Saturday, December 27, 2008
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Christmas Eve Campaign
Every year I've celebrated a tradition of opening one present on Christmas Eve. However, part of the tradition was the fact that the opening of a present wasn't a given - it had to be earned through steady manipulation of my father.
On Christmas Eve morning, my brothers and I would begin our campaign on our father, beginning with big hugs and shouts of "It's Christmas Eve! We get to open a present!" Pat would then respond gruffly "Of course you can't open a present!" We would then give him sad eyes and plead. "No," he'd say, "You're not opening a present today, and that's final!"
And thus it continued for the whole day. We'd snuggle into his lap and say "please Papa, just one little present?" He'd always respond no, until right before bed, when he'd finally give in and, with shouts of glee, Jordan, Logan and I would each tear into one present. Afterward, we'd give Pat more hugs and tell him what a wonderful, generous father he is. He totally ate it up.
Now that I've left the home and am married to Taylor, my Christmas Eve campaign continues. Taylor's a harder nut to crack, however, because he can't play the Bountiful Father like Pat, so I have to try a different angle.
Taylor's really big on traditions, so I stress for a week before Christmas how my favorite family memory was the opening of one present. Taylor then says that it's important that we start our own family traditions. I then respond by saying my family has hardly any traditions and he can't take away the one that we consistently celebrated. Taylor then ignores me.
But, so far in three Christmases together, I've won. I'm going four for four this year!
On Christmas Eve morning, my brothers and I would begin our campaign on our father, beginning with big hugs and shouts of "It's Christmas Eve! We get to open a present!" Pat would then respond gruffly "Of course you can't open a present!" We would then give him sad eyes and plead. "No," he'd say, "You're not opening a present today, and that's final!"
And thus it continued for the whole day. We'd snuggle into his lap and say "please Papa, just one little present?" He'd always respond no, until right before bed, when he'd finally give in and, with shouts of glee, Jordan, Logan and I would each tear into one present. Afterward, we'd give Pat more hugs and tell him what a wonderful, generous father he is. He totally ate it up.
Now that I've left the home and am married to Taylor, my Christmas Eve campaign continues. Taylor's a harder nut to crack, however, because he can't play the Bountiful Father like Pat, so I have to try a different angle.
Taylor's really big on traditions, so I stress for a week before Christmas how my favorite family memory was the opening of one present. Taylor then says that it's important that we start our own family traditions. I then respond by saying my family has hardly any traditions and he can't take away the one that we consistently celebrated. Taylor then ignores me.
But, so far in three Christmases together, I've won. I'm going four for four this year!
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Snow Storm 2008 Update
This snow is still going strong! I shoveled our sidewalks, but they're filled with snow again. :(
I've really glad I bought that extra pound of coffee.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Snow Storm Update
I'm guesstimating that about 10 inches of snow has fallen, but it's hard to tell, since the wind has created drifts. Some parts of our yard are up to 14 inches deep and other parts have barely a dusting of snow.
Below is a captioned picture of my pets' reaction to the snow.
This is a slide show of all the snow so far. It's still going strong, and notice how the snow is darting horizontally in the pictures! Wild!
Snow Storm!
A big storm is on it's way into Boston - the weather reports say that we can expect up to 12 inches of snow tonight and more over the weekend.
Naturally, in the calm before the storm everyone is freaking out and stocking up on bread, milk, and battery chargers for their cell phones. I shouldn't judge too harshly, since I think this is a reaction to the snow disaster we had last year, when everyone ignored the weather reports and all tried to leave work at the same time when the storm struck.
Taylor and I took stock of our winter survival gear, and realized that we have no shovels, rock salt, ice scrapers or windshield wiper fluid. While Taylor went to work, I traveled around Quincy picking up we needed. Unlike apartments, houses don't come with people who shovel the snow for you.
I also picked up an extra pound of coffee, and am waiting in my warm and cozy house for the first flakes to start falling.
The best weather quote I heard today: "The clouds don't look like they're doing much, but they're working themselves up to it."
Naturally, in the calm before the storm everyone is freaking out and stocking up on bread, milk, and battery chargers for their cell phones. I shouldn't judge too harshly, since I think this is a reaction to the snow disaster we had last year, when everyone ignored the weather reports and all tried to leave work at the same time when the storm struck.
Taylor and I took stock of our winter survival gear, and realized that we have no shovels, rock salt, ice scrapers or windshield wiper fluid. While Taylor went to work, I traveled around Quincy picking up we needed. Unlike apartments, houses don't come with people who shovel the snow for you.
I also picked up an extra pound of coffee, and am waiting in my warm and cozy house for the first flakes to start falling.
The best weather quote I heard today: "The clouds don't look like they're doing much, but they're working themselves up to it."
