Not that I generally hold any stock in this type of thing but...
Today I picked Seth up from school while Mom and Kerry were at a class for her knees. I was planning on just leaving right away and going to work out but they bought Eagle Eye over the weekend and I really wanted to see it! So I decided to stay, watch the movie with Seth, and then go work out. (fyi, you don't really need all of this background...in fact, I'm not exactly sure why I'm even typing it...meh) So, while we were watching the movie, Kerry brings out a fortune cookie from the Chinese we had over the weekend and he goes "Here Melanie...whatever this fortune says is about your job situation."
What did it say?
You will be fortunate in the opportunities presented to you.
Hmmm....cue my current state of pondering....I'm not going to pretend like this means anything or that it will actually come true (because, I mean, come on...how often do fortunes ACTUALLY come true?!) but....if you did believe in that sort of thing, that would be pretty neat...
:)
Showing posts with label jobs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label jobs. Show all posts
Monday, April 20, 2009
Thursday, June 5, 2008
lots of updates!
No internet=no updates :( Luckily, I got off work early today so I'm at Stefs until I have to go to the OTHER work at 530 so I thought I'd update while I have internet access!
...that's right, you heard me right...a SECOND job! I got the job with the family from Lino Lakes that I didn't tell you I interviewed with! I interviewed with them two weeks ago--exactly, actually. I loved them right off the bat--they were so nice...I usually get really nervous in interviews but I wasn't nervous at all--and when I left I realized that I really really wanted this job! But I didn't want to say anything to anyone because I didn't want to jinx myself. So to keep my mind off whether I got the job or not (yeah right!) I worked at Linens N Things all weekend. Luckily, I didn't have to wait TOO long--Christy called on Monday and offered me the position!! So, I started a week later, this past Monday. Finally, 5 months after looking for a job, I find one! Well, I had LNT but a REAL job!
So, let me tell you a little about the family. Their names are Christy and Jeff Furmanek. (Christy and Jeff...sound familiar to anyone? haha) Christy is finishing up med school and she's going to be a neurologist--Jeff is a bone doctor (I can't remember the real name...oops!) The schedule is pretty great too. Monday-Friday, in between 30 and 50 hours a week. I generally start at 7am (although this week, I've already have a 1230 and 9 o'clock start) and usually Mondays and Thursdays, Jeff gets home early..in between 130 and 330. Tuesdays and Wednesdays will typically be a little longer--one of them will get home anywhere between 5 and 730 so it has the potential to be a 12.5 hour day but it's really not that bad. I work a 10.5 hour day on Wednesday and it flew by! And on Fridays, Christy will generally get home a little earlier...not WAY early but earlier. Tomorrow she'll be home around 230-3 so that's nice. I can also keep my hours at LNT which is REALLY nice because having both incomes is going to be nice so I can save for the next few months! I can work Mon/Thurs/Fri nights (someone will always be home by at least 500 so I can get to work on time) and I asked for Tues/Wed nights off since those are the later nights. But the nice thing about that is that even if they get home later, I still have the rest of the night to just hang out instead of work until 930. And it's nice that the nights are broken up--this week, I worked Tues/Wed/Thurs--since it's 4:00 on Thursday, I haven't even started that shift but I'm already wiped from working 3 14+ hour days! Let me tell you, I've been sleeping great the past few nights! haha I also still have weekends at LNT so hopefully I can average in between 20-25 hours per week there too!
The funny thing (to me at least) about this is that I am so NOT a morning person! And at first I thought being up at 6am to get to work by 7am would be rough but it really hasn't been! I realized that, while it's hard WAKING up, once I am up, it's not that hard to stay awake. Plus I've been forcing myself to go to sleep earlier so that I'm getting enough sleep. I know I know...I'm growing up! haha
The other new news is that I moved into padre's place this past weekend! I am actually really enjoying it and think it's going to be great! I'm not sure how long I'll stay (I still have to talk to Gina about when she wants to move out/contact the apartment and see if there's still one available!) but while I'm there, my plans are to SAVE, SAVE, SAVE!! Padre is so funny though--he basically turned the basement into a "mini apartment" for me...he doesn't really use the basement for much so he put a bed down there and he got a closet on wheels. Plus he's getting a dresser so I could put my clothes in there. There's also an entertainment center and a couch down there..so it's kind of like I have a living room and a bedroom! I also have a bathroom downstairs too. No shower but that's ok--I didn't even realize there was a bathroom down there! It makes it so nice because I can just brush my teeth and go to the bathroom before bed without worrying about going upstairs and waking dad! So, I'm real excited about staying with him and thus far, it's been a blast! I think dad's getting used to it so that's good!
