So, I'm terrible at updating.
After 6.5 months without a job, I finally got one. I am the education coordinator for a historic house museum now, and I'm currently finishing my 4th week of work. And let me just tell you... it's been intense (I've already racked up more than 2 days flex time). I've had some really great experiences so far, and some experiences that if I/we learn from them, that's about the only positive thing that could come from the situation. The director is new too (started a whole 5 days before me), and we get along really well (which is likely the best thing EVER). We've already made some big changes to the site and have plans for MAJOR changes to hopefully happen soon (I say hopefully so that I might have an office that doesn't double as the storage closet in the near future- windows might be nice too). The other great news is that the board has faith in us both, and is letting us make these changes. It's nice when they walk in and tell us how happy they are that they made the decision they did to hire us both.
Another great thing about this job is all the help I've been able to get from contacts at other museums in the area. Everything from getting rid of exhibit cases, to help with dealing with drama on Facebook, to offering to help with our gift shop- it's been great. Nice to know that the museum community in the area is so open to sharing information & helping out.
One thing that has me confused though is that one board member has mentioned several times to me how nice and professional I look. What were they expecting me to wear? Sweats or old jeans? Plus, dressing professionally makes me look closer to my actual age (which is always a plus). Of course, on the one Saturday that I've already been called in to work (last minute, therefore didn't have the willpower to find really professional clothing), I was told that I look like I'm old enough to be one woman's 11-year-old granddaughter. Boy was she shocked to hear that I'm old enough to have a master's degree. And just today, I was asked by a 30-something city worker how old I am. Granted, he didn't tell me how old he thought I was, but instead told me that 25 is young. This seems like the biggest win so far, as far as being asked how old I am... no other comments were made!
In other jobs news, I'm about to start training one intern next Tuesday, our current intern (who I just realized was an intern last week) leaves us in 2 weeks, and another person has sent me an email requesting an internship. It's so crazy, since I was just the one interning... and now I'm the one training/ mentoring? Weird.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
"Is this your daughter?"
So, as I'm sure you've all heard me complain, I look young for my age. Whatever. This story takes the cake. I'm pretty sure in this case, it offends my friend more than it offends me.
I'm a certified track official, and I'm currently training to work database for road races in the area. A girl who looks a lot like me (has the same hair color, so therefore we must be related... at least that's what people think) and is two years older than me works both and is currently training me for the database system. Usually the worst we get is being called each other's names. Last Saturday, I was working a road race and a vendor came up to her as we were walking and asked, "Is this your daughter?" Lindsey said, "Are you kidding me? She's 2 years younger than me." It's not even the first time that this vendor has seen Lindsey before. The vendor quickly responded, "Oh you know. I meant 'sister.'"
Lindsey: "Yeah. That's not what you said."
Luckily for me, it was so early that I didn't even hear the vendor make the first comment- my only thoughts were on the free Italian ice samples ahead (it was 8am and I'd already been awake for 3 hours. Cut me some slack).
Lesson: I guess it's true and you should always assume that someone is younger than they look. And never ask if someone is your daughter- always make a mom happy and ask if it's your sister even if there is a major age difference. Saves a lot of hurt feelings.
I'm a certified track official, and I'm currently training to work database for road races in the area. A girl who looks a lot like me (has the same hair color, so therefore we must be related... at least that's what people think) and is two years older than me works both and is currently training me for the database system. Usually the worst we get is being called each other's names. Last Saturday, I was working a road race and a vendor came up to her as we were walking and asked, "Is this your daughter?" Lindsey said, "Are you kidding me? She's 2 years younger than me." It's not even the first time that this vendor has seen Lindsey before. The vendor quickly responded, "Oh you know. I meant 'sister.'"
Lindsey: "Yeah. That's not what you said."
Luckily for me, it was so early that I didn't even hear the vendor make the first comment- my only thoughts were on the free Italian ice samples ahead (it was 8am and I'd already been awake for 3 hours. Cut me some slack).
Lesson: I guess it's true and you should always assume that someone is younger than they look. And never ask if someone is your daughter- always make a mom happy and ask if it's your sister even if there is a major age difference. Saves a lot of hurt feelings.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Dare You To Move
I'm not sure if you all know Switchfoot's song "Dare You To Move," but I've enjoyed it since I was in high school (find it if you're interested, I think it's worth it!) It's currently playing on my iTunes (for the first time in probably a year), which is what inspired me to write this.