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Malls at Christmas
I thought I'd take advantage of my unemployed state to head to the mall today to do an exchange of a present I bought for Taylor. Earlier that morning he and I used a gift card given to me by my parents to order some movies, and he happened to pick a movie I already bought. I tried to dissuade him to no avail. After all, I couldn't go right out and say "Don't order that movie, you dummy, because I already bought it and it's hiding in my pantie drawer!" Like I need to give him anymore reasons to go into my drawers.
I thought that, since most people are working, I would have a pretty easy time navigating the mall. What a fool I was. I should have known that there is a population of people just like me: unemployed but still like to spend money.
All rules that normally apply to social interactions fly out the window when you're searching for mall parking spot. People cut in front of each other. Eye contact is made and maintained as drivers mentally contend for the same spot. Hitting pedestrians is not only acceptable but encouraged. Stalking someone is no longer creepy, it's a smart move to ensure you get their spot. I sometimes wonder if some people, knowing that another is waiting for them to vacate, don't purposely take longer than usual to leave. They kick their tires, open their hoods and check their oil levels. Uh-oh, too low. Gotta get the oil bottle out of the trunk and top it off. Re-check the oil level. That's better. Get inside the car. Take care in buckling the seatbelt, now have to adjust the mirrors, first the left side, then the right side, now the rear view mirror - can't be too careful!
By this time, the other driver has given up and the mall has closed anyway.
All the same, I managed to find a parking spot in a neighboring zip code, battle the lines, be sent to three difference customer service managers, and exchange the movie for another of equal or lessor value. Flushed with victory, I am now ready to face the ultimate holiday nightmare: Wal-Mart.
But I'll do it tomorrow.
I thought that, since most people are working, I would have a pretty easy time navigating the mall. What a fool I was. I should have known that there is a population of people just like me: unemployed but still like to spend money.
All rules that normally apply to social interactions fly out the window when you're searching for mall parking spot. People cut in front of each other. Eye contact is made and maintained as drivers mentally contend for the same spot. Hitting pedestrians is not only acceptable but encouraged. Stalking someone is no longer creepy, it's a smart move to ensure you get their spot. I sometimes wonder if some people, knowing that another is waiting for them to vacate, don't purposely take longer than usual to leave. They kick their tires, open their hoods and check their oil levels. Uh-oh, too low. Gotta get the oil bottle out of the trunk and top it off. Re-check the oil level. That's better. Get inside the car. Take care in buckling the seatbelt, now have to adjust the mirrors, first the left side, then the right side, now the rear view mirror - can't be too careful!
By this time, the other driver has given up and the mall has closed anyway.
All the same, I managed to find a parking spot in a neighboring zip code, battle the lines, be sent to three difference customer service managers, and exchange the movie for another of equal or lessor value. Flushed with victory, I am now ready to face the ultimate holiday nightmare: Wal-Mart.
But I'll do it tomorrow.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
First Snow of 2008
A little late in being posted, but this was our first snow! It's gone now, but being New England I'm pretty confident that it will be back again soon.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Speaking of interviews ...
I got called in to do a second interview with the architectural firm! Yay and praise God!
The Interview Process
One of the most difficult parts about going to interviews is the feeling that I'm not being entirely honest. They say that the job of the interviewee is to sell herself (figuratively speaking of course. The literal selling of oneself is illegal in most states except Nevada). That's well and good, but I don't want to be accused of false advertising.
For example, I say that I am hard-working, diligent, dependable etc., but the reality is I like to believe I am these things; I often fall short. That honesty, however, doesn't work so well during the interview process.
"Meghan, would you say you are detail-oriented?"
"Well, I would say that I can pay attention to details, like when I re-read Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and compared its to The Half Blood Prince and I really picked up on some nuances that I missed before - oh, you mean like, accounting and math and stuff. No, that's boring. "
One of the things I learned in my last job is the importance of managing customers' expectations, such as quickly squashing the notion that they can hire a contractor to remodel their entire home for only thirty-five grand. I feel I should somehow incorporate this principle into my interviews so I can make sure I'm as good a fit as possible for a new company.
"To be frank, I'm really not interested in putting in an ounce of overtime, thank you."
"No, I wouldn't describe myself as a 'team player.'"
"Sure I'm friendly, but only after I've had my 3rd shot of espresso, ya know what I mean?"
On the other hand, I do want to be able to pay my mortgage, so perhaps the real expectations I should be setting are the ones for myself. I can be hard-working! I can be diligent! I can be dependable! Just not for less than $35,000 a year, okay?
For example, I say that I am hard-working, diligent, dependable etc., but the reality is I like to believe I am these things; I often fall short. That honesty, however, doesn't work so well during the interview process.
"Meghan, would you say you are detail-oriented?"