Ok I think that's all the updating I can do for now! I have to shower before work (ugh..I don't want to go! haha)
One last note: CONGRATS GINA! My soon to be roommate got a job!! She starts on Monday so I'm super excited! Now we can finally start making our apartment goal a reality!! YAY!
...that's right, you heard me right...a SECOND job! I got the job with the family from Lino Lakes that I didn't tell you I interviewed with! I interviewed with them two weeks ago--exactly, actually. I loved them right off the bat--they were so nice...I usually get really nervous in interviews but I wasn't nervous at all--and when I left I realized that I really really wanted this job! But I didn't want to say anything to anyone because I didn't want to jinx myself. So to keep my mind off whether I got the job or not (yeah right!) I worked at Linens N Things all weekend. Luckily, I didn't have to wait TOO long--Christy called on Monday and offered me the position!! So, I started a week later, this past Monday. Finally, 5 months after looking for a job, I find one! Well, I had LNT but a REAL job!
So, let me tell you a little about the family. Their names are Christy and Jeff Furmanek. (Christy and Jeff...sound familiar to anyone? haha) Christy is finishing up med school and she's going to be a neurologist--Jeff is a bone doctor (I can't remember the real name...oops!) The schedule is pretty great too. Monday-Friday, in between 30 and 50 hours a week. I generally start at 7am (although this week, I've already have a 1230 and 9 o'clock start) and usually Mondays and Thursdays, Jeff gets home early..in between 130 and 330. Tuesdays and Wednesdays will typically be a little longer--one of them will get home anywhere between 5 and 730 so it has the potential to be a 12.5 hour day but it's really not that bad. I work a 10.5 hour day on Wednesday and it flew by! And on Fridays, Christy will generally get home a little earlier...not WAY early but earlier. Tomorrow she'll be home around 230-3 so that's nice. I can also keep my hours at LNT which is REALLY nice because having both incomes is going to be nice so I can save for the next few months! I can work Mon/Thurs/Fri nights (someone will always be home by at least 500 so I can get to work on time) and I asked for Tues/Wed nights off since those are the later nights. But the nice thing about that is that even if they get home later, I still have the rest of the night to just hang out instead of work until 930. And it's nice that the nights are broken up--this week, I worked Tues/Wed/Thurs--since it's 4:00 on Thursday, I haven't even started that shift but I'm already wiped from working 3 14+ hour days! Let me tell you, I've been sleeping great the past few nights! haha I also still have weekends at LNT so hopefully I can average in between 20-25 hours per week there too!
The funny thing (to me at least) about this is that I am so NOT a morning person! And at first I thought being up at 6am to get to work by 7am would be rough but it really hasn't been! I realized that, while it's hard WAKING up, once I am up, it's not that hard to stay awake. Plus I've been forcing myself to go to sleep earlier so that I'm getting enough sleep. I know I know...I'm growing up! haha
The other new news is that I moved into padre's place this past weekend! I am actually really enjoying it and think it's going to be great! I'm not sure how long I'll stay (I still have to talk to Gina about when she wants to move out/contact the apartment and see if there's still one available!) but while I'm there, my plans are to SAVE, SAVE, SAVE!! Padre is so funny though--he basically turned the basement into a "mini apartment" for me...he doesn't really use the basement for much so he put a bed down there and he got a closet on wheels. Plus he's getting a dresser so I could put my clothes in there. There's also an entertainment center and a couch down there..so it's kind of like I have a living room and a bedroom! I also have a bathroom downstairs too. No shower but that's ok--I didn't even realize there was a bathroom down there! It makes it so nice because I can just brush my teeth and go to the bathroom before bed without worrying about going upstairs and waking dad! So, I'm real excited about staying with him and thus far, it's been a blast! I think dad's getting used to it so that's good!