A few weeks before I moved for graduate school, I was hanging out with some friends, and was asked how I felt about the move. I was pretty non-committal I think, but not exactly thrilled about the prospect when almost all of my close friends were going to be staying in the area. On my way home that night, "Dare You To Move" came on the radio, and really moved me. I really felt it was my sign that I needed to move, even if it meant being away from everyone (even though it was only 2.5 hours... I can count on one hand the number of friends who visited).
I've been getting really nervous about this job thing. Yes, lots of part-time jobs are popping up here, and possibly even a full-time (although that could very well be part-time as well) position... but that's about it for this area. A few weeks ago, I had to expand my job search out of the southeast because my stupid imaginary deadline of May had happened and I still didn't have a job. So, I've applied for a job in Washington (state... and DC, but I've been applying to those this whole time). Talk about out of my comfort zone... I haven't lived in Washington in 22 years. But then my mom pointed out to me that she and my dad weren't excited about the prospect of living in Washington either, but it allowed my dad to gain job experience, and 2 years later we were able to move back east. Now, I'm not saying that I'm getting that job, or have even heard back from them... but it's a big deal that I'm even letting myself apply there.
Hearing that song tonight reminded me that it works out, even if I have to move.
Between who you are and who you could be
Between how it is and how it should be...
Maybe the person I should be doesn't live in the southeast... at least not right now. Maybe I need to escape to become who I am supposed to be? I was not looking forward to moving 2.5 hours away, and that turned out alright. It's all going to work out, eventually. Something will happen soon, and that will be my sign if I really do need to get out of the area.
A few weeks before I moved for graduate school, I was hanging out with some friends, and was asked how I felt about the move. I was pretty non-committal I think, but not exactly thrilled about the prospect when almost all of my close friends were going to be staying in the area. On my way home that night, "Dare You To Move" came on the radio, and really moved me. I really felt it was my sign that I needed to move, even if it meant being away from everyone (even though it was only 2.5 hours... I can count on one hand the number of friends who visited).
I've been getting really nervous about this job thing. Yes, lots of part-time jobs are popping up here, and possibly even a full-time (although that could very well be part-time as well) position... but that's about it for this area. A few weeks ago, I had to expand my job search out of the southeast because my stupid imaginary deadline of May had happened and I still didn't have a job. So, I've applied for a job in Washington (state... and DC, but I've been applying to those this whole time). Talk about out of my comfort zone... I haven't lived in Washington in 22 years. But then my mom pointed out to me that she and my dad weren't excited about the prospect of living in Washington either, but it allowed my dad to gain job experience, and 2 years later we were able to move back east. Now, I'm not saying that I'm getting that job, or have even heard back from them... but it's a big deal that I'm even letting myself apply there.
Hearing that song tonight reminded me that it works out, even if I have to move.
Between who you are and who you could be
Between how it is and how it should be...
Maybe the person I should be doesn't live in the southeast... at least not right now. Maybe I need to escape to become who I am supposed to be? I was not looking forward to moving 2.5 hours away, and that turned out alright. It's all going to work out, eventually. Something will happen soon, and that will be my sign if I really do need to get out of the area.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
It's May now.
So... it's May now. Come May 15, that means I will have officially been without a job for 5 months. So yesterday, I started applying for jobs outside my preferred geographic area. The one I applied for yesterday is just about the furthest I can get away from home and still be in the contiguous U.S. But, it sounds great, is a government job (with government benefits!), and I meet their qualifications without really having to think hard.
You want to talk about frustrating? Let me tell you how crappy this has been. But if there are any tips I can share, it would be these:
1. Just because you think you've got a job in the bag, go ahead and keep applying. NOTHING is guaranteed, especially in this economy. Trust me.
2. Moving in with your parents is not bad. Maybe I should have prepared them for the bad moods (from job applications/ rejections) sooner though.
3. This takes a whole lot longer than anyone told me it would.
4. Patience isn't always a virtue. Granted, I only pretend to be patient. You who actually know me that I'd rather be ripping things to shreds than wait one more week to hear from a job.
So that's all I've got for now. I'm not happy with what's happening. I'll be honest. Each hour makes me less and less optimistic about getting this job.
And I don't want to wait
I just want to know
I just want to hear you tell me so
Give it to me straight
Tell it to me slow
Cause maybe someday
We'll figure all this out
We'll put an end to all our doubt
Try to find a way to just feel better now and
Maybe someday we'll live our lives out loud
We'll be better off somehow
Someday
-"Someday"- Rob Thomas
P.S. Forgive my pessimistic rant following the awful Middle TN flooding- my troubles are nothing compared to those who lost their homes and lives.