"Well, I would say that I can pay attention to details, like when I re-read Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and compared its to The Half Blood Prince and I really picked up on some nuances that I missed before - oh, you mean like, accounting and math and stuff. No, that's boring. "
One of the things I learned in my last job is the importance of managing customers' expectations, such as quickly squashing the notion that they can hire a contractor to remodel their entire home for only thirty-five grand. I feel I should somehow incorporate this principle into my interviews so I can make sure I'm as good a fit as possible for a new company.
"To be frank, I'm really not interested in putting in an ounce of overtime, thank you."
"No, I wouldn't describe myself as a 'team player.'"
"Sure I'm friendly, but only after I've had my 3rd shot of espresso, ya know what I mean?"
On the other hand, I do want to be able to pay my mortgage, so perhaps the real expectations I should be setting are the ones for myself. I can be hard-working! I can be diligent! I can be dependable! Just not for less than $35,000 a year, okay?
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Not to complain...
But what is with the weather? On Sunday it snowed, Monday it had a high of 15 degrees, and right now it's 63 degrees outside.
My friend Nikky from Florida was giddy with excitement over the snow, and now it's all gone. My heart grows heavy as I picture the look of disappointment on her face when she saw that, with the exception of the colonial houses and the Italian deli across the street, she may as well be back in the Sunshine State.
Well, almost. I checked and it's actually 72 degrees there right now.
My friend Nikky from Florida was giddy with excitement over the snow, and now it's all gone. My heart grows heavy as I picture the look of disappointment on her face when she saw that, with the exception of the colonial houses and the Italian deli across the street, she may as well be back in the Sunshine State.
Well, almost. I checked and it's actually 72 degrees there right now.
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Interview
I had my first real job interview today with an architectural firm in Cambridge. I thought it went really well! The woman I'd be working under was very nice and pretty straight-forward about her expectations for an admin, which I appreciated. My recruiter said she gave me a positive review when he spoke with her, so hopefully I'll hear some official tomorrow.
In the meantime, I'll celebrate by posting a sketch I made on the train:
This was probably inspired by the Mythical Creatures exhibit at the Museum of Science, which I went to on Sunday. It was cool, but not nearly as magical as I hoped. I suppose I won't find a real concentration of magic until I visit Disney World.
In the meantime, I'll celebrate by posting a sketch I made on the train:
This was probably inspired by the Mythical Creatures exhibit at the Museum of Science, which I went to on Sunday. It was cool, but not nearly as magical as I hoped. I suppose I won't find a real concentration of magic until I visit Disney World.
Friday, December 05, 2008
Irony Alert
It would appear that the unemployment office in Quincy is understaffed, since they only have one person who is available to process unemployment claims.
Thursday, December 04, 2008
No Job
So, I've been jobless for over a week now, and I have to say it's not so much fun. I've been applying at every administrative assistant job I can find on Craig's List and I've met with a staffing firm (and was told that "it's slow out there"). I honestly thought I'd kind of bounce into a new job without any problems, but now I'm starting to get a little worried.
Granted, it's only been about a week, but I've never been that patient.
This situation has been forcing me to reevaluate all my assumptions. Back when I had a job and was easily capable of making my mortgage payments, it was easy to say that I trust that God will provide and I will never be in want and if I have to lose the blessings he has given, then it's all right. Now faced with the reality of these things occurring, it's a lot harder to close my eyes, take a breath and say "It's in your hands, Lord."
Honestly, Taylor and I aren't in bad shape, and I can be out of work for a couple months without really being affected more than having to give up some luxuries like name brand toothpaste. The hardest part so far is getting used to the idea that I need a job and I don't have one.
The good news is now I have a LOT of free time on my hands, so I might do a better job keeping this updated. Of course, I said that when my hours got cut, and it took me losing my job entirely before I got around to writing another post. I'll probably have lost my house in a fire before I think, "You know, I don't have any house cleaning to do, I should update the old blog."
Granted, it's only been about a week, but I've never been that patient.
This situation has been forcing me to reevaluate all my assumptions. Back when I had a job and was easily capable of making my mortgage payments, it was easy to say that I trust that God will provide and I will never be in want and if I have to lose the blessings he has given, then it's all right. Now faced with the reality of these things occurring, it's a lot harder to close my eyes, take a breath and say "It's in your hands, Lord."
Honestly, Taylor and I aren't in bad shape, and I can be out of work for a couple months without really being affected more than having to give up some luxuries like name brand toothpaste. The hardest part so far is getting used to the idea that I need a job and I don't have one.
The good news is now I have a LOT of free time on my hands, so I might do a better job keeping this updated. Of course, I said that when my hours got cut, and it took me losing my job entirely before I got around to writing another post. I'll probably have lost my house in a fire before I think, "You know, I don't have any house cleaning to do, I should update the old blog."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