Ok I think that's all the updating I can do for now! I have to shower before work (ugh..I don't want to go! haha)
One last note: CONGRATS GINA! My soon to be roommate got a job!! She starts on Monday so I'm super excited! Now we can finally start making our apartment goal a reality!! YAY!
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
time to catch a break...
Alright it's been a minute since I last updated...well, many minutes but you get the idea. In case you were wondering, no updates=no job offers. Yet. And I'm starting to think ever. Now, if you seem to recall, the meeting at the nanny agency went "wonderfully"...and I was supposed to be so easy to place that I would have a family within a week, two tops. Uhhh....do you see me with a family yet? Now...I don't doubt that this nanny agency is "for real"...but I'm starting to have my doubts about how many families they're actually working with...I dunno. It's like I want them to be for real because I would LOVE to find a family through them but at the same time if they are for real, why is it taking so long? Sometimes when I call and leave messages asking that they return my call, they don't...then when I call back again and ask if they got my message, April (the office manager) goes "oh yeah, you checking in?" What I want to say is "No...generally the words 'Please call me back when you get this' would imply that I would like a phone call back." Or is that too much to ask for?
Another example: Yesterday I called saying I needed to find something soon (i.e. within the next couple weeks). April goes "oh yeah! I totally understand!" and proceeds to give me some family names. I get the name of a family--both parents are doctors, they have a 4 month old--I get a phone call back from the mom today, she sounds excited, she wants to talk/meet. So I'm like awesome! Maybe something will work out...I get ahold of her after work and she says "So...the agency told you that we have a 4 month old?" "yes they did." "And they told you that we need someone to start July 1st?" "Hmm..must have left that part out." Apparantly "relatively soon" means 2 1/2 months away to April...do I have the right to be a little annoyed? Or am I just blowing things out of proportion? Ugh, I'm just starting to get frustrated...I thought I would have a family by now and at this point, I don't even have a good lead. Maybe send some good thoughts my way that SOMETHING comes around within the next week or so...I could really use some help here!
Another example: Yesterday I called saying I needed to find something soon (i.e. within the next couple weeks). April goes "oh yeah! I totally understand!" and proceeds to give me some family names. I get the name of a family--both parents are doctors, they have a 4 month old--I get a phone call back from the mom today, she sounds excited, she wants to talk/meet. So I'm like awesome! Maybe something will work out...I get ahold of her after work and she says "So...the agency told you that we have a 4 month old?" "yes they did." "And they told you that we need someone to start July 1st?" "Hmm..must have left that part out." Apparantly "relatively soon" means 2 1/2 months away to April...do I have the right to be a little annoyed? Or am I just blowing things out of proportion? Ugh, I'm just starting to get frustrated...I thought I would have a family by now and at this point, I don't even have a good lead. Maybe send some good thoughts my way that SOMETHING comes around within the next week or so...I could really use some help here!
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Alright...ready for an update?
Alright so...I promised an update after the interviews so here goes (although I'm sure at this point Stef is the only one reading this and she already knows everything...oh well!)
So yesterday was my interview at Linens N Things...not the greatest thing in the world but hey, it's better than what I have right now...plus I figure even if I only work a little bit, I get a discount to decorate my apartment right?! So anyways, I went there, talked to the guy, and at the end he basically said "alright...as long as nothing comes up in your background check, you've got the job." So that was cool. He also said that they were looking for more nights/weekends so that works out perfect for me since I need a full-time day job anyways. Also, the discount is 25%...not too shabby! Now I can dec out mine and Gina's apartment in some killer stuff for pretty cheap!
Then today, I had an interview with a nanny agency-Above and Beyond Nannies. This was the one I was nervous about just because I had called a different agency and they told me I couldn't go through them because I didn't have a "straight" year of nannying (even though I have 10+ years working with kids...weird I know) so needless to say, I was a little more nervous. But I got there, filled out some paperwork, answered some questions, and then met with the lady. And let me tell you, I will be the first to tell you that I get nervous and uncomfortable in interviews but when I sat down with Erin I felt like I was talking to an old friend. It was so comfortable and she was really great and helpful! The first thing she said to me was "wow...you have excellent penmanship!" bonus! starting off on the right foot! So anyways, after that we just went over the questions I had had to answer previously, she went through my application and we basically just sat and talked for about 45 minutes.
