Crashing California

Well, I apologize for being somewhat absent after the plethora of blogs in the previous weeks -- I do still have the job -- I called them on Monday morning and informed them of the irony of getting my Social Card in the mail on Saturday, and they asked me to come in on Tues. So, the week was full of the busy-ness of working "the day job" and keeping up with stuff @ home. So, that's my excuse for not blogging all week =) Jay's Dad flew in on Wed. night and on Thurs. (Jay's day off) they did the "boy stuff" of going up to Pasadena and taking care of Porche things ... in preparation of Jay's mom (who flew in yesterday) and they're trip up the coast of North America, driving the wee car home. Today, my mother-in-law and I are doing the "girl stuff" of going shopping and looking around at Carlsbad Village and all it has to offer...and maybe other places too, I'll see what we feel like doing -- I have the wheels today (Subaru) so that...

So, it's Saturday today ~ I went for a run along the ocean beach and it was beautiful. I listened to my iPod and sung along (out loud yes) as I jogged and grooved to Jeffersen Airplane's "Somebody to Love" which we are currently working on doing a cover of. I got back about 4pm and checked the mail and found that I had gotten my Social Security Card. Go Figure ~ As one of Jay's students once said "Life is funny" It sure is. I have a saying too, "God is Awesome" I don't know why all this has happened yet, (maybe I never will) is it about faith? trust? figuring out what I really want, what I need, is it about character (it kind of always is) maybe it's not for me at all, but for others. All I do know, is I think I'll be taking Monday off. Till Next Blog. a.

K, so, this is going to REALLY make you laugh -- Today, I was "terminated" from my position @ Jenny Craig. It appears that because I don't have my Social Security # yet (it's actually on-order, should be here in less than 2 weeks) I cannot be LEGALLY employed by the co. (even though I DO have a GREEN card ... yah, go figure that out). So, my supervisor (who I really like alot, her name is Sandy) drove me home today at about 1:30 p.m.. She assures me that I still completely have a job -- I don't need to "re-apply" but I do need to get processed all over again. I will be getting compensated for this week of work that i've done, although I'm not sure how exactly yet. (It'll have to be under the table of sorts). And as soon as I do get my social # in the mail, I should just let them know and I'll be employed again. so, I was upset for sure. They called me and Sandy down to the human resources offices and were all apologetic and stuff. But I...

I am so incredibly tired right now, this blog may be short ~ but i wanted to write and get up to speed on life incase any of the "curiosities' of others were, well, curious. My job has been getting better everyday. The "dreaded" marketing summit was actually quite cool, almost (dare i say) a highlight of my work week. I am beginning to "settle" somewhat into this new Corporate America ... but, I AM missing, so much my home, and the ocean, and music and all the freedom that I once had. And I am working like an insane person (doing all the freelance that used to be a leisure 4 hour work day, crammed into my evenings after working 8 hours). I don't know how long I'll be able to keep this pace up, or if it will ever feel normal. I'll always, and continue to have these questions in my mind. But for now, I feel safe to say, I am beginning to remember what it was like to actually work everyday. The sad part though is you get so wrapped up in working, t...

So, this is where this blog is going to get really honest -- I mean, it always generally is, but sometimes I do censor things cause I know that family and or certain people are reading and I don't want to convey anything that could worry anyone etc, etc. =) That said, I'm not going to drop any bombshell here either, I'm just going to write very candidly at the moment. My first day of work was boring yes, it truly was ... after orientation (which I had go through, have my own little handbook, sit through a powerpoint of the company and sign my freedom away in various degrees) I had to sit in a Marketing meeting for 2 hours (!!!!) of which, I understood almost nothing. (Although I did get to see a new commercial they'll be airring next week that was cool). Then, I went to my wee corner of the office (a corner cubie) and did every single job they had selected for me ... and it was only lunch. In all honesty I can't believe how slack my job feels right now (which, I am ...

So, it is Friday afternoon ... there is a bit of a "winter storm" blowing into San Diego county tonight (which really just means "rain" and some wind, and some high waves). The weekend will be upon us, well pretty much right now. I truly think, aside from my wedding (which did have it's own dramaz ... if you're in the "fam" you know what I'm talkin' about) this has just about been one of the most eventful weeks of my life. Not because I actually DID anything either, but rather, because of all the things that have happened to me. It's ALL about timing (usually) if you look at things. And to me, it just points more to God, and an intelligent Creator who truly cares about us, in deeper ways than we can imagine. This week, I got my green card in the mail (k, that ALONE has been over 2 years in the making). I secured my "first" real AMERICAN job, at a nation-wide company (which even now, as I type, seems soooo insane). --- to brin...