You want to talk about frustrating? Let me tell you how crappy this has been. But if there are any tips I can share, it would be these:
1. Just because you think you've got a job in the bag, go ahead and keep applying. NOTHING is guaranteed, especially in this economy. Trust me.
2. Moving in with your parents is not bad. Maybe I should have prepared them for the bad moods (from job applications/ rejections) sooner though.
3. This takes a whole lot longer than anyone told me it would.
4. Patience isn't always a virtue. Granted, I only pretend to be patient. You who actually know me that I'd rather be ripping things to shreds than wait one more week to hear from a job.
So that's all I've got for now. I'm not happy with what's happening. I'll be honest. Each hour makes me less and less optimistic about getting this job.
And I don't want to wait
I just want to know
I just want to hear you tell me so
Give it to me straight
Tell it to me slow
Cause maybe someday
We'll figure all this out
We'll put an end to all our doubt
Try to find a way to just feel better now and
Maybe someday we'll live our lives out loud
We'll be better off somehow
Someday
-"Someday"- Rob Thomas
P.S. Forgive my pessimistic rant following the awful Middle TN flooding- my troubles are nothing compared to those who lost their homes and lives.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
On love and marriage (and matchmakers)
Two posts for today (since I'm a bit behind):
I've been subbing at the preschool that my mom works at (and where I used to work in the summers) for the past few weeks. It's been interesting, to say the least.
For instance, today at lunch, one of the little girls in my mom's pre-K class randomly asks me, "Miss Ashleigh, when are you going to get married?"
Another child told me that you get married when you're a grown-up. In case you're wondering, the class is divided on whether or not I'm a real grown-up (it's a problem when your mom is the teacher, and they don't know how that works- 2 weeks ago they thought that since they had a sub, that I was her daughter, because clearly I'm the daughter of whoever is the teacher). At least them being divided gives me a little leeway on when I need to get married.
But the weirdest thing is that about 5 minutes later, my mom's friend calls and tells her that she's just ran into one of her friends whose son went to elementary school through 8th grade with me. And together, they've decided that we're perfect for each other. His mom said, "Well, I remember when she [me] was younger, she was just darling!" And Katherine said, "She still is!" "Ashleigh, you MUST find him and friend him on Facebook" (he found me a few months ago, so no worries there). And wouldn't you know it, he's going to be in town this summer doing an internship for graduate school.
I'm so glad that we've got this all worked out now. Half the Pre-K thinks it's time for me to get married, and now we've found the right person. Glad that it takes no effort on my part.
I've been subbing at the preschool that my mom works at (and where I used to work in the summers) for the past few weeks. It's been interesting, to say the least.
For instance, today at lunch, one of the little girls in my mom's pre-K class randomly asks me, "Miss Ashleigh, when are you going to get married?"
Another child told me that you get married when you're a grown-up. In case you're wondering, the class is divided on whether or not I'm a real grown-up (it's a problem when your mom is the teacher, and they don't know how that works- 2 weeks ago they thought that since they had a sub, that I was her daughter, because clearly I'm the daughter of whoever is the teacher). At least them being divided gives me a little leeway on when I need to get married.
But the weirdest thing is that about 5 minutes later, my mom's friend calls and tells her that she's just ran into one of her friends whose son went to elementary school through 8th grade with me. And together, they've decided that we're perfect for each other. His mom said, "Well, I remember when she [me] was younger, she was just darling!" And Katherine said, "She still is!" "Ashleigh, you MUST find him and friend him on Facebook" (he found me a few months ago, so no worries there). And wouldn't you know it, he's going to be in town this summer doing an internship for graduate school.
I'm so glad that we've got this all worked out now. Half the Pre-K thinks it's time for me to get married, and now we've found the right person. Glad that it takes no effort on my part.
Quote of the Month
April's quote of the month is my favorite. So fitting for birth month!!
"The time has come," the walrus said, "to talk of many things: of shoes- and ships- and sealing wax- of cabbages- and kings- and why the sea is boiling hot and whether pigs have wings."
-Lewis Carroll
"The time has come," the walrus said, "to talk of many things: of shoes- and ships- and sealing wax- of cabbages- and kings- and why the sea is boiling hot and whether pigs have wings."
-Lewis Carroll
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