Towards the end, she mentioned a family in Minnetonka that she thought would be a perfect fit for me but wasn't sure since I lived so far away. So she told me to get ahold of this family and just see how the drive is and if it's too much, she definitely has other families to get me in contact with. I thought it was great that she was really open and she wasn't going to be "upset" if I think the drive is too much. I mean Minnetonka is a little bit of a trek but if everything were to work out, I would consider it. Otherwise, she said she has 3-4 other families in mind and quite a few are in Woodbury which would be about a 20 minute drive even in traffic which is not bad at all! I definitely wouldn't mind that. Also, when Erin was asking me what type of family I would like to work with, I told her I wanted a family that wanted me to be out and about with the kids instead of cooped up all day. I told her about the twins from the summer and how the lesbians only wanted me to take them on a walk in the backyard and how I got stir crazy and she said that all the families she works with want their kids out doing things so that was great. I also mentioned a bunch of places that have free activities to do and she said "oh don't worry about that, all the families I work with will pay to have you take their kids to activites--they want them out and about." So I thought that was really great. I mean, there's TONS of free stuff to do but it's nice to know that if I wanted to do something that cost money once in awhile, it wouldn't be an issue.
So it definitely exceeded my expectations--I thought maybe we'd meet and it would take awhile to get everything started but she definitely knows her stuff! She didn't even have to go take a look through family files or anything...during my interview she was mentioning families that would fit with me so I thought that was great and really made me trust that I made the right decision in going with this agency.
Next (and not that anyone really cares about this but I thought it was cool)...when I asked Erin at the end how insurance/taxes/contracts with families work, she said "Basically the way I put it is I'm your agent and you're my movie star. I do all the negotiating and hammering out the details for you." I thought that was really cool. So through this nanny agency, they offer medical and dental insurance to all their nannies (full-time, part-time, temporary, summer) so that's pretty cool. That's something that was definitely a bonus and I needed! Plus, the families all go through a company for taxes so I don't have to worry about any of that (I get a W-2 at the end of the year just like you would through a "regular" company) and when it comes to contracts with families, Erin works out all the details and expectations with you and then negotiates with the family for you. She said it's easier for her to do all the negotiating (especially dealing with money, gas allowance, contribution to health insurance, etc.) for the nannies because then nothing becomes sticky between the family and the nanny which I thought was awesome! That's definitely not my strong point so I'm glad that Erin will be helping me through that!
Lastly, the thing that's great about this agency is their communication. They want you to keep in contact with them while they're finding you a family and once you've been placed with a family because they want to make sure that you're happy and that you made the right choice. They also are always there to call up if you have a problem with your family where you think you need advice or anything like that. And also, if I happen to get sick at some point, I can call them up and they have temporary nannies that can take over for me instead of the parents having to take off work so that's really great! They really seemed to cover all their bases and that's awesome!
So, basically, after almost 4 months of no job (minus nannying here and there for Joey) I get two job offers in two days! I guess it pays off to be patient? (And broke at the same time...haha...these opportunites came at the PERFECT time, let me tell you!) So...that's my exciting news =) Not much else is new...I'll keep you posted on the interviews with families...cross your fingers I find a great family that is semi-close!
Peace!
So yesterday was my interview at Linens N Things...not the greatest thing in the world but hey, it's better than what I have right now...plus I figure even if I only work a little bit, I get a discount to decorate my apartment right?! So anyways, I went there, talked to the guy, and at the end he basically said "alright...as long as nothing comes up in your background check, you've got the job." So that was cool. He also said that they were looking for more nights/weekends so that works out perfect for me since I need a full-time day job anyways. Also, the discount is 25%...not too shabby! Now I can dec out mine and Gina's apartment in some killer stuff for pretty cheap!
