Nothing worthwhile came around until recently. I've been given the opportunity to interview for a multi billion dollar company, one with a very reputable name and a wonderful brand gracing the households of millions of individuals across the world. What makes me appreciate the opportunity more is the fact that I sought it on my own. It wasn't handed to me via a network, colleague or referral. I took the time to apply to companies that I could see myself contributing to, not just any old place on Career Builder... I also learned that CareerBuilder.com doesn't build careers. Out of the 80 or so resumes that I sent out, all of my responses came from my hands-on actions. Physically taking my resume to places, or using CareerBuilder as a tool- not as my only resource.

Here's how I do it... I search on CareerBuilder.com for companies that are hiring, and usually the names are given. Instead of clicking the "Email your Resume" button, I visit the actual website of the company and apply there. This has proved to be more beneficial for myself, but to each its own.

But to sum it all up, I had a wonderful interview yesterday... 70 miles from home, but definitely worth every mile or the rent money that I will dish out instead of gas money (haven't made up my mind yet, but leaning more towards moving than commuting)... 6 month internship turn full-time position with excellent benefits upon successful completion of internship and excellent evaluations from managers and staff members. OVERLY EXCITED AND AWAITING THE FINAL CALL :-)

Keep me in your prayers, and feel free to email me with any questions about job hunting... I'm sure I have some useful tips that you can use!

There's a Reason for Everything!

Not that it bothered me or anything, but I always wondered why men and women had separate restrooms. I understand that it may be more comfortable for both genders, as it is for me. But what prompted institutions, restaurants, schools and all the other places with separate restrooms to segregate?

From what I've read online and my general working knowledge being a woman, I'm assuming it is because our society holds steady on the idea that nudity, sex, doing the 'duty', or whatever are personal affairs, and should be handled as personably as possible. Same goes for the idea that boys and girls shouldn't share beds, or there is no such thing as boy/girl slumber parties. Honestly, I have never been to one or known any person to have a slumber party for their child with boys and girls sleeping over. That was a sideline comment...Conglomerating women together in restrooms allows for less discomfort. At one point I was always afraid to open sanitary napkins or tampons while other women were in the same restroom as me, afraid that they'd hear me and know what I was up to. Now, I have no issues with that. I understand that everyone coming into that restroom has either 'been there, done that' or will soon 'be there and do that'. As the same for men!

Imagine walking into a public restroom and seeing a man standing at a urinal with a woman squatting on the toilet right next to him. Or what about those times when you're on a date and you need to go powder your nose? Wouldn't it be awkward for your date to walk in the restroom while you're getting pretty?

But recently I've come to appreciate separate restrooms even more. At my job there is a staff lounge, outside of our office right down the hall. In that lounge are two single restrooms, no gender designation. After drinking an 18oz cup of sweet tea, I immediately needed a potty break. Well, as I'm walking into one of the singles, the director of our office (male) is walking out. Surprisingly, the other restroom was occupied. So I was forced to use the bathroom that our director had just exited. I immediately wanted to barf after seeing the way that he left the restroom for the next person. Soapy sink knobs, toilet seat raised with drops of urine all over the toilet! I guess he thought that by him smiling and speaking before leaving that I'd forgive him. And I did... it wasn't until he repeated the action two days later, when my best friend walked into the same bathroom that he just left out of. She too noticed the same exact thing that I did, making him a habitual toilet-seat-leaver-upper-pee-stained-toilet-wetter!

And he's married... now this may not be the case for all men, but he is one nasty guy for that. His wife has to be crazy to accept that.

Starbucks Update

I don't personally get paid for advertising appealing information about Starbucks on my blog, but I enjoy a nice frappucino every now and again. I'm sure some of my lovely readers do as well... some more indulgent than others. I ran across this ad on my Facebook page; you can visit any participating Starbucks during Happy Hour (3-5pm) Friday, May 7th- Sunday, May 16th and create your own frappucino or purchase one of the menu fraps for half the price... YES, HALF-OFF FRAPPUCINOS! For most, that's about $1.75 a pop! Can't beat it :-)

Feeling Inspired!

Today I was able to witness history, or whatever you want to call it. For the first time ever, I was present for a speech by President Barack Obama. Now for some of you, this may not be monumental if you've heard him speak publicly. But I was definitely grounded for about 20 minutes or so.

At 8:13a, I walked into the Big House or the University of Michigan graduation ceremony to watch my best friend in the entire world graduate. I must say, she chose the perfect time to graduate and the ceremony was so inspirational and moving. It was surreal.

Imagine sitting in a stadium filled with 80,000+ people, most there celebrating a treacherous yet joyous journey for their children/family/friends... others there for the love of Obama. There are helicopters flying overhead. Secret Service employees on the roof. State police at every entrance. 8,000+ graduates from every avenue of learning. This was surreal. I almost felt like I was in a movie. But it wasn't the size of the crowd, or the fact that the President was there. It was his words that moved me, his charisma and charm, his demeanor, his knowledge and understanding of a functioning society.

He spoke of civility, being open to opposing views and gaining news from resources aside from our norm. In particular, he told the graduates (I'd like to include myself since I graduate in less than 24 hours) to understand the naysayers... to put yourself in their shoes. Only then are we able to view the full picture. Knowledge is the best defense. He spoke of the political quarrels that are circling our media, and how we can not allow them to cloud our perception of how things are.

Obviously we didn't have the best seats, but it was perfect!

I've been compelled to do great things, I've always had the mindset that I can do anything. But seeing Obama, listening to him and knowing that he's a man that has been through so many obstacles and hoops to be where he is... that speaks volumes to the people. That shows us graduates, as cliche as it may be, that YES WE CAN!

Word of wisdom... You can do anything that you want to do, but you can not do everything!

Back in a Flash

GAB will be back to her regularly scheduled program on Wednesday, April 28th, 2010... Again, I repeat:

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28TH, 2010... news, gossip, life, love, laughter are all coming your way!