Nothing much has been happening lately except rain, rain, and more rain. I had a job interview last week after absolutely no sleep. I have finally gotten back on a sane sleeping cycle thanks to melatonin. My brother told me something gross about melatonin. If you don't get the vegetarian kind, you're basically taking ground up cow brain. Ew!
This is a week where I'm feeling particularly hopeless and stressed about my job search. So far, I have 4 staffing agencies working for me. Have they gotten me a single interview? No. Massachusetts needs a loan from the federal government to continue to pay unemployment benefits. I've been looking into classes the Dept of Labor offers. Most of them are insanely expensive with no financial aid available. So that is incredibly disheartening. Even my administrative job applications aren't getting me any results. As I enter month 5 of unemployment, I'm starting to wonder if I will find any job this year. So my dream of moving out of my parent's place in October will probably remain a dream.
My brother has been back here for the past several weeks to paint the back half of the house (when it isn't raining). At first, it was annoying having him around. He messed up my routine and coping for living with my parents. He'd suggest doing something X way and it was something that I had given up on trying to change then lo and behold, my parents would listen to their golden son and actually CHANGE! So, I felt even more invisible and inconvenient for a couple weeks. But over time, life at home has worn my brother down so he has embraced the hopelessness. Nothing will change and we're just an annoyance. It's nice having a comrade in arms now! He's also getting me into Lost. I discovered that it's a good show if you watch seasons on DVD. If you watch it live on TV, it is frustrating as hell. We just finished season 2 (which was basically catch up for me). Season 3 is all new for me.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Sunday, June 21, 2009
The Best Darn Shampoo/Conditioner Ever!
My hair has been a disaster lately for two reasons: I am trying to grow it out and my hair was stripped from past salon visits so I had maybe an inch of healthy hair. Basically, my hair doesn't really respond to any shampoo/conditioner I try. I also have very fine thin hair.
BUT John Frieda's Root Awakening line is simply amazing. I use nourishing shampoo and strength restoring conditioner. My hair has actual body, looks good, and feels heartier. I still have to try the detangling spray. The only reason why I picked this product up was because it was on sale and I had coupons. So, that was an awesome cheap intro. But now that I'm hooked, I'll probably shell out some $$ to keep up my supply! My last salon appointment was back in February so hopefully I have grown out 2 inches of healthy roots. John Frieda will be helping those inches in months to come!
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
What a Difference 8 Years Makes
Eight years ago today, I woke up paralyzed on my left side and with a splitting headache. It was the stroke that changed my entire life. I was really lucky (age and fast ambulance response helped a lot). Unfortunately, I had my stroke before tPA was standardized for stroking patients. That is one might have been that I try not to dwell on.
I was in ICU at Beth Israel Hospital for a week. Almost everyone, besides one horrible doctor, was fabulous and supportive. The horrible doctor told my mother that because I was so sleepy in the first couple days, I would die. Which was BULLSHIT! Um hi, I am alive and it has been eights years. Nice diagnosis doc... Also, can I recommend treatment for your lack of bed side manner? Maybe I was sleepy because I wasn't allowed to sleep for any extended period of time because nurses woke me every couple of hours to make sure I wasn't in a coma thanks to my brain bleed.
After that week, I went to Healthsouth rehab. Overall, I had excellent treatment but there were a couple not so great incidents. I had clothing stolen from my room. In the middle of the night, my room-mate who was elderly and completely paralyzed, was left on the toilet in the bathroom. I woke up to her moaning and had to call a nurse.
The one thing I learned about being hospitalized was that there is no shame allowed. Everyone will see you naked at some point. You will have to be looked after like a baby and if you feel shitty every time, get over it. I had complete strangers wiping my ass, mopping up drool, and teaching me how to shower.
So, what has happened since June 10, 2001? Well, my entire family went into therapy (separately). We're a lot stronger now. I lost 90lbs in 3 years and gained it all back in 5. I don't have any grandmothers anymore. I'm on anti-depressants. I've had 2 apartments and 4 jobs. I've been laid off twice. I have my MBA and a gorgeous cat. I'm also Jewish. The last time I was hospitalized was March 2002 - woohoo!
I was in ICU at Beth Israel Hospital for a week. Almost everyone, besides one horrible doctor, was fabulous and supportive. The horrible doctor told my mother that because I was so sleepy in the first couple days, I would die. Which was BULLSHIT! Um hi, I am alive and it has been eights years. Nice diagnosis doc... Also, can I recommend treatment for your lack of bed side manner? Maybe I was sleepy because I wasn't allowed to sleep for any extended period of time because nurses woke me every couple of hours to make sure I wasn't in a coma thanks to my brain bleed.
After that week, I went to Healthsouth rehab. Overall, I had excellent treatment but there were a couple not so great incidents. I had clothing stolen from my room. In the middle of the night, my room-mate who was elderly and completely paralyzed, was left on the toilet in the bathroom. I woke up to her moaning and had to call a nurse.
The one thing I learned about being hospitalized was that there is no shame allowed. Everyone will see you naked at some point. You will have to be looked after like a baby and if you feel shitty every time, get over it. I had complete strangers wiping my ass, mopping up drool, and teaching me how to shower.
So, what has happened since June 10, 2001? Well, my entire family went into therapy (separately). We're a lot stronger now. I lost 90lbs in 3 years and gained it all back in 5. I don't have any grandmothers anymore. I'm on anti-depressants. I've had 2 apartments and 4 jobs. I've been laid off twice. I have my MBA and a gorgeous cat. I'm also Jewish. The last time I was hospitalized was March 2002 - woohoo!
Monday, June 08, 2009
My Mom Has a Crush
Since Burn Notice is starting a new season, I caught up thanks to USA's marathon. Both my parents were around for various episodes and I think I have turned them into fans! In my mother's case, she thinks Bruce should win an emmy for the joie de vivre he brings to Sam Axe. So, my mom has a total crush on The Chin. It could work. He's around my mom's age and is divorced.
Saturday, June 06, 2009
Unpopular Opinions
I have been straightforward on this blog. I don't put on an act about who I am. So, readers should have a fairly complete picture of who I am. Here are some opinions of mine that don't really jive with the picture of me. It is fun sometimes whipping out these opinions at parties to see my friends' whiplash.
Abortion - women should be able to choose to have one. But I will never have one myself because I feel like if I am pregnant, abortion is murder. For other women, it's their own judgment call. Also, I don't like the fact that there's a need for abortion. So, we need better sex education and health care.
Death Penalty - I"m fine with it if the criminal is actually guilty. That's why the Innocence Project is crucial. We need a double check on our legal system I also support castrating pedophiles.
Economics - I"m fine with socialism. Capitalism has basically brought down our economy. Socialism is a way out of this ridiculous shopping and consumerism drive we have. Plus, it's another way to fix health care. If you don't like government provided services, form your own co-op.
Israel - I believe it has a right to exist. I'm undecided which borders I agree with. Yet, I don't agree with treating the native Arab population like second class citizens. If Israel could practice a turn the other cheek foreign policy rather than, bomb the shit out of civilians policy, I'd be happy.
Bill Clinton - he was a complete douchebag. Yet the people he had in his administration did great work. When I get nostalgic for his presidency, I just miss being in my 20's, low crime, low poverty, and a sense of opportunity. I don't miss the dot-com bubble, the Lewinsky scandal, the Somalia plus Rwanda debacles.
House (TV show) - I find show incredibly repetitive. Hugh Laurie looks and sounds like a bullfrog. House, the character, is not compelling no matter how many layers they give him. He's just a straight up asshole.
Abortion - women should be able to choose to have one. But I will never have one myself because I feel like if I am pregnant, abortion is murder. For other women, it's their own judgment call. Also, I don't like the fact that there's a need for abortion. So, we need better sex education and health care.
Death Penalty - I"m fine with it if the criminal is actually guilty. That's why the Innocence Project is crucial. We need a double check on our legal system I also support castrating pedophiles.
Economics - I"m fine with socialism. Capitalism has basically brought down our economy. Socialism is a way out of this ridiculous shopping and consumerism drive we have. Plus, it's another way to fix health care. If you don't like government provided services, form your own co-op.
Israel - I believe it has a right to exist. I'm undecided which borders I agree with. Yet, I don't agree with treating the native Arab population like second class citizens. If Israel could practice a turn the other cheek foreign policy rather than, bomb the shit out of civilians policy, I'd be happy.
Bill Clinton - he was a complete douchebag. Yet the people he had in his administration did great work. When I get nostalgic for his presidency, I just miss being in my 20's, low crime, low poverty, and a sense of opportunity. I don't miss the dot-com bubble, the Lewinsky scandal, the Somalia plus Rwanda debacles.
House (TV show) - I find show incredibly repetitive. Hugh Laurie looks and sounds like a bullfrog. House, the character, is not compelling no matter how many layers they give him. He's just a straight up asshole.
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
Month 4 of Unemployment
Now that we're into June, this is my fourth month on unemployment. Seriously, I am forgetting what it feels like to work in an office. All my work clothes are hanging in my closet unused. The last time I wore anything with a heel? Um, February!
It is still tough out there. I am applying to a variety of jobs, not just analyst. So far, I have had 4 interviews ever since Feb, 27 when I was laid off. 2 of those interviews were staffing agencies and I have heard bupkiss from them. I am counting the 3rd interview for this 1 position that I have had 3 interviews for. Still no word from them - application in March, interviews April & May. The fourth interview was just on a phone from a recruiter who saw my resume. The position sounds right up my alley but there's still no movement from their end. That's the one difference I noticed from this round of unemployment compared to my last round. The hiring timeline is really slow and drawn out. Last time, I'd know within a month that I wasn't being hired and staffing agencies were calling me non-stop. This time, not so much.
Lifewise, I am adjusting fine living with my folks. Rasputin loves having a huge house to roam. Unfortunately, I've had bad health issues over the months but it looks like June will be okay! No more staph infection, no hives, and no bronchitis with sinusitis. I've also let working out fall by the wayside and gained a bit of weight thanks to stress eating. I actually got on a scale the other morning and didn't pass out from shock. It's high but not a number I haven't seen in my life so hopefully with awareness, I'll move towards working on the problem. I found out that I like yard work and it's a covert way to get exercise.
It is still tough out there. I am applying to a variety of jobs, not just analyst. So far, I have had 4 interviews ever since Feb, 27 when I was laid off. 2 of those interviews were staffing agencies and I have heard bupkiss from them. I am counting the 3rd interview for this 1 position that I have had 3 interviews for. Still no word from them - application in March, interviews April & May. The fourth interview was just on a phone from a recruiter who saw my resume. The position sounds right up my alley but there's still no movement from their end. That's the one difference I noticed from this round of unemployment compared to my last round. The hiring timeline is really slow and drawn out. Last time, I'd know within a month that I wasn't being hired and staffing agencies were calling me non-stop. This time, not so much.
Lifewise, I am adjusting fine living with my folks. Rasputin loves having a huge house to roam. Unfortunately, I've had bad health issues over the months but it looks like June will be okay! No more staph infection, no hives, and no bronchitis with sinusitis. I've also let working out fall by the wayside and gained a bit of weight thanks to stress eating. I actually got on a scale the other morning and didn't pass out from shock. It's high but not a number I haven't seen in my life so hopefully with awareness, I'll move towards working on the problem. I found out that I like yard work and it's a covert way to get exercise.
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