Then today, I had an interview with a nanny agency-Above and Beyond Nannies. This was the one I was nervous about just because I had called a different agency and they told me I couldn't go through them because I didn't have a "straight" year of nannying (even though I have 10+ years working with kids...weird I know) so needless to say, I was a little more nervous. But I got there, filled out some paperwork, answered some questions, and then met with the lady. And let me tell you, I will be the first to tell you that I get nervous and uncomfortable in interviews but when I sat down with Erin I felt like I was talking to an old friend. It was so comfortable and she was really great and helpful! The first thing she said to me was "wow...you have excellent penmanship!" bonus! starting off on the right foot! So anyways, after that we just went over the questions I had had to answer previously, she went through my application and we basically just sat and talked for about 45 minutes.
Towards the end, she mentioned a family in Minnetonka that she thought would be a perfect fit for me but wasn't sure since I lived so far away. So she told me to get ahold of this family and just see how the drive is and if it's too much, she definitely has other families to get me in contact with. I thought it was great that she was really open and she wasn't going to be "upset" if I think the drive is too much. I mean Minnetonka is a little bit of a trek but if everything were to work out, I would consider it. Otherwise, she said she has 3-4 other families in mind and quite a few are in Woodbury which would be about a 20 minute drive even in traffic which is not bad at all! I definitely wouldn't mind that. Also, when Erin was asking me what type of family I would like to work with, I told her I wanted a family that wanted me to be out and about with the kids instead of cooped up all day. I told her about the twins from the summer and how the lesbians only wanted me to take them on a walk in the backyard and how I got stir crazy and she said that all the families she works with want their kids out doing things so that was great. I also mentioned a bunch of places that have free activities to do and she said "oh don't worry about that, all the families I work with will pay to have you take their kids to activites--they want them out and about." So I thought that was really great. I mean, there's TONS of free stuff to do but it's nice to know that if I wanted to do something that cost money once in awhile, it wouldn't be an issue.
So it definitely exceeded my expectations--I thought maybe we'd meet and it would take awhile to get everything started but she definitely knows her stuff! She didn't even have to go take a look through family files or anything...during my interview she was mentioning families that would fit with me so I thought that was great and really made me trust that I made the right decision in going with this agency.
Next (and not that anyone really cares about this but I thought it was cool)...when I asked Erin at the end how insurance/taxes/contracts with families work, she said "Basically the way I put it is I'm your agent and you're my movie star. I do all the negotiating and hammering out the details for you." I thought that was really cool. So through this nanny agency, they offer medical and dental insurance to all their nannies (full-time, part-time, temporary, summer) so that's pretty cool. That's something that was definitely a bonus and I needed! Plus, the families all go through a company for taxes so I don't have to worry about any of that (I get a W-2 at the end of the year just like you would through a "regular" company) and when it comes to contracts with families, Erin works out all the details and expectations with you and then negotiates with the family for you. She said it's easier for her to do all the negotiating (especially dealing with money, gas allowance, contribution to health insurance, etc.) for the nannies because then nothing becomes sticky between the family and the nanny which I thought was awesome! That's definitely not my strong point so I'm glad that Erin will be helping me through that!
Lastly, the thing that's great about this agency is their communication. They want you to keep in contact with them while they're finding you a family and once you've been placed with a family because they want to make sure that you're happy and that you made the right choice. They also are always there to call up if you have a problem with your family where you think you need advice or anything like that. And also, if I happen to get sick at some point, I can call them up and they have temporary nannies that can take over for me instead of the parents having to take off work so that's really great! They really seemed to cover all their bases and that's awesome!
So, basically, after almost 4 months of no job (minus nannying here and there for Joey) I get two job offers in two days! I guess it pays off to be patient? (And broke at the same time...haha...these opportunites came at the PERFECT time, let me tell you!) So...that's my exciting news =) Not much else is new...I'll keep you posted on the interviews with families...cross your fingers I find a great family that is semi-close!
Peace!
Monday, March 24, 2008
Coming soon...
Sooo...I could tell everyone how my interview went today. But instead I'm just going to wait until after my second interview and tell everyone tomorrow...that way if it doesn't go well, I'll at least have some positive news to go with the negative. Oops. Well I guess there's a little preview for you!
Peace!
Peace!
--For now, here's some pictures from today!
Snack time!
Now all Cole needs is his handy dandy notebook!
Excuse the nakedness, but I just had to show you how hard Cole makes bath time now!
Lastly, this one isn't from today but it just cracks me up...shows how much he loves his Blues Clues!
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