I know this may sound completely absurd, but I'm wondering now, if I've made a mistake. I'm running a risk of loosing one of my best clients because (understandably) I won't be so available. The situation is making me think about what I am really getting into, and what I am giving up. Though, at the same time, the more I think about it, the more I know I could not continue the way I was "travelling" in my life, and acheive any soon sense of security or stability. This job gives me both. But is that what life is about? It makes me wonder too, if God would allow me to walk down a path that isn't right for me ... my answer to that thought is "No, EVERY path in our lives is useful, EVERY path carves us and shapes our character into more of Christ (if we let it) and less of ourselves." And I wonder what battles lay ahead of me. What I'll miss and grieve leaving behind here. I've been in my own space, in my own four walls for so long, been sile...

So .... I GOT THE JOB!!!! I'm so excited right now I can barely type =) I am thrilled, and humbled, cause I kind of was thinking I wouldn't get it -- and when the lady called me her conversation started like: "So, I just wanted to thank you for all your time and coming down for the interview and such..." and I was like (oh, gosh, there's a "BUT" coming with my name on it...) but then she proceeded to offer me the position and that was that. So, I am sooooo happy!!!! To be making a regular income here is going to help us sooo much. I will still be freelancing so, I will need to figure out how to make everything work ... so everything gets done ... this may prove to be tricky, but I think I'm up for the challenge. Right now I am just so thrilled at the opportunity before me ~ I hope and pray it is a good one =) Yippeee!!! Love, a.

I was having a bummer of a day until ... Praise the LORD!!! (I am still waiting to hear about my job interview) BUT I just got my GREEN CARD in the mail =) weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's all offwhite, complete with my finger print and a horrid (and blurry) pic of moi. And it's loaded with security features so no one can pretend to dupe. it and be me =) I am stoked! I'm still waiting patiently re: my interview ... how sweet would that be to get my green card and a job in the same week!!!!! (sigh) here's hoping =) love, a.

The sunset last night was INSANELY beautiful ... and I was right in the middle of cooking, so I didn't run down to the beach, but I did take some shots from our balcony. Jay and I are reading Exodus right now, and after we watched the sunset Jay mentioned that maybe that's how the Israelites saw God's glory on the mountains -- as a brilliant never ending sunset, which I thought was a completely wonderful thought. It capped off a day that was quite a blessing. I am still waiting for word from my second Job Interview (this one with Jenny Craig). But on the outset, the interview seemed to go super well. I was interviewed by four people all together, and the whole deal took only 1 hour (between four people seemed to go pretty quickly). The first lady who interviewed me was the other graphic artist in creative services. The second was the Marketing Guru and the third (and fourth) were the big head honchos of the creative/marketing/strategic planning/other long business-like term...

K, so, I have job interview #2 tomorrow @ 1:00 p.m. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH so, really, I'm quite excited, it's with Jenny Craig (yes, you know, Valerie Bertonelli etc.) their head office is in Carlsbad (apparetly right behind LegoLand) for a Graphic Designer for Packaging materials (Cereals to be exact ... hmmm) . It's full time, which to me = benifits and salary (HELLO!) And quite the opportunity in my professsional career ... so, even tho I am still freelancing (and going to be planning to keep that going) this is an opportunity I just can't pass up, so I'm going to try. I guess there are a couple of people who will be interviewing me, and it's supposed to take about 1.5 hours (!!! hookie tooters!) Longest Job Interview EVER. Anyways, please pray that God's will be done, and that I have nerves of steel (since I tend to get stressed and nervous), and all that jazz ~ I am EXCITED!!! Till Next Blog. A.

So, I got back from my interview just about an hour ago and it went really well. The co. is small, but they seem pretty well established, It's a husband and wife effort and they're both Canadian (!!) go figure. So, that made things good from the beginning. They seems pretty young (like 30-35) and professional... Anyways, they're basically building a roster of Freelance artists to use, and they seemed interested in me and mentioned they would get in touch with me in the next couple weeks to go over some stuff they'll be needing done. So, it's good! They prefer me to come into their office tho ... which is'nt prime for me, but it's right off the Coaster tracks so, I can totally take the train there, which is actually pretty convenient. I told them I prefer to do things @ home, so we'll see what happens. Anyways, thanks so much for all your prayers and things for me. I was pretty nervous, and even had to go out and buy "slacks" cause I simply